jack of all trades, master of any?

PERLIS menteri besar Shahidan Kassim spoke of his intentions to challenge current Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar in the May 26 elections.

Shahidan, which is known to be wearing too many hats at a time, ought to reconsider his intentions in adding another responsibilty to his already full plate.

Note, Shahidan is the president of the Amatuer Swimming Union of Malaysia, president of the Malaysian Amatuer Athletics Association, President of the Perlis Football Association and is the head of the Kabaddi Association of Malaysia.

It is a common run by politicians in the country to try and be part of the sporting scene, despite the fact having little or no knowledge with regards of the sport nor its structure.

Such a move is claimed to be political in nature, just like how Khairy Jamaluddin heads Premier League outfit UPB-MyTeam, Najib Tun Razak is part of a Felda settlement team while health minister Dr Chua Soi Lek is still the 'president' of the Malaysian Volleyball Association.

The truth is, the only reason politicians are there is due to the fact sports association crave for the supply of funding, which is made easier with the pressence of a 'big fish'. No where in the developed nation one sees a politician running the sporting scene.

Association secretary's at times do not have direct access to these politician presidents of theirs, what more between ordinary members.

Also, what difference Shahidan will be able to make in the OCM? Even if elected, the Tambun Tulang State Assemblyman will be busy with the general elections, said to be closer than expected.

If Shahidan loves sports, he will sporting leave his intentions. Otherwise, welcome to a not so new era of another politician messing around with Malaysian sports.

p/s: If Shahidan truly thinks he can make a difference, start by making a stand- politics or sports.

-The Man Who Sold The World-