State of Affairs

Beware, this is a serious post.

Sports has been in the news headlines recently. Internationally is the Woods Saga. closer to home is the SEA Games and state of affairs of our athletics.


Let me talk about things closer to home.
I have been reading this recent ongoing war of words between our two sports bodies, (SAA and Sports Council). Is this a power tussle or what? What are these bureaucrats/technocrats or whatever trying to prove? Personally, I dun see this going anywhere except towards self-preservation, holding on.

like it or not, the state of affairs for our athletics scene speaks for itself. In the many years that I have been following, I see public spats between athletes and the governing body, I see coaches changed like clothes, i see promising athletes got disillusioned and leave the scene. Actually, there are alot of talents in our youths and in our schools, but what happened to grooming them? With sports school in operation, things look promising, but then, why do we need James (coming out from retirement) and Zhang (who is training on her own budget) to win for the nation? Yes, applause to the 4x100 relay and I am truly happy for them (I like sprints). But I also see many go into sublime or disappeared completely after their youth years.

This recent spat is not gonna benefit the development of sports and athletics. With all these going on, it will only lead to the detriment of morale of our athletes.

So, get real, SAA! Like what many have said, stop hanging on to the illusion that everything is going well and please go and reflect and do something more concrete for our athletes! From another perspective, we are lucky to have politicians speaking passionately and publicly about athletics. turn this into an opportunity and not perceive this with a siege mentality and be so defensive (like the whole world is against you).

In any case, what are you defending? your own ego or face? You have been given so many years and what have you delivered? I only see tussles after tussles and disgruntled athletes and coaches. You will be in crisis when no one talks about athletics, it will imply they are giving up on you. By then it will be too late.

Look inwards and do some soul searching and look outwards, be humble and learn from emerging nations like Vietnam. This nation is doing some serious work.

I also think Sports Council need to do some soul searching as well. can't they work in a more concillatory way with SAA instead of washing the laundry in public? it is not gonna help the sports by being confrontational (at least this is the preception over coffee talks among those who care) and pinning the other down. I personally think these public spat should stop, and stop using protocols as a reason and come face to face to talk.

Phew! finally let it out of my system. It pains to see this kind of politicking and infighting. Since, I am a runner, I hope athletics will come up and return to its glory days like the other sports and our athletes will shine in the regional and international arena.

Co-incidentally, I was reading an article that expressed similar sentiments across the causeway. Thailand is also doing some soul searching as expressed by their Deputy PM (who expressed his disappointment at the gold haul in the recently concluded SEA Games).

http://nst.com.my/articles/43seamaau/Article/index_html

so, SAA, SSC what are you waiting for?