Disappointment of Sport Government Body

So, here I am writing this note instead of being in Bukit Jalil now for the Asian Games 2010 qualifying time-trial, for triathlon. But it is to a great disappointment that I am unable to attend, not because of my personal setbacks or so, but it is because Sarawak Triathlon Association (SATRIA) has refused to send any triathletes. This year is 2010 which marks the year for Asian Games, Guangzhou, China. And, it is an important year for all athletes at national level. But it now looks like I am missing my chances to attend this game.

The very reason which SATRIA's President, Dato Garfur, said that he is not in favor to send any athletes due to budget constraint. Great, budget constraint? This is not the first time they have given such reason for so many years and times already, as since 2006 till now they have given empty promises on attending races outside of Sarawak. Over and over again, the only favor I often received is great disappointment and excuses.

Last year, 2009, when I attended Dextro Energy Gold Coast ITU Triathlon World Championships in Australia, none of my trip nor fees were paid by SATRIA, TRIAM (Triathlon Association of Malaysia), MSN (Majlis Sukan Negara) or OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia). The only obligation SATRIA took was the registration process, where as the rest such as fundings were all sponsored by Curtin University of Technology, both Australia and Sarawak Campus alone. It is understood that Triathlon is still not listed in MSN, but why so when Triathlon is already an Olympic sport and listed in OCM?

Then, when I qualified for Xterra Maui 2009 after competing in Xterra Malaysia with a rolled-down slot, I was looking forward to put my performance on another world championships again. SATRIA, again, gave an excuse saying no budget...which, I had no idea what actually happen. But, MSN Sarawak's director, Francis Nyurang, rang me up and said he would give RM1000 budget as a sponsorship to Xterra Maui, which was like just 1 week before the race in October. How much could I do with RM1000 to get to Maui? When the cost of the whole trip is above RM15,000! So fine, assuming that was another disappointment where it had been turn down as NONE of the government body could help, not even the YBs and Datuk.

Alright, when the racing season was over. I was feeling that I should not look bad on the disappointment I had in 2009, but did remember well of my achievement in ITU Triathlon World Champ which by far was the biggest dream I have ever achieved. So when I met up with SATRIA in November 2009, they promised me in 2010 I would be sent to 2 Asian ITU series here in Southeast Asia; which were OSIM Singapore ITU Triathlon Asian Premium Cup and Subic ITU Triathlon Asian Premium Cup, as these were the 2 races among the qualifying rounds to Asian Games 2010.

So, I was being very hopeful and optimistic about the qualifying rounds and trained really hard during the off-season to prepare myself well for 2010. Even ITU (International Triathlon Union) Coach, Hary Hudak, and ETU (European Triathlon Union) Champion, Radka Vodickova, of Czech Republic were in Miri for their off-season training camp where I was accepted to train with them full-time. They have prepared me well for the 2010 season through vigorous trainings of at least 8 hours a day, we were working so hard towards our goal without demanding any incentives or allowances from SATRIA or MSN. All that I wished is only to be able to attend qualifying rounds to Asian Games 2010.

TRIAM's Peter Lau was the key person who is in-charge of all triathlon affairs in Malaysia, where he made Singapore, Subic, Mekong and Port Dickson as the qualifying rounds to Asian Games 2010. Barry Lee and Shahrom Abdullah were the only triathletes who have been attending these rounds so far. But now, here comes a sudden call of NATIONAL TRIATLON TIME-TRIAL for Asian Games; which consists of an 800m Swim (Pool Swim) and 5km Run (Track Run) with a benchmarked time to be met. So what happen to those ITU Asian Premium Cup rounds? Are they still considered as qualifying rounds? And, this had made a confusion, where as Port Dickson Triathlon is no longer an ITU race.

So this morning just around 10a.m, due to my absence in the time-trial, Peter Lau gave me a call to ask where I was. Hence, I gave him an account of the story of my reason unable to attend the time-trial. Then, Peter was telling the time-trial is initiated by MSN, and further says he will see what OCM can do on my case. But I doubt it because this might be another empty words or promises.

I am truly disappointed with SATRIA; for the effort and time I have taken to progress so far, yet it is all wasted down the drain just like a rush of flash flood washes away a village. I feel I am being ignored, neglected and truly demoralized by such disappointment. I once thought I could rise and make my state proud, and my country proud. But yet, I don't seem to be recognized or appreciated. If Australian University and A.I.S are able to recognized my performance, why not Malaysia? Is it that difficult to support a triathlete? Why must my talent be wasted and disappointed? Can't I be given a fair chance to compete with others on a fair-ground?

So here I would like to ask YB Lee Kim Shin; you're an Assistant Sport Minister here in Sarawak and I am presenting this case for you to know how far back our sport has gone to. Yet, what can be done? I am not the only athlete in Sarawak that has been disappointed by far. Are you able to promise a better development and sustainability in Sarawak's sports? Talents have gone wasted, and future generation to come are already aware that sport in Sarawak is getting political and unhealthy due to unfairness judgment. So here I am asking you; what can you do for a better? I have made it this far in my triathlon and yet it doesn't seem to be recognized.

As a Sarawakian, a Miri-born and raised, a trained triathlete by American and Cezh Republic Coaches voluntarily and sincerely. The lack of support has really demoralized the value of dignity and sportsmanship in this case. I do not know if I should further continue to train and race for the state/country, but as far as my faith and sincerity is concern, the great disappointment that has been made this far is really too far to be forgiven and forgotten. And I am sorry to say if such empty promises and disappointment are to be made further on other athletes and young talents; more and more sports in Sarawak will eventually dissolved and die-off.