There is some truth to what the writer had to say in today’s article in The Star. But well, I’d say that the National Sports Council is taking good care of us, the few of us Malaysian track cyclists in Australia. We train at the Joe Ciavola Velodrome. So far it’s been great. We have to make do with the facilities we have. At the end of the day, we have to produce regardless of environment.
Brickendon-buried – but we can rise from the ashes
SO, the Brickendonbury project is finally dead and buried.
The English county has said no to Malaysia’s multi-million pound plan to set up a High Performance Training Centre (HTPC) at the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC).
The NSC’s application to set up the HTPC was shot down by the East Herts Council Development Control Committee on Wednesday.
A whopping 13 of the 19 councillors said no thank you to Malaysia.
It was a wise, if not entirely unexpected, decision. Many who have been critical of the plan had known from day one that, given the way England works – by the rules – this was a project doomed to failure.
One journalist actually visited the site, inspected the rather tardy grounds, spoke to the councillors and came back convinced that there was no chance of the HTPC getting approval. Yet, the NSC would not listen.
There were many things wrong about this project. The swimming pool was almost of the kind one would find in Zakaria Deros’ mansion, certainly not one for Olympians. Upgrading it would be costly. To make things worse, it could not be used for much of the year when the weather gets too cold.
For that, we would need a heating system and a big enclosed area.
It was quite clear that the local folk would not agree to anything like that and allow anyone to destroy their heritage.
Yet, this exercise in futility has been expensive. So far, reports say, about RM2mil has been spent.
After all, Malaysian officials had to make several trips just to make sure that everything was shaping up well; athletes were used as guinea pigs – they made use of nearby grounds, not the one at the TARCC – and there were pilot projects; and of course they needed to hire consultants and experts to spell out their case.
The money spent for the consultants, the building plans and the applications could have been well spent on some local athletes.
Still, it’s better that the project ends now before more money is gobbled up.
Otherwise, it would be RM67mil (£10mil) for a centre that only a small group would get to utilise.
Why the National Sports Council (NSC) bulldozed it through despite the many cries of opposition will remain a mystery.
Pride? Ignorance? Or was there something more than meets the eyes?
But Malaysia could have avoided the embarrassment by looking at other venues, knowing full well that they were banging against the wall by sticking to Brickendonbury.
The idea of having a forward base for athletes is in itself laudable.
NSC already have established a few. Squash player Nicol David is in Holland; cyclist Josiah Ng is in Australia; and there are links with universities in Nottingham and Loughborough; an athletics training centre exists in Leipzig, Germany; and our gymnasts train in Kunming.
Some of these athletes – especially Nicol and Josiah – are doing great but they are a small lot.
Malaysia also have a good working relationship with the Cuban and Australian sports councils. Potential athletes could be based there to raise their level of standard.
There are also neighbouring Asian countries – Thailand, China and Iran – which are more affordable venues with similar environments and conditions.
These would be for the small group of world-class athletes that we have.
The idea, of course, is to groom more such world-class athletes.
It is still not too late for that.
There is a place that Malaysian athletes from all sports could use to train and achieve great heights, a place that could be the springboard for world glory.
It’s called the National Sports Complex.
With better administration and less politicking; fair play; efficient management of money; and some good and committed coaches, it can all happen right here in Bukit Jalil.
Malaysia may yet appeal the decision by the Herts Council. If they do, it will probably be more money down the Thames.
It may be better to work with the Herdforshire University – yes, the one close to TARRC – and use that as a base before the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The university has the facilities and can even offer some good sparring partners before the Olympics.
And guess what? It will be cheaper. Much cheaper.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/11/18/sports/19508482&sec=sports
