ABORTED TAKE OFF

Someone must be held responsible for the aborted departure to Laos for the SEA Games today.

If clearance from the other end had not been received, then why on earth were the team sent to the airbase in the first place.

Let's not blame Wisma Putra or someone on the other end. Why were commercial flights not used and why was there a need for the team to charter a flight?

The Chef De Mission must seek a report on this debacle and OCM probably will say that football as a category B sport is responsible for it's own arrangements.

Malaysian football has been grounded before it could even lift off and for this national shame heads must roll.

Over to you main stream media as accountability is something we ought to demand in sports as our politicians are well known to " close one eye ".

JOHOR FA MASS RESIGNATIONS

Following the decision by Haji Ahamad Mohamad to resign as the President of Johor Football Association, Haji Rozan Saat (Vice President 1) and Haji Lukman Abu Bakar (Hon. Secretary) have also vacated their positions.

And Executive Secretary Wan Nizam is expected to follow suit after the completion of the JFA annual general meeting.

The Johor State Government is said to be looking at candidates to fill up these vacant positions, clear violation of FIFA statutes.

But will anyone bother, not likely as the umbrella body of football in this country is guilty of receiving payments from individuals to allow one of its affiliates to play in next seasons M-League.

More on this later.

DATO CHAN BUYS STAKE IN CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City have announced Malaysian businessman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee has joined the club's board and that he has already started to invest his money.

It comes on the day that the Bluebirds appeared before London's High Court to face a winding-up order brought by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

But the case was put off for 70 days to allow the club to pay the undisclosed debt.

Tien Ghee told Cardiff's official website: "I am very proud and privileged to be joining the board of Cardiff City at this time.

"Now that the infrastructure is in place, I believe that together with the existing board I can help to provide Cardiff City with the additional resources it requires to achieve the ambition of attaining Premier League football."

Cardiff City Chairman Peter Ridsdale hopes the debt will be paid next month after revealing they have reached an "outline agreement" - and the Bluebirds chairman awaits the lawyers go-ahead.

And he says Wednesday's announcement of Tien Ghee's "TG" investment will put the club in a good position for the future.

"It's very, very good news," said Ridsdale. "We fully expect that the club will see an opportunity for investment of funds, not only on a personal level but also through some of his contacts in the Far East.

"We have already received some money and more money is on its way from the banks in the Far East.

"We are in a period when we expect whatever we have received to be enhanced in the future through various options which will include looking at sponsorship opportunities, but will also include direct investment."

And Ridsdale has refused to rule out the possibility of Tien Ghee taking full control of the club in the future.

"I don't think anybody would be putting in the sort of funds we are expecting over the next few weeks unless they see it as a good investment opportunity," he added.

"If it turns out to be as good as we both believe it will be then who knows where it may lead.

"The club is in good hands today and it will continue to be in good hands in the future."

TOURISM DUMP CARLTON?

CARLTON'S lucrative sponsorship deal with Tourism Malaysia is yet to be renewed for next season.

In arguably the competition's most lucrative sponsorship arrangement, the Blues received $1.6 million last season from the contract, which expired late last month.

The club is set to begin talks with other businesses.

It is believed changes in the Malaysian government ministry are behind the reluctance of the southeast Asian country to re-commit to sponsoring a Melbourne-based football club.

Tourism Malaysia shared major sponsorship of Carlton this year with carmaker Hyundai. The two entities had their logos switched each week on the front and back of the Carlton guernsey.

Research by Tourism Malaysia found the sponsorship of Carlton had helped increase by up to 30 per cent the number of visitors to Malaysia by Victorians and Tasmanians.

Carlton has set itself to either re-contract Tourism Malaysia or find a new sponsor by the end of the year in order to have the appropriate logos on its 2010 jumpers.

The Tourism Malaysia deal required Carlton to commit to a number of promotional events, including sending captain Chris Judd and senior players, coach Brett Ratten, president Stephen Kernahan, chief executive Greg Swann and sales and sponsorship director Anthony Barham to Penang last January.

Former president Dick Pratt also attended, with the touring party travelling on his private jet.

THE BLUNT TRUTH BY SYED NADZRI

And while on the subject of football, another stunner for most people was to find out that New Zealand has also qualified for the World Cup. Yes, that country where there are more sheep than humans and whose sporting fortunes have always centred on rugby and cricket. It will represent the Oceania zone after beating Bahrain from Asia in a playoff last week.

Now, if New Zealand can qualify, perhaps Malaysia needs to rethink its strategies in football. Maybe it should apply to leave Asia (Asian Football Confederation) where the competition is a lot tougher and join Oceania instead. Perhaps only then could the country join the ranks of World Cup qualifiers.

But wait a minute. The way football is being run in this country, even to be grouped with Antarctica would be a tough bet for Malaysia. In Oceania, there is also Fiji which is ranked higher in the Fifa listing (133rd as against Malaysia's 152nd). And are we sure Malaysia, in its present standard, can beat Vanuatu?

Despite a long tradition of football, Malaysia is far short of its potential as a football-loving nation and things are not what they appear to be, as there is a disconnect between the frenzy over foreign leagues and the national team.

The solution is plain and simple -- the Football Association of Malaysia must change its leadership. The president must go and the excuse that he has an unfinished agenda is unacceptable. For the glory of the country, Malaysians must demand a key performance indicator (KPI) accountability from FAM.

Enough is enough. And so what if that's the monster in me speaking out.

syedn@nstp.com.my

WEST HAM NEXT FOR TONY?

"West Ham: Crisis Club" would have felt more appropriate, such has been the constant, extraordinary drama that has stretched from the Carlos Tévez affair to the financial meltdown of the club's previous owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

Off the field, fortunes are improving. That may appear counter-intuitive. After all, why would CB Holdings, the company formed by creditors which runs West Ham, have appointed Rothschild and Standard Bank to seek out new investors?

And it was not so long ago that Napoli, aware of Zola's disenchantment, tried to tempt him, technical director Gianluca Nani and chief executive Scott Duxbury to leave Upton Park.

That process of sifting through potential investors – and would-be buyers – is almost complete and the strong likelihood is that the banks will be stood down without a deal being done.

Talks have taken place with at least three parties: Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, former Birmingham City co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold and a consortium fronted by a company called the Intermarket Group.

Fernandes, the founder of Air Asia and a West Ham fan, has been the closest to taking a stake and was even introduced to Zola. Indeed, at one stage it appeared likely he would acquire a 51 per cent stake in the club.

West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt even flew to Kuala Lumpur to try to seal the deal but an agreement on price could not be reached. Fernandes remains interested and has been back in contact with Bernhardt but, as yet, nothing has been settled.

The other two parties are being treated with greater scepticism and there is a general sense at West Ham, and with Straumur, the troubled Icelandic bank that is CB Holdings' biggest shareholder, that the investors believe there is a bargain to be had and that the situation at the club is far worse than is being let on.

They believe Bernhardt, who was appointed by Straumur and who has stuck to his valuation, is, in effect, bluffing.

There are reasons to believe he is not. West Ham would like investment. It would mean, for example, that instead of having to pay £3.5 million a year over the next five years to Sheffield United because of the Tévez affair, they could renegotiate a one-off settlement on better terms.

Investment would mean that rather than having to rely on funds generated by sales, which has been a struggle between West Ham and Straumur, and income to acquire new players, they could recruit more freely.

But Straumur's own fortunes have improved, and that is now helping West Ham. If they had needed to sell by now, they would have done so.

The bank is restructuring itself in Iceland and there is real hope that it may soon come out of a moratorium – a suspension of payment to creditors – to reflect its improved status. Negotiations with creditors are continuing. Another extension beyond the December deadline should be agreed.

At the same time, CB Holdings has renegotiated the terms of a loan facility at West Ham which has placed it on a more sound financial footing.

As part of that agreement, Straumur put in more than £5 million of new investment – a prerequisite demanded by the banks who conducted the refinancing to show goodwill – while the debts now stand at £38 million and are wholly manageable with a turnover of around £90 million.

Furthermore, the club has dramatically cut its wage bill, which had grown under previous chairman Eggert Magnusson, from £62 million to £38 million a year.

Of more immediate concern to supporters is the forthcoming January transfer window. Again, there have been predictions of a fire-sale but players such as Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami and Robert Green will not be sold.

The future of captain Matthew Upson, who was wanted by Liverpool and Fiorentina last summer, is less certain because of his age and his insistence on not signing a new contract. Still, Upson should stay until the summer and will then try to find Champions League football.

Magnusson had promised that as well but, through his spending and Gudmundsson's financial collapse, almost ruined the club.

PRAY FOR SANTOKH

National football legend Santokh Singh has lapsed into a coma at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital after collapsing at his home on Monday.

FA of Selangor secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Amin said the 59-year-old former Selangor defender was warded on Monday and fell into a coma the following day from an apparent viral infection.

“After speaking to Santokh’s wife, he apparently suffered from chills and fell in his home on Monday. After being admitted to hospital, he fell into a coma on Tuesday from which he has yet to recover,” Hamidin said after visiting Santokh at KLH today.

Santokh formed a formidable defensive partnership with Datuk Soh Chin Aun for both club and country in the 1970s and 1980s and starred for Selangor alongside the legendary Mokhtar Dahari and goalkeeper R. Arumugam.

After being plucked from the Selangor Burnley Cup team by coach Datuk Ghani Minhat, the burly defender went on to win the Malaysia Cup with Selangor nine times from 1972 to 1985.

He made his national team debut in 1972 and featured in the side which qualified for and played at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Santokh helped Malaysia win a bronze medal at the 1974 Teheran Asian Games and back-to-back Sea Games triumphs in 1977 and 1979.

Santokh would have made a second Olympic appearance after the national side qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but Malaysia’s subsequent boycott denied him the honour.

Indons To Skip Masters Finals

Indonesian shuttlers will skip the Super Series Masters Finals due to a tight schedule ahead of the approaching Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Running from Dec. 2 to 6 in Johor Baru, Malaysia, the Masters Finals, which features the top eight singles and doubles players in five categories from the year-round Super Series tournaments, ends days before the SEA Games begin.

However, the Malaysian SEA Games hopefuls, according to coach Rexy Mainaky, will be hosting the event with a full-strength team.

The SEA Games will be held in Laos from Dec. 9 to 18.

The Indonesian players will make the China Super Series, which began Tuesday, their last tryout before heading for Laos.

"We'll abide by KONI's *the National Sports Council* policy not to send our shuttlers to the Super Series Finals as it ends too close to the opening of the SEA Games," Jacob Rusdianto, secretary-general of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The US$500,000 Johor Baru event is the second edition of the Super Series Masters Finals. In the inaugural tournament last year, Indonesian players failed to win any titles.

"We fear the players might be injured, and want them at peak performance in Laos," said Jacob, adding the PBSI had also decided to reschedule the national championships, initially set for Dec. 1 to 5.

Indonesia will send 18 shuttlers to Laos, including those who have qualified for the Super Series Finals.

Those include Simon Santoso and Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the men's singles; Adrianti Firdasari (women's singles); Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (men's doubles); Shendy Puspa Irawati/Meliana Jauhari and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Greysia Polii (women's doubles), and Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir and Devin Lahardi Fitriawan/Lita Nurlita (mixed doubles).

Other shuttlers - Taufik Hidayat (men's singles) and Alvent Yulianto Chandra/Hendra Aprida Gunawan (men's doubles) - may play in the Johor Baru event, after not making the SEA Games team.

Based on the SEA Games draw, the Indonesian men's team will meet Vietnam in the first round, while the women get a bye.

The China Super Series will be a test for the new mixed doubles pairing of Liliyana and Devin, with Liliyana's regular partner, the 32-year-old Nova, set to retire.

Nova and Liliyana were the only Indonesians to advance to last week's Hong Kong finals, where they lost to Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk of Poland on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Rexy Mainaky, who coaches the Malaysian team, told the Post they would field their top shuttlers, including world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei (men's singles), Koo Kien Kiat/Tan Boon Heong (men's doubles) and Chin Eei Hui/Wong Pei Tty (women's doubles).

They will also be among Malaysia's 20-strong team for the Laos trip, although Lee was quoted Monday by Reuters as saying, "To expect one to peak in four back-to-back tournaments is asking for the impossible.

"I will compete in the China Open and Masters Finals. But I'm not sure whether I will be able to raise my game in the SEA Games," he said.

"It has been a decision by the country's head badminton coach, Rasyid Sidek, our badminton association and our sports council that Lee Chong Wei will play in both the Super Series Finals and the Laos SEA Games," Rexy said.

JUST TAKE WORLD CUP AWAY

Till now, it was only Indian hockey which was struggling to extricate itself from the rubble. Now, the officialdom also faces the same plight as elections to a unified Hockey India (HI) ran into further trouble with secretary general Mohammad Aslam Khan tendering his resignation to president AK Mattoo on Friday.

On a day when plenty of developments took place and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) gave the ad-hoc HI time till the first week of February to hold its elections, sports minister MS Gill also said the elections would have to be held in a "free and fair manner". Once Aslam quit on Friday and gave a mouthful to some prominent HI officials, it was left to Mattoo to deal with FIH vicepresident Antonio von Ondarza, appointed by the FIH as observer for the polls.

First things first. Once Aslam realised that there was no way elections could be held on November 20, he sent in his resignation.

In his letter, Aslam said: "We have reiterated time and again to hold elections for the formation of the Hockey India executive within six months from the date of its formation on May 20. The time and term of office-bearers expires on November 20 and keeping in view recent developments and maintaining the principals of adhering to the principles of commitment, I would not like to continue." While none of the other officials in Hockey India volunteered to quit, especially after failing to finish the task of having elections within six months, Aslam decide to become the martyr. He also slammed officials of other federations who were interfering in Hockey India matters.

"I am sure if the tables are turned and Hockey India administrators start interfering in other federations, it will not be taken well. This only caused serious delays in the smooth running of Hockey India and this is the cause of elections being delayed," said Aslam.

Showing his political colours, Aslam ended his resignation letter by thanking MS Gill for "all the support." He made particular mention of the way the sports ministry had funded injured goalkeeper Baljit Singh's trip to the United States for treatment.

Earlier, Gill spoke to Mail Today and said elections could not be held right now as a lot of issues need to be sorted out.

"I have been at the helm of affairs in the Election Commission and know how it happens. And that is why we decided to appoint SK Mendiratta, a former Election Commission official, as observer. We want to ensure the elections are held in a fair and democratic manner," said Gill.

In his view, with the affiliation of several state associations to HI still not complete, elections could not have been held now.

"When FIH president Leandro Negre came to New Delhi last year and met the Indian Olympic Association officials and me, it was decided that HI should be formed at the earliest. We agreed to the ad-hoc body, supported them and gave them temporary recognition. Our position remains the same as elections should be transparent, fair and acceptable to everyone," said Gill.

Earlier this week, the sports ministry had written a detailed letter to Hockey India and raised several objections. The most important pertained to how HI had recognised 19 state units and four institutional members.

"Your letter does not indicate the process followed in the formation of the state units and whether they have obtained recognition from their state Olympic committees," the letter said.

Other points raised by the ministry were: "Your (HI) letter also does not address the other conditions imposed by the government (i) Early submission of election schedule. (ii) Putting in place comprehensive election guidelines. (iii) Ensuring fair and transparent election process. (iv) Setting up a mechanism to hear and resolve grievance of state units of erstwhile hockey bodies." That in effect means Hockey India has been no different from the defunct Indian Hockey Federation, which also ran the sport in the most unprofessional manner.

While the IHF, governed by KPS Gill, got the boot last summer after the Indian team failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, Hockey India has done no better.

In fact, their ploy of forcing mergers in some states is shocking.

Knowing well how important a state like Mumbai is, HI apparently gave recognition to Maharashtra and not Mumbai! "Everyone in India knows what Mumbai's contribution has been to Indian hockey. Mumbai has provided Olympians, coaches and even top officials. So how could we not have got affiliation from HI?" thundered former India coach Joaquim Carvalho.

While hockey fans wonder whether India can regain its glory on the turf, the formation of Hockey India has become a bigger joke.

FAM, YOU MUST PAY RM214,000

Some unruly Kelantan football fans caused damage estimated at RM214,000 to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil during the Malaysia Cup final between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan last Saturday, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said 224 seats, three lanes, the gate for disabled people, other gates and toilets suffered damage.

Winding up debate on the 2010 Supply Bill at the policy stage, he said public money would have to be used to repair the damage and advised football fans not to vent their disappointment on the stadium fittings but to show sportsmanship.

During the match last Saturday, almost 80 per cent of the 85,000 spectators were Kelantan supporters while Negeri Sembilan fans numbered about 15,000.

When Negeri Sembilan led 3-0 in the 58th minute, the Kelantan supporters started to throw various objects and fire crackers and torched banners and seats in one part of the stadium. (Negeri Sembilan won the match 3-1).

Nevertheless, Ahmad Shabery said it could not be denied that the overwhelming presence of Kelantan fans at the National Stadium had revived enthusiasm towards national football.

On a suggestion by Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) for the formulation of legislation to control fan behaviour, Ahmad Shabery said the ministry would look into it.

NO EASY RIDE

Whichever way it went, there are no longer easy grouping following the official draw announcement of the men’s football of the 25th SEA Games in Laos this morning.

Eight-times champions Thailand are in Group A alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Cambodia.In Group B are hosts Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia.

Brunei have been banned by FIFA while the Philippines are not putting up either men‘s or women‘s team at this year‘s SEA Games.

Indonesian team manager Demis Djamaoeddin said that there are no longer easy draw at the SEA Games with all the teams taking part well prepared.

“Unlike in the past, there are no teams which you can consider as minnows,” said Demis from Palembang.

“All the teams taking part take the championship seriously and they prepare their teams for months. We are no different.

“For us, it makes no different being in either group. They are all tough. We can only prepare our team as well as possible. The rest will be decided on the day.”

Singapore have been building up steadily towards the SEA Games where their recent 6-0 win over their counterparts from Cambodia proved that their formula in having their team - the Young Lions - have regular competition in the S-League is paying off.

They are currently playing in the VFF-Smartdoor Championship in Hanoi where they had conceded a 1-0 loss to the Vietnam U23 side in their opening match.The Young Lions then held the Thai U23 side to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the meet and will wrap up the competition by taking on China U23.

The Indonesians will be relying on the Uruguayan touch to carry the team through with the enlistment of Alberto Dica while for Laos, their win of the pre-SEA Games meet despite playing against U19 sides, will be an added incentive.

Add that to the expected home crowd, then Laos could just spring a surprise - or two.

Myanmar, through their recent formation of the Myanmar national league, have allowed their U23 players more playing time and with the expected four-nation tournament later this month, they will not be short of match experience.

At the very least, Myanmar will be looking at defending the silver they win two years ago in Thailand.

With the Thais again the firm favourites to defend their crown, Vietnam will be hoping that their win of the AFF Suzuki Cup last year will give them the confidence for the task ahead.

And certainly, the Vietnam U23 side seems to be oozing with confidence where this week, they picked up the VFF-Smartdoor Cup in Hanoi after beating Singapore U23 (1-0) and then China U23 (3-1).

They will play their final round robin match against Thailand U23 with the results being inconsequential to the end result.Malaysia as always remain the dark horse with head coach K. Rajagobal saying that they will be taking it one game at a time.

“It is a tough draw, but then there’s no way we can avoid it,” added Rajagobal.

“We will look at who we will play against first and take it from there.”

Cambodia will be playing in a four-team meet in Phnom Penh this week while for Timor Leste, they are certainly capable of delivering the goods.

Timor recently qualified for the final round of the AFC U16 championships after holding China to a draw and then beating Singapore in their qualifying matches.

At the AFF Under-19 championship in Ho Chi Minh City, they played well as a unit and was just unfortunate not to make the semi-finals.

“We are improving as a whole but it is still a step by step process,” said Timor Leste president Francisco Kalbuadi.

NEGERI FINALLY LAND THE MALAYSIA CUP

Negeri Sembilan succeeded in lifting the prestigious Malaysia Cup when they beat Kelantan 3-1 in the final at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil Saturday night.

The last time Negeri Sembilan won the cup was 61 years ago when it was then known as the H.M.S. Malaya Cup in 1948.

The 'underdog' status clearly was not reflected in the game put up by the squad led by Wan Jamak Wan Hassan when they opened accounts as early as the 18th minute.

Shahurain Abu Samah sent a powerful shot in the penalty box which beat Kelantan goalie, Mohd Halim Napi after an error by defender Mohd Zamri Ramli that sent the approximately 15,000 Negeri Sembilan supporters into frenzy.

Stunned by the goal, Kelantan raised the level of their game in front of at least 70,000 of their supporters by launching several raids that failed to break through the opponents' defence led by Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak and Mohd Syukor Adan.

Negeri Sembilan too had several opportunities to widen their scoreline through Hairuddin Omar, who was on loan from T-Team, who had at least three chances to score but was foiled by Mohd Halim, and the 1-0 score ramained at half-time.

In the second half, the 'Red Warriors' substituted two of their strikers, Horhisham Hassan and Mohd Nizad Ayub with Che Hishammuddin Hassan and Mohd Khalis Jamlus, who were more experienced.

However, Negeri Sembilan appeared to be the more fierce side with Hairuddin scoring the second goal in the 46th minute after breaking free from the Kelantan defence.

In the 58th minute, Negeri Sembilan confirmed their victory when national striker Mohd Zaquan converted a penalty kick after Shahurain was brought down in the box.

The goal prompted a large section of the Kelantan supporters to leave the stadium with some of them burning flags, banners, chairs and letting off firecrackers.

The Red Warriors' lethal striker, Indra Putra Mahayuddin eventually scored for Kelantan in the 93rd minute (extra time) after taking the free kick from outside the penalty box, thus emerging as the top scorer in the Malaysia Cup series with 11 goals.

Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, and the Regent of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra and Tengku Temenggong Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra Sultan Ismail Petra were also at the stadium to watch the final.

Commenting on the match, Wan Jamak said the early goal was certainly needed by any team playing in the final and Shahurain succeeded in achieving it.

"The goal would determine the direction of the team and could immediately change their rhythm of play," he told reporters after the match.

The former national coach said the Negeri Sembilan players had proven that they had the resilience and mental strength to face the thousands of their opponents' supporters.

"I was certainly confident of victory based on the previous matches played by the team in the Malaysia Cup competition but I did not want to be over-confident," he said, adding that he was proud of the Negeri Sembilan record as the only team who had never lost in the Malaysia Cup matches.

Meanwhile, Kelantan coach B.Sathinathan said the second goal scored by Negeri Sembilan had broken the spirit of his players.

SEA GAMES BOUND BOXER SLASHED

National boxer B. Perabagaran received 50 stitches after being slashed and assaulted by about 20 unknown assailants in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28.

Perabagaran, 21, who hails from Perai here suffered cuts and bruises in his arms, legs and stomach, when he was pounced upon by the assailants who were armed with knives and bottles, at about 10.30pm, when he came out of a bathroom which was situated about 200m from where he had dinner with three other friends.

"On the night of the incident, I and three of my friends, all boxers in the SEA Games squad, went to a food court in Kampung Baru, situated near our training centre in Kramat.

"After paying the bill, I went to the bathroom which was about 200m away and when I came out, about 20 assailants, all dressed in black and armed with Rambo knives and liquor bottles attacked me.

"One of them even teased by showing the blood that was oozing out from cuts in my body and said (with your condition like this, how are you going to go to the SEA games, do you think there are no boxers in Kuala Lumpur who are better qualified than you?). They seemed drunk and also used foul language," said Perabagaran who works in the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Perabagaran said though he felt very weak, he managed to punch on of the assailants but could not do anything to avoid their assaults.

He added that the assailants fled in a car when his friends came to his aid.

"I was later taken to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) for treatment and that dashed my hopes of representing the country in the Laos SEA Games as it will take about six months to recover and return to boxing," he said.

The gold medal winner at the SUKMA Games in Kedah and Terengganu for the 75kg category said the attack was an attempt by some to prevent him from going to Laos.

"I feel these people were jealous because I was selected for the SEA Games and was about to undergo 41 days of training in Thailand starting Oct 29. It was also sad that nobody from the National Sports Council came to visit me in the hospital," he said.

He added that after being discharged from HKL, he went back to his house in Perai and lodged a police report at the Seberang Perai Tengah police station here today.

"I also want the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NSC to investigate the incident and take the necessary action on the culprits as I do not want other boxers or athletes to suffer a similar fate," he said.

THE 2010 LIST, PROBABLY

Confirmed seats in Formula One's 2010 season are almost as rare as fully committed sponsors.

But with more teams, perhaps as many as 14 if BMW's new owners make it to the grid, there are plenty of seats - and even more permutations to go around.

So who will drive Lotus, now that it is officially not called the 1Malaysia F1 Team

This is almost easy. The team stands no chance of running at the front in its first year. So it needs to be a training ground for the whole team, despite the fact that some long-standing F1 characters have joined the team in various senior roles. Malaysia has some very good drivers - but in single seaters, now that Alex Yoong has shot his bolt and retired to tin-tops, there is only one worth considering: Fairus Fauzi. Fairus is a natural driver, he knows when to take risks and when to hold back. He wins races with his brain as much as with his right foot. True, Yoong is probably a better technical driver, but Fairus is a better racer. He's fearless but not cavallier, fast in the right places and reads the conditions around him superbly. He's not ready for F1, but there is a political (small p) demand to have a Malaysian in the Lotus team which is owned by Malaysian commercial interests and will, in due course, move some of its operations to Malaysia.

So who should partner him? Without doubt, it should be Anthony Davidson. In karting circles, he was always reckoned to be better than either Hamilton or Button had been. He's a lost talent who proved his worth at Super Aguri since when he's been sidelined. He's English so that goes well with the incredible following that Lotus has in the UK.

Put these two together to grow with the team and, if the management doesn't stuff it up, they will be in the top ten in 2011 and fighting for a podium in 2012.

CARDIFF CITY-DONE DEAL

MALAYSIAN tycoon Dato Chan Tien Ghee has agreed to invest in Cardiff City – and has planned more talks with chairman Peter Ridsdale in Kuala Lumpur at the end of November.

Talks are at a highly delicate stage, but they could yet result in Chan helping City pay off their debt to Langston – if an agreement can be reached on a one-off payment.

The debt to Langston is £24m, but Ridsdale has been in talks with former club chairman and Langston representative Sam Hammam on what they would accept if the Bluebirds settled the debt immediately.

An outline agreement has been reached, including monthly payments to start almost immediately, and that will hopefully be signed off within the next week or so.

If City can come up with an one-off payment, and it would be substantially less than £24m, then they could look ahead with confidence.

That, plus the five-year season-ticket scheme announced last week, would help the club make transfer money available to manager Dave Jones for the January transfer window.

Ridsdale refused to reveal the extent of Chan’s initial investment, thought to be around 10 per cent, and would not react to speculation about what might happen now.

“We expect an initial investment this month,” said Ridsdale last night. “Anything beyond that would depend on sorting Langston out.

“What we agreed yesterday is that he (Chan) will make an initial investment. We will then meet for further discussions. In the meantime, I hope to get a Langston deal agreed and take it from there.”

Ridsdale revealed earlier this week he has struck a verbal agreement with the club’s biggest creditor Langston to finally settle the £24m debt.

“We’ve been talking to him (Chan) for some months and we hope to announce some investment in the next few weeks,” added Ridsdale.

DO AS YOU PREACH FAM

Six teams, including Kelantan and Perak, have been disqualified from the Malaysian Leagues 2010 as they had infringed on the conditions set by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

On the other hand, UPB-MyTeam and Proton FC have pulled out from the from the Super League and the Premier League respectively, said FAM vice-president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh.

He said the other four teams disqualified were Penang (Super League), Pahang (Premier League), Melaka (Premier League) and Shahzan Muda (Premier League).

He said among the conditions infringed by the teams were failure to settle outstanding salaries of the players and remit their Employees Provident Fund subscriptions until the deadline on Saturday.

"So we have decided that they are not qualified to take part in the leagues next season," he told reporters after chairing the FAM Local Competition Committee meeting at Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil here Monday.

Che Mat, however, said the fate of the six teams would rest with the FAM Council meeting to be chaired by FAM president Sultan Ahmad Shah soon.

"The competition committee's decision, which was based on the stipulated rules, would be submitted to the FAM Council," he said.

If the council endorse the decision, the Super League will be left with 11 teams next season from 14 teams this season while 10 teams will compete in the Premier League compared to 14 now.

"If the Super League is down to 11 teams, FAM will invite another team from the Premier League to join the Super League to bring the number of teams to 12.

"We have also accepted requests from UPB-MyTeam and Proton FC to withdraw from the Super League and the Premier League respectively," he said, adding actions on the two teams would be decided later.

The following teams qualified for Super League 2010: Selangor, Perlis, Kedah, Johor FC, Terengganu, KL Plus, Harimau Muda A, Negeri Sembilan, KM Naza, Johor and T-Team.

The Premier League 2010 will be made up of PDRM, Kuala Lumpur, ATM, PKNS Selangor, Sabah, KL Felda United, KL Pos, Perlis KSK Tambun Tulang, Harimau Muda B and Sarawak.

FAS COACH DIES IN CHARITY GAME

Football Association of Singapore coach and former international David Sivalingam died on Sunday evening during a match organized by former national players and friends to raise money for former Woodlands Wellington winger S. Anthonysamy who was paralysed after a tackle in 1996.

The match, played at the Indian Association saw the participation of several veterans among who were V.Sundramoorthy and Abbas Saad.

Sivalingam was given his international break by Jita Singh in 1979 and Joya was also instrumental in his career as a coach, by appointing the former midfielder as his Assistant Coach at Sembawang Rangers in 1997.

Siva, 51, coached the Singapore team for the Asian Youth Games this year. He leaves behind wife Phiomena Makii and three children .

His death comes just a month after another tragedy struck in the Sultan Selangor Cup where Dollah Kassim suffered a heart attack and remains in coma ever since. Dollah, 60, has since been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit last week and can now breathe on his own.

In 2005 S. Rajagopal suffered a heart attack during the Sultan Selangor Cup while in 2003 former Malaysian striker Ali Bakar collapsed and died at the Tampines Stadium. He was 60.