WCA - World Cup Asia Paintball tournament was deemed the biggest event for the 2007 tournament seasons. It was indeed a long awaited event which brings together paintballers from all across Asia if not from all around the world. The word WORLD brings the tournament to a higher significant level. Participants came from all over Asia countries, anticipating somewhat a higher if not a world class tournament. The infamous Reaper, Datis, Global Gutz, Sydney Shock and Ku to name a few, joined our local teams like Raskal, Zealous, Ballbusters, Nemesis, Demonz and Demonz Red to compete in an International level tournament organized by our very own local organizer(Paul WY Lam of PALS).

The promotions, the advertisements and the parties held were almost grandeur. The registration fees and even the ID tag cost a bomb.(It has been the same for the past 2 years ..in fact cheaper now to Malaysians due to the exchange rate) This year around, we were surprised with MISS WCA Pageant, a pleasant one to all the drooling guys. With that all in lined, everyone was expecting a smooth and well planned event.
But despite all that glitter and hype, many unwanted incidents and mishaps happened during the laborious 3 days.

On the first day, only division 3 teams were scheduled to play, with 12 games for round 1. Games were all behind schedule even when players were called for back to back games. We were provided with a compressor(There was 2 and actually three were booked but one failed to make it) and 3 fill stations that can produce 4500psi but it was hardly reaching 4000 psi most of the time. It even came to a point where we could only get up to 2800psi. Perhaps Ego, DMs, MARQs and DROIDS users could do with that amount of air pressure, but to Shocker users, it's suicidal from the starting gate. This incident happened not once or twice, but maybe to every Shocker users. There were only 3 fill stations to support hundreds of players lining up to fill up their tanks. The commotions have even started from there(Most of the delays were caused by the lack of air but there was no hundreds lining up for the air)

There were 20 teams participating in Division 3 and to go for another round of games before quarter finals was incongruous.(You were playing according to the Millennium rules) The best of 16 teams after the preliminary rounds were scheduled to play for second round of games at 4.15pm, but somehow it was dragged to 7.30pm. The pro-longed demo games were largely to be blamed, some says. 6 teams played in the dark, with only 2 spotlights from one side switched on, leaving the other side of the field totally gloomy. Meaning to say, whoever was playing on that side are better off dead than shooting blindly, because they can hardly see a thing. Right after these "guinea pig" teams finished their games of "darkness" no team wanted to play. Everyone gathered and protested.(It was not a riot and the organizers agreed with the complains.THe light were spoiled on the one side of the Dataran and we only realised that when we tried to push on) Finally they gave in, and division 3 round 2 games were supposed to start at 7.00 am the next morning. Players complied without any fuss and came as early as 5.30 the next morning. But organizers were late again. There's no telling that the teams had to be in the next game even before they finished their current game.(Yes..we had some scheduling problems..sorry)

Medical teams were not fully prepared and competent enough to support the injured players. There was a time when one of the Japanese team players had a strain and no one was able to help her out. Luckily, one of Datis players is a doctor and he came to the rescue. There were a few more episode of incompetent medical team but this was the only one I witnessed.(There was a mobile medical center with 5 medical staff stationed there by the local authorities during all 3 days of the event.One of them was a doctor.)Pellets price were also increased at the very last day, with the excuse given that they ran out of stocks for the RM235 pellets. (It was no excuse and we did run out of paint.Qualified teams for the third day had to pay extra RM30 for each boxes(To shoot Infernal and Hellfire paintballs over Blaze..these paint are like the top ones around), somehow it felt rather like a punishment than a reward by qualifying to finals. If more profits are what the organizers are seeking for, shouldn't the unnecessary round of games for all divisions make up to it? Perhaps I am in no position to ask or to judge the experienced businessmen.(You should read up the rules and check if the difference in pricing between a box of blaze and Hellfire or Infernal is RM30.Profit is a word we are no longer accustomed to...mainly trying to break even.

One of our very well known photographers was somehow prohibited to take pictures for the WCA. He threaten to boycott the event along with other photographer for being insulted such way by an arrogant scallywag who told him off. Only after being cajoled by the organizers that he agreed to forget about the unpleasant episode and continue shooting pictures.(Yes..he was told off by Raja Anor as he could not recognize him but when I approached the photographer about it...he said to forget about it and that it was nothing..it was a 30 second thing..there was no cajoling)

Have I mentioned albeit the high-priced registration fees and pellets, players were placed in an undersized tent, which to be shared with other four teams. (There were 11 playerz tents"Arabic with fan" in total and at the highest point..there was only 35 teams playing..which was on Sat for Div 1 and 2.For Div 3..there was only 20 teams playing on Friday..which works out to 2 teams per tent..Hmmm) That worked out to  when  If organizer's intention was to let them mingle, they definitely have achieved their objective. A few international players was so "contented" with the whole situation they just had to leave earlier, with fond memories and treasured experience carved on their mind. (Kindly read some other international forums too.Yes..we had a few complains but there were many compliments..I can show you my emails too if you have the time.)

After 3 days of bathing under inconsistent rainy and sunny weather, players were worn out and dead beat and winners were hoping to feel revived and recharged during the players party held for prize giving ceremony. Exasperated and cheesed off, most of the players did not even get the FREE drinks as promised by the organizers.(more than 800 free drinks were given out by me personally) When asked to the lady in charged, she effortlessly told me she ran out of coupons and did not know what to do.What mere humble beings such as yours truly can do but to bite my lips and walk away? The ladies could get away with free drinks but the guys had to share drinks with their girlfriends, if they brought along any.(If I did miss out any latecomers..do forgive me.)

The prize giving ceremony was not efficiently worked out despite Yosh Rau giving away kisses on the cheeks to winners. 3rd place winner was asked to give out a speech but 2nd place was not. It was all haywire.(Which div is is?If you are referring to your team...I did try to pass you guys the microphone)

Overall champion, be it for Division 3, 2 or 1 should be treated equal not lesser. Zealous won the overall champion for Division 3. But despite being awarded and presented with medals or trophy, they were left high and dry on stage much to their embarrassment. They looked to each other and wonder why were there no prizes given? It was such a unique way to honour a team of talented players. If there were no prizes or medals allocation for them, why were they called up on stage? The team had enough of publicity they don't need a substandard one. (There was never ever any prizes for the Div 3 as not enough legs could have a proper Div 3.They were given the award to honour their performance as a bonus from us.The PAL Series to date only pays off USD 6000 and USD 2500 worth of goods to the Div 1 and Div 2 series champions.)

I did not stay long for the party as it has lost its essence to most of us.(The last guest left at 4.30 am)I presumed the MISS WORLD CUP PAGEANT was their peak event that night, hence all attention, and spotlight was for that particular affair.

Perhaps I did not give enough credits to the organizers for throwing away free caps to players that nite, for inviting hunky PRO Players to the event, but it doesn't make any of these forgettable(A person only sees what he/she seeks for.If you are bitter..you will only see bitterness.Look for positives..it is so much more pleasant) To the organizers, players are your customers, your source of income. Once they are bitten, they'll think more than twice to come back for your tournaments(I am sorry...I do not think of players as my customers..they are my peers) They do not asked for much, just mutual appreciation and resoect. Despite the huge amount of money spent and only a molecule of return of investments, they were still there to support you.
Let's pray everyone get their prizes accordingly this time.(Have you ever not received your prizes accordingly!!)
Keeping my finger crossed!
DQR - No More Drama!
"HE is actually a SHE, Drama Queen Raina @ Rina of SOGO BB & also a member of the Villain Editorial Crew."

As a member of the Villain Editorial Crew...I would have honestly expected better from you.Do you not find the above write up while containing some truth..which I will freely acknowledge....have been dramatised..do you seriously believe you are contributing to the good of paintball....