Politics vs sports...good luck

To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

I was actually disgusted when the Supreme Council of Malaysian Games (Sukma) decided to put politics above sports by allowing requests to add nine more sports, plus two additional events, into next year's games programs. Read my 'report', here.

To hell with the main objective of Sukma - 'to unearth potential young talents for the future national teams.' How about 'ensuring quality competition' for the athletes? Just throw it down the drain, mister!

Yesterday was a classic example where the powers-that-be decided to kow-tow to 'political influence' and putting sports in the 'far, far away land.'

Did you know, Sir, that from the nine sports that were included in the program, majority of them didn't even have state associations in proper working order? Did you know, Sir, that majority of them didn't even have proper offices, what more venues where they can call their own? Ask Datuk Zolkples Embong, Director General of National Sports Council. He knows!

And you know what you did, Sir? With the latest stand - which I am sure you made without even checking the previous decisions - you had embarrassed the previous man-in-power, for he was the one responsible in trying to check the decline in quality by imposing limits for number of sports in Sukma?

And how about Datuk Zol? But did you know, Sir, that last December, Datuk Zol chaired the meeting when the same committee decided to 'REJECT' the appeal of sports which are now in the program. He was even involved in a 'war of words' of some sort in the newspapers to defend the decision. You can check the past articles in several news organisation online services, if you don't believe me, Sir!

I know it was not easy to say no to 'powerful personality' who previously aspires to become the number two man in the country. But for heaven's sake, you are the man in charge!

Like the Malay saying 'terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata padah akibatnya.' Now, lo and behold, the new dates proposed by Malacca - the organiser - and approved by the council, happens to clash with the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Ops! why bother!...'We change again, lah.' Its what being flexible is about, right Sir?

And they say politics have no place in sports! Good Luck...