Olympic Council of Malaysia in full swing

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will be organising the fifth OCM-Pharmaton Ex-Internationals Golf Challenge on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at the Kelab Golf Seri Selangor. The purpose of this event is to bring together former Malaysian international athletes from all sports and to provide a socially enjoyable environment for them to meet, interact and reminisce. As in previous years, about 100 ex-internationals are expected to participate in the event.

The inter-sport team competition will be for the Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan Challenge Trophy.

The OCM's inaugural Ex-Internationals Golf Challenge was held in 2003 and later editions followed in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

In other news from Malaysia, the OCM has congratulated the Malaysian Handball Federation on its initiatives in modifying the local competition rules, following the start of the fourth National Handball League on March 22.

From the experience of the first three National Leagues, the Malaysian Handball Federation decided to modify the competition rules by reducing the playing time to two halves of 10 minutes each. The shortened playing time allowed each team to play two matches on the day, thus reducing cost and time and also producing better quality matches as the players played a much faster game.

"The Malaysian Handball Federation is to be congratulated on its initiatives in modifying the local competition rules, such as reducing the playing time, to suit the local environment," the OCM said in its weekly newsletter.

"As the standard of Handball in Malaysia is not at all high and is only being developed from scratch, there is no benefit in playing Handball in full compliance with the competition rules of World Cup or Olympic Games, or even Asian Games.

"Thus as beginners, the important objective is to allow the players easier access to competitions and to play more often. After all, it would take a long time before Malaysian Handball standards can reach even Asian standards."

The fourth National Handball League 2009 began at OCM Indoor Sports Arena, Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 10 men’s teams, including a team comprising expatriates living in Malaysia, and 10 women’s teams are participating in the league.

The OCM has also recognised the efforts of the Malaysian Netball Association to promote the sport, ahead of the seventh Asian Netball Championship in Kuala Lumpur from June 21-29.

The Malaysian Netball Association, under the leadership of its President, YB Puan Suraya binte Yaacob, organized the National Netball Carnival 2009 at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. The objective of the Carnival was to promote and introduce Netball as a family sport for physical activity for fun and health enhancement as well as an elite sport which is competed at World, Commonwealth and Asian levels.

Thus at the Carnival, Netball was introduced to boys teams, who competed among themselves. There was also modified Netball, such as 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 mix males and females, as well as competitions for Under 14 years children and Veterans.

Free medical examinations were provided for the participants, exhibitions were put up by the National Sports Council Malaysia and the Institute of Sports Malaysia and sports equipment companies.

Another objective of the Carnival was to publicize Malaysia hosting the seventh Asian Netball Championship at the above venue in the third week of June. Ten countries, including Malaysia, have registered to participate.

One of the aims of the Malaysian Netball Association is to include Netball in the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games. To achieve this aim, the Malaysian Netball Association has to popularize Netball not only in Southeast Asia but also in Asia.

The Carnival was officially declared opened by the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Usia bakal julang Azizul, Rizal

hafiz.aziz@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR - Faktor usia yang masih muda bakal menjadikan Azizulhasni Awang dan Rizal Tisin lebih konsisten pada masa akan datang.

Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi melihat peluang kedua-dua atlet berbasikal trek negara itu lebih cerah memandang usia atlet tersebut yang muda tetapi telah memperoleh pingat serta membuat rekod baru.

''Saya tidak menolak kemungkinan prestasi mereka akan lebih baik daripada Josiah Ng ekoran pada usia muda mereka telah mendapat kecemerlangan.

''Prestasi mereka boleh meningkat ke tahap yang lebih tinggi kerana kini mereka telah memenangi pingat kejohanan dunia dan memegang rekod Asia sukan tersebut,'' katanya ketika ditemui Utusan Malaysia di Wisma MOM, di sini semalam.

Kelmarin, Azizulhasni berjaya menyumbang pingat perak menerusi acara pecut pada Kejohanan Dunia manakala Rizal Tisin turut meraih gangsa menerusi acara 1km ujian masa sekali gus melakar sejarah lebih 50 tahun sukan lumba basikal negara.

Kok Chi turut berkata, peluang untuk atlet berbasikal trek negara baik kerana negara memandang berat pembangunan sukan tersebut.

''Sukan ini mempunyai perancangan yang sangat baik kerana kita mempunyai dua buah Velodrom berbanding negara-negara lain yang tiada satu pun kemudahan ini dan tidak mampu melahirkan atlet sebegini

''Malah atlet cemerlang seperti Azizulhasni turut diberi peluang untuk berlatih di luar negara iaitu di Australia bersama atlet-atlet antarabangsa lain,'' katanya.

Sementara itu, Kok Chi melihat peluang untuk bekerjasama dengan jurulatih trek negara, John Beasley masih ada jika Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) membuat tindakan selanjutnya.

''Saya tidak tahu ada kemungkinan atau tidak Beasley akan melatih kembali Azizulhasni dan Rizal.

''Semuanya terserah kepada MSN untuk mengekalkannya atau mencari alternatif lain,'' katanya.

Semalam, jurulatih itu mengakui telah mengalu-alukan peluang untuk bekerjasama semula dengan negara kelahirannya, Australia.

Dari kolam renang ke meja MOM

Oleh MUSTAPA LAKAWA

KOK CHI telah melalui pelbagai
pengalaman sama ada sebagai atlet
negara mahupun pemimpin sukan.

---

PRINSIPNYA hanya satu - tidak suka mencabar.

Jika dicabar, pemimpin ini lebih suka mengalah. Namun, isti- lah mengalah dalam dirinya bukanlah bermakna dia takut kepada mana-mana cabaran.

Malahan, dia terus tenang berdepan segala isu mahupun masalah, seiring dengan pengalaman luasnya sebagai Setiausaha Agung Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) sejak 1992.

Itulah wajah peribadi Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, seorang pemimpin sukan, bekas jurutera Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) dan bekas bintang polo air negara.

Sekali imbas, tiada siapa menyangka anak kelahiran Selangor ini adalah tonggak pertaha- nan kepada pasukan polo air negara suatu ketika dahulu.

Kudratnya begitu diperlukan dan semangatnya di kolam renang menjadi antara senjata pasukan negara ketika beraksi pada kejohanan antarabangsa. Pentas Sukan SEA atau dikenali dengan Sukan SEAP pada awal penganjuran bukanlah asing bagi Kok Chi.

Bekas pelajar Victoria Institu- tion (VI) ini pernah membawa cabaran Malaysia pada temasya Sukan SEAP 1965 di Kuala Lumpur, 1967 (Bangkok) dan 1969 di Rangoon, Myanmar dengan menghadiahkan tiga kilauan pingat perak.

"Asasnya adalah berenang. Kalau pandai berenang maka peluang untuk beraksi dalam acara polo air sangat terbuka," jelas Kok Chi ketika ditemui baru-baru ini.

"Bagi saya, semuanya bermula ketika saya memasuki sekolah VI dari tahun 1951 hingga 1957. Ketika itu, sukan menjadi perkara wajib bagi semua pelajar dan bagi saya, di sekolah inilah saya mula mengenal kolam renang dan asas berenang."

Atas dasar minat, Kok Chi meneruskan usahanya untuk menjadi jaguh di kolam renang dengan menjadi ahli Kelab Renang Chin Woo, iaitu sebuah kelab swasta yang giat mempromosikan acara renang termasuk sukan polo air di sekitar Kuala Lumpur.

"Bermula dari situ, saya mula serius dan dengan jumlah ahli yang mencukupi, maka kami membentuk sebuah pasukan polo air di mana menyertai kelom- pok pasukan awal yang wujud di Ipoh, Pulau Pinang dan Singapura.

"Pada tahun 1958, saya mula memasuki alam universiti dan menjadi generasi pertama kepada pembentukan Universiti Malaya (UM) di Lembah Pantai. Secara kebetulannya, UM yang sebelum itu berlokasi di Singapura mempunyai ramai pemain polo air berpengalaman dan semakin seriuslah saya dengan sukan ini."

Begitupun, impian Kok Chi untuk menyarung jersi negara di pentas kejohanan antarabangsa hanya hadir pada tahun 1965 ketika usianya telah mencecah 27 tahun selain memegang tanggungjawab sebagai jurutera di JPS.

Peluang itu hadir apabila Kuala Lumpur diberi penghormatan buat pertama kali menganjurkan Sukan SEAP pada tahun 1965, sekali gus menjadikan sukan polo air sebagai satu daripada sukan yang dipertandingkan.

"Sukan polo air tidak dipertandingkan pada Sukan SEAP pertama pada tahun 1959 dan 1961. Pada tahun 1963, jawatankuasa bersetuju menjadikan polo air sebagai satu acara dalam Sukan SEAP tetapi penganjur ketika itu, Kemboja tidak mempunyai kelengka- pan untuk menyenaraikan acara tersebut.

"Begitupun, apabila Kuala Lumpur dipilih sebagai tuan rumah pada 1965, maka polo air secara rasmi dipertandingkan di pentas Sukan SEAP," tambah Kok Chi lagi.

Kesempatan itu membolehkan Kok Chi dan rakan sepasukan meraih pingat perak, selepas hanya tewas dengan perbezaan jaringan kepada Singapura. Mereka meneruskan tradisi dengan kejayaan sama pada edisi Sukan SEAP 1967 dan 1969 di Bangkok dan Rangoon.

Namun, harapan Kok Chi untuk beraksi di pentas Sukan Asia pada tahun 1966 di Bangkok tidak kesampaian gara- gara 'politik dalaman' yang berlaku dalam persatuan renang ketika itu.

"Ketika itu, saya bertugas di Kuantan, dan sebagai orang lama dalam pasukan kebangsaan, agak terkejut juga apabila nama saya diketepikan. Saya rasa wujud ketidakadilan dalam memilih pemain untuk mewakili negara," tambahnya.

Walaupun sempat menjejakkan kaki ke Sukan Asia pada tahun 1970, iaitu kejohanan terakhirnya sebelum bersara pada usia 32 tahun, namun 'politik dalaman' yang berlaku pada tahun 1966 telah mengubah persepsi Kok Chi kepada sistem pengurusan persatuan yang tidak telus ketika itu.

"Sejak insiden itu (digugurkan), saya bertekad untuk mengubah segala sistem yang ada dalam persatuan terutama dalam memilih pemain untuk mewakili pasukan kebangsaan," jelas Kok Chi yang menjadikan Persatuan Renang Amatur Sela- ngor (PRAS) sebagai destinasi pertamanya bergelar pemimpin sukan.

Menjadi Setiausaha PRAS dari tahun 1971 hingga 1974 membolehkan Kok Chi menimba lebih banyak pengalaman sebelum memasuki arena yang lebih mencabar sebagai pemimpin persatuan sukan peringkat kebangsaan.

Gaya kepimpinan yang ada dalam diri Kok Chi membolehkan dia dicalonkan dan seterusnya menang bagi jawatan Setiausaha Kehormat Kesatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (ASUM) pada tahun 1975 hingga 1982.

Selepas itu, Kok Chi menghabiskan tempoh 10 tahun 'bekerja' secara sukarela di Majlis Olimpik Malaysia dengan banyak membantu kerja-kerja yang dilakukan Setiausaha MOM ketika itu, Thong Poh Nyen.

Begitupun, pada tahun 1992, Kok Chi memulakan era baru dalam kepimpinannya apabila dia dipilih mengisi kerusi Setia- usaha Kehormat MOM, menggantikan tempat Poh Nyen.

"Saya tidak suka mencabar dan saya hanya mahu memegang sesatu jawatan apabila saya tidak mempunyai komitmen dengan perkara lain.

"Memandangkan saya telah bersara sebagai kakitangan kerajaan pada tahun 1990 dengan jawatan terakhir sebagai Pengarah Kejuruteraan Pantai, maka barulah saya sedia memegang jawatan sepenting ini," tambah Kok Chi.

Koleksi gambar Malam Olimpian 2008

Tunku Imran receives Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy

Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar was presented an Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy (USSA) on Saturday, 21 March in Daphne, Alabama, USA.The ceremony commenced with an introduction of him by the USSA's President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, followed by the presentation of the Academy’s “Order of the Eagle Exemplar with Rosette” given by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Robert C. Campbell III. After the acceptance of his degree, he was presented with a key to the city of Daphne by Mayor Fred Small. Small’s daughter Kimberly then presented him with a signed softball, thanking him for his contributions to sports on behalf of young athletes in both Daphne and around the world. He celebrated his 61st birthday with a ceremonial presentation of his Honorary Doctorate followed by a reception at the Academy’s campus.

Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar has served as President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) since 1998 and as a board member since 1985. He is also Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and honorary Life President of the Southeast Asian Games Federation. He is the founding Chairman of the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel) and member of the Management Board of the National Sports Council of Malaysia. He was an Executive Board member of the International Cricket Council from 1997 to 1999, then again from 2001 to 2008, and is currently President of the Malaysian Cricket Association. He serves as a member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) and on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in which he is a member of both the IOC Sport & Law Commission and the IOC Sport for All Commission.

In addition to his tenure as a player on the Malaysian National Squash Team (1973-1976) and his title as the country’s National Squash Champion (1973), he is a patron of the World Squash Federation, serving as its president from 1989 until 1996. He was Malaysia's Chef-de-Mission to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and honored with the National Sports' Leadership Award by the King of Malaysia in 1991. For more than 30 years, he has faithfully served the international sport community, promoting sport and Olympic ideals worldwide.

The Executive Board of OCM congratulates Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar for being presented the USSA's Honorary Doctorate degree.

I.O.C. Bars International Torch Relays

By LYNN ZINSER

Published: March 27, 2009

After a protest-marred torch relay preceding the Beijing Games last summer, the International Olympic Committee has decided to bar future organizing committees from taking the torch relay international.

The I.O.C. hopes to avoid the ugly scenes that erupted in San Francisco, Paris and London last year when anti-China protesters attempted to douse the Olympic flame, forcing the relay to be stopped and sometimes rerouted as the enterprise descended into chaos. The protests centered on China’s violent crackdown on dissenters in Tibet.

Beijing organizers had hoped to make the torch relay a celebratory part of its Olympic coming-out party. Making things worse, however, China staged part of the relay through Tibet, requiring a massive security presence amid the turmoil.

The ban begins officially for the 2014 winter Games in Sochi, Russia, but organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Games planned an all-Canada route and the 2012 London Games decided to keep the relay within Great Britain.

“Beijing had planned an international torch relay and we accepted it,” said Gilbert Felli, the I.O.C. executive director. “We saw in the debrief that the risk was there and the I.O.C. decided not to do it. I think when the torch relay is inside the host country there is more control.”

Earth Hour 2009

The Olympic Council of Malaysia is supporting the Earth Hour's aim to reach more than one billion people in 1,000 cities around the world in 2009. The Earth Hour Campaign is inviting communities, businesses and governments to switch off lights for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday, March 28, 2009 sending a powerful global message that we care enough about the climate change.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia urges all National Sports Associations, State Sports Associations, clubs, sponsors, individuals and all members of the sports fraternity to support the Earth Hour Campaign.

Staff of OCM supporting the Earth Hour's

Tanggung sendiri pergi Taiwan

PERSATUAN sukan kebangsaan yang berhasrat mengambil bahagian pada Sukan Dunia di Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Julai depan harus menanggung perbelanjaan masing-masing.

Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (gambar) berkata, pihaknya masih kabur mengenai tujuan penganjuran tersebut.

"Ini kerana penganjur tidak menghubungi kami yang bertindak sebagai penaung kepada semua persatuan sukan kebangsaan di negara ini.

"Setahu saya, penyertaan pada tema- sya itu berdasarkan jemputan. Bagi MOM, kita tidak mengiktiraf Sukan Dunia sebagai pertandingan kompetitif tetapi lebih kepada soal pertunjukan," katanya semalam.

Kok Chi berkata, beliau menerima surat daripada Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) bulan lepas yang meminta MOM mengiktiraf temasya tersebut.

Namun, disebabkan temasya itu dikendalikan oleh Persatuan Sukan Dunia Antarabangsa (IWGA), selaku badan bebas, MOM berpendapat, pihak penganjur hanya mahu membuat keuntu- ngan segera.

"Bagi persatuan sukan tempatan, sukan boling, bina badan, karate dan skuasy telah menunjukkan minat untuk menyertai edisi kelapan sukan itu dari 16 hingga 26 Julai depan dan mereka perlu membiayai perbelanjaan sendiri," katanya.

Edisi pertama Sukan Dunia diadakan di Santa Clara, Amerika Syarikat pada 1981 dan sejak itu, ia dianjurkan empat tahun sekali kecuali pada tahun berlangsungnya Sukan Olimpik.

Seramai 4,500 atlet dari 99 negara dijangka menyertai temasya di Kaohsiung nanti yang akan mempertandingkan 31 acara sukan.

Antara sukan yang dipertandingkan ialah skuasy, boling, gimnastik akroba- tik, sukan menari, biliard, sumo, wusyu, kenu, polo air, ragbi tujuh sebelah, sofbol, bina badan, memanah, ski air dan perahu naga.

Bear Own Cost In World Games: OCM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) wants the national sports associations (NSAs) aspiring to compete in the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on July 16-26 to bear their own costs.

OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said the OCM, the umbrella body for the NSAs, was in the dark on the purpose of the games as the organiser did not contact it.

"All I know is that participation in the games is based on invitation. For OCM, we do not recognise the World Games as competitive sports, but more as demonstration sports," he told Bernama here today.

Sieh said he received a letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month asking OCM to recognise the World Games, but since the games was run by the International World Games Association (IWGA), an independent entity, OCM felt that the organiser just wanted to make a fast buck.

So far, the local NSAs for tenpin bowling, body building, karate and squash were interested, but they must bear their own costs, he said.

The first edition of the World Games was held in Santa Clara (USA) in 1981 and the quadrennial event had been held since then except in the Olympic year.

The eighth edition of the World Games in Kaohsiung is expected to attract 4,500 athletes from 99 nations to compete in 31 sports.

Among the sports that will be competed are acrobatic gymnastics, dance sport, canoe, water polo, rugby 7s, softball, squash, body building, archery, fin swimming and orienteering.

-- BERNAMA

MOM Tidak Iktiraf Sukan Dunia Sebagai Pertandingan Kompetitif

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Mac (Bernama) -- Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) mahu persatuan sukan kebangsaan yang berhasrat mengambil bahagian pada temasya Sukan Dunia di Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Julai inI, supaya menanggung perbelanjaan masing-masing.

Setiausahanya Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata MOM sebenarnya kabur mengenai tujuan sukan tersebut kerana penganjur tidak menghubungi mereka yang bertindak sebagai penaung kepada semua persatuan sukan kebangsaan di negara ini.

"Setahu saya, penyertaan pada temasya itu berdasarkan jemputan. Bagi MOM, kita tidak mengiktiraf Sukan Dunia sebagai pertandingan kompetitif tetapi lebih kepada soal pertunjukkan," katanya kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.

Sieh berkata beliau menerima surat dari Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) bulan lepas yang meminta MOM mengiktiraf sukan itu tetapi oleh kerana temasya itu dikendalikan oleh Persatuan Sukan Dunia Antarabangsa (IWGA), selaku badan bebas, MOM berpendapat pihak penganjur hanya mahu membuat keuntungan segera.

Bagi persatuan sukan tempatan, sukan boling, bina badan, karate dan skuasy telah menunjukkan minat untuk menyertai edisi kelapan sukan itu dari 16 hingga 26 Julai ini dan mereka perlu membiayai perbelanjaan sendiri, katanya.

Edisi pertama sukan itu diadakan di Santa Clara, Amerika Syarikat, pada 1981 dan sejak iti ia dianjurkan empat tahun sekali kecuali pada tahun berlangsungnya Sukan Olimpik.

Pada temasya di Kaohsiung nanti, seramai 4,500 atlet dari 99 negara dijangka menyertai dalam 31 acara sukan yang dipertandingkan.

Antara sukan yang dipertandingkan adalah skuasy, boling, gimnastik akrobatik, sukan menari, biliard, sumo, wushu, kenu, polo air, ragbi tujuh sebelah, sofbol, bina badan, memanah, ski air dan perahu naga.

-- BERNAMA

KOAM perkenal kod etika pemimpin

Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa

ahmadkhawari@bharian.com.my

TINDAKAN salah laku dan isu kegoyahan integriti pemimpin-pemimpin sukan negara sejak kebelakangan ini mendorong Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) untuk menimbang kemungkinan memperkenalkan kod etika pemimpin.

Malah kemungkinan itu kian nyata apabila Presiden MOM, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar membangkitkannya pada seminar Majlis Olimpik Asia (OCA) di Kuwait, baru-baru ini.

Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, mengakui garis panduan itu penting, tambahan pula senario sukan negara sudah jauh berbeza daripada sebelumnya.

“Apa yang pasti ialah senario sukan negara sudah berubah. Jika dahulu, ia lebih kepada semangat penyertaan, tetapi pelbagai kepentingan - termasuk aspek komersil - mengubahnya.

“Ia juga mewujudkan pelbagai kekeliruan, terutama segi konflik kepentingan di kalangan pegawai dan pemimpin. Memang MOM sedang menimbang kerana pengenalan kod etika adalah bagus,” katanya.

Kok Chi mengakui betapa MOM sendiri - dalam perlembagaan badan induk itu - ada mempunyai beberapa peruntukan untuk mengawal tingkah laku pemimpinnya, terutama mengenai isu konflik kepentingan.

“Halangannya ketika ini ialah kebanyakan persatuan sukan kebangsaan tidak mempunyai peruntukan itu dalam perlembagaan masing-masing. Kami akan kaji dahulu sebelum membentangkan cadangan kepada semua ahli gabungan,” katanya.

Menariknya, antara faktor mendesak pengenalan kod itu berkait dengan MOM - apabila pemimpin kanannya memegang peranan dalam syarikat terbabit dengan ‘pertelagahan’ Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) dan Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Wilayah Persekutuan (POAWP) berhubung penganjuran Maraton Kuala Lumpur.

Selain itu, garis panduan itu juga mampu jadi penghalang kepada pemimpin dan pegawai untuk ‘suka-suka’ menyalahgunakan kuasa mereka - elemen kini dikatakan menjelma dalam isu tindakan disiplin terhadap dua atlit lawn bowl negara.

Turut harus terkandung dalam kod etika itu ialah tindakan terhadap pemimpin dan pegawai cuba berdolak dalih - seperti isu peruntukan kewangan RM3.5 juta kepada Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM) yang laporan kewangannya belum dikemukakan sehingga kini.

Tokyo Continues to Lead Tight Race

The latest release of GamesBids.com's BidIndex reveals that a tight, stable race has developed for the 2016 Olympic Games. All four candidates have achieved scores that show they have the fundamentals to win the Olympic bid.

This update is the first since the submission to the IOC of the candidates' bid books - detailed three-volume six-hundred page plans describing how they will organize the Olympic Games should they be chosen to host. BidIndex encompasses an intense evaluation of these plans as well as other important information regarding the bids and the bid process.

Frontrunner Tokyo maintains a slightly reduced lead over Rio de Janeiro while both improved their overall scores. Tokyo received 61.41 (up 0.19) and Rio scored 59.95 (up 0.22 – the fastest riser); very marginal changes for this stage of the race showing consistency in their campaigns.

Chicago recorded the only BidIndex decline since the last update in November allowing Madrid to leapfrog ahead into third. Both are very close to the leaders and remain important factors in the race. Madrid scored 58.73 (up 0.10) while Chicago tallied 58.37 (down 0.41).

“This is an exceptional race. For 2016, BidIndex hasn’t revealed any clear division between the candidates. It seems that all four bids are equally qualified to come in first – as well as last place in the voting”, explained GamesBids.com Producer Robert Livingstone.

For the previous 2012 Summer Games bid, BidIndex scores clearly illustrated a division between the frontrunners London and Paris (London beat Paris on the final ballot) and also-rans New York and Moscow (both eliminated on early ballots) – reflecting reality.

While hundreds of factors are combined to determine a city’s BidIndex, Chicago’s recent decline could be blamed in part on record-high estimates for sponsorships, especially during the current economic crisis when sports sponsorships are on the decline. This combined with the fact that Chicago is the only candidate without 100% public government guarantees, might make the city a tough choice for the cautious.

Additionally, the recent reshuffling of United States Olympic Committee leadership might leave an IOC member or two feeling alienated in a campaign where personal relationships are extremely powerful. It’s likely that ballots will be won or lost on margins of just one or two votes.

Tokyo continues to portray an enticing athlete focused and compact plan. The bid is building momentum through increased public support and developing awareness of the potential of sports television and sponsorship markets in Asia. However, the IOC might be hesitant to send the games back to Asia so soon after Beijing.

Rio continues to play the sympathy card – asking the IOC to send the Games to South America for the very first time. This remains Rio’s greatest strength.

But despite a successful 2007 Pan Am Games and preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Rio has planned huge infrastructure expenditures should they win the bid – billions of dollars above the rest of the candidates. If anything, perhaps the IOC will see this as prudent refreshing honesty amid monumental cost overruns seen while organizing the Games in Athens, Beijing, Vancouver and London.

Madrid has an excellent fundamental bid built on experience gained from an almost successful 2012 bid. Touting itself as a safe choice the bid team has emphasized its financial guarantees, use of existing venues and experience. But perhaps most importantly, the bid is trying to establish a personal sense of trust. By covering the bid book chapters with whimsical portraits of typical Spanish citizens, and printing the names of bid book contributors across the cover of the three volumes – the bid team has shown that they have a personal stake in the project.

Madrid’s Bid CEO Mercedes Coghen said it best; “This dossier embodies our DNA”.

BidIndex is a mathematical model developed by GamesBids.com that when applied to an Olympic Bid, produces a number that can be used to rate a bid relative to past successful bids - and possibly gauge its potential success. London’s winning 2012 bid had a final BidIndex score of 65.07 while Sochi's winning 2014 Winter Games bids scored 63.17.

BidIndex is not intended to rate the bids based solely on technical quality, but on how the bids will perform based on IOC voting patterns. History has proven that the best technical bids often do not win but other factors such as geo-politics usually have a significant impact.

The latest results have been released prior to SportAccord - an important meeting of Sports Federations and Olympic Committees to be held in Denver, Colorado this week. The bids will have an opportunity to present to delegates and liaise with important decision makers.

GamesBids.Com

Perang proksi di koridor FAM tagih kepakaran Azzudin

PERANG proksi di koridor Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) bermula pada 7 September 2007. Pada hari tersebut Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad dilantik sebagai Setiausaha Agung badan itu dan hampir serta merta beliau berhadapan dengan serangan daripada pelbagai sudut.

Azzuddin dilantik oleh Presiden FAM, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, sebagai Setiausaha Agung keempat FAM.

Sebelum jawatan Setiausaha Agung diwujudkan, Sekretariat FAM diketuai oleh Setiausaha Kehormat dan pernah sekali, oleh Setiausaha Eksekutif.

Sebelum 7 September itu, beberapa orang calon disebut sebagai pilihan untuk menduduki kerusi panas bolasepak itu, namun Presiden FAM dengan persetujuan majlis tertingginya memilih Azzuddin untuk memperbaiki pentadbiran dan mengetatkan disiplin di sekretariat FAM.

Perkara itu mencetuskan satu konflik yang kini dikatakan turut disertai oleh pihak-pihak lain dan ia semakin menjadi seperti perang proksi yang menyaksikan beberapa tindakan dan keputusan FAM dijadikan isu.

Azzuddin, 63, bukan sahaja perlu memikirkan mengenai mereka yang mahukan jawatannya, tetapi juga dengan orang-orang dari pentadbiran lalu serta pengkritik yang mengambil kesempatan untuk mengkritik FAM.

Ini disertai pula dengan kumpulan yang kecewa dengan FAM atas sebab-sebab peribadi dan sebagainya.

Bagaimanapun, sama ada ia konflik di medan perang mahupun di padang bolasepak atau di koridor pusat pentadbiran, Azzuddin, bekas Ketua Pengarah Perisikan Pertahanan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, bersedia untuk berjuang hingga memperolehi kemenangan.

FAM sebuah persatuan yang unik dan mempunyai perbezaan yang besar jika dibandingkan dengan persatuan-persatuan sukan yang lain. Ia mempunyai 13 jawatankuasa kecil dan liga-liga yang dijalankan hampir sepanjang tahun.

Sebagai organisasi yang besar, tentunya akan ada masalah yang timbul dari semasa ke semasa dan sering di luar kawalan FAM.

Contohnya, perubahan jadual dan penundaan perlawanan selalu dijadikan isu namun selalunya ia disebabkan oleh faktor-faktor luaran.

FAM adalah organisasi yang berfungsi bagi pihak ahli-ahli gabungannya dan setiap permintaan perlu diberi perhatian, kecuali ada peraturan yang menyatakan jadual yang sudah ditetapkan tidak boleh dipinda.

Pasukan-pasukan terlibat juga tidak mempunyai stadium sendiri dan selalunya perlawanan terpaksa ditunda jika kerajaan negeri-negeri mahu menggunakan gelanggang berkenaan.

Pernah terjadi, perlawanan di sebuah gelanggang terpaksa diadakan pada sebelah petang selama beberapa bulan kerana lampu limpah mengalami kerosakan.

Birokrasi mengakibatkan usaha memperbaikkinya mengambil masa yang lama dan hal ini diluar kawalan FAM.

Penyingkiran pasukan Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru (MPJB), masalah gaji Karl Weigang yang didakwa oleh jurulatih Jerman itu sebagai tertunggak, tindakan-tindakan Jawatankuasa Pengadil dan juga Jawatankuasa Tatatertib, semua kini dijadikan isu.

Perang proksi ini tidak menghalang Azzuddin daripada merancang masa depan bolasepak bersama jawatankuasa-jawatankuasa terlibat.

Sekarang fokusnya adalah dalam pembangunan belia dan pelantikan Lim Kim Choon sebagai Pengarah Teknikal Belia dilihat sebagai suatu permulaan yang baik.

FAM juga dikatakan sedang merancang berapa program jangka panjang, termasuk menyediakan pasukan yang mantap bagi mengharungi pusingan kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014, 2018 dan 2022.

Namun Azzuddin yang mendapat sokongan kuat daripada Sultan Ahmad Shah, penyandang jawatan Presiden FAM sejak 1984.

Sultan Ahmad Shah telah banyak membawa perubahan kepada badan itu berbanding dengan keadaan sebelum 1984.

Baginda telah memainkan peranan dalam membawa penajaan berjuta-juta ringgit dan juga terlibat dalam proses memperkenalkan liga profesional di Malaysia.

Dalam senario bolasepak semasa, FAM memerlukan kepimpinan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah dan Azzuddin, yang bersara daripada tentera pada 16 Mei 2001, masih menjadi pilihan terbaik sebagai 'ketua eksekutif di sekretariat FAM buat masa ini.

Joe Marcose

OCA perlu perkenal konsep baru

Oleh Lukman Salleh
lukmsal@bharian.com.my

'Satu Sukan-Satu Temasya, Satu Temasya-Satu Tahun' kurang beban MOM

MAJLIS Olimpik Asia (OCA) perlu menerokai konsep 'Satu Sukan-Satu Temasya, Satu Temasya-Satu Tahun' bagi mengurangkan bebanan yang ditanggung Jawatankuasa Olimpik Kebangsaan (NOC) yang berdepan dengan begitu banyak kejohanan antarabangsa.

Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, berkata konsep yang dicadangkan oleh Korea itu di mana dalam setahun hanya satu sukan dipertandingkan serta mengurangkan jumlah penyertaan, harus dipertimbangkan kerana ia boleh mengelak terlalu banyak temasya dalam setahun.

Bagi Kok Chi, dengan rantau ini sudah dibebani dengan begitu banyak temasya selain daripada Sukan Asia, adalah penting untuk memastikan atlit dan NOC tidak berdepan dengan kesulitan untuk menyediakan pasukan dan juga sumber kewangan.

"Ketika kongres OCA di Kuwait minggu lalu, konsep 'Satu Sukan-Sukan Temasya, Satu Temasya-Satu Tahun' diperkenalkan dan saya berpendapat itu cadangan yang amat bagus serta perlu diterokai supaya dapat perkembangan konsep itu," kata Kok Chi, yang sebelum ini menganggap temasya sukan yang terlalu banyak tidak bagus untuk sukan di rantau ini.

"Konsep ini boleh mengurangkan beban yang terpaksa ditanggung NOC, persatuan sukan kebangsaan dan juga atlit di mana temasya itu dikurang dengan hanya satu temasya untuk satu tahun berbanding sekarang ini dengan pelbagai kejohanan sukan akan dilangsungkan.

"Dengan keadaan ekonomi global yang meruncing, menganjurkan terlalu banyak temasya sukan boleh menjadikan satu beban dan bukanlah satu langkah yang bagus.

"Justeru, konsep yang bentangkan ketika mesyuarat OCA ini mungkin adalah jawapan untuk mengurangkan beban itu," katanya.

Tahun ini saja, OCA akan menganjurkan dua kejohanan baru iaitu Temasya Seni Mempertahankan Diri dan Sukan Belia Asia, menjadikan keseluruhan enam temasya yang dikelolakannya, bersama-sama dengan Sukan Asia, Sukan Musim Sejuk Asia, Sukan Dalam Dewan Asia dan Sukan Pantai Asia.

Temasya yang begitu banyak ini membangkit rungutan di kalangan ahli gabungannya tetapi pengerusi jawatankuasa Sukan OCA Wei Jizhong mempertahankan langkah badan induk ini.

"Lebih banyak temasya dianjurkan memberikan peluang kepada ahli gabungan untuk memenangi pingat dan menganjurkan temasya ini," kata Jizhong. "Cara paling bagus mempromosikan sukan di Asia dalam sesebuah negara ialah melalui temasya Asia.

1st OCA Sport Congress 'a full success'

14 Mar 2009

Kuwait City, March 14, 2009: The President of the Olympic Council of Asia, H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, declared the first OCA Sport Congress a "full success" at the closing ceremony on Saturday. Describing the Congress as the start of a new tradition in Asia, Sheikh Ahmad said the findings would light the way forward for the next 10 years.

"We are very glad to receive your remarks and your support to build our new vision and strategy for the future," the OCA President said in the Arraya Ballroom of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

"I am confident that through this cooperation and dialogue we can find many benefits to the OCA and to the sports movement."

Sheikh Ahmad thanked all the speakers in the six themes for the hard work they had put into their preparations and presentations and assured them their efforts would guide sport in the right direction. "They have added value for our organization and movement," he said.

"I am happy for this success, but I am sad because you will leave Kuwait. I was wishing you would stay in Kuwait," he concluded.

The Congress resolutions will be passed to the International Olympic Committee ahead of the IOC Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October.

All efforts now will be focused on the start of the Sports Academy in the new OCA Headquarters.

"This will be another field of activity of the OCA," said Sheikh Ahmad.

Academy Bestows Distinction on Tunku Imran - 2009 Honorary Doctorates - United States Sports Academy

Prince Tunku Imran to whom the United States Sports Academy recently awarded for the International Honorary Doctorate, became Malaysia's first national squash champion in 1973 and ever since has been making a lot of "racquet" in the world of sports.

Honorary Doctorate

Separate from the Awards of Sport, but still vital to the presentations of the Academy, is the Honorary Doctorate. Normally, there are two honorary doctorates awarded each year — one national and one international. However, this number may be adjusted when deemed appropriate by the president of the Academy. Recipients are presented with a hood, citation, plaque and transcript signifying their honorary degree.

http://www.asama.org/awards/honoraryDocs/index.html

Previous Recipients

1985:
Cassie Conrad
Sang-Chen Lee

1986:
Gen. Paul X. Kelly
Shaikh Esa bin Mohammod Al-Khalifa

1987:
Henry "Bud" Greenspan
Ben Weider

1988:
Dr. Denton A. Cooley
Mario Vazquez Rana

1989:
Richard W. Pound
Howard Cossell

1990:
Professor Russell M. Coley
Anita L. DeFrantz — Member, International and U.S. Olympic Committees

1991:
Mario Fernandez — Wildlife Artist
H.R.H. Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz — Commander, Joint Forces, Op. Desert Storm
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf — Commander of the U.S. Forces in Desert Storm
Dato' Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak — Minister of Defense, Malaysia

1992:
Cristobal Gabbaron — Artist, Spain
Milo R. "Mike" Lude — Director of Athletics, Auburn University and University of Washington

1993:
Judith M. Sweet — First Woman President of the NCAA
Dick Schultz — Executive Director, NCAA; Director of Athletics, University of Virginia

1994:
Donna Lopiano — Executive Director, Women's Sport Foundation

1995:
Don Conrad Durantez — President, Spanish Olympic Committee
Dr. George E. Uhlig — Dean of the College of Education, University of South Alabama

1996:
Commendador Arnaldo de Oliviera Sales — President, Amateur Sport Federation
Gerald C. Hock

1997:
William J. Hybl — President, U.S. Olympic Committee
R. "Pak" Maladi — Minister of Sport, Republic of Indonesia

1998:
George E. Killian — Executive Director, National Junior College Athletic Association
H.R.H. Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa — Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain

1999:
Jack Lenygel — Director of Athletics, U.S. Naval Academy
Gen. Wismoyo Arismunander — President, National Olympic Committee of Indonesia

2000:
H.E. Kofi Annan — Secretary General, United Nations
Charles Billich — Artist, Australia
Donna de Varona — President, Women's U.S. Soccer World Cup Organization Committee
Dr. Deborah Yow — Athletics Director, University of Maryland
Mr. James Hasser — Chairman Board of Trustees Emeritus, USSA

2001:
Ted Turner — Media Mogul
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah — Pres., Kuwait Olympic Comm.; Olympic Comm. of Asia

2002:
President George W. Bush — U.S. President
Dr. Zhenliang He — Chairman, International Olympic Committee's Education Council
H.L. Sonny Callahan — U.S. Congressman, Mobile
Sandra Baldwin

2003:
Dr. Robert Khayat — Chancellor, University of Mississippi
His Royal Highness Salman bi Hamad Al-Khalifa — Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain

2004:
Mike Cleary — Executive Director, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
Vince Dooley — Athletic Director, University of Georgia
Santiparb Tejavanija — Governor, Sport Authority of Thailand

2005:
Dr. Jacques Rogge — President, International Olympic Committee
Dr. Nicos Peristianis — Executive Director, Intercollege, Nicosia, Cyprus

2006:
Joe Louis Clark — High School Principal featured in 1989 Motion Picture, Lean On Me
T.A. Ganda Sithole — Director, International Cooperation and Development, International Olympic Committee
Abbot Shi Yongxin — Leader of the Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Kung Fu and Spiritual leader of China Chan

2007:
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão — East Timor's President
Kevin White — Director of Athletics, University of Notre Dame

Sports Commissioner To Appraise OCM's Rating System

By Ahmad Muliady Abdul Majid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Sports Commissioner's Office will be the main appraiser for local sports associations in the implementation of Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) rating system.

Sports Commissioner Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof said his office would work closely with the OCM to carry out appraisals on sports associations, particularly on their management.

'Athletes' performance should not be the main criteria to determine the rating for a sports association; instead we should focus on the administration and management," he told Bernama today.

Nik Mahmud the Sports Commissioner's Office has a team of inspectors who are capable of monitoring sports associations.

"We have yet to receive official instruction from the (youth and sports) minister but we are prepared to handle the task," he said.

Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has previously said that the Sports Commissioner's Office should assist the OCM to implement the rating system.

The system was supposed to be implemented in January last year to determine the amount of grant provided by the ministry, among other things.

But it has to be deferred due to hiccups, particularly in the way points are calculated.

-- BERNAMA

SOFTBALL UNDERLINES OLYMPIC VALUES

The International Softball Federation marked International Women’s Day with a ringing endorsement from BackSoftball Task Force Co-Chair Donna de Varona Plant City, Florida (USA); 9th March 2009: The BackSoftball campaign has underlined its credentials to return the sport to the Olympic Games programme with its latest initiatives to promote the popularity of softball among women around the world. The International Softball Federation marked International Women’s Day with a ringing endorsement from BackSoftball Task Force Co-Chair Donna de Varona, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Women in Sports Commission. Ms. de Varona said, “I have long been passionate about the importance of promoting equality in sport. Because softball caters to a multitude of talents and is adaptable to many venues it offers a unique participation opportunity. Since the addition of softball on the Olympic programme in 1996, participation worldwide has doubled. A sold out venue for the women’s fast pitch Olympic competition in Fengtai Softball Field in Beijing last August when Japan captured the gold medal is testimony to the growing popularity of the game. “But softball goes beyond just elite competition, with a wide range of initiatives to promote the sport to wider audiences, such as to women from Muslim countries that don’t always get access to team sports. The ISF has initiated new, innovative programs. Just last week I was in Abu Dhabi at the Generations For Peace Camp ‘09 where Muslim women were learning how to use softball as a tool to promote peace among young people from divided communities.” The ISF shares the IOC’s vision to make female participation in sport and sports administration a priority, with – among several other examples – Stella Ackrell having become British Softball Federation President last year; Sue Noble appointed CEO of Softball Australia at the beginning of 2009; Rosa Hilda Quan de Vigil recently becoming the El Salvador Softball Federation's new secretary general, and Portugal Softball Federation President Sandra Monteiro having just been elected to the executive board of the Portuguese Olympic Committee. Last year the ISF instituted the Athlete Ambassadors program, which gives a voice to and provides an active role for female softball players from around the world in helping the world governing body work toward the reinstatement of the sport to the 2016 Olympic Games programme. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith is the chair of the group. Two-time Olympic softball athlete Jessica Mendoza (USA) took over on January 1 as the president of the Women's Sports Foundation, further underlining the ISF’s commitment to BackSoftball’s ten point blueprint, with point #4 being: "Place even greater emphasis on opportunities for women in sport." ISF President Don Porter said, “Softball is enjoyed by men and women all over the world, but I am proud of our record to provide more opportunities for women within softball that aren’t just restricted to the field of play. Whether it’s kids playing in the park or the elite athletes who have participated in Olympic tournaments, softball is accessible to all and that is something I am extremely proud of.” Of the members of the ISF Executive Council, 33% are female, including the ISF’s Deputy Secretary General Low Beng Choo (Malaysia), who will be one of four female representatives that softball will have in their seven-person delegation at the upcoming SportAccord in Denver, Colorado (USA) (March 23-27). All of this is further proof of the ISF’s commitment to extend the reach of softball after a hugely successful Beijing Olympic Games last year, which enjoyed sellout crowds. The gold medal game of the women’s fast pitch event was won by Japan, with huge television audiences around the world watching their victory over the USA. For more information please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com, +1 813 864 0100 or +1 813 453 8762 or David Alexander at David.Alexander@Calacus.com, +44 7802 412424

###

‘Need to intensify fight against doping’

KUWAIT CITY, March 13, (KUNA): Workshops of the First Congress of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) continued on Friday, with emphasis on several key issues aimed at developing Asian sports. Speaking at the first workshop on “Sports Science in Asia,” President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) John Fahey said that it was crucial for governments and sports organizations to intensify the efforts against doping in sports. He called for stronger sanctions against athletes who used substances to win competitions or to enhance their performance, saying that such individuals were not abiding by any moral ethics or law by doing so. Meanwhile, the Malaysian speaker at the “Sports Marketing in Asia” workshop Sieh Kou Chi revealed that the OCA had recently played an important role in “marketing” its sport events. He affirmed that the success of any event depended on notifying people of the sporting competitions, stressing that good advertisement would come from a combined effort by governments and sports organizations. At the workshop focusing on “Governance of Sports in Asia,” Director at International Olympic Committee (IOC) Pere Miro said that sports institutions must not fall under the external influences, whether it was political or financial, adding that each organization should follow its own statute. Statutes of both governments and sports institutions could co-exist together and should not overlap, indicated Miro, who called for sport laws to be diverse and integrated to cope with recent developments. On his part, President of the Jordanian Olympic Committee (JOC) Prince Faisal Bin Al-Hussein indicated that women’s sports in Asia was hindered in some countries due to social restrictions or state policies. During the workshop on “Women Sports in Asia,” Prince Faisal called on the OCA and the IOC to deal with problems facing women’s sports by addressing the main problems, whether financially or socially related, adding that social acceptance was a requirement to break the restrictions. Introducing sports within the boundaries of traditional and social values is the chief step to allow women to practice sports, said Prince Faisal, who indicated that more measures could be implemented to help women practice sports. On Thursday, four workshops took place, focusing on sports and environment, Asian Games and youth sports, as well as peace through sports. Head of the Women’s Sports Committee at the Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stressed Friday that Asian women athletes were among the elite of sportswomen around the globe due to their numerous achievements in recent tournaments. Speaking at a workshop for “Women Sports in Asia,” Sheikha Naeema said that the last summer Olympics in Beijing, China, saw Asian women athletes winning around 101 medals, a fact which reflected the huge improvements in sports in the Asian continent. Sheikha Naeema’s paper to the workshop also focused on the Arab women athletes’ achievements, saying that they had made great progress in recent years on the Asian and international level. The Kuwaiti official also made suggestions and proposals to elevate the status of Asian sports in general and women sports in particular. Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee at the West Asian Games Federation Sheikha Hayat Al-Khalifa said that the OCA workshop had profoundly touched upon the status of women sports in Asia, as it focused on strategies to be carried out by governments on that regard. “The time is limited and we need to have a true manifestation on ground of these strategies,” Sheikha Hayat noted, pointing out that implementing these plans does not have to contradict with traditions and customs of any Asian nation. Sheikha Hayat noted that women involvement in sport should not be limited to taking part in games, but “we wish to see female referees, administrators and coaches.” Media was a major instrument in delivering the message of women’s sports, she concluded. President of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) Sheikh Salam Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said here Friday that the first Asian science conference to develop sports in Asia was very vital for the continent plans for integrating sports. Sheikh Salman said that he had visited some workshops held within the OCA Congress, saying it would reflect positively on the Asian sports movement. Sheikh Salman affirmed that ASC was following up the event’s activities, lauding the OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah efforts in making the event a success.

Government Should Review Cigarette Sponsorship - Dr Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Reviewing sponsorship, including that of cigarette companies, may be the best possible solution to resolve the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) sponsorship and financial woes.

Former FAM secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad said the decision to bar cigarette sponsorship a few years ago was not the government's policy but one by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the final decision to abide or not depends on the respective country.

"In fact there are countries that still use cigarette money to keep their sporting activities going despite WHO's policy," he told Bernama here Thursday.

He cited the Liga Indonesia or better known as Djarum Indonesia Super League (Djarum ISL) which continues to be the main sponsor since 2005 although Dunhill who sponsored FAM to a tune of RM35 million a year had withdrawn since 2004.

Islamic countries are at the losing end as sponsorship from beer or liquor companies are forbidden but leagues in other parts of the world are using beer or alcohol companies as sponsors.

"But as far as we are concerned, I feel that if cigarette sponsors are not allowed, beer and liquor companies are not allowed, then we have to depend on very little sponsorship from other sources.

"This in a way hampers the running of the league and forces the governing body to reduce grants provided and as a result teams end up not paying salaries of players, insurance, income tax, etc," said Dr Ibrahim.

He added that just because cigarette advertisements are not allowed, or cigarette sponsorship not allowed, it doesn't mean the number of smokers had reduced.

It has also not reduced the number of deaths due to cigarette related diseases like heart attack, cancer or reduced the manufacturing and smuggling of cheap cigarettes, he said.

As such, Dr Ibrahim urged the government to review the ban on cigarette advertisements in the local league.

-- BERNAMA

FAM Should Not Be Selective In Punishing Critics - Dr Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) should not be selective in punishing those who criticised the country's governing body so that the punishment meted out would not be questioned.

Former FAM secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad said all affiliates and everybody under the FAM umbrella must adhere to its policy matters and nobody should be spared it there was a breach of the rule.

"Whichever association or individual, when there is an element of guilt, action must be taken in accordance with the FAM constitution without fear or favour," he told Bernama in relation to the one year suspension and RM4,000 fine meted out to Felda United head coach Reduan Abdullah for criticising the FAM.

Dr Ibrahim who was interviewed by Datuk Seri Azman Ujang on Radio 24 in a segment called "Hot Seat" here today, said even a top bras in the FAM had criticised the FAM in a blog and the media.

There are also individuals who do not have any direct interest in football associations but are free to issue statements related to such issues.

"Such incidents (unfair action) will be viewed as an injustice by the people, so FAM must review their action," said Dr Ibrahim.

Punishment meted out on Reduan, especially the one year suspension, can be said as very drastic for something that FAM themselves should be gravely concerned.

After Reduan, the FAM are said to be out to take action on Referees' Committee deputy chairman Datuk Soh Chin Aun and referees' department head Lt. Col. (R) Kamaruddin Sakhari for remarks made against the FAM.

-- BERNAMA

Laos Confirms 25 Sports And 386 Events

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- The SEA Games Federation (SGF) and SEA Games host, Laos, confirmed that 25 sports comprising 386 events would be hosted during the 25th edition of the Games, scheduled in Vientiane, from Dec 9-18.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said the final figure was determined after Laos decided to drop soft tennis from the list at the SGF council meeting in November.

"OCM were made to understand that the host nation will not consider any more appeal for the inclusion of sports or events although a number of countries had come forward to stage such events.

"Laos included water polo as part of the aquatics programme and not as a separate sport," he told Bernama here Thursday.

After the SGF meeting, Kok Chi had said that Laos would stage 25 sports comprising 390 events.

At that time, soft tennis was regarded as a part of the tennis programme, but later listed as a separate sport, raising the number of sports to 26, he said.

With the latest development, Laos would stage athletics, archery, aquatics, badminton, billiard & snooker, boxing, cycling, football, golf, judo, karate, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, wushu, muay thai, petanque, silat, shuttlecock juggling and fin swimming.

The 25 sports in Laos, hosting the Games for the first time, pales in comparison to the 43 sports, hosted at the 2007 Korat SEA Games in Thailand but the reduced number of sports was due to lack of facilities and infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA

IOC Celebrates 2009 Women and Sport Awards

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Family today celebrated International Women’s Day and the 2009 Women and Sport Awards, where five exceptional personalities in the world of sport received accolades.

The official ceremony was held at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge, Anita DeFrantz, IOC member and Chairwoman of the IOC Women and Sport Commission, and the members of the IOC Women and Sport Commission.

The five continental trophies were presented to women who have made tremendous contributions to strengthening the participation of women and girls in sport on an international level. The winners of the 2009 Women and Sport Awards include former Olympic gold and silver medallists, philanthropists promoting human welfare as well as political personalities and an academic and lecturer.

National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations (IFs) and Continental Associations were invited to submit candidatures and the winners were selected by the IOC Women and Sport Commission. This year the trophies were awarded as follows:

- Trophy for Africa: Lydia Nsekera (Burundi)

- Trophy for the Americas: María Caridad Colón Ruenes (Cuba)

- Trophy for Asia: Arvin Dashjamts (Mongolia)

- Trophy for Europe: Danira Nakic Bilic (Croatia)

- Trophy for Oceania: Auvita Rapilla (Papua New Guinea)

Addressing the winners and the audience, President Jacques Rogge said: “I am pleased to publicly pay tribute to five remarkable women who, through their commitment, enthusiasm, drive and courage, have helped increase the number of women taking part in sport at all levels, both on and off the field.”

Rogge also highlighted the encouraging fact that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was a colossal stepping stone with a new participation record of 42 per cent of competitors being women, demonstrating the inexorable march towards parity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Anita DeFrantz said: "On the field of play, we are moving closer and closer to men and women competing in even numbers on the world’s greatest sporting stage. It is still the mission of the IOC Women and Sport Commission to see more women in sport involved in decision-making and in the media. The landscape is slowly changing, and women will have a much bigger role to play in sport in the future. This year’s IOC Women and Sport Awards winners are helping to make this happen."

Information on the winners:

Lydia Nsekera

Whilst sport in Burundi has been male dominated, Lydia Nsekera, a former high jumper and basketball player, became the first female president of a national football federation in Africa and the second woman in the world to achieve this status. She also pioneered with the creation of women’s sports clubs in her country. It was under her guidance that the national under-17 men’s team came to victory in the East and Central African Football Associations Cup. Furthermore, Nsekera organised the first women’s football championship in Burundi, and in 2004 led a successful national campaign to get women involved in refereeing, sports administration and coaching. She has also raised awareness of sexual violence against women and HIV/AIDS.

María Caridad Colón Ruenes

Since María Caridad became the first Cuban woman to win an Olympic gold medal in 1980 (javelin), she has played an outstanding role in promoting sports activities at national, Pan-American and international level. She is Chairperson of the NOC’s Women and Sport Commission, and a member of the IAAF Women’s Committee as well as the PASO Women and Sport Commission. While Caridad develops youth sports clubs and trains girls and youth instructors both at home and abroad, she also contributes towards scientific texts and historical records on women, sport and the family in Cuba. In addition, she gives regular lectures on the importance of sport.

Arvin Dashjamts

As Chairperson of Mongolia’s Women and Sport Commission and the only female member of the Mongolian NOC’s Executive Committee, Arvin Dashjamts has played a crucial role in the increased participation of women and girls in all sports and physical activity in her country. A history graduate, former public relations officer and private sector CEO, Dashjamts has consistently promoted Olympians as role models for young girls and women, and has worked tirelessly for women to be elected to decision-making positions of national sports organisations. Twice appointed Chef de Mission for Mongolia, she has helped establish the Women and Sport Fund which is dedicated to the development of a coaching structure in Mongolia. She has been an elected Member of Parliament for Mongolia since 2000.

Danira Nakic Bilic

Danira Nakic Bilic, a Croatian silver medallist (basketball) in 1988, is a member of the NOC’s Women in Sport Commission. She organises Olympic-related lectures and forums in primary and secondary schools, and promotes programmes for female athletes in sports administration and other public as well as political structures. Bilic was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2004, which had a significant impact on the attitude of Croatian society towards top level female athletes in public life. She strongly promoted the development of sports facilities in Zagreb, enabling more people to participate in physical activities. Last year the government appointed her as President of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving and developing Croatian cultural identity, sport being one important element of it.

Auvita Rapilla

In her 14 years with the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, where she is now Deputy Secretary General, Auvita Rapilla has been instrumental in the development of the NOC’s Women and Sport Committee. As a member of the Oceania Women and Sport body, she has become one of the driving forces behind engaging women in and for sport throughout the region. In the framework of an Executive Masters in Sport Organisation Management (MEMOS), she developed a sports planning tool which is now being used by the various NOCs across Oceania.

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Tunku Imran Willing To Lose Post But...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) President Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar is willing to lose his post to any candidate but his successor must have adequate understanding of the organisation and well versed in Malaysian sports.

"Its a democratic process, I think any sports leader has the right to contest but if I were to lose, I hope to lose to someone who is more capable to take over the post.

"I feel what OCM needs right now is someone who understands how the organisation, sports system works, not just within the country but at the international level," he said after launching SportsExcel-NSC-MILO National Junior Circuit here today.

He was commenting on former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim's intention to contest the post of OCM President in May.

During the OCM Annual General Meeting (AGM), all 12 posts are expected to be contested.

He added that in accordance with the OCM constitution, 34 national sports associations affiliated to OCM are eligible to nominate three delegates each to attend and vote during the AGM, bringing the number of voting delegates to 102.

-- BERNAMA