My main concern is if this band of brothers is going to be able to get the other races involved in the team, like back in the good old days? It's no big secret that our teams (badminton, hockey and football) were more successful when it was more erm... 'muhibah'.

Chinese schools get money? A lot of them don't even have money to replace old tables and chairs, let alone fund a football team. I doubt it's because the Chinese have any less interest in football. How many Chinese here played football or play futsal? I know I'm one of them. How many Chinamen bet on football? The interest is there. The question is why don't they pursue it as a career?

Why do you think it is there are less Chinese and Indian players these days? Is it the money? How much do footballers here get paid? Some of them earn more than the Chinamen selling Chicken rice, no? So maybe it isn't the money then. Racial politics perhaps? Maybe some are just sick with it. There must be a logical reason why, no? I mean it's happening in every other aspect of our country, who not sports? Has Lim Teong Kim been given a Datukship? Most people didn't even know he was at Bayern Munich.

I hate to make this seem racial but I don't have the answers to the questions above and I can't help but wonder.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Sep 11 2007, 04:04 PM

You're missing my point here. I wasn't referring to him as a player but as a coach. We do after all award such titles to certain people who have sailed round the world or whatever right? What about someone that scaled Everest? What about someone who ends up coaching the youth team of one of the biggest football clubs in the world?

As for the Chinese school facilities, what about Chinese in government schools?

Still missing my point mate. I didn't bring up the 'Datuk' issue because I think he should get one. All I'm asking is if he would have got one if he weren't Chinese? I mean other people have got the title for doing much less. Again, I stress I'm not saying we should give him one.

Still the question goes unanswered. Why aren't the Chinese interested in trying out anymore? It wasn't always like this, so why now? Perhaps less Indians are trying out but they certainly aren't bad at the game. Only Nanthakumar features regularly. Why are the other races not trying out? Money? I don't think so. Me thinks it's due to sports politics. Who's and who's son getting into the team and so on.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Sep 11 2007, 08:11 PM

Dude correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Lim Teong Kim play for KL? I thought Lee Kin Hong played for Kedah.

I don't agree. If you look at the thread titled "malaysian football", you'll see a lot of people have given suggestions and not just criticised. Why repeat ourselves?

As for our local league, can you blame us? I was an avid Selangor fan and collected newspapers clippings and such. What happened? Greed, corruption? You name it. The league became farcial and the football stank. Why then do I not support it anymore? Why should I support something that doesn't want to improve itself? It's the same problem over and over again. It's not like supporting a relegated team that is fighting hard to gain promotion. So far, the FAM have been all talk about wanting to improve. No more talk! DO! Respect is not given, it is earned.

Why not train to be a commentator right away then? You don't have to be a player to be one.

There is no future on local football unless something is done. What are we now 150th in the world or something? We've been on a steady decline for the past 2 years. If nothing changes, we'll continue to slide. If anything, it is naive to think the future is rosy and hope for the best without revamping the FAM.

Those were sweet days for Malaysian football. I miss seeing the likes of Dollah Salleh, Zainal Abidin, Zolst Buchs, PAvel Korejcik, Karel Stromsik, K Gunalan, Alistair Edwards, Khan Hung Meng, Wong Hung Nung, Zainal Nordin, ex captain, Ismail Ibrahim and our very own supersub, P.Maniam! in action.