Same Feedback - Different writing..(and the reply)

Which is why I would like to highlight a point regarding writing to the feedback/opinion section of any major dailies.

Above: mypaper dated 22nd Jul 2008

Above: TODAY dated 22nd Jul 2008

As you can see for yourself that both letters were written by the same person "Jason Chiam".

However, due to the space constraint or whatsoever reasons, the letter need to be edited before publish them.

Which sometimes I don't understand why? I mean those guys, who wrote to the papers, already done their proof-reading and editing before submitting but once in the hands of the editors, who might carelessly re-edit some part of the letter "out-of-context" and tweak the whole story!

Anyway, good thing Jason wrote this letter as it prompted the SSC, the landlord of the National Stadium, to reply the query of many (as below)..


Thanks a lot, Jason and hope it does answer everyone's question.

Mission BEGINS....

Alright, here it goes...

The autograph hunting began with Home United coach Mr PN Sivaji, the national team coach of the 1993 team, at the Bishan Stadium this evening.

Please stay tuned to this entry if you are keen to know the progress of the mission.

A link to this entry will be placed on the right menu, so that visitors can keep track of the progress (even after this entry is "exit out" of the main page.)

THE SIGNING OF THE POSTER...

"I have a framed copy of this picture" said Mr Sivaji as he signed on the poster.

"This is not me, it's my brother!" joked Mr Robert Lim (assistant coach of the 93's team) as he signed on the poster. (Thanks Clara for the tip off..)

TO BE CONTINUED...

Back on track again..(used to be:"CONFIRMED: Mission IMPOSSIBLE")

It is with deepest sadness to announce the plan to get the signatures of these players and officials is ABORTED.

Because these two posters are LOST.... What a pity.

Last seen at Yishun stadium on the 20th July 2008, these two posters were placed and stored in a brown circular hardboard tube-roll, with one end of it covered by a plastic carrier secured by a rubber band.

Chances are slim but happen to see whatever it described, please email me if you are happened to holding on to it.. thanks

THE FOLLOWING DAY

The following day (which is TODAY - 21st July), I decided to call Yishun sports hall (above: picture credit "sha-stallion")to inform this mishap.

Less than an hour later, one of the officers in charge of the Yishun sports complex called and said, "Hello, is this Mr Ko? We found your posters!!!"

Man, can you imaging what I happy I was when I got the news?

Many thanks to Mr Teo, who called and informed me the good news, and the SSC staff at Yishun Sports Complex for the help in retrieving these priceless posters.

Safe and sound..might consider get them insured

Now it's back to the business... watch out for me guys.. thanks :)

Reminiscing "Tiger 5s"

I was having my lunch a while ago at a foodcourt near where I stayed, and saw the repeat telecast of the "KL 5s" futsal match between Brazil and Argentina.

Only then, I realized that how long it is we last saw a high standard display of the indoor version of the game on this island, when the bi-annual "Tiger 5s" was held in the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 1997 to 2001 before the organizers decided to shift to Kuala Lumpur and renamed as "KL 5s".

I still recalled when I attended the final day of the event in 1997 (the ticket stub is the proof), how electrifying it was and definitely worth every money paid.

In the end, it was the Spaniards who triumphed over the red-hot favourites Brazil in a thrilling final that stretched past 11pm!

So when the organizers decided to pull the plug and headed north, I was angst as there's no way I could able to catch such a high-quality display of the 5-a-side version.

Since then futsal scene in Singapore seems to be pretty quiet and except for some occasion tournaments organized by those non-official bodies.

I guess at the meantime, I should be contented by having this souvenir air horn given out during the tournament as a reminder of those wonderful days...

Maximize the mileage...

It's not very often for me to be at the downtown area on a weekend morning.

So given that rare opportunity I decided to head down to RHB Bank's Jalan Besar Branch for a corporate engagement of national striker Aleksandar Duric moments ago (having read about it on the papers days ago).

"How about that - a Superman pose?"

These boys were having a good time with Duric.

Taking a break and having a chat with the bank officials

"Hmm... a banking career reckon after hanging up my boots?"

It's a good way to be engaged in such corporate event, why not?

It's a win-win situation in a sense that player(s) can get to meet up and close with the fans and the unaware public at places like these, while the corporate entity would see this as an opportunity to publicize their product using alternative means like this (other than print advertisements and TV commercials ads).

In the end, it's all about maximize the mileage.. Isn't it?

(P.S: Strictly personal opinion reflected on this entry without any form of interfering from whosoever.)

Fixing a broken fend...

The Problem...
The picture above should tells us the story that why some stadiums are sparsely occupied when these folks can sneak a peek from any of these chinks.

The is one of the many methods some folks can watch the game for free.

Not much help can be done even with this fencing in place to stop these freeloaders.

At some stadiums, due to its strategically location, it's a common sight to see fans catch the game from the comfort of the home!

Nobody should be blamed for this unfortunate happening as these grounds weren't built solely for football purpose, rather a venue for the public to have their work-out.

Sometimes, I do wonder if this is a problem

• we choose to ignore?

• trying to find a remedy to this?

• or at the wit ends unable to solve the problem?

The Solution?
But here's one solution I can think of, however, whether is it feasible we would like to see some of clubs keen to take up this proposal.

It happened last year, when I read that a large MNC had annual "family day" not at those places of interest but at a basketball match which featured Singapore Slingers playing against one of the NBL teams in the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

And that was the Slingers' biggest crowd that season.

Now taking a cue from this initiative, have this innovative idea ever come to our mind - hosting a large-scale corporate outing at a sporting event?

It would a refreshing change of idea by having such event at any of the S.League matches near your workplace, home or whatsoever.

As mentioned in my earlier blog entries (ie: "I'm not a marketing man" series), clubs should opt for the initiative to venture into the hospitality line by marketing themselves more than just a football club.

By engaging large corporate organizations to have event such as their "family day" on match days will see huge crowds turning up at the ground in hordes, isn't a good way to promote the league, which is largely ignored by the main streamers (i.e.: the fans and the media).

The players, of course, have part to play by playing to their full potential to repay the corporate entity's gratitude for having their staff at the ground to give them the support.

It's also provide a good opportunity for the clubs to learn the ropes on how things should be done in hospitality industry, such as ushering, catering, coordinating an event on a large-scale basis (help from some "know-how" would be appreciated).

Some of you guys might find it weird of having me combining these distinctly contrasting ideas together but it is the reason why I want to stress my point - remain as the way it is, it's better rot that way.

(P.S: I know places that matches can be watched for free but no way I'm gonna tell where are they!)

at the tunnel...

Both Woodlands (in Blue) and SAFFC (white) players heading their way out of the tunnel.

It is not very often I get a chance to be at the tunnel right before the teams troop out to the field.

I was at the Woodlands Stadium last night, shortly before the guys were making their way out to the pitch.

Some friendly gestures like handshaking, tapping and pat on the shoulders, some pleasantries were made among the players (unlike that fight in the tunnel between Man Utd and Arsenal years back!!), who, after all, know among themselves each other pretty well.

Among those whom I met was Woodlands' Korean star Park Tae Won.

But he was not featured in that game as he is still nursing a calf injury, however he did mentioned that he should be ready for the Rams' next fixture.

Back from Shah Alam and more...

I would say this quite an experience to travel with the group heading north to Shah Alam for the annual "get-together".

After all, where and when can you mingled around with the past, present Lions and some of those you only seen them on print or on the TV, listening to some of those funny stories during the Uncle Choo's days?

THE ARRIVAL

Reception upon arrival at Concorde Shah Alam - our hotel

MORE SHOTS at STADIUM SHAH ALAM

Imaging the roar of the crowds that will give everyone goosebumps from the angle.

Where the VIPs seat.

At the pitch side... closing up.

The scoreboard... a source of joy and sadness

Behind the goal posts

Where the media work area, it's a long walk to the loo that would made one wobbly...

The fans' tunnel on non-match day.

and THE TRAINING SESSION...
The hosting team had their training session on the pitch earlier before the visiting team conducted theirs.

SELANGOR's Training Session

S.LEAGUE SELECTION's Training Session

Some basic ball drills and light work-outs for both sides on the eve of the match day.

THE MATCH DAY

At the media work area, using my MSI WIND mini :P

Before the Kick-Off

The lining up of the veterans

HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor graced the occasion.

The heroes of the yesteryears in action.

Some parachutist performance prior to the marquee event.

The Marquee match - Selangor Selection vs S.League Selection

Veterans' skipper Terry Pathmanathan lifted the veterans' trophy.

Selangor's skipper Shukor Adan lifted the SOS Cup.

A bit more pictures...

a shot of me with the Klang Valley supporters as the background.

The home supporters...

The fans from Singapore also made their presence felt.

Filed this from Shah Alam

(P.S: This is a milestone for BoLASEPaKO - for being its first overseas blog entry from Shah Alam, capital of Selangor.)

So I packed my bags and headed north to Shah Alam for the annual "Sultan of Selangor Cup" match.

Players, staff gathered and ready for the northern trail

Banners of the "SOS" prominently hung on the hotel lobby

So we were at the 80,000 capacity Shah Alam Stadium, where one of the Singapore's best footballing moments was staged 14 years ago when we captured the Malaysia Cup before calling a quit.

View of the stadium from the main tunnel

Picture of the field from the stand

Selangor coach Dollah Salleh shared his thoughts at the end of his team's training session.

S.League selection conducted their training session after the hosts finished theirs.

More pictures and short write-up upon returning home, stay tuned...

Leaving.....

Yes... I packed my bags and leaving in hours time...

If got the chance, hope to tell u guys where I'll be heading to... Watch this blog.

Sundram's bicycle kick in 1993!

Need more to say? The BEST GOAL ever scored in Kallang?

Finally, found this clip!!

Bring back the "Semangat"?

Got to know there's this movie about Singapore football "Kallang Roar the Movie" that is gonna hit the town soon.

I'm sure it's going to be definitely better than the slapstick - "One Leg Kicking" (graded 3.6/10 as on 30th June by "imdb")

Here's the trailer clips as forwarded to me via my "Farewell to Kallang Roar" clip

Part One


Part Two

Must have bring back a lot of Good Ol' Memories eh? (P.S.: and Uncle Choo's scolding too!!)

Basic to the basic...

Snapped this picture from the train, while on my way to a game.

Can't remember where it was but that's not the issue, rather one thing that came to my mind was - shouldn't the game be played in the most basic manner like what depicted in the picture?

It seems that most of us seems to forget the most basic element of the game - Having fun.

Sure, I know there's a lot of folks outhere still having their "kickabout" session every weekend around the island, though the saddest thing I can't help but having that feeling on those guys slogging out for a living on the field, those so-called "full-timers".

In a time where money and winning are so important that I wonder if those star players on the field really enjoy themselves like those amateurs having fun on an ad-hoc basis?

Product Review: Nike First Touch II FS - Varsity Royal

(P.S: This is my first attempt in writing product review, opinions expressed below are sole personal from the blogger himself , without any form of interference from whosoever entity or individual.)

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

"Wow!","Striking!" - those were the reactions from my friends upon the unveiled of " Nike First Touch II FS - Varsity Royal" (as illustrated above).


The first impression of this footwear is the eye-catching glossy royal blue coloured leather top.

Cushioned padding around the ankle area of this shoe is critical, as twisting and turning revolving the ankle is a common motion when playing futsal.


Although it fitted in nicely, it's bit tight, however just right (some players would prefer a little more room for the feet, rather than being tight-fitting).


As this is not your typical conventional soccer boots that are fitted with screwed or moulded studs, I think these shoes also make an ideal footwear for your daily outdoor activities.


THE "TRY-OUT"
The try-out of the shoes was finally completed this evening after work.

I managed to rope in a working friend of me as a technical adviser on all aspects regarding the shot taking (statically and dynamic as well).

Lining up for pile-driver (man, the feeling was good!)

Hooked the ball up on a flick

Trying a low driver...

An eye for the ball

Don't worry, I saw the lamppost..

I don't deny the fact that I still feel a bit sore on the last toe of my right foot.

I guess it's due to the different cutting of this NIKE footwear, as my workplace footwear also size 8 but offer a little room space for my toes unlike the "tight fitted-in" of "First Touch II FS" (a problem which I was told will overcome gradually by wear them often).

For one, its glossy royal blue outlook is enough to grab the attention and its outer layer is well-crafted to allow players to control, passing the ball with ease, not forget to mention making long, powerful shot using it!

Other than the mentioned glitch (more of personal discomfort due to own oversight), "First Touch II FS" is definitely worth the consideration if one is looking for a pair of futsal boots.

THE AFTERTHOUGHTS
I certain hope I did not let anybody down throughout the whole review.

As a matter of fact, I have not played competitively for ages having self-imposed myself into earlier retirement :P

But the urge of simply juggling the ball is still always a joy and pleasure.

A short Clip on the "TRY-OUT"

Many thanks to Travis and Mason of "SoccerPro.com" for making this try-out possible and Viknesh for his technical help throughout the shooting.

To find out more and interested in making online purchasing on "Nike First Touch II FS - Varsity Royal", please click the link HERE

Instant Reaction: Though din make thru but it was a perfect end ....

FIFA website shown the stats as at the stoppage time

Game over...

It's another end of the chapter following this win at Beirut.

Cheers boys, at least we won the last game and being the first team to score against the Uzbeks.

Take this as a good learning curve and I'm pretty sure that few years down the road, this current crop of players will be enshrined being one of the best teams played for the country.. (after all, we have never been come to this far, right?)

See you guys back home :)