A Revolutionary Approach To Malaysian Hockey Election - "The need for achievable sustainable programs that will not shortchange the created expectations."By Mr.V.M.Chandran

Historically people who want to helm Sports Associations make all sorts of "promises" as to what they can bring to the game. Sort of an election manifesto which is laced with promises that literally try to get the "cow to jump over the moon". They tend to look and sound so tempting that Affiliates get carried away with such promises.

Once elected, during the first few months there seems to be great enthusiasm to perform. Then when the mundane matters settle in and issues develop with "hormone" levels dipping, the reality seeps in. The "climate" seems different from when the promises were made. Changes are made and the planned arrest of the deterioration is shelved. The anticipated changes never take place and the Affiliates with their "tidak apa" attitude allows matters to slide even further.

So when the Committee's term ends the scenario they so brilliantly painted before coming to power ends more as a " verbal diarrhoea" with classic stories of excuses. If these stories were complied it would probably be the " Best Seller".

Hence, as one term ends, the outgoing Committee walks away without delivering its promises. Hockey still remains worse off as a new set of Committee members with more promises take over, painting even rosy pictures of what they can do for the new term. This cycle continues as Malaysian hockey hits its lowest ebb. The manner in which Malaysian hockey has slid or failed to improve is directly related to the ad hoc management of the game in the country ie the failure of having sustainable targeted programs that keep hockey at the forefront.

In the past Malaysian hockey never adopted the " benefit and burden" rule. It was always a benefit mode for the President and his team. The only burden mode was accountability, and even that more often would be like "pulling the wool over the eyes" exercise. Since the burden mode on the incoming Committee has not been onerous in nature, the Committee, in acquiring a position, would wither away in undertaking a committed visionary role for Malaysian hockey. 

Question? What should be done to ensure that the incoming Committee honors their promised outlined programs with targets and timeline? The burden mode must have a stringent penalty system such that the Committee knows that if what they have promised is not fulfilled, a penalty would be invoked.

Another Question? What sort of penalty would make it burdensome yet permit them to carry out their promises? Obviously, one of a monetary nature with a substantial value would deter the faint-hearted and permit the ones who know where their mouths are to play the role. Detractors of this idea would harp that only those with money can participate. They would compare it to buying a position. The outcry would be there but one has to be objective. It has to be balanced with going through empty promises with nothing against the possibility of programs being fulfilled, with the burden that failure means the confiscation of the valuable penalty.

Let's think straight!! No ordinary person would take such a challenge unless he/she knows that he/she has a team with the capacity and ability to achieve the results. This becomes the new starting point.

The Question: What penalty should be levied and what is the modus operandi? The figure I would recommend is RM 2.0 million held in "trust" which would be administered by 3 or 5 independent Trustees with terms of reference. The "promised programs and targets with timelines shall be the core subject matter of the trust. The events leading to the invocation of penalty or redeeming of such in favour of the Donor ie President of incoming Committee shall be detailed for the Trustees to act upon.

I am the first to admit that this structure is very onerous. The certainty is that the position of President and incoming Committee would not be taken lightly. It means that Malaysian hockey would not be a "playground" for people to come and hold positions of glamour and power. This process would weed many glory seekers from trying their luck at rubbing shoulders with the "Who & Who" in international hockey and our society.

It must be recognised that this cannot be a constitutional matter but rather a gentlemanly undertaking that contestants must provide before participating in the elections. Failure to do would mean that they do not trust their own promises or manifesto.

Malaysian hockey has to think outside the box to safeguard its survival as a game in the country and as a force in the international arena. Schemes like this have to be devised for quality sustainability for the future of Malaysian hockey.

V M Chandran
Nov.2019