The Sportsmanship of Our Footballer

Two (2) mornings ago, I woke up early in the morning to watch the first semi final of EURO2008 between Germany and Turkey at Channel 817, which was won by Germany by a very slim margin of 3-2. But I am not here to discuss on or analyse the match. It seems that there were some technical problems, which resulted in the interruption of the live telecast. I switched to channel 103 (TV3) hoping that I could watch the match but TV3 also have the same problem. So, I switched to channel 812 and watched ESPN Sports News (Malaysia version).

There were so many sports news reported like Koo Kien Keat returning to training after accident, so on and so forth but what really captured my attention was the highlight news on Malaysia Cup match between Selangor and Sarawak, which was won by Selangor 3-1. Selangor's goals were scored by Frank Seator, Safee Sali and Akmal Rizal. However, none of the three (3) goals was celebrated by the Selangor's players. The first goal was by Frank Seator. After he had scored the goal, he sort like jogging to one corner of the field and raised his hands towards the crowds and no other Selangor players went to celebrate with him. Then he went back to the centre of the field. The seconf goal was scored by Safee Sali. The same incident, only one or two Selangor's players went to him sort of "gimme five" and I did not expect much when Akmal Rizal scored the third goal for Selangor. There were two other Selangor's player close to Akmal after he scored the goal. One player went to take the ball from the goal and the other went back straight to Selangor's half. There was no celebation at all. The way the Selangor's players reacted to the three goals as if they have scored tem goals. There were no excitement when their team members scores the goal.

Looking at the way the Selangor's players celebrate (actually I do not deem that to be a celebration) everytime they scores a goal (in fact not only Selangors' players but also other players from other teams in Malaysia), it serves as an evidence that there is no more excitement in our local football. I mean, when the players are not excited, what else can you expect from the fans? Their lack of enthusiasm also shows their lack of desire to win and to be successful. They were aimless in their games. I do not think they know what they are looking for? And no wonder our nation's FIFA ranking keep on deteriorating everythime FIFA issue the new ranking.

In the end, the lack of enthusiasm and desire to win on the part of the players and the unprofessionalism attitude on the part of the management brings disaster to our football. Our football is not going to experience the old glory days it used to have if the management and the players remain in the same attitude. Our football is dead unless we do away with all the deadwoods in our football's associations.

The key word here is the attitude. To be successful, we need to have the right attitude and at the moment, I do not see any of our football players and their management teams are having the right attitude to succeed.

If you want to see players with so much of enthusiasm in football, watch the match between Switzerland and Portugal in EURO2008. The Swiss went into the match realising that they were already out of the tournament. They played for their dignity after having lost the first two (2) matches to Rep Cech and Turkey. In the end, they won the match by beating Portugal 2-0. Look at the way they celebrate their goals. Simply amazing. The Swiss may be out of the tournament but with the right attitude and always hunger for victory, do not be surprise if they can become a Champion one day. Just like Greece did in EURO2004.

Of Pulau Batu Puteh and Middle Rocks

What a sad day for Malaysian history. We lost Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore and we only got the "Rocks".

I am sure that a lot of Malaysians are not familiar with the whole process, I mean the Hearing process over the dispute of the ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca as it is known in Singapore, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, let alone the real issue surrounding the case and the provision and authority of the International Law. Unfortunately, Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, the very few politicians in Malaysia, whom I regard has brain and I consider him a law expert, in his statement made on 15/5/2008 expressed his confidence that the verdict over Pulau Batu Puteh would be in Malaysia's favour. Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/21268674&sec=nation. That statement, I believe, has given high hope among Malaysians that Pulau Batu Puteh is ours because that statement came from none others than Rais Yatim. So, when the ICJ made the ruling in handing over the island to Singapore, I believe that most Malaysians, if not all, were so frustrated over the decision taking into consideration the high hope they were given earlier by Rais Yatim.

And now, after the verdict, Rais Yatim said that it was a win-win verdcit for both parties. Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21355872&sec=nation. He said so because Malaysia got half and Singapore got half. So, it is a win-win situation. Come on!!! This is not in sports where 1-1 is a draw. This is a fight over the sovereignty of the jurisdiction of the country. So, it is not a draw and it is not a win-win verdict for both countries. It is Singapore who won and Malaysia lost in the race. While at least a lighthouse could be built on Pulau Batu Puteh (photo below), I wonder, looking at The Rocks (photo below) what can we do on this few rocks apart from asking our fishermen to go fishing there? Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21353715&sec=nation. This is not The Rock a.k.a Alcatraz. This is a real Rocks. I am waiting for the government's explanation on what can be done on The Rocks.

Middle Rocks

Pulau Batu Puteh

One question for Rais Yatim, what was our priority when we referred the dispute to ICJ? Was it Pulau Batu Puteh or the other two "rocks islands"? I am sure that our priority was Pulau Batu Puteh and as such, how can that be a win-win verdict when we lost our priority. Middle Rocks is just a consolation prize. By the way, what is the malay name for Middle Rock? Batu Tengah?

On another note, why did Rais Yatim said that it was a win-win verdict for both countries when Pak Lah sadly accepted the verdict (read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21356063&sec=nation) while his counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong pleased with the verdict? (read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21356004&sec=nation. To Rais Yatim, go and tell Pak Lah that it is a win-win verdict. What a rubbish statement from Rais Yatim!!!

Three reasons were given why Pulau Batu Buteh was awarded to Singapore Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21354853&sec=nation i.e.: -

(a) Failure to show ownership over Pulau Batu Puteh;

(b) Maps that indicated Singapore's sovereignty over the island; and

(c) Reply from Johor state official saying that the state did not have sovereignty over the island.

Well, it is not fair to blame the present or the previous government alone on this issue, as this involve the activity that took place more than 100 years ago. But moving forward, the present government should be more alert on Singapore's activity on their border with Malaysia. The government has to make sure that there will be no more handing over of any of our territorial jurisdiction to Singapore. Learn from the past mistakes. Pulau Batu Puteh could be the beginning of many more. If Malaysia thinks that it is the end of the story, do not be surprise if Singapore regards the victory as the beginning of their journey to expand their territorial jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, a lot have been said about Iskandar Malaysia being a project that will benefit Singaporean more than the Malaysian in general and Johorian in particular. So far, the government has denied the allegation and I hope their denial is genuine and not for the sake of sweeping things under the carpet. Otherwise, Iskandar Malaysia will be Singapore's. Let us hope that this will not happen.

Last but not least, there is no more Pulau Batu Puteh. It is Pedra Branca now.