New Straits Times » Sport

Badminton: Ong accuses Zolkples of having ulterior motives
K.M. Boopathy

Nov 19: SINGLES shuttler Ong Ewe Hock has accused BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Zolkples Embong of having ulterior motives in his recent statement in Timesport about the veteran’s position in the national team.

Zolkples had stated that senior players, especially Ong, must be frank about his future plans as his form is on the downslide and suggested that the player take up coaching.

However, Ong hit back yesterday, saying that Zolkples has other agendas and also questioned BAM’s move to appoint a local as the chief coach.

“This is in reply to the article in the New Straits Times on Nov 17 where Zolkples has asked the players to be honest with BAM.

“But I would like to ask Zolkples to be honest himself about his true intentions and motives behind his recent Press statements” stated Ong in a fax to Timesport.

“In the past few months, we have heard many baseless accusations against coach Indra Gunawan, heard Zolkples humiliating Wong Choon Hann and Lee Tsuen Seng by saying that the Dutch open was a low rated tournament.

“This was obviously done with bad taste and timing (as it was) just before the Danish Open (and meant) to demoralise the players.

“He has also asked me to step down as a player although I am still the highest ranked Malaysian player (World No 3) but he has the audacity to say that the world ranking does not reflect my performance.

“I have served BAM and the country for more than a decade and had my ups and downs. Age itself should not be the criteria for me to step down as a player. After all, Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen (of Denmark) won the Olympic gold at the age of 32 (in Atlanta, 1996).

“I still feel that I am able to deliver for Malaysia whatever is required of me. There is no point of me becoming a coach at this moment.”

Ong also took a swipe at BAM’s intention of hiring a local and and stated that he only wants to serve as an assistant under a coach with a track record like Indra’s.

“If I were to become a coach, I would want to be under a chief coach with a record and credentials such as Indra. Only then can I learn.

“Just because I am a local does not mean I will be a great coach. It would be unfair to the players and nation if I do not possess the qualities to produce a world champion.

“I am confused with your (Zolkples’) motives and I want to know whether all these recent issues have been discussed and approved by your Board members.

“Let us not sidetrack the issues by talking about local or foreign coaches, whether the highest ranked Malaysian should retire and be a coach or whether the Dutch Open Championships are rated higher than the Commonwealth Games.

“Let’s be honest and let us know what is your real agenda behind all your actions.”

Zolkples when contacted, declined to comment.

Just when I thought Malaysia had solved its problems (has good doubles hopes in Chan/Chew, good head coach Indra G., BAM w working with Nusa Masuri instead of against, no more stories about players refusing to do hard training, ), some 'genius' in the BA of M office decides to destroy team morale. Disappointing and bad for the sport.

Very sad to hear all these dirty politics in BAM.
Quite obvious that it could be their motives to 'save' the Sidek siblings out of bankruptcy.
Looks like Ong Ewe Hock's career is gone!:mad:

That is the main reason why a foreign head coach is good for the Malaysian team. There are plenty of Malaysian players who could become world class coaches as there are many world class badminton players from Malaysia, but only a foreign coach with stature can overcome the politics of the BAM. Politics have always weakened the sports teams in Malaysia, be it field hockey or badminton.

Ron

Sad to hear all these counterconflicts through the newspapers when BAM was unhappy with Indra for speaking to reporters in the first place.

Unsure of what BAM expects. Some characters seem to expect the big wins in major tournaments

However, small wins are the stepping stones and should still be acknowledged.

Sincerely I a bit frust when heard so many arguments between Malaysia Players and their coach or management.

The performnce shown by Malaysia Players are decreasing although Malaysia ahd spent million budget for training and their SALARY.

The reason is they are too ego. They are too ego to accept people comment that their performance is drop....

Slowly Malaysia will be taken over by Thais and India if they don;t recover back.

In fact Malaysia players had been rewarded very well.

Even you get Silver medal in Asia games, you can get reward of RM20,000=USD6***
For China, even you get gold medal doesn;t mean secure you the AMOUNT OF REWARD USD6***.

Suggestion: every Malaysia Player should be separated. Few in India, Few in Thailand, few in Korea, Few is Japan to let them see how fortunate they is.

Slowly they will learn how to appreciate it.

Sincerely I alway think Malaysia players had bossy attitudes. Maybe from experience.

I worked part-time for tournament before.

They treat you like you are their servant...gosh really want to hit them hard.

Other player like Korea and Japan are polite.

Why yahhh?

:mad:

Actually, i agree with Ong Ewe Hock! He is a good player and still the best right now!
Hafiz Hashim still young but play like a yo-yo.He is our hero in Thomas Cup but not in tournaments so far! Sairul Amar Ayob make a good progress but still not qualified to replace Ong and so do Wong Choon Han!

And i don't think Misbun Sidek can do a good job than Indra.
Our BAM getting from bad to worse and no progress in their player quality + teamwork. New player (junior) find it's hard to progress since BAM are not willing to afford them to a certain tournaments since MAYBE they will not win it! Just Like what have Indra said before "BAM only want the results and don't want to take care HOW to achieve the results!!!"

interesting that one keeps seeing people slamming the BAM


and in the Badders people slamming the B A of E.


How come one doesn't hear Danish people slamming their BA's or China or

Indonesia ?


Is it because there is too much bureaucracy and not enough say given to the

people on the ground ie players as opposed to the bureaucrats?

Bbn,

you haven't found the websites in which people slams USAB. and the websites in which people slams LYB/Chinese BA.

i haven't read any which slams the Korean BA, or any other large BA's. but i think language barrier may have something to do with it.

Originally posted by neverland

And i don't think Misbun Sidek can do a good job than Indra.
Our BAM getting from bad to worse and no progress in their player quality + teamwork. New player (junior) find it's hard to progress since BAM are not willing to afford them to a certain tournaments since MAYBE they will not win it! Just Like what have Indra said before "BAM only want the results and don't want to take care HOW to achieve the results!!!"

Misbun's sincerity in giving the best for Ong, Wong and Lee is in doubt.

After all, Ong and Yong Hock Kin were in their Nusa Mahsuri camp before they were kicked out. Some has likened that the Sideks were more interested in developing players like his own brother - Rashid, and newly recruited Roslin Hashim.

Fortunately, BAM still willing to take them in at that time, and they were sort of lucky when Morten Frost came to Malaysia. From there, the duo work their way up again.

Well what I keep hearing from a lot of fans is that it

is high time Msia had a local for a coach instaed of trusting foreigners.

Like blood's thicker than water and foreigners can't be trusted at crunching

moments.

Of course these people forget the professionalism of Han Jian, Yang yang and Fang

Kai Xiang.

Thae again last Sunday Eddy Choong, Tan Aik Huang and Tan Yee Khan

publicly voiced their support for Misbun. In fact for many years Eddy has been

praising Misbun as a coach.

Two sides to a story.

I've followed the news about BAM and I just feel that zolkpes is an idiot. Maybe he'll be kicked out from BAM for being so bossy everytime. That's the rumours that I heard. Hope it's going to be true. He caused lots of problems, and it's time he left.

Ong Ewe Hock is suspended and barred from participating in the China Open. He will likely faced suspension of up to 6 months for slamming at BAM. There is also a high possibility that he will get kicked out of the national team in the event of team downsizing.

Several other shuttlers like Lee Tsuen Seng and James Chua could also face disciplinary action for joining Ewe Hock in meeting the BAM president to voice their dissatisfaction.

That's too bad for Ewe Hock. BAM really screwed up big time. Now did they also suspend/discpline Zolkples (since he went to the media too)?

Maybe Ewe Hock should consider moving (immigrating) to another country like Canada :D I am sure he would be welcomed with open arms and he can help us with coaching when he is ready to retire from competing. :D :D

Originally posted by Winex West Can
Maybe Ewe Hock should consider moving (immigrating) to another country like Canada :D I am sure he would be welcomed with open arms and he can help us with coaching when he is ready to retire from competing. :D :D

Why wait until retirement? He can come now and do for Canada the
wonders Tony Gunawan is doing for US badminton!

What has Zolkples done for Malaysian badminton compared to Ong Ewe Hock? Ong has been representing Malaysia for more than 10 years now and this is what he gets? F*&k that Zolkples man...and shame to BAM as well for siding more towards that Zolkples. Who has contributed more? ONG or Zolkples....I don't think that is a difficult question to answer!!!!

WAKE UP BAM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!!!

A person usually has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason.

I hope Zolkples and Ewe Hock can patch things up. Both have and had roles to play. Both are heroes in their own fields.

Looking forward for Athens 2004, I say BAM are in the right direction. Nadzmi +Misbun + Hafiz = Olympic Gold. I feel Indra should also gives a helping hand though its not meant to be.

One word to Misbun though , control the net more. There are better things to do in life-at-the-net than just lifting the shuttle back to the opponents court. We do not want to see a Lifting Hafiz in time to come.

Looks like the end of Ong Ewe Hock.

It's a pity BAM will almost forcibly end the career of their current most highly ranked player. 6 months is a long time and probably will kill off his WC participation.

Perhaps BAM think Ong can be dispensed with and an extra younger players be groomed up.

Ong may still be able to participate as an independent player. Else M'sia run great risk in losing him to another country.
I just could not understand the way BAM operates. Why and how can it be that a politician-like person is allowed to make statements to the press impinging on the ability and competence of its top players, belittling their achievements can get away with not even a slap on the wrists while its top players get suspensions (and threatened repercussions) by rightfully, replying to the same comments in the same forum/media.
Furthermore it seems rather incredible the spotlight, media hype and investments bestowed on Hafiz. Granted he has potential and had shown his mettle by winning the Commonwealth gold (honestly the Commonwealth is an easy tournament than even the Dutch Open in terms of number of international top class players. Let's be honest, the only top players in the mens singles in the tournament are only the M'sians and Gopichand), but apart from that, he has achieved nothing of note, apart from beating a top player here and there.
It seems that M'sia badminton is getting screwed up again, a 2-3 year cycle. The last was the previous Thomas Cup fiasco where the then head refused to step down for quite a while.

Ewe Hock

Ewe Hock can't participate own his own. As it is he was withrawn from the coming China Open.

BAM

Great association, good players, calibre coaches, good president but STUPID officials ! Wasting the taxpayers and sponsorship money ! Gosen and Yonex should step in and dictate-Mafia- sytle a conditional sponsorship agreement that certain officials which are deadwood should step out!

Rejang on Hafiz

The only investment on Hafiz was blood,sweat and tears. That too was by Misbun and the gang for their love to badminton and the country.

Spotlight on Hafiz

We need a Hero to brighten up our days and the media has a part to play but it is not overexeration.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/11/30/sports/thgoos&sec=sports

Unfortunately for players, their environment to hone political skills is poor. In any war of words with older people with more experience in administration, players will invariably lose. It is another set of skills that takes more time to develop.

Truthfully, I think Hafiz is really overrated. I don't think he is that good until he can win the Athens 2004 gold medal. Maybe, he is treated as a national treasure coz he is a ..... (you guess it yourself! a 5-letter word)

I feel that the media is overrating him just like what the media did to Taufik Hidayat during the year 2000. That time, everyone is saying that Taufik Hidayat will win the Olympic gold medal, but honestly, I think that he will not be able to win it, because he is still not that stable at court and that time, his only devastating weapon is his smash . Other players like Peter Gade and Hendrawan have a better chance. Although my prediction on who will win the gold medal isn't accurate (Ji Xinpeng won it), it proves my point that Taufik is still not stable at that age.

Now, Taufik is a great player already. I say, if Hafiz really want to become a Olympic Champion, he can only do it at 2008. For 2004, I think Malaysia still have to go home without any gold medals. Our best bet will be Chan Chong Ming / Chew Choon Eng, because they are the only young players who are good now, but who knows, other Indonesian and Korean youngsters might come out suddenly?

I don't know should I say it or not, but once Misbun becomes the chief coach, then players like Wong Choong Hann or Lee Tsuen Seng will be neglected. Instead, he will put more attention on Hafiz and Roslin. Hope what I fear will not come true!

Lots of truth in Ali's words.

But remember sport can only survive on spectator support and sponsors.

In other words like it or not some sectors have to be represented

so their supporters don't dwindle.Otherwise badminto will die as a minority sport in

Msia. Applies to people in other continents too?

Originally posted by ALI

I don't know should I say it or not, but once Misbun becomes the chief coach, then players like Wong Choong Hann or Lee Tsuen Seng will be neglected. Instead, he will put more attention on Hafiz and Roslin. Hope what I fear will not come true!

Your worst fear could come true! I have never trust Misbun's sincerity in training up non-..... (5 letter word).
Remember how Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin left his camp in 1997 to return back to BAM's fold.

My feelings are the same as Ali & Whizkelv. Choon Han & Tsuen Seng will have to prove themselves very quickly and conclusively to ensure that they are not overlook by Misbun, whose preoccupation will be Hafiz. We will definitely read more about Hafiz; hopefully this will actually prod himself to greater heights.
It is really a sad indictment of the way things are in M'sia where so many people speculate that race is still the governing factor even in sports. Hopefully we are all WRONG.

Another blow for Malaysian badminton!
Top women doubles player, Lim Pek Siah quited from the national squad. She was quoted saying that she "has nothing more to achieve" in the game.
Does she really meant that?
She is only 23 years old, same age as Lee Tsuen Seng and James Chua, who are just beginning to make their mark in the game.

i don't think much has been said about the other players who followed ewe hock to see management - lee ts, etc.

apparently they will be dissapplined (the local papers suggested a warning) however rather than being punished, they get my full backing as this (show of support) is what BAM have been trying to acheive all along.

team spirit is on a high at the moment (though not the way BAM might have wanted it) so rather than spoil it by punishing these youngsters build on it!

also, i believe nazmi has gotten it wrong on the issues that the players came to see him about. he claimed that they were petty issues but any decent manager should be able to tell that these petty issues as he puts it are mearly the tip of the iceberg. i'm sure that if he would bother to look deeper he would find the real cause of their displeasure (personally i think it's the replacement of indra)

just some thoughts...