Is the Sport Schools right in recalling the hockey players?

Below is an anonymous comment i had received for another article which had no relevance to that topic. However the content of the comment seems to take on the Sport Schools and has forthrightly questioned the schools' Administrators on whether they are following the objective of why the sport schools exist.

This seems to be part of a continuous clash between the Administrators of Sport Schools and Malaysian hockey administration. From the onset it has to be recognised that Malaysian hockey administration in this context means National Sports Council (NSC) ie the "Pelapis Programme", Team Management of Project 2013 hockey team and certain Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) teams.

The first clash took place when a certain MHL team wanted Sport Schools players to play for their team in the MHL tournament. Strangely, the answer that came was a "NO", inclusive of those who had finished their SPM. The reason was that the Sport School was having a tour to Sabah and these players were involved. This was a reasoning that could not hold any rationale, as the boys who finished their SPM were technically not in the Sport School. The school should be taking the players still with the school for such a tour. Still it was the reason and something certain coaches found difficult to swallow.

The misunderstanding did not stop there. Now the Project 2013 team has players from both the Sport Schools and they had began training last Sunday. Suddenly the players were recalled and not given permission to continue training. The players had indicated that the school Administrators were keen that the boys plan for their SPM studies and that was the reason for the recall.

Below is the text of the comment and in "bold green" is the issue pertaining to the misunderstanding per the anonymous writer. Question is whether that is the "whole truth" of the story or is there more to it. Continue reading.

"IS BJSS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Since the end of MHL, Malaysian hockey lovers was praising the MHF committee for their wonderous magnificent job done.

And everyone is also looking forward to our Malaysian Senior Team under the leadership of Stephen van Huizen and Beng Hai and Junior team (Project 2013) under the leadership of Dharma in action in the Quadrangular games at the Tun Razak Stadium March 4-7 2010.

All is going on fine with the senior team but what about the Junior Team. 34 names were listed in the first phase selection together with BJSS and BPSS boys of which some are still in form five this year. BJSS unlike other schools has again refrained their boys from attending the Malaysian Junior hockey team training. Previously, BJSS have also refrained these boys from participation in the MHL league in which BPSS and Setapak boys participated. These boys were informed to tell the Junior World Cup Coach that they are withdrawing themselves from the Junior team to concentrate on their studies and exam this year. The School have not realised that day by day they are killing the instinct of these boys who have come from various parts of the country at a very young age leaving their parents, brothers, sisters and all in the family to physically and mentally prepare and play for the country. Its not paying off.

Education Minister cum Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today that they are ready to revamp and support school's sports programme. He said that sports lies in the effective implementation of the programme at school grassroot levels to churn out world beaters and it is compulsory for every school for bigger collaboration in revamping the school sports system. Tan Sri also said that in Malaysia, teachers spent extra time giving tuition but in other countries, they are on the field.

In htpp://www.bjss.edu.my/, Mrs Ching Leng Sim, the principal said that the school is committed to producing outstanding sportsmen and women making BJSS vision statement "BJSS Generates World Class Athletics" a reality. She also said the academic scheduling is flexible so that it is conducive to the training and competition needs of the students. Contra to her statement, the school has arranged tight timetable with additional classes in the morning, evening and night apart from their normal classes all day to prevent students from attending the national training.

The basic fundamental objective of having a national sports school is to prepare and deliver young promising sportsmen and women for the country. The earlier they represent the country, the better they will perform in years to come as they will have enough international exposure and strength to outbeat the opponents

BJSS and BPSS has been undisputed producing finest junior athletics in the past but the path has been seen fading as they are heading the students in the wrong direction. Mrs Chin says in her website that BJSS is providing excellent education to prepare aspiring for a life after sports. This clearly shows she has lost the national sports schools identity and her credibility to lead the sports school to the highest level. She has lost the core values of a National Sports School and is not in line with the nation's interest, country's goal and ambition. Sports governing bodies like MSN, JPJS and KBS to look into this matter very very seriously and immediately. " (End of comment)

However, according to sources from the Sport Schools, their version of the story is different. They themselves are shocked as to all the fuss. The story that emerges from there seem to indicate that someone is attempting to "bulldoze" his way to get things done without following the procedures which safeguard the best interest of the players ie both as sportspersons and students.

Apparently the following points must be considered before apportioning blame:

1. The Project 2013 team training commenced on Sunday ie 21st February.


2. The letter with training schedule from NSC was dated Friday 19th February and only sent out on Monday 22nd February.


3. This did not give the Sport Schools the time to organise themselves as the training had commenced without their knowledge ie to reschedule lessons for players with the necessary teachers and hopefully to fit into the Project 2013 training programme would not be an easy task.


4. After all the Sport School has to look into the students' best interests ie sports and studies, which is not an easy responsibility.

This therefore begs the question whether NSC and the Project 2013 Team Management did it the right way. Perhaps what they are facing is the consequences of not getting things done in an organised and proper fashion. To start training without going through the process and procedure in a timely manner with parties that are the core element in the chain ie Sport Schools, is definitely a breach of basic rules of management.

If this information is factual then i think the Sport School cannot be blamed for recalling the players. The Sport Schools have an onerous task and they have to carry it out carefully. In this instance, what they did was right in the best interest of the students. In the short term what the Sport School did may have disrupted training but what they have done is to ensure that policies of the Sport Schools are followed and safeguarded, something the Schools Administrators must be praised for.

All these could have been avoided if NSC and Project 2013 Team Management had sat and talked to Sport Schools in advance so that they could get their act together and plan accordingly. The attitude of "bulldozing" and thereafter starting a "finger pointing" exercise would only create more "wounds" and problems for the future. Finally the people who are supposed to see hockey flourish may in fact be unintentionally destroying it.