MOM bakal ubah perlembagaan

Oleh Lukman Salleh (Berita Harian)

Beri lebih kuasa untuk selesai masalah ahli

SELEPAS kian dibebani masalah yang membabitkan pertikaian antara ahli gabungannya yang merujuk kepada timbang taranya, Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) bakal mengubah perlembagaannya untuk memberi lebih kuasa kepada mereka menyelesaikan masalah.

Ketika ini timbang tara MOM lebih bersifat 'orang tengah' kerana tiada kuasa untuk menuntut atau mengarahkan pihak yang bertelagah untuk mengadakan serta bersemuka bagi mencari jalan penyelesaian, sekali gus memberi andaian usaha mereka itu hanya sia-sia.

"Sekarang ini memang ada beberapa persatuan sama ada peringkat kebangsaan ataupun negeri yang merujuk beberapa masalah kepada MOM," kata Setiausaha Kehormatnya, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (gambar).

"Memang MOM sedang meneliti perkara ini dan cuba mencari jalan penyelesaian tetapi ia memerlukan kerjasama antara kedua-dua pihak yang bertelagah untuk duduk bersemuka, berbincang dan kemudian mencari kata sepakat.

"Masalah timbul ialah apabila hanya satu pihak yang hadir dan satu lagi enggan berbuat demikian, sedangkan timbang tara MOM tidak mempunyai kuasa untuk mengarahkan mereka supaya hadir ataupun mengenakan tindakan jika mereka enggan.

"Oleh itu, ada sedikit kelemahan dalam proses timbang tara MOM dan saya berpendapat ada keperluan untuk meminda perlembagaan badan induk ini terutama membabitkan penyelesaian pertikaian, bagi memberikan kuasa kepada MOM menyelesaikan pertikaian," katanya.

MOM kini memikul tugas untuk menyelesaikan pertikaian serta masalah yang membelenggu ahli gabungannya selepas Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Sukan memutuskan tidak mahu terbabit dalam sebarang pertikaian atau masalah membabitkan persatuan sukan kebangsaan.

Sebaliknya persatuan sukan kebangsaan perlu menyelesaikan apa-apa pertikaian yang timbul di kalangan anggotanya atau dengan jawatankuasa atau badan pengelola mengikut prosedur dalaman ditetapkan dalam peraturan seperti yang termaktub dalam Seksyen 23 Akta Pembangunan Sukan 1997.

Bagi MOM pula, Artikel 22 Perlembagaannya mengenai pertikaian (Perkara 1), pula menggariskan sebarang perbalahan antara ahli gabungan dengan MOM, atau dengan ahli gabungan MOM yang lain atau antara ahli gabungan MOM dan sebarang ahli (negeri, kelab atau individu), perlu diselesaikan secara baik melalui proses ADR (an alternate dispute resolution), iaitu, perundingan (orang tengah) dan jika dapat diselesaikan pada peringkat ini, pertikaian itu dianggap berakhir tanpa tindakan susulan.'

Perkara 2 artikel sama pula menyatakan hanya selepas perundingan gagal, maka pertikaian itu akan dirujuk kepada tribunal timbang tara dalam Malaysia di mana seorang penimbang tara dilantik dengan persetujuan kedua-dua pihak. Selepas semua langkah ini diambil, perkara ini mungkin dirujuk kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan di mana keputusan beliau adalah muktamad (Seksyen 24, Akta Pembangunan Sukan).

Polo player loses gold medal after failing drug test

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian polo player Datuk Moiz Ali Moiz has been stripped of the gold medal he won at the Korat SEA Games after being tested positive for a banned substance.

In December last year, the polo team were on a high after winning the country’s last gold medal in the biennial Games. It was Malaysia’s 68th gold medal – making it the best-ever medal haul outside of country.

The rest of the Malaysian polo team, however, can keep their gold medals and the medal tally stands for Malaysia.

Moiz, who was a reserve in the six-member team and who had been found guilty of flouting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, blamed the positive test on a medication he took for gout.

“I was called to attend a hearing by the OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia) and was informed that I had tested positive for a banned substance contained in a medication called Probanacid. I have been taking Probanacid daily for the past 25 years to treat my gout,” said Moiz in a press statement yesterday.

“Prior to the Games, I had given a list of all my medications to my team manager so that he could declare them to the relevant authorities. However, due to certain administrative miscommunication, the medical declaration, for myself and all the other polo team members, was not submitted.”

OCM secretary general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said Moiz would not have gotten into trouble if the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) forms, pertaining to his medication, had been submitted earlier.

“Polo is not a mainstream sport and, I guess, they were not around when we had meetings regarding dope test and did not know about the requirement to notify the organisers if they are taking some form of medication. He is not entirely to be blamed,” said Kok Chi.

Kok Chi advised athletes seeking medical treatment from the National Sports Institute (NSI) to inform them (NSI) about other medicines that they take.

Moiz was among five athletes tested positive for banned substances in Korat.

The others were Thailand’s Olympic boxing bronze medallist Suriya Prasathinpimai and volleyball player Supachai Jitchamroon, Vietnam’s woman boxer Dinh Thi Phoung Thanh and Filipina Ativeza Marcasia (women’s heptathlon).

Royalty carry a torch for Olympian determination

"If you run alone you run fast,
"If you run with others
"You run far."

THE Olympic Games set world standards for individual athletes.

But the above quotation also explains its penchant for the relay, as we just witnessed in Malaysia when Tunku "Pete" Imran lit the traditional flame and carried the torch on the first leg of the run in the country.


This was not only a heart-warming spectacle. It was a great privilege for Malaysia.

The Olympic Games were probably the greatest legacy from the early classical civilisation. The first Olympiad was held in Greece in 771 BC.
The games were held at four-year intervals up to the 293rd edition in AD 392.

It was one of four sacred festivals in honour of the Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Jove.

The Olympics were revived in 1896. Beijing is to have the honour of hosting the 29th edition in August. The flame symbolises the handing on of this great tradition from generation to generation, and country to country.

We staged the precursor here last week without any Tibetans venting their anger on China, just as we had a peaceful conduct and outcome of the recent general election.

It is time the world took note that this diverse community of ours, which might suggest endemic conflict, is a gracious, well-mannered society.

We do not take to the streets, or if we do, we get wet, not dead.

Malaysia can always be relied on to provide a unique twist to a well-worn custom like the Olympic relay.

On this occasion, there were 32 runners but two stood out, respectively signalling the start and finish of the relay.

This newspaper featured them alongside each other, one a prince of Negri Sembilan and the other Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, also in his day, an excellent sportsman.

This was symbolic of our legacy of royalty, of which we have more than any other single country (nine plus from among them, the king).

Nor, as we witnessed last week, are they merely ceremonial. Each has earned his place for his personal prowess in sport.

Malaysia's royalty have a number of outstanding sportsmen, consonant with their desire to take part and contribute to the Malaysian experience and quality of life.

And, by virtue of their standing, this confers an added dignity. Tunku Imran's father, Tuanku Ja'afar, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, was a champion badminton player at Nottingham University in Britain.

He still plays a good hand in tennis and golf.

His brother ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, was a hockey star at Nottingham. Successive rulers of Pahang have excelled in polo.

What I know best about Tunku Imran is his skill in cricket and squash, which earned him the title of "Sportsman of the Year".

Today, he is president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia.

Royalty here can often inspire their subjects.

Apart from their responsibilities in their state, many of them are highly educated, professional and have had distinguished careers.

Tuanku Ja'afar was a diplomat. He was on his way to take up a new posting in Japan when the ruling chieftains, the Undangs of Negri Sembilan, elected him the ruler of the state.

His first son, Tunku Naquiyuddin, was also a diplomat in his time. And probably the most outstanding careerist was Sultan Azlan Shah, an eminent lawyer who rose to be Chief justice and lord president.

He has continued to show support for the rule of law with his annual memorial law lecture series.

As for the Olympics, I wonder how many of you know that we have, and have had in Malaysia for the best part of 25 years, a former Olympic runner from Britain.

I am referring to Dr Paul Temporal, who you probably think of as the renowned brand authority that he is. But his sporting career remains a light under a bushel.

Paul won his first race at the age of 3 in his Sunday school games. He became the Yorkshire champion in the 200 and 400 metres at 15.

It was not long before he was in the Olympics squad and rubbed shoulders, or should I say heels, with people like Sebastian Coe.

In Temporal’s case, it was not a torch that he handed on but a genetic talent. His delightful and talented daughter, Maria, of whom I am proud to be godmother, literally follows in her father’s footsteps. Her events are the 800 and 1,500 metres.

I recall an incident which may surprise the reader. I was at the time twice the not inconsiderable size that I am now.

“What was it? The 100 metres?” This from Temporal.

I was amazed because a long time ago — too long to contemplate — I was a sprinter for my school. How did you know, I asked him.

“Simple,” said Temporal. “Sprinters have to have small feet (size 4), a high instep and a particular type of calf .”

I did not rebuke him for looking at my legs because he was right.

The other person who fits the description is Datin Seri Jean Abdullah, also a sprinter. And, not surprisingly, for she is the daughter of Mathew Danker, one of our best all-round sportsmen.

I began with Tunku Imran, who has been so much in the news of late. And, in my usual anecdotal routine, have two stories, both of which illustrate Tunku Imran’s irrepressible wit.

The first concerns the time when he went to Japan to represent Malaysia in an international squash match. He was, at that time, our squash champion.

Immigration here assured him he did not need a visa. However, when he reached Tokyo the Japanese begged to differ and grilled him.

“Why have you no visa? Are you in the Foreign Service?”

“No, I was told I didn’t need one.” “Why not?” they asked.

Tunku Imran had to abandon his avoidance of pangkat and admit that he was “royal”.

More questions followed. “How do we know that you are royal? Can you prove it?”

Time was running out. The match would be soon and Tunku Imran was getting desperate. Then he had a brainwave. He produced a RM10 note, pointed to the face on it that is all too familiar to us, and compared it with his own.

“That is my grandfather,” he said of the first king of Malaysia. It worked.

Recently, Tunku Imran turned 60 and sent out invitations to his party, which he called “The 60th Test”.

It would be held “in the Pavilion” beginning at 6.30pm in “the Long Bar”.

It would “go on till the last man is out”. Ladies were invited “to show a fine leg”.

I could only hope Paul Temporal would not be there.

NST - By : Paddy Bowie

Choice of torch runners come under fire

KUALA LUMPUR: The selection of torchbearers by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for the Malaysian leg of the Beijing Olympics Torch Relay held on Monday has come under fire from former Olympians.

Isthiaq Mubarak, who represented the country in three Olympics, namely the 1968 in Mexico, 1972 in Munich and 1976 in Montreal, was sad that he and a number of former Olympians who were well into their 60s and who might not be around when the next torch run comes around, were sidelined.

“There were so many torch bearers who were not even part of the Olympics but were included while people like me who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame was not even considered. Where is the Olympism?” he asked.

Former Asian Games bronze medallist Rajemah Sheikh Ahmad, the wife of former Olympian Kamaruddin Maidin, had called the selection of torchbearers for the Torch Relay a shame to the Olympic ideals.

“My husband represented the country in the 1960 Rome Olympics but the OCM did not even have the courtesy to invite him to witness the run, let alone become a torchbearer. I would not mind if there were too many former Olympians that my husband had to be left out but when I saw the list, I was shocked.

“Since when did astronauts, someone who went on a solo expedition to the North Pole, Inspector-General of Police, director-general of the National Sports Council, National Sports Institute and Youth and Sports Ministry secretary general and Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir became Olympians?” asked Rajemah who contacted Bernama to express her dissatisfaction.

Kamaruddin was a national triple jump and long jump champion during his heydays in the 1960s while Rajemah was part of the 4x100m quartet who won a bronze medal in the 1966 Asian Games.

Apart from Kamaruddin, former men’s 110m hurdles champion Isthiaq Mubarak, javelin thrower Datuk Nashatar Singh, sprinter Datuk M. Rajamani, who were all Olympians, were also not part of the event, while Marina Chin, who had only represented the country at SEA Games level, was chosen ahead of them.

In 1966, Rajemah together with Rajamani, Jackie Clieman and Cherryl Dorral, clinched a bronze in Bangkok which remains the highest feat by a Malaysian women relay team at the Asian Games till today.

Meanwhile, OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said the torch relay was not meant for athletes alone, but for a mixed group, namely former athletes, current athletes, public sector, non-governmental organisations and sponsors.

“We had requested the respective associations to nominate some names but only squash and tenpin bowling replied, so we had to make other arrangements.

However, if these people were really interested in participating, they could have come forward, but now it is too late,” said Kok Chi.

He said the distribution was done fairly and that OCM could not accommodate all former Olympians.

-BERNAMA

Tiada sebab pulau Olimpik: Kok Chi

Oleh Lukman Salleh

TIDAK terlintas dalam fikiran Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) untuk memboikot Sukan Olimpik 2008 di Beijing, Ogos ini berikutan perkembangan negatif yang melanda tuan rumah kebelakangan ini, sebaliknya yakin dengan kemampuan China untuk menjamin keselamatan atlit yang bakal hadir bertanding.

Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, berkata isu memboikot Sukan Olimpik 2008 tidak harus timbul kerana tidak ada masalah besar yang melanda sehingga menggugat kelancaran temasya itu dan apa yang berlaku, terutama gangguan ketika Larian Obor adalah kes berbeza.

"MOM tidak membincangkan langsung mengenai kemungkinan memboikot Sukan Olimpik," kata Kok Chi kepada Berita Harian Sukan, semalam. "Isu itu tidak berbangkit langsung. Malah, semua negara sudah bersedia untuk bertanding.

"Justeru, perkara ini tidak perlu dibincangkan ketika mesyuarat Majlis MOM Sabtu ini, kerana saya yakin semua persatuan mahu atlit kita bertanding di Temasya Beijing ini.

"Setakat ini kita juga tidak dengar ada negara yang mahu memboikot Sukan Olimpik Beijing. Justeru, kenapa harus dibangkitkan perkara ini, malah MOM yakin dengan persediaan Beijing untuk memastikan temasya ini berlangsung dengan jayanya," kata Kok Chi.

Sekalipun persediaan Sukan Olimpik Beijing dilanda kekalutan akibat daripada tunjuk perasaan rakyat Tibet serta gangguan kepada Larian Obor yang berlangsung ketika ini, tidak ada negara yang menyuarakan hajat bahawa mereka mempertimbangkan untuk tidak mahu menghantar atlit menyertai temasya agung dunia itu.
Malah, Jawatankuasa Olimpik Kebangsaan (NOC) yang bersidang di Beijing, baru-baru ini, turut menentang sebarang usaha untuk menghalang atlit bertanding di temasya itu dan sama sekali tidak akan memboikot temasya ini.

Mengenai Larian Obor yang akan dilangsungkan Ahad ini, Kok Chi berkata semua persediaan termasuk faktor keselamatan sudah dirancang dan melahirkan keyakinan larian itu � yang menggambarkan keamanan sejagat � tidak menghadapi sebarang gangguan.

"Persediaan berjalan lancar ketika ini dan saya yakin bahawa Larian Obor pasti meriah tanpa ada sebarang masalah," katanya.

Torch run honour

Excitement builds up as the Olympic flame heads for Kuala Lumpur.

WHO would you carry a torch for? We all have our candidates, but for most of us, we wouldn’t do it literally, it’s just an expression after all. But come Monday, there will be 80 select individuals who will be carrying a torch.

Malaysia, and specifically Kuala Lumpur, has been chosen to be one of the stages of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. The torch arrives in KL from Bangkok before proceeding to Jakarta. The other South-East Asian city participating is Ho Chi Minh City.

It is a rare privilege, for the only other time KL hosted a leg of the relay was way back in 1964 when Tokyo was host.

Among the privileged individuals is former Malaysian Ambassador to China, Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, who ended his term there in 2005 after eight years of service. When contacted by The Star, Abdul Majid said he was excited and honoured that the Chinese Embassy had nominated him. He added that his children were also thrilled with his participation and had advised him to train for the event.

“I’m quite fit and it’s just a very short distance that I have to carry the torch. In my younger days, I used to play badminton and basketball. Now I’m an avid golfer,” he said with a laugh.

Abdul Majid noted that despite his retirement, he was still active in promoting and enhancing the relationship between Malaysia and China. As president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, he had organised many cultural events to help strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Former Malaysian Ambassador to China, Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan: ‘I’m quite fit and it’s just a very short distance that I have to carry the torch.’

He recalled that in 2002, while in Beijing, he had helped bring some former Chinese artistes residing in the United States, to perform at the Great Wall. It was to help in China’s bid for the Olympics.

Abdul Majid is still unsure if he will catch the Games in August. He said his eldest son is working in Beijing and was lucky enough to obtain tickets for the opening ceremony and a few other events.

Controversy has surrounded the torch relay, with pro-Tibet protesters trying to disrupt the process along every leg of the run. “The Olympics is a sporting event and the torch is a symbol of everything the Games represent – unity and the human ability and spirit. It is an avenue for players, individuals and governments to come together and share a common goal. It is not right for these protesters to jeopardise something that people have worked at and trained hard for, for so many years.

“This is not the platform for politics and issues. There are other avenues for that,” said Abdul Majid.

He said the Chinese Government had worked hard to make the event a success and to uphold the spirit and ideals of the Games. Abdul Majid said they were doing their utmost to make this a real green Olympics.

Buddhist chief high priest of Malaysia Venerable Reverend K. Sri Dhammaratana said political issues have no place in the Beijing Olympics.

“The Games is a sports event that promotes the message of peace.

Among Malaysians chosen for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay are: (from top) Bryan Nickson Lomas, Shalin Zulkifli, former swimmer Lim Keng Liat, former athlete Marina Chin, and OCM president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar who will start off the relay.

“It stands as an international symbol of compassion and non-violence. The negative feelings generated by some people in London, Paris and San Francisco, for example, should be avoided, especially in our multi-racial and multi-religious country. Let compassion be our guiding light and non-violence, our way of life,” said Sri Dhammaratana, who has invited religious leaders around the country, including Tibetan monks, to join in prayer for peace in Tibet and the success of the Olympic Games.

Internal Security and Public Order deputy director Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Jamaludin Khalid said all the necessary precautions have been made to ensure nothing disrupts the 16.5km torch relay and that it runs smoothly.

He added that they would look at four aspects: the security of the torchbearers; the relay route which will be cordoned off; public safety; and traffic in the vicinity. A total of 600 police personnel will be involved in the exercise.

According to Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, besides the OCM, the Chinese Embassy, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Police are represented in the committee coordinating the relay.

OCM has nominated 58 torchbearers; four comes from the Chinese Embassy here, and the three participating partners, Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lenovo, gave six names each.

While 80 individuals have been chosen, the full list will only be made available on Saturday. They are literally the glitterati among the nation’s sporting community and also prominent personalities who have contributed to the close ties between Malaysia and the host nation China.

Some names are already known and it’s not surprising to see badminton having a heavy representation, having contributed the nation’s only medals in the Olympics so far. The Sidek brothers, Razif, Jailani and Rashid, and former top men’s doubles pair Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, are the shuttlers on the list.

Other outstanding athletes are world number one women’s squash player Nicol David, diver Bryan Nickson Lomas, bowler Shalin Zulkifli, former swimmers Lim Keng Liat and Nurul Huda Abdullah, football great Datuk Soh Chin Aun and hurdle queen Marina Chin.

Sports leaders past and present include Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah. OCM president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar will start off the relay. The last torch-bearer has not been confirmed.

The relay will start at 2pm from Dataran Merdeka and end at KLCC. Among the roads/landmarks the Olympic flame will be passing through are Jalan Mahameru, Stadium Merdeka, Bukit Bintang and Jalan Tun Razak.

It is an historic occasion and for most of us, the closest we will ever get to a venerated symbol of the sporting world. Make time if you can to catch the Olympic flame.

Star

Sports Fratenity Placing High Hopes On New Sports Commissioner

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- The sports fraternity is placing high hopes on Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof, who took over from Tan Sri Elyas Omar as the new Sports Commissioner, to bring about more positive changes to sports associations in the country.

They were of the opinion that Nik Mahmud's experience in the Youth and Sports Ministry, beginning as deputy secretary-general (2003-2004) and secretary- general (2004-2005) before being appointed the chairman of the Sports Advisory Panel (2005-2008), would serve him well in bringing about the changes.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said Nik Mahmud was well qualified for the task.

"OCM hopes the new Sports Commissioner will discuss with OCM and other sports bodies about any changes he intends to make to ensure they can be done smoothly," he told Bernama here Wednesday.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said Nik Mahmud brought along with him vast experience in sports administration and would be able to bring sports associations in the country to new heights.

"I know him personally, the sports fraternity could not have asked for a better person to take over the job," he said.

FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Lt Gen (Rtd) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad congratulated Nik Mahmud on the appointment and was confident that he would bring about a new era in sports in Malaysia.

Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia president Datuk Sani A. Karim in welcoming his appointment, said it was a heavy responsibility but was confident Nik Mahmud would be up to the task.

Malaysian Weightlifting Federation secretary Mohd Suhaimi Khamis said Nik Mahmud was the most suitable person for the job because he was not only capable but also very approachable.

-- BERNAMA

Under-15 kids get chance to win Junior Olympian award

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: The Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian award will be presented to 29 Under-15 children who have excelled in sports and studies in conjunction with the 29th edition of the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar launched the award at the OCM Hall of Fame yesterday.

Don Howat, business executive manager of Nestle Products Sdn Bhd said: “The objective is to inspire our children to feel that they too are part and parcel of the magic, drama, excitement and spirit of the Olympic Games.”

He said that the winners would be selected based on their achievements in sports and studies from January to December this year.

“Nominations are invited from National Sports Schools Council (MSSM), national sports associations, state school sports councils, SportExcel and other sports bodies.

“Nominations close at the end of February 2009 and the winners will be announced by the end of March 2009,” said Howat.

He added that each award winner would receive a Milo sports voucher valued at RM1,500. A certificate of excellence jointly signed by the president of the OCM, Minister of Education and the managing director of Nestle Malaysia.

They would also receive a commemorative Junior Olympian winners medal.

Hurdler Ishtiaq Mobarak and sprinter Datuk Dr M. Jegathasean were among the former Olympians, who were invited for the launch of the award yesterday.

Howat said that the Milo Junior Olympian award was first mooted in 1992 to celebrate the 25th edition of the Olympics in Barcelona.

“Many past winners of this award have progressed and brought honour to Malaysia in the international sports scene.

“Some of these junior role models include Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee, Au Li Yen, Lim Wai Chi and Low Wee Wern to name a few,” said Howat.

He added that all the 29 winners would receive the awards during their respective school assemblies in front of their schoolmates.

Star

Junior Olympian Award: Award to inspire children

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaa’far (right) is flanked by Nestle Products Sdn Bhd business executive manager Don Howart, OCM deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan (second from left) and former Olympian Ishtiaq Mobarak at the Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian Awards launch at Wisma OCM yesterday. — Pic: HASAN ISMAIL

MILO, in conjunction with the Beijing Olympic Games, yesterday launched the Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian Award for 29 children under the age of 15 who have excelled in sports and studies.

The award, first mooted during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, is to celebrate the Olympic Games, the biggest sporting event on the planet.

"The objective is to inspire our children to feel that they too are part of the magic, drama, excitement and spirit of the Olympics and the noble values of dedication, patriotic honour and perseverance that the Games represents," said Don Howart, the business executive manager, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, at the launch of the event at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) yesterday.

Some of the previous notable winners of the award who went on to make it big are Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee and Low Wee Wern (all squash), Au Li Yen and Lim Wai Chi (both gymnastics). Also present at yesterday's launch were OCM president of Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaa'far, deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan and honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Former Olympian Ishtiaq Mobarak was a guest at the event to share his Olympic experience.
Ishtiaq qualified for the semi-finals of the 110m hurdles in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian Award winners will each receive a Milo Sports voucher worth RM1,500, a certificate of excellence and a commemorative Olympian winners medal.

Nomination forms will be available on the Milo website at www.milo.com.my from April 30.

NST

Anugerah Remaja Olimpian hargai 29 atlit muda

KETIBAAN Sukan Olimpik Beijing Ogos nanti mengundang Milo, Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) dan Majlis Sukan Sekolah Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) menganjurkan Anugerah Remaja Olimpian sempena meraikan edisi ke-XXIV temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu.

Sempena edisi ke-29 itu, anugerah itu akan menghargai 29 atlit remaja di bawah 15 tahun yang cemerlang dalam sukan dan akademik dengan objektifnya adalah untuk mencetuskan semangat Olimpik dalam kanak-kanak.

Kanak-kanak yang terpilih akan menerima baucer sukan Milo bernilai RM1,500, sijil kecemerlangan yang ditandatangani bersama Presiden MOM, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, Menteri Pelajaran Malaysia, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein dan Pengarah Urusan Nestle Malaysia, Sullivan O’Carroll serta pingat kenang-kenangan.

Pengurus Eksekutif Perniagaan Kopi dan Minuman Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Don Howart berkata, anugerah itu menjadi pemangkin buat pemenang untuk mencapai kejayaan yang lebih besar di peringkat antarabangsa.

“Anugerah ini mula diperkenalkan pada edisi ke-25 Sukan Olimpik di Barcelona, Sepanyol. Ramai pemenang anugerah ini sudah berjaya mengharumkan negara di peringkat antarabangsa.

“Antara mereka yang kini menjadi kebanggaan kita dan negara ialah Nicol Ann David, Ong Beng Hee, Au Li Yen, Lim Wai Chi dan Low Wee Wern,” katanya.

Pelancaran itu disempurnakan Tunku Imran dan turut dihadiri timbalannya, Datuk Dr M Jegathesan, setiausaha kehormatnya, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, Olimpian lompat pagar era 70-an, Ishtiaq Mobarak dan bekas ratu heptathlon, Zaiton Othman.

Pemenang akan dipilih berdasarkan pencapaian cemerlang dalam sukan dan akademik daripada tempoh Januari-Disember 2008. Pencalonan dibuka kepada atlit MSSM, Majlis Sukan Negeri-negeri, Majlis Sukan Sekolah Negeri-negeri, SportExcel dan badan-badan sukan lain.

Borang pencalonan boleh diperoleh dengan melayari laman web www.milo.com.my bermula 30 April 2008.

Tarikh tutup pencalonan adalah pada akhir Februari 2009 dan pemenang akan diumumkan pada akhir Mac 2009.

BH

Indonesia cadang Sukan Sea empat tahun sekali

Oleh Lukman Salleh

SUKAN Sea yang selama ini diadakan dua tahun sekali bakal dilangsungkan empat tahun sekali - setidak-tidaknya itulah yang mahu dicadangkan Indonesia.

Namun Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) akan menentang sebarang cadangan seperti itu yang dijangka dibangkit oleh Indonesia pada mesyuarat Persekutuan Sukan Sea (SGF) di Laos, pada 22-24 April ini.

Presiden MOM, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, berkata MOM akan menolak sebarang usaha mengubah tempoh itu, sebaliknya mahu kejohanan dwi-tahunan itu dikenalkan seperti sekarang.

“MOM akan mengarahkan wakilnya ke mesyuarat SGF di Laos, minggu depan, supaya menolak sebarang usaha dari negara anggota SGF untuk mengubah penganjuran Sukan Sea daripada dua tahun sekali kepada empat tahun sekali.

“Kami difahamkan, Indonesia mahu mengemukakan cadangan itu dengan alasan ketika ini terlalu banyak sukan bertemasya dilangsungkan dan bertindih dengan beberapa sukan.

“Bagi MOM, terlalu awal untuk melakukan perubahan ini dan kami berpendapat penganjuran setiap dua tahun sekali seperti sekarang ini adalah paling tepat kerana ia memberi peluang kepada beberapa sukan untuk dipertandingkan dalam sukan bertemasya,” kata Tunku Imran pada sidang akhbar selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Lembaga MOM di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Ketika ini, Sukan Sea dianjurkan dua tahun sekali dengan temasya berikutnya akan dilangsungkan di Laos tahun depan.

Pada sidang akhbar itu juga, Tunku Imran yakin Larian Obor Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Ahad ini, akan bebas daripada sebarang gangguan seperti yang berlaku ketika di Perancis, baru-baru ini.

“Saya yakin Larian Obor di sini akan berjalan lancar dan tidak akan timbul gangguan,” kata Tunku Imran. “Pihak polis sudah memberi jaminan untuk menambah anggota mengawal laluan larian dari Dataran Merdeka ke Menara Berkembar Petronas di KLCC.

“Larian Obor ini sebenarnya melambangkan keamanan dan saya pasti rakyat negara ini tidak akan menimbulkan masalah sepanjang larian itu.”

BH

MOM bimbang prestasi merudum skuad hoki negara

Oleh Lukman Salleh

PRESIDEN Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar melahirkan kebimbangan dengan dengan prestasi merudum skuad hoki lelaki negara selepas gagal melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Ogos ini.

Bagi Tunku Imran, kegagalan mara ke Beijing adalah petanda bahawa hoki negara gagal menunjukkan sebarang peningkatan selepas turut kecundang dalam pusingan kelayakan untuk ke Sukan Olimpik Athens, empat tahun lalu.

Oleh itu, katanya, Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia (PHM) perlu melihat kelemahan itu yang mungkin berkaitan dengan struktur dan pentadbirannya, dan bukan disebabkan kepincangan pemainnya.

“Ia satu kejutan dari lamunan buat PHM,” kata Tunku Imran mengulas kegagalan Malaysia mara ke Beijing selepas kecundang pada pusingan kelayakan di Kakamigahara, Jepun, minggu lalu. “Untuk gagal mara ke Olimpik buat kali kedua berturut-turut adalah sesuatu yang mengecewakan.

“Sudah pasti kegagalan ini menunjukkan skuad hoki gagal meningkatkan prestasi mereka berbanding empat tahun lalu ketika mereka kecundang di pusingan kelayakan ke Athens. Jelas sekali, ia semakin menurun.

“Dalam hal ini, PHM perlu mengkaji sebab kegagalan itu. Mungkin tidak ada sebarang kelemahan kepada skuad hoki yang dibentuk, sebalik PHM perlu melihat kepada struktur mereka dengan menumpukan kepada perancangan jangka masa panjang,” katanya.

Skuad negara bimbingan Sarjit Singh gagal melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik 2008 selepas sekadar seri dengan Jepun 3-3 dalam perlawanan kumpulan, sekali gus tidak layak beraksi ke final penentuan menentang Jerman, untuk mencari satu slot ke Beijing.

Bagi Tunku Imran, yang menjadikan kekecewaan itu lebih memeritkan ialah kegagalan skuad negara untuk berentap dalam penentuan final.

“Memang kita menjangkakan sukar untuk mengatasi Jerman,” kata Tunku Imran. “Malah kekalahan 3-0 Malaysia kepada pasukan itu di peringkat kumpulan menunjukkan jurang besar antara kedua-dua pasukan.

“Tetapi apa yang lebih mengecewakan ialah kegagalan skuad negara untuk mara ke final, sedangkan mereka diramalkan mampu berbuat demikian.

“Jika mereka mara ke final, mereka ada peluang untuk cuba merebut tempat ke Beijing. Untuk gagal di peringkat kumpulan, sememangnya cukup mengecewakan,” kata Tunku Imran.

BH

OCM President Meets New Sports Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The meeting between the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, and the new Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Tuesday is set to be the beginning of a cordial working relationship between the two parties.

Tunku Imran said he had briefed the minister on the role played by the OCM and the National Sports Associations (NSAs) under its umbrella.

"Our discussion lasted about an hour and touched on various roles played by OCM and I also invited the minister to the Beijing Olympic Games in August to support our national athletes who will be in action," he told reporters after launching the Milo-OCM-NSC-MSSM Junior Olympian Award at the OCM office, here.

So far, 16 athletes from six sports have qualified for the Olympic Games on merit while another four from cycling have not been confirmed yet although they are expected to make the grade after their impressive performances at the Asian Cycling Championships in Nara, Japan which ended on Sunday.

Azizul Hazni Awang, winner of the keirin and 200m sprint gold, Rizal Tisin, winner of the gold in the 1km time trial and Fatihah Mustapa (silver medallist in 500m time trial) and keirin expert Josiah Ng are tipped to make the trip.

With the men's hockey team failing to make the cut for the Olympics, swimming has the biggest number of participation with seven - four from diving and three in swimming, two from athletics, three in archery, two from taekwondo and one each in shooting and sailing.

With the names from badminton yet to be included, the number of those making the trip to Beijing could reach 25.

Bryan Nickson Lomas (men's 10m platform) heads the cast in diving together with Leong Mun Yee and Elizabeth Jimie (women's 3m Springboard) and Pandelela Rinong (women's 10m Platform).

Korat SEA Games gold medallists Daniel Bego, Khoo Cai Lin and Siow Yi Ting head the list in swimming while archery has Cheng Chu Sian, Wan Mohd Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz and Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman.

Taekwondo exponents Elaine Teo and Che Chew Chan, Roslinda Samsu, Yuan Yufang (athletics), Hazli Izwan Amir Hasan (shooting) and Kevin Lim from sailing make up the current list.

Though about 25 are expected to represent the country, Malaysia's realistic hopes of winning a medal of any colour will certainly rest on badminton although they returned empty handed from the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics.

Brothers Razif and Jalani Sidek won Malaysia's first Olympic medal, when they won the bronze in the Men's Badminton Doubles during the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock won Malaysia's second Olympic medal, when they won a silver in the Men's doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics while Rashid Sidek clinched a bronze medal in the Men's singles event.

Meanwhile, the Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian awards are being held in conjunction with the Beijing Olympics and will be presented to 29 school children aged 15 and below who excel in sports and studies, to mark the 29th edition of the Olympic Games.

Malaysian concerns over Olympic torch relay

A Malaysian Olympic official says he fears foreign agitators might disrupt the Malaysian leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay.

Malaysian Olympic Council Secretary General Sieh Kok Chi says Malaysians are peaceful and he does not believe they will try to disrupt the torch run.

But he warns against people he has called professional agitators coming into Malaysia from abroad and seeking to hold demonstrations similar to those that interrupted the torch's progress in London, Paris and San Francisco.

"We should look at the Olympics as sports, I hope we can keep politics out of the Olympics," he said.

General Sieh says police will closely monitor events leading up to the torch relay, which starts in Malaysia on April 21.

"Security arrangements are being coordinated by the police, (and) we have full confidence in the security forces," he said.

The Malaysian torch relay will begin at Merdeka or Independence square in central Kuala Lumpur, to be carried by corporate leaders, athletes and members of the public to the city's twin towers.

The Asian leg of the international torch relay will begin on Thursday in India, before heading to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, and ultimately reaching China.

ABC.Net

OCM, Sports Associations Support Scrapping HPTC Project

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and several sports associations welcomed the government's decision to shelve the High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) in Brickendonbury, England, saying the high costs saved could be better spent on developing sports.

According to them, the RM490 million cost could be used to train athletes in other countries that excelled in sports and not just focus on the United Kingdom.

OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said as the umbrella body for sports associations in Malaysia, OCM had very early on disagreed on the HPTC.

"Athletes should not be confined to train in one place only but rather be given opportunities to train in countries that have their own specialities," he told Bernama when contacted today.

He was commenting on the announcement by the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday to shelve the project.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia general manager Kenny Goh also supported the move as the United Kingdom was not the only stop for all sports.

Football Association of Malaysia's secretary-general Lt Jen (Rtd) Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad said the government must consider various other options before arriving at a decision.

-- BERNAMA

IOC announces more stringent measures in its fight against doping

In a move that further strengthens its armoury in the fight against doping, the IOC
Executive Board today approved the Anti-Doping Rules for the Olympic Games in
Beijing this summer. Outlined in a 41 page document which will be sent to all
participants and posted on the IOC's web site - the rules describe the anti-doping
regulations and procedures, including more stringent measures, that will be in force
from 27 July (day of the opening of the Olympic Village) to 24 August (day of the
Closing Ceremony).

Allied with an increase in the number of tests - up from 3,600 in Athens to 4,500,
whereby as a general rule all top 5 finishers plus a further two will be tested, the
fortified rules serve as a clear demonstration of the IOC's commitment to ensuring
athletes play fair in Beijing.

Specific new elements include:
- the provision that all athletes participating in the Olympic Games in Beijing will
be subject to doping controls at any time or place, with no advance notice.
- the fact that athletes who miss a test on two separate occasions during the Games
or on one occasion during Games plus two in the 18 months prior, will be considered
to have committed an anti-doping rule violation.
- possession of any substance from the list of prohibited substances would
constitute a violation (previously only a selection from the prohibited list would
have applied)
Over 1,000 people will be involved in the anti-doping programme from laboratory
staff to sample-collection personnel and chaperones. A total of 206 people will
accompany athletes until their arrival at the anti-doping control station. Strict
security will be in force throughout the entire process including overseeing the
transportation of blood and urine samples.

The increase in the number of tests is significant and will concern pre-competition
controls, which have proven to be decisive. Of these 4,500 tests around 700 to 800
are said to apply to urine EP0 detection and 900 will be blood tests.

xxx

In another doping related decision taken today, the Executive Board disqualified the
team mates of Marion Jones (previously disqualified from the Sydney 2000 Games) in
the United States Women Relay team from the 4x100 meters race where the team placed
third and the 4x400 meters race where the team placed first.

The USOC has been asked to return to the IOC all medals and diplomas awarded to the
athletes involved.

The issue of reallocating the medals and diplomas – including those of Marion
Jones’ – will be addressed by the Executive Board in due course pending
further information in the BALCO affair.

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www.olympic.org