Smokers in national squad to undergo special rehab

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: There are 10 smokers in the national hockey team. And they will have dates with the doctors at the National Sports Institute (NSI) to undergo a special rehabilitation programme.

The programme will be in stages as the team management do not want it to disrupt the training schedules targeted towards the Asia Cup in May.

Team manager George Koshy said yesterday that the 10 players who smoke were identified from tests carried out by the NSI last month. But he chose not to reveal their identities.

“Not all of them are hard core smokers. Some claimed that they had stopped smoking while a few others said they were cutting down the habit. All the 10 players will have to undergo a special rehab programme to help them kick the habit,” said Koshy.

Last month, the NSI director general, Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz, blew the lid on players in the national team who smoke and having bad habits.

He said that this had resulted in the lack of fitness and it was a contributing factor to the declining standard of the national team.

The team management are worried that sending all 10 players for the special programme will cause problems as some may have withdrawal symptoms to deal with.

“It is risky to send them all at one go. We will do it in stages, starting with those who have quit or started cutting down followed by the hard core smokers,” said Koshy.

He added that all the players in the squad had showed great commitment since training started on Jan 5.

The first assignment for the team is the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh from April 6-12 followed by the Asia Cup in Dubai from May 8-13.

Comments

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Search This Blog