Welcome to Malaysian Snooker & Billiards Federation

After a long lapse of some 10 months, unprecedented in the history of the SEAGF, Thailand had finally convened the above belated meetings. Hitherto, the inordinate delays experienced are largely due to the sudden change in last September to the local military junta government that had left the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) in a limbo.

Many sport officials of the ousted government were replaced, including its organizing chairman, previously one of the deputy prime ministers.

Prior thereto, Thai sport officials appeared to exist in two opposing factions; after the change in government, one faction emerges stronger in powder, as one therof, Dr.Nat Indrapana, an IOC member whom I know personally, has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports.

At the SEAGF Council meeting last held in September, the Council had decided absolutely, for logistics pursuant to Article 36 (re-numbered from Art, 37) of its statutes, to restrict the entry of 40 sports and 414 events to be finally adopted for the Korat Games.

One of the revised SEAGF strategies, like that happening in the Olympics Games and the Asian Games, is to downsize the current SEA Games, so as to reduce or contain its ever-mounting costs incurred by both the organizing and participating countries. In short, the number of sports and events has to be trimmed considerably for ultimate sustainability.

The above application is particularly relevant to Laos, being host for next 2009 SEA Games, due to their relative lack of overall infrastructure facilities for sports. In the case of the OCA, it has already created for implementation the Asian Indoor Games in Macau this year and also Asian Beach Games in Bali next year, as a downsizing exercise for its future staging policy of the Asian Games.

By Article 36, it partly reinforces the aforesaid objective, allowing the SEAGF, through NOCT, not to entertain absolutely any further extra entry of sports/events for the Korat Games, after its stipulated closing deadline on December 6, 2006. Every NOC is expected to respect this constitutional provision for the good of all.

Regrettably, the new Deputy Sports Minister might not be aware of this provision but may be instead politically motivated by certain quarters of his national sports associations (NSAs) to discard Article 36 unconstitutionally. In lieu thereof, they wanted to add in thereof extra events for Thailand, notably from the notorious sport of bodybuilding and the unaccredited and adulterated 6 red-ball snooker events.

Bodybuilding was found guilty for doping in 9 out of 15 athletes participated in the recent Doha Asian Games, whilst the 6 red-ball snooker has never been heard of and competed anywhere in the world, save to satisfy the current ACBS president, who proclaimed himself a close friend of the Deputy Minister, and who had unethically produced fabricated letters support his personal interest and agenda at the expense of the sport.

Consequently, the said Minister was influenced to refer the said demand, through the NOCT, to the SEAGF, seeking for their expired inclusion, despite their rejection twice by the SEAGF and ultra vires Article 36. Fundamentally, the NOCT as a custodian for sports cannot break the governing statutes and statutes, which dilemma I do appreciate, albeit the Minister, being an IOC member, ought to concur but, instead, he phoned virtually all NOCs for his cause; and this includes the relatively well-disciplined NOC of Malaysia.

When the NOCT finally inserted the above unconstitutional request in their Meeting Agenda, I immediately submitted thereto my letter of objection dated May 28, (as attached), to the NOCT demanding, firstly, that Article 36 ought to be strictly adhered to and, secondly, if breached, Thailand cannot enjoy sole privilege to belatedly add in extra events, save to re-open the floodgate according as well other countries such similar rights. This is a fundamental law on natural justice.

My aforesaid letter was filtered down to the local press which, when translated, headlined: “Malaysia accuses Thailand violating SEA Games Rules”. This, to whatever degree, has adversely embarrassed and affected Thailand’s international standing in its neutrality to promote sports.

Immediately on my arrival in Korat, my counterpart and very good friend, Mr. Chaiayak Siriwat, who was an ex-deputy minister of interior and who is currently the vice president of NOCT and also the Billiards Sports Association of Thailand (BSAT), sought for my sympathetic compromise on the prevailing impasse. Other countries were also looking up towards me, representing Malaysia, for want of collective decision. In response and with the exemplary goodwill prevailing between Chaiyapak and myself, I was prepared, if by overall consensus, to forego Article 36 as a special case for Korat, subject to all other countries in parallel be permitted to add in extra events.

By the aforesaid compromise reached, I recommended accepting only 5 competing events in lieu of 8 proposed for bodybuilding with additional competition conditions imposed thereon for strict compliance, and only one 6 red-ball snooker event for men. Resultant therefrom, all SEAGF countries subsequently enjoyed an additional acceptance of 44 events in total to be added to the Korat Games revising it to a total of 43 sports and 488 events. In the process, Malaysia benefited itself from 19 of the aforesaid additional sports/events.

The above decision consequently resulted in NOCT having to spend tremendously additional costs for organizing the Korat Games. As a final gesture to make up the total events to 488 at the material time which was tallied at 447, I reciprocated by offering NOCT for inclusion another extra one event of their option. This they did and cited the remaining 6 red-ball snooker for women, for which I held no further objection, considering the tremendous benefits already accrued from the concluded deal at the sole expense of Thailand.

In short, it can be reasonably concluded that due expressly to the rather selfish and self-interested leadership of BSAT for 2 silly 6 red-ball snooker events it has correspondently cost Thailand a mammoth additional cost to cover the extra 44 events as a whole. From another angle, the BSAT president can be seen as highly irresponsible in serving his personal interest at the expense of his own country. On face value, it appears he had won a battle but, in reality, he was totally out-witted by my mastermind to commit Thailand to such an unfavourable deal of their own doing.

In conclusion, it further reflects another shinning example of selfish leadership among the NSAs which void of common business sense had committed such a lop-sided deal for their own country signifying yet another case of penny-wise, pound foolish!

Prof W.Y. Chin

Vice President, Olympic Council of Malaysia

Executive Member, SEAGF

6.6.2007

OCA PRESS CONFERENCE: GUANGZHOU 16TH ASIAN GAMES 2010

As part of their Roadshow conference to Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo, the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC), represented by a delegation led by its Deputy Marketing Director, Ms Yuen Yue, held a press conference at the Shangri-la Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on June 25, 2007.

OCM was the counterpart invited to share the Roadshow press conference, which was represented by its Vice President, Prof W Y Chin. Dato’ Siek Kok Chi was briefly in attendance before departing for Macau.

In essence, GAGOC promised the best ever Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou in 2010, with 42 sports and 12,500 athletes participating -- 3 sports and 2,000 athletes respectively exceeding that of the Doha Asian Games. Presently, Guangzhou has altogether 11 new venues under construction with 56 others under various refurbishments, all being ready a year before the start of the Games scheduled on November 12 to 27, 2010. They expected about 3 million tourists will visit Guangzhou during the Games.

STAR CUP ASIA SNOOKER CHALLENGE

China will be hosting the above championship to be held in Dalian, China, from May 21-23, 2007.

Altogether 8 players will be competing, comprising 2 from China (Ding Junhui, Jin Long); 2 from Hong Kong & Thailand and 1 each from Malaysia and Singapore.

The preliminary rounds will be competed on the best of 5 frames in 2 Groups of 4 players each. The top 2 players will entering the Second Round competing on the best of 7 frames on a straight knock-out basis.

The total prize money is RMB 51,000 making up of the champion earning RMB 18,000; runner-up: RMB 9,000; 3 & 4 positions: RMB 4,500 each, and the 5th -8th positions: RMB 3,000 each.

Malaysia had entered Moh Keen Hoo for the championship and emerged in the final round.

GUNINNESS 9 BALL POOL ASIAN TOUR 2007

As you are aware, Guinness has taken over the sponsorship of Heineken for the above tour, with an increase in total prize monies and better broadcasting time by ESPN Star Sports.

Most importantly, Malaysia has been selected to host one of the legs in Genting Highlands (First World Hotel Ballroom) on June 15-17, 2007. All the best Asian stars in pool will be competing. It is a rare opportunity for pool enthusiasts to witness this glamorous international event in this country.

The event was successfully held with Chang of Chinese Taipei emerged as the winner while Lily of India the runner.

Mr Mark Jenner, Marketing Manager of Guinness, had written expressing their appreciation of MSBF by putting up a great show in its organizing efforts. It is very likely Malaysia will again be selected to host another leg of its next year’s programme.

The next leg of the Tour will be held in Singapore, followed by Shanghai with the Grand Final to be held in Bali from August 31- September 2, 2007.

MILLIKEN TO JOIN HANDS WITH MSBF

Recently, EJ Goh, Senior Account Manager of Milliken, had met up with Prof WY Chin in Kuala Lumpur. Milliken had agreed to supply cloth materials for both snooker & pool to MSBF in its training programme for these billiards events.

In addition, they will consider sponsoring one major snooker event in the near future.

MSBF INVITING ENTHUSIASTS TO HELP IN ITS BUSINESS & ACTIVITIES

Over the years, the activities/programmes of MSBF have increased manifold. The billiards sports has hitherto been well recognized by government. MSN has accredited this sport as one of the 19 sports selected with potentials to make our players to the top of the world. For this very reason, MSN has been funding most of our activities/programmes.

Of top significance, MSN had especially created a National Training Centre at Bt Jahlil to train our National Squad full time. A Centre Director is now being awaited for appointment to look after the National Squad requirements. Foreign coaches are further being looked into to enhance the training programmes and Squad players will be sent overseas at short spells for the required exposure and experience.

Presently, Council members are rather being handicapped by such tremendous increased workloads, especially many current Council members are hailing from outstation. Consequently, any one interested with dedication to serve and assist MSBF’s workloads would be welcomed to join and be co-opted into Council for deployment.

Needless to say, it must be reiterated that only selfless and dedicated persons need apply as MSBF does not wish to engage additional persons who are passengers and shall remain dormant which, in the end, would not serve any benefits or purpose either side.

NATIONAL PLAYERS FOR ENGLISH BILLIARDS & CAROM

Being a Commonwealth country, Malaysia started playing snooker prominently with rare efforts being devoted to English billiards. Snooker prospers in Malaysia and so the same applies to many other countries like India, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan and the Arab countries. English billiards, apart from India and Sri Lanka which are still maintaining their development, is fading fast in almost all countries who are relying on older players to sustain. Eventually, these older players will invariably fade out with age.

Of late, there is an advent of younger players indulging in English billiards; these include Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines. Relatively speaking, because of lesser countries competing in English billiards and carom, it is easier for players thereof to win gold medals in multi-sport events, compared to snooker and pool.

For multi-sport events. such as the SEA & Asian Games. it is likely that the composition of events will include the four disciplines of snooker, English billiards, pool and carom for some time to come.

It would appear a great disadvantage if Malaysia drops itself from participating in English billiards and carom. In short, we are only taking part in 50% of the events, expecting to reap a rewarding medal harvest therefrom at a discount in participation.

Malaysia intends now to enter all the 4 disciplines for the Korat SEA Games this December. Without track records, the government is not prepared to fund this participation in English billiards and Carom. MSBF is prepared to fund these players on our own provided that these entries must be of standard for entry and medal winning prospect.

MSBF therefore encourages as many players as possible to play in these two events; upgrade their standards to qualify for due selection. Once selected, players are expected to perform so that whatever MSBF spent on their behalf for participation will be reimbursed at least 50% of their participation cost, by winning at least a silver medal.

This is indeed a compromise policy by MSBF in order to achieve results in these 2 disciplines in order to guarantee our participation in these two events in all future multi-sport Games.

RE: INVITATION TO BECOME ASSOCIATE MEMBER

The Malaysian Snooker & Billiards Federation (MSBF) was formed some two decades ago with the prime object to promote the billiards sports comprising snooker, pool and carom.

To-day, it is most pleased that the MSBF has been duly accredited by the Olympics Council of Malaysia, National Sports Council and the Sports Ministry with considerable support and funding by the Government for the sport. Likewise, MSBF is similarly well accredited both at the regional and international levels, including our players have achieved reasonable successes and due recognition overseas.

Much had since been achieved to-date and much more needs to be done to further promote the objectives of the billiards sports, especially in the eradication of its poor image hitherto attached to the sport. To consolidate our efforts, it is necessary that the billiards fraternity as a whole must act with one in the pursuit of our common goal.

The MSBF Council has decided to admit associate members to reinforce the sport; we appreciate that many of you are yet or are pending receipt of business licenses from your local authorities concerned. We have, however, decided to accredit snooker centres who are licensed as a full-fledge associate member under Category A, whilst those pending licensed under Category B, for which we will upgrade them to A, once such an operating license is obtained.

Please visit to our associate members page for more details. Should you need further clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I look forward to hear from you accordingly.

Warmest regards,

MALAYSIAN SNOOKER & BILLIARDS FEDERATION

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