Below are the views of Dato Sieh Kok Chi, Hon. Secretary Olympic Council of Malaysia with regards to National Sports Associations.
Many cannot accept honesty and frank views currently and the views below really reflect the current state of affairs in the sporting arena, every man or woman for him/herself.
The strength of National Sports Associations (NSAs) depends entirely on the leaders they have to lead, guide and manage the NSAs. Without good, competent and dedicated leaders, such as Presidents, Deputy Presidents, Vice Presidents, Hon. Secretaries, Hon. Treasurers, NSAs will not be able to function well, let alone make good progress.
It may perhaps be appropriate to quote the advice by the late Tun Dr Ismail, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, to his Party members. He said that people should join political parties to serve only after they have achieved certain level of success in their career and never to join a political party with the intention to enrich oneself.
The late Tun Dr. Ismail’s advice can apply to volunteer sports officials as well. In the past, all volunteer sports officials worked full-time and in their spare time volunteered to serve sport. Only when they have achieved stability in their career, did they dare to hold office.
Today, there are many people who strive to be Presidents and Office Bearers of sports organisations, when they are still in the process of furthering their career.
As such, these people have nether the time or the means to really work for sport as volunteers. There are also others whose livelihood depends on sports, such as coaches, sports equipment distributors, sports marketing agents, etc., who also wish to hold office, thereby placing themselves in conflict of interest situations.
The two most important questions a person who wishes to hold office in any sports organisation as a volunteer are ‘Why do I wish to hold office?’ and ‘How can I make the organisation better?’.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
WHO NEEDS TO SHUT UP NOW?
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Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well.
So now I find that ancient proverb true,
Foes' gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.
So now I find that ancient proverb true,
Foes' gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.
In simple English the phrase means beware of Greeks bearing gifts. An apt description of the situation concerning the Harimau Muda stint in the Slovakian League.
The newspaper images produced above tell of contrasting tales with regards to what the team is really up to in Slovakia. Let it be clear from the start, I have nothing against the team being there, and when I questioned about the cooks being sent so late, another blogger tried to make a meal out of it by telling the team officials I was critical. Well that what he does best.
So the expose by Harian Metro further strengthens what I had written when the participation in the Slovak League was first revealed by FAM last month. What we are asking for is accountability and transparency, and that is not asking too much.
Transparency in terms of what is the cost of the stint, and if it was true that the team is actually participating in the Slovak League or playing friendly matches. On the case of being "bodoh" or not, that I leave to readers to infer.
As far as accountability, if the Malaysian public and the FAM President and its Exco has been misled, then the person responsible should do the right thing, vacate his position and admit that he had taken the nation for a ride.
More ironically, the team has no Manager nor Team Administrator in Slovakia and hence the coaches should not have to bear the burden of having to reply to the allegations put forward by Harian Metro who obviously have done their homework.
But maybe the story might die a natural death by tomorrow, as a big wig from FAM will make some phone calls to certain personalities to spike the follow up, as was the case when my posting on this matter was picked up by a TV station only to be told to no longer use anything from this blog, perhaps die to the fact 1Malaysia is a slogan only and not practiced.
THE PLOT THICKENS
Following the decision by MGA to hit out at the organisors of the Asian PGA Classic, a press statement was issued by the now defunct MPGA ( read below).
What is most disappointing s that the two parties concerned, organisers of the Iskandar Open and the PGA event have not sat down to discuss options open to them.
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE HON. SECRETARY OF THE SUSPENDED MALAYSIAN PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION MR. S. SELVAKUMAR
We refer to the statement by the President of the Malaysian Golf Association(MGA) Dato’ Robin Loh and wish to clarify that the organisers and sponsors of the CIMB Asian Golf Classic do not need the sanction of the MGA.
“MGA is not the sanctioning body for professional events, safe for the Malaysian Open Golf Championships which ended over the weekend,” said the MPGA secretary S Selvakumar .
MGA has got no right to sanction any professional tournament-this right is only with the MPGA which was clarified by the Sports Commissioner on 14 November 2007.
Even as early as October 1991, the then secretary of the MGA David M H Lee had clarified via official MGA letter that the sanctioning body for professional tournaments was the MPGA.
The 1998 World Cup where Tiger Woods made his maiden appearance in Malaysia held at the Mines Golf Club was also sanctioned by the MPGA.
“Robin Loh is talking “cock”-he does not know his facts. He should check the MGA Constitution and its own website which states that MGA is for amateurs only except for the Maybank Malaysian Open which is their own event,” added Selvakumar.
This problem has been there for some time now and the MGA has been going around saying that it could sanction professional tournaments. Organisers should be aware of this ploy by the MGA. The MGA has of late developed a thirst for power-they want to control everything and always seem to be running out of money,. Perhaps the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should investigate the MGA. There is something fishing going on there, said Selvakumar.
“If only 2 professional made the cut at the Maybank Malaysian Open is because none of the MGA programmes has been successful in developing talent with money being wasted in so called development programmes that only benefit officials of the MGA,” said Selvakumar. The 2 pros who made the cut were from the MPGA.
The MPGA has been suspended by the Sports Commissioner since October 2008 and since then a successor body is in the making with the blessing of the Minister of Youth & Sports Dato’ Ahmad Cheek. It is either of these 2 bodies that has the right to sanction not an association that looks after amateurs. On the status of the association, Selvakumar clarified that it is awaiting for an appointment to meet with its Royal Patron His Majesty Sultan Azlan Shah before considering the next move.
“The statement by Robin speaks for itself. He does not know what he is talking about and it is best that he does not interfere with the affairs of the professionals. We know how to take care of ourselves,” emphasised Selvakumar.
The MGA is reminded that the MPGA and its members have taken the MGA to court over the same issue and are confident of the outcome.
This statement is issued by S Selvakumar , Hon. Secretary of the Malaysian Professional Golfers Association Contact No: XXXXXX
LOTUS - READY TO RACE NOT TO FIGHT SAYS TRULLI
Jarno Trulli has assessed the situation at Lotus Racing ahead of the F1 2010 curtain-raising Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir in a week-and-a-half's time, contending that at the scene of his most recent pole position in the top flight, the Anglo/Malaysian newcomer is around four seconds shy of the leading pace and 'ready for racing, but not really for fighting'.
Lotus concluded the final pre-season test around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya at the weekend almost five seconds adrift of the outright benchmark in the hands of Heikki Kovalainen and two seconds away from the slowest of the established teams, albeit narrowly ahead of fellow newcomer Virgin.
On his own last day inside the cockpit of the Mike Gascoyne-penned, Cosworth-powered T127, Trulli had actually managed to leap ahead of the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi, winding up 4.4 seconds off Nico Rosberg's fastest effort for Mercedes Grand Prix. It will be a similar scenario, the 35-year-old Pescara native opines, when the serious action gets underway in the desert kingdom next weekend, with performance having been sacrificed for laudable reliability in the initial stages.
“We are not happy with the pace that we have at the moment, but we knew we wouldn't be,” ESPN quotes the experienced Italian as having reflected, as he suggested that in Lotus' case at least, the lap times seen during testing are fairly representative. “We are ready for racing, but not really for fighting. Maybe we can fight with Virgin, but the rest of the field is still out of reach.”
Warning not to expect too much from Lotus until the first major upgrade is introduced in time for the beginning of the European leg of the campaign – with the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona in early May – Trulli confessed that whilst progress will come, instant miracles are unlikely.
“The same as [Barcelona testing] basically, not much more,” the former Monaco Grand Prix-winner revealed of his expectations for Bahrain. “Unfortunately, I am not a magician. It would be nice to score a point, but it is not going to be easy. We have to be realistic – we are probably four seconds off.
“We already know what is wrong, but we don't have enough time to sort it out right away. We knew in advance where the weaknesses were, but we have to get ready for Bahrain and ship everything over, so there is no time left. Once we return to Europe, we will probably make a step forward.”
“We reckon we will be 3.5 seconds off the fastest car [in Bahrain], an improvement of five seconds from Jerez,” concurred an upbeat team principal Tony Fernandes. “We keep chipping away.”
Those sentiments are largely echoed by Gascoyne, who has brought with him to Lotus a wealth of experience from previous employers McLaren, Sauber, Tyrrell, Toyota, Renault, Jordan and Force India and who insists that the Hingham-based concern is 'in very good shape' for its F1 bow given that it has had a scant eight testing days to prepare for Sakhir.
The T127 might currently be lacking in terms of out-and-out raw pace, but its designer is clearly 'proud' of the team's progress in the five months it has had since officially gaining a 2010 entry – and hopeful of achieving on-track respectability during its maiden campaign of competition as it carries the weight of the iconic Lotus name.
“The test was extremely productive,” the Englishman summarised of Barcelona. “In general we've had very good reliability, and the team is in very good shape going to the first race. Considering the length of time we've had to work on the project, it's a fantastic effort from the whole team. Everyone has worked exceptionally hard over the two tests, and we now have to work on the pace of the car and improve that – but it's been a tremendous effort from the whole team and I'm very proud of them.”
Lotus concluded the final pre-season test around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya at the weekend almost five seconds adrift of the outright benchmark in the hands of Heikki Kovalainen and two seconds away from the slowest of the established teams, albeit narrowly ahead of fellow newcomer Virgin.
On his own last day inside the cockpit of the Mike Gascoyne-penned, Cosworth-powered T127, Trulli had actually managed to leap ahead of the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi, winding up 4.4 seconds off Nico Rosberg's fastest effort for Mercedes Grand Prix. It will be a similar scenario, the 35-year-old Pescara native opines, when the serious action gets underway in the desert kingdom next weekend, with performance having been sacrificed for laudable reliability in the initial stages.
“We are not happy with the pace that we have at the moment, but we knew we wouldn't be,” ESPN quotes the experienced Italian as having reflected, as he suggested that in Lotus' case at least, the lap times seen during testing are fairly representative. “We are ready for racing, but not really for fighting. Maybe we can fight with Virgin, but the rest of the field is still out of reach.”
Warning not to expect too much from Lotus until the first major upgrade is introduced in time for the beginning of the European leg of the campaign – with the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona in early May – Trulli confessed that whilst progress will come, instant miracles are unlikely.
“The same as [Barcelona testing] basically, not much more,” the former Monaco Grand Prix-winner revealed of his expectations for Bahrain. “Unfortunately, I am not a magician. It would be nice to score a point, but it is not going to be easy. We have to be realistic – we are probably four seconds off.
“We already know what is wrong, but we don't have enough time to sort it out right away. We knew in advance where the weaknesses were, but we have to get ready for Bahrain and ship everything over, so there is no time left. Once we return to Europe, we will probably make a step forward.”
“We reckon we will be 3.5 seconds off the fastest car [in Bahrain], an improvement of five seconds from Jerez,” concurred an upbeat team principal Tony Fernandes. “We keep chipping away.”
Those sentiments are largely echoed by Gascoyne, who has brought with him to Lotus a wealth of experience from previous employers McLaren, Sauber, Tyrrell, Toyota, Renault, Jordan and Force India and who insists that the Hingham-based concern is 'in very good shape' for its F1 bow given that it has had a scant eight testing days to prepare for Sakhir.
The T127 might currently be lacking in terms of out-and-out raw pace, but its designer is clearly 'proud' of the team's progress in the five months it has had since officially gaining a 2010 entry – and hopeful of achieving on-track respectability during its maiden campaign of competition as it carries the weight of the iconic Lotus name.
“The test was extremely productive,” the Englishman summarised of Barcelona. “In general we've had very good reliability, and the team is in very good shape going to the first race. Considering the length of time we've had to work on the project, it's a fantastic effort from the whole team. Everyone has worked exceptionally hard over the two tests, and we now have to work on the pace of the car and improve that – but it's been a tremendous effort from the whole team and I'm very proud of them.”
Monday, March 08, 2010
THOMAS/UBER CUP DRAW
The draw for the 2010 Thomas/Uber Cups was conducted today. The tournament will be held in Stadium Putra from 9 to 16th May 2010.
For this year the 12 teams in each competition are placed in four groups comprising of 3 teams each with only the top two moving into the knockout stage. For the knockout stage, the seedings will be based on the world ranking of May 6 and only preliminary round group champions will be seeded.
For this year the 12 teams in each competition are placed in four groups comprising of 3 teams each with only the top two moving into the knockout stage. For the knockout stage, the seedings will be based on the world ranking of May 6 and only preliminary round group champions will be seeded.
The draw is as follows:
Thomas Cup
Group A
China, Korea, Peru
Group B
Malaysia, Japan, Nigeria
Group C
Denmark, Germany, Poland
Group D
Indonesia, India, Australia
UBER CUP DRAW
Group A
China, Malaysia, USA
Group B
Indonesia, Denmark, Australia
Group C
Japan, Russia, Germany
Group D
Korea, India, South Africa
BRING IN AUDITORS SAYS NADES
Bring in the auditors
WHEN Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah was appointed the country’s first sports minister in the seventies, he was deemed to be the best person for the job. Besides being an all-round sportsman, he understood management, intricacies and politics in sports. Besides, having partaken in sports and the fellowship which usually followed, he had first-hand knowledge of the needs of players; the development of talent at grassroots level; and no one could give him bull on any aspect of sports. He was hands-on when it came to administration through his years of experience as a judicial officer and often used his knowledge and experience to sort out issues.
WHEN Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah was appointed the country’s first sports minister in the seventies, he was deemed to be the best person for the job. Besides being an all-round sportsman, he understood management, intricacies and politics in sports. Besides, having partaken in sports and the fellowship which usually followed, he had first-hand knowledge of the needs of players; the development of talent at grassroots level; and no one could give him bull on any aspect of sports. He was hands-on when it came to administration through his years of experience as a judicial officer and often used his knowledge and experience to sort out issues.
Today, some 40 years later, the ministry is at a crossroads. The objective of setting up such a ministry has been blurred. Its vision and mission have been hijacked by parties with vested interests. Money is the name of the game and over the years, billions have been spent with non-tangible results to show. From an organisation which was supposed to supplement and help national sports associations (NSAs) to further their causes, it has changed into one which is more apt at creating multi-layers of officialdom and spending large sums of money in other roles. Instead of being the backbone of sports for the masses, it has become selective and elitist. Instead of being involved in enhancing the standard of sports, it has ended up being embroiled in the politics of NSAs. Instead of being neutral and non-participant in the affairs of NSAs, it has sometimes gone to the point of taking sides. Instead of being focused, it has been sidetracked by setting up various mini-organisations within, thereby spending more money. The National Fitness Council is just one example. Just because there is funding, money has been strewn on all kinds of projects that do nothing to enhance the level of sports. Paying RM10 million for a 24-minute sports news segment is one of them. Giving away RM17 million for the Champions Youth Cup was another. The list of "abuses" is long and when asked to justify such expenditure, everyone – the secretary general, the directors and even the minister – goes into a silent mode as if one is talking to a bunch of deaf people. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ministry and some of its agencies, especially the National Sports Council (NSC) make headlines almost every week for all the wrong reasons. It has been given 21 days to respond to a show-cause letter from the disciplinary board of the ministry over the purchase of chalets which cost taxpayers RM850,000. I am convinced nothing is going to come out of it and please do not expect heads to roll. For too long, the ministry and some of its agencies have become the personal domain of a selected few whose "godfathers" have always afforded protection. The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Yasin Salleh, chairs the disciplinary board. And that’s where the problem starts. Was he not aware of the purchase made by the NSC? This would be capital expenditure and surely, as head-honcho of the ministry, he should know of all assets of the ministry. Are we to assume there is no "register of assets" as such in government departments? I have nothing personal against Yasin but wasn’t he the same man who signed the agreement with ESPN and posed for cameramen with the documents when the deal was made? Can he justify the millions spent and the "return on investment"? In April 2008, theSun reported that the Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation Malaysia received RM9.72 million from the NSC and another RM1.5 million from the ministry – good money, people’s money that was squandered on staging the games where aerial dancers were brought in from Australia to the tune of RM800,000 for the opening ceremony. Former Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said distanced herself from the million-ringgit fiasco by saying that as the mere patron of the foundation, she "just cut ribbons". "I don’t get involved with management and I don’t have a say in funding," she was quoted as saying. So, if she had no say in the funding, then who did? So, who decided on who got what and how much; and who signed the cheques? Surely, it is not beyond Yasin’s knowledge. And that’s why I am repeating the call for a team of external auditors to thoroughly examine how our funds were managed. The abuse and misuse may not be to the extent of the Port Klang Free Trade Zone, but according to my sources, it could run into a few hundred million ringgit. That’s enough for some alarm bells to ring. R. Nadeswaran is passionate about accountability in sports as it involves taxpayers’ money. He can be reached at citizen-nades@thesundaily.com |
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Thursday, March 04, 2010
ANOTHER FACT FINDING TRIP, YEAH RIGHT
Another trip to do fact finding and discussions on the possible placement of footballers in England will take place commencing tomorrow, Friday, March 5.
One member of the party, which among others comprises of the Deputy Sports Minister Dato Razali and NSC DG Dato Zolkples Embong, will have departed by today. His mission initially is to make arrangements for the two gentlemen to visit the Harimau Muda team in Slovakia.
So amongst others, as reported in the main stream media and through information gathered, is for Razali and Zol to visit Liverpool, Manchester United as well as Everton. Maybe the two gentlemen who went earlier were not able to close the deal, hence Zol and Razali are seen to be the final jigsaw in the puzzle.
I wonder what the fascination is about to visit top clubs in England, the likes of Liverpool, United, Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal? What development work have they done? Besides harping on Wayne Rooney being the product of Everton, seriously what development has these clubs achieved, but to buy players from smaller clubs.
So really Mr. Deputy Minister and Mr. Director General, if your core business is football, then I will understand the rationale to visit such big clubs. But if it is development that matters, then go to Sheffield United, Stoke City, Hull, Cardiff City, Reading and West Ham, for these are the clubs that really do developmental work.
It is the end products, the polished diamonds that are being beamed into our living rooms and it does not tke a rocket scientist to figure out that there must be a base before they become top names in the EPL.
And yes, while you are in Slovakia, please let us know why is it that now the team needs two cooks to be sent to prepare meal for the team. Was it not FAM that said all arrangements had been done and that all was well? So why is it and after thought, kind of like being a class F contractor that keeps filing in variation orders to increase the profitability.
Tell you what, since our boys are feeling cold, take our sun along too, oops kind of goofed there as that is something FAM cannot add to their wish list from the government.
So readers, let me tell you a litte secret, remember initially the government said it will give RM50 million for football but later it was RM10 million. Well the RM10 million is just the funds for fact finding missions such as this lah.
One member of the party, which among others comprises of the Deputy Sports Minister Dato Razali and NSC DG Dato Zolkples Embong, will have departed by today. His mission initially is to make arrangements for the two gentlemen to visit the Harimau Muda team in Slovakia.
So amongst others, as reported in the main stream media and through information gathered, is for Razali and Zol to visit Liverpool, Manchester United as well as Everton. Maybe the two gentlemen who went earlier were not able to close the deal, hence Zol and Razali are seen to be the final jigsaw in the puzzle.
I wonder what the fascination is about to visit top clubs in England, the likes of Liverpool, United, Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal? What development work have they done? Besides harping on Wayne Rooney being the product of Everton, seriously what development has these clubs achieved, but to buy players from smaller clubs.
So really Mr. Deputy Minister and Mr. Director General, if your core business is football, then I will understand the rationale to visit such big clubs. But if it is development that matters, then go to Sheffield United, Stoke City, Hull, Cardiff City, Reading and West Ham, for these are the clubs that really do developmental work.
It is the end products, the polished diamonds that are being beamed into our living rooms and it does not tke a rocket scientist to figure out that there must be a base before they become top names in the EPL.
And yes, while you are in Slovakia, please let us know why is it that now the team needs two cooks to be sent to prepare meal for the team. Was it not FAM that said all arrangements had been done and that all was well? So why is it and after thought, kind of like being a class F contractor that keeps filing in variation orders to increase the profitability.
Tell you what, since our boys are feeling cold, take our sun along too, oops kind of goofed there as that is something FAM cannot add to their wish list from the government.
So readers, let me tell you a litte secret, remember initially the government said it will give RM50 million for football but later it was RM10 million. Well the RM10 million is just the funds for fact finding missions such as this lah.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
ISKANDAR OPEN ROBBED?
From the looks of it, a clash between the Asian Tour and the PGA is on the cards judging from the clash of dates in staging the Iskandar Open and the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic PGA Tour.
The first PGA Tour event in the region -- the Asia Pacific Classic PGA Tour will be held at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, Seri Kembangan, from Oct 28 to 31 while the Asian Tour in announcing their 2010 calendar of events earlier this year listed Oct 28-31 as the dates for the Iskandar Open, to be held at the Royal Johor Golf Club which will offer a minimum of USD 1 million purse.
The dates are the centre of contention as the top players tend to be in this region during that period for on Nov 4-7 the SGC-HSBC Champions will be held at the Sheshan International GC, Shanghai with a total purse of US$7 million.
And this will be followed by on Nov 11-14 with the Barclays Singapore Open at the Sentosa GC, Singapore offering US$5 million prize money.
The Hong Kong Open which will be played at the Hong Kong GC will be next from Nov 18-21 offering a total of US$2.5 million.
Ironically the PGA Tour received a strong backing from CIMB Group, a prominent banking group in the country, that emerged as its title sponsor at an annual cost of USD 8.5 million with the sponsorship signing ceremony between CIMB Group and the Mines Resort and Golf Club held at the resort on Tuesday.
The PGA Classic will offer a total prize money of US$6 million (RM21 million) and the winner of the competition would walk home with US$1 million (RM3.5 million).
The 40-man field competing in the prestigious tournament would comprise the top 25 players from the PGA Tour's final FedExCup, top-10 available players from the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and at least one Malaysian professional.
The Asian Tour's busy stretch of events will kick off from July till December. The Tour's biggest events - the Barclays Singapore Open, the Hong Kong Open, Iskandar Johor Open and WGC-HSBC Champions in China - will be held during the latter part of the season from October, which will ensure another thrilling conclusion to the Asian Tour's Order of Merit race.
Hence it will be good if the Asian Tour will confirm if it indeed has given sanction to the PGA Tour and in the process make changes to its own calendar, at the expense of the Iskandar Open.
The first PGA Tour event in the region -- the Asia Pacific Classic PGA Tour will be held at The Mines Resort and Golf Club, Seri Kembangan, from Oct 28 to 31 while the Asian Tour in announcing their 2010 calendar of events earlier this year listed Oct 28-31 as the dates for the Iskandar Open, to be held at the Royal Johor Golf Club which will offer a minimum of USD 1 million purse.
The dates are the centre of contention as the top players tend to be in this region during that period for on Nov 4-7 the SGC-HSBC Champions will be held at the Sheshan International GC, Shanghai with a total purse of US$7 million.
And this will be followed by on Nov 11-14 with the Barclays Singapore Open at the Sentosa GC, Singapore offering US$5 million prize money.
The Hong Kong Open which will be played at the Hong Kong GC will be next from Nov 18-21 offering a total of US$2.5 million.
Ironically the PGA Tour received a strong backing from CIMB Group, a prominent banking group in the country, that emerged as its title sponsor at an annual cost of USD 8.5 million with the sponsorship signing ceremony between CIMB Group and the Mines Resort and Golf Club held at the resort on Tuesday.
The PGA Classic will offer a total prize money of US$6 million (RM21 million) and the winner of the competition would walk home with US$1 million (RM3.5 million).
The 40-man field competing in the prestigious tournament would comprise the top 25 players from the PGA Tour's final FedExCup, top-10 available players from the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and at least one Malaysian professional.
The Asian Tour's busy stretch of events will kick off from July till December. The Tour's biggest events - the Barclays Singapore Open, the Hong Kong Open, Iskandar Johor Open and WGC-HSBC Champions in China - will be held during the latter part of the season from October, which will ensure another thrilling conclusion to the Asian Tour's Order of Merit race.
Hence it will be good if the Asian Tour will confirm if it indeed has given sanction to the PGA Tour and in the process make changes to its own calendar, at the expense of the Iskandar Open.
2010 Asian Tour Schedule October and November
Oct 7-10: Indonesia President Invitational, Course tba, Jakarta, US$400,000.
Oct 14-17: Macau Open, Macau GCC, Macau, US$500,000.
Oct 28-31: Iskandar Johor Open, Royal Johor CC, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, US$1 million (minimum).
Nov 4-7: WGC-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, US$7 million.
Nov 11-14: Barclays Singapore Open, Sentosa GC, Singapore, US$5 million.
Nov 18-21: Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong GC, Hong Kong, US$2.5 million.
Nov 25-28: Event tba
Dec 2-5: King's Cup, Venue tba, US$300,000.
Dec 9-12: Event tba.
Dec 16-19: The Tour Championship, Details tba
LOTUS CAR WORSE THEN MINDARDI SAYS KOVALAINEN
Heikki Kovalainen has admitted that his new car, the Lotus T127, is worse than the Minardi he tested more than six years ago.
Minardi chief Paul Stoddart gave the then 22-year-old Finn a two-day test at Vallelunga in late 2003 and nearly signed him to race.
When asked by Finland's Turun Sanomat to compare the Minardi with the Lotus, fielded by the new Malaysian backed team in 2010, Kovalainen answered: "It's difficult because the tires are so different.
"But the Lotus is probably missing more aerodynamically than the Minardi cars (were) when you compare them with the top (cars)."
At the end of 2003, the Minardis were regularly 5 seconds off the pace of the leaders, while Kovalainen's teammate Jarno Trulli said last weekend that he thinks the T127 is about four seconds behind.
Kovalainen was nearly 5 seconds behind when the 2010 pre-season came to a close at Barcelona on Sunday.
But in 2010, there is more parity between teams in terms of engine and tire performance, meaning the differences in lap time is substantially due to the chassis.
Kovalainen, now 28, admitted that Lotus' "biggest problem" currently is aerodynamics.
To Turun Sanomat, he also rued his pre-season preparations, revealing that he has "never gone into a season with less testing".
Team boss Tony Fernandes thinks Lotus has progressed well this winter.
"We reckon we will be 3.5 seconds off the fastest car (in Bahrain), an improvement of 5 seconds from Jerez. We keep chipping away," he said.
FOOTBALL TO SCRAP OFFSIDE RULE?
Sepp Blatter, the president of Fifa, football’s governing body, may be considering scrapping the offside rule, as hockey did more than a decade ago.
The Swiss held talks with a leading hockey official in Zurich a fortnight ago, with a view to determining what football might do about a rule that splits opinion and could do so again at the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.
“He asked me a lot of questions about it and how successful it was, although he never offered an opinion, so it was difficult to judge what football might do,” said Leandro Negre, president of the International Hockey Federation. “But he did seem very interested in how we had implemented it.”
The offside rule in hockey was amended in 1987 to apply only to the final 25 yards and was temporarily abolished in 1996 before being done away with altogether two years later.
The result has been that the game has become more exciting and attractive to spectators, with play flowing more freely, fewer whistles and more space created in midfield.
Fifa amended the offside rule in 2003, but referees and their assistants might welcome a rule change that could rid football of many of its debatable decisions.
Barry Davies, the veteran BBC commentator for both sports, has some reservations about football following hockey’s lead. “I would love to see it given a trial in the lower leagues,” he said. “It would probably take a long time for players to adjust.
“It’s also very demanding physically, but I was amazed at how quickly hockey adapted and there’s no doubt the game is better for it. If football adopts anything from hockey, it should be the green warning card where a player is temporarily suspended for two minutes.”
The Swiss held talks with a leading hockey official in Zurich a fortnight ago, with a view to determining what football might do about a rule that splits opinion and could do so again at the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.
“He asked me a lot of questions about it and how successful it was, although he never offered an opinion, so it was difficult to judge what football might do,” said Leandro Negre, president of the International Hockey Federation. “But he did seem very interested in how we had implemented it.”
The offside rule in hockey was amended in 1987 to apply only to the final 25 yards and was temporarily abolished in 1996 before being done away with altogether two years later.
The result has been that the game has become more exciting and attractive to spectators, with play flowing more freely, fewer whistles and more space created in midfield.
Fifa amended the offside rule in 2003, but referees and their assistants might welcome a rule change that could rid football of many of its debatable decisions.
Barry Davies, the veteran BBC commentator for both sports, has some reservations about football following hockey’s lead. “I would love to see it given a trial in the lower leagues,” he said. “It would probably take a long time for players to adjust.
“It’s also very demanding physically, but I was amazed at how quickly hockey adapted and there’s no doubt the game is better for it. If football adopts anything from hockey, it should be the green warning card where a player is temporarily suspended for two minutes.”
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