IT has been seven years since Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad retired as
National Sports Council (NSC) director-general but he continues to be
the voice of Malaysian sport. Mazlan is currently advisor of the
Education Ministry’s schools sports division and, yesterday, he touched
base with Starsports’ RAJES PAUL on the BJSS controversy and other issues.
Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad
Q: What is the objective of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)?
A: It was set up so that we can produce brainy athletes. The focus is both on sports and education excellence. To me, a minimum qualification for an athlete in the school should be a pass mark in the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia). This is the basic passport for a child’s future here. A student in this school must be diligent in studies and follow the school rules. In the Unites States, the NCAA learnt their lesson. They allowed athletes without any basic education requirement to graduate from their college but they all struggled later on in life.
Q: No one has disputed the importance of studies and sports – both are important in BJSS. The issue was on selection of athletes for the Asean Schools or Asian Junior tournament. Which is more important to you?
A: It’s a fair question. Yes, the Asian Junior is higher than Asean schools but, on the other hand, it depends on players’ eligibility. In the case of the two boys (Soong Joo Vern and Darren Issac Devdas), they could have still competed in the Asian Junior meet for the next two years. They only have one chance with the school. For us, it is better to start winning the Asean school titles first before going to the higher level tournament.
The school has to put up a budget to the MOE (Ministry of Education) and has to be answerable if there are no results in the Asean schools.
Anyway, what happened to the BJSS boys who graduated to BAM last year. These are the 18-year-old boys and still eligible to play in the Asian Junior meet. What have BAM been doing with them? Anyway, it is time for BAM and BJSS to sit down and discuss this matter once more so that this will not be repeated.
Q: Can’t the BJSS relent by allowing the two boys to return to the school and yet compete in the Asian Juniors for this year?
A: We did not ask the boys to leave the school. But as they are registered with the BJSS, they will still be able to sit for their SPM. If the decision was retracted, it will put the school in a very uncomfortable position. They have to go by the book.
Q: Is there any other solution?
A: I would challenge the sports association to set up their own academies for students if they cannot follow the rules set by the school under the MOE. The BAM, for instance, can base their students in this academy and draw up their own plans for them. But as long as they are under the BJSS, it is only fair for both parties to have a good understanding as far as the policy and rules are concerned.
Q: States wants their athletes to compete in Malaysian Games (Sukma) rather than the world junior events. What is your response to this?
A: This problem will not end unless we completely overhaul the system. Our system is not perfect – at least not 100%. We need to change the system to rectify this. The states will always want their athletes for Sukma. We have 15 school sports centres and most of them represent their states in Sukma. The states believe that they have invested in these kids although the funding comes from the Education Ministry. For the states, the success of these athletes will determine their funds. The only way to stop this problem is for Sukma to cater for those aged 19-23 years old. All those Under-19 have to take part in school events. This will end the wrangle for good. For now, Sukma is a redundancy of a school competition as the bulk of the participants are from the schools.
Q: The National Sports Council (NSC) and National Sports Institute (NSI) are two separate bodies and it is learnt that they do not have a good working relationship. Your view?
A: During my time, they were under one umbrella. Now, they are independent bodies. Both must work together. One cannot stand alone without the other. I hope they will set aside personal interest or glory and combine their efforts for the betterment of those they serve – the athletes and the associations. The NSC have a MOU with the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) and it is time we made good use of it. I would strongly suggest that we hire experts from that country. We can hire a Chief Operating Officer (CEO) from AIS for a short period and get their help to re-structure our programme. They can transfer the knowledge to us so that we can run better as a team.
Q: Do you think that Malaysia can nick the gold medal at the London Olympics?
A: It is my hope that we can end the long wait in London. This time, the number of qualifiers is smaller but numbers are immaterial. We have chances in badminton, cycling, diving and archery. I still think that we can hope on Lee Chong Wei in badminton. I was there at three Games – Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004. I went through a bypass during Sydney 2000. The closest we came to winning a gold was at Atlanta 1996 through Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock. We almost had it in our hands. Hopefully, this time, our contingent can bring back one.
THE STAR
Datuk Wira Mazlan AhmadA: It was set up so that we can produce brainy athletes. The focus is both on sports and education excellence. To me, a minimum qualification for an athlete in the school should be a pass mark in the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia). This is the basic passport for a child’s future here. A student in this school must be diligent in studies and follow the school rules. In the Unites States, the NCAA learnt their lesson. They allowed athletes without any basic education requirement to graduate from their college but they all struggled later on in life.
Q: No one has disputed the importance of studies and sports – both are important in BJSS. The issue was on selection of athletes for the Asean Schools or Asian Junior tournament. Which is more important to you?
A: It’s a fair question. Yes, the Asian Junior is higher than Asean schools but, on the other hand, it depends on players’ eligibility. In the case of the two boys (Soong Joo Vern and Darren Issac Devdas), they could have still competed in the Asian Junior meet for the next two years. They only have one chance with the school. For us, it is better to start winning the Asean school titles first before going to the higher level tournament.
The school has to put up a budget to the MOE (Ministry of Education) and has to be answerable if there are no results in the Asean schools.
Anyway, what happened to the BJSS boys who graduated to BAM last year. These are the 18-year-old boys and still eligible to play in the Asian Junior meet. What have BAM been doing with them? Anyway, it is time for BAM and BJSS to sit down and discuss this matter once more so that this will not be repeated.
Q: Can’t the BJSS relent by allowing the two boys to return to the school and yet compete in the Asian Juniors for this year?
A: We did not ask the boys to leave the school. But as they are registered with the BJSS, they will still be able to sit for their SPM. If the decision was retracted, it will put the school in a very uncomfortable position. They have to go by the book.
Q: Is there any other solution?
A: I would challenge the sports association to set up their own academies for students if they cannot follow the rules set by the school under the MOE. The BAM, for instance, can base their students in this academy and draw up their own plans for them. But as long as they are under the BJSS, it is only fair for both parties to have a good understanding as far as the policy and rules are concerned.
Q: States wants their athletes to compete in Malaysian Games (Sukma) rather than the world junior events. What is your response to this?
A: This problem will not end unless we completely overhaul the system. Our system is not perfect – at least not 100%. We need to change the system to rectify this. The states will always want their athletes for Sukma. We have 15 school sports centres and most of them represent their states in Sukma. The states believe that they have invested in these kids although the funding comes from the Education Ministry. For the states, the success of these athletes will determine their funds. The only way to stop this problem is for Sukma to cater for those aged 19-23 years old. All those Under-19 have to take part in school events. This will end the wrangle for good. For now, Sukma is a redundancy of a school competition as the bulk of the participants are from the schools.
Q: The National Sports Council (NSC) and National Sports Institute (NSI) are two separate bodies and it is learnt that they do not have a good working relationship. Your view?
A: During my time, they were under one umbrella. Now, they are independent bodies. Both must work together. One cannot stand alone without the other. I hope they will set aside personal interest or glory and combine their efforts for the betterment of those they serve – the athletes and the associations. The NSC have a MOU with the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) and it is time we made good use of it. I would strongly suggest that we hire experts from that country. We can hire a Chief Operating Officer (CEO) from AIS for a short period and get their help to re-structure our programme. They can transfer the knowledge to us so that we can run better as a team.
Q: Do you think that Malaysia can nick the gold medal at the London Olympics?
A: It is my hope that we can end the long wait in London. This time, the number of qualifiers is smaller but numbers are immaterial. We have chances in badminton, cycling, diving and archery. I still think that we can hope on Lee Chong Wei in badminton. I was there at three Games – Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004. I went through a bypass during Sydney 2000. The closest we came to winning a gold was at Atlanta 1996 through Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock. We almost had it in our hands. Hopefully, this time, our contingent can bring back one.
THE STAR
What has he contributed to sports for the past 7 years as the advisor to the MOE?
ReplyDeleteGreat information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks.
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