Malaysian hockey's alcohol consumption fiasco - "A stitch in time saves nine".

At a very young age we were taught to take precautionary measures to avoid a bigger problem. Therefore, the maxim of " A stitch in time saves nine" was always grilled into us, such that it would be totally absurd of us to forget it. Well embedded into our "grey matter", it always trouble me if i avoid confronting the issues timely, so as i can take the precautionary measures. Sometimes i think it is unavoidable but it is more a lapse of intelligence that makes the matter get out of control. At that stage to do "damage control" becomes a much more mammoth task.

Today's Berita Harian "spill the beans" on 3 players from the senior national team, with a story titled - "Gelagat tiga pemain hoki senior memalukan". Is it shocking to read that 3 players came back at 4.45 in the morning drunk and apparently one was in a bad situation? According to the security guard, this is a normal "happening" with the hockey players. Mind you, the incident took place at NSC's accommodation.

NO ! i AM NOT SURPRISE, AS THE ISSUE OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND THE STENCH OF ALCOHOL ON PLAYERS AT TRAINING PLUS THE LATE NIGHTS DURING TRAINING DAYS, HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE, WHICH FOR CURIOUS REASONS BY A SELECTED FEW WAS HANDLED IN A PAMPERED MANNER. AS THEY PAMPERED THE CULPRITS, IT PROVIDED THE OTHERS THE BASIS TO FURTHER INDULGE, FOR THEY KNEW THAT THE PUNISHMENT WOULD NOT BEFIT THE INCIDENT.

Today, Berita Harian has brought the shameful act to the public eyes. Time and time again this issue has been raised, yet the matter was swept under the carpet. The coaches tried their best and advocated for severe discipline actions but team management and the Team Management Committee (TMC) thought otherwise. These people have aided and abetted the alcohol consumption among the players, because of their failure in taking that decisive and severe actions. The "pussy footing" by these officials for reasons best known only to them, has brought shame to Malaysian hockey.

I hope that these officials in team management (excluding the coaches) and TMC tender their resignation while the players concerned must face disciplinary action including being "dropped" from the national team. If this is not done , then Malaysian hockey shall enter the "Dark Ages".

If only the officials remembered that "A stitch in time saves nine".