THERE is a saying that if you have nothing nice to say about something or anything, just keep it to yourself.

I am referring to M. Manoharan’s comment on Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s defeat to China’s Lin Dan and his tweet that “Malaysia will win its first gold medal in Olympics after Pakatan takes over Putrajaya.”

It reminds me of a joke told to me by a lawyer friend many years ago.

It was about a Malaysian judge who once told a lawyer, who was arguing irrelevant points in a case he was presiding that he should have fish-head curry when the court breaks for lunch as it is supposed to be good for the brains!

I am sure badminton fans all over the country were united in cheering Chong Wei with the hope that he would deliver Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal.

Though it did not materialise, we are all equally proud of his effort, especially in the rubber set when he fought point-for-point with his formidable opponent from China.

The standard of play was definitely a notch or two higher than any of the past singles finals in the Olympics.

I agree with Deputy Youth and Sports Minister who said “Sports should be above politics.” That is why I am against politicians heading sports associations in our country.

Most of them are there not because they are knowledgeable of sports but for their ability to raise funds and obtain perks from the government.

We can never be world beaters if we continue to have politicians interferring with the running of sports associations and training methods.

It is time to look beyond them.

MICHAEL NG
Seremban

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