KUALA LUMPUR – Good governance is the key to success and without it, failure is inevitable.
Malaysian sports has been in the doldrums because good governance has been absent in many sports associations.
However, there could be a ray of hope for Malaysian sports, in the form of Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin, president of the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association.
“I believe that good governance is an important factor for not only sports but also in everything we do.
“Success comes when you are organised and do things in a proper way. Sports in Malaysia is dead without good governance and it starts from the top.
“When I took over KLHA June last year, my initial plan was to only restructure the administration of the association and allow my exco members to take care of the sports development. I want to run an association like a corporate company because that is how we can practice good governance.
“We are in the position now to make things work for hockey and I want to use this opportunity to do things properly. I can proudly say that we are the only association with hockey programs,” Megat told The Vibes.
The programmes that KLHA have planned up since Megat took over last year are – Coaching and umpiring courses, sponsorship programs, competition, and events management courses.
KLHA under Megat have managed to collaborate and partner with clubs in Italy, Holland, Belgium, France and Australia to have player and coaches exchange programs.
Early this year before Covid-19 hit the globe, KLHA succeeded in sending two players to Melbourne.
Unfortunately, all programs and activities have been paused at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the sports industry badly.
“I did not become the president of KLHA to sit and do nothing. As a president, I am the driver of the association and I must make sure my exco members and I are doing our work accordingly so that we can help uplift hockey in Malaysia.
“Our collaboration with our International partners is based on friendship, integrity and trust, while monetary is secondary. As I am aware, KLHA is the only hockey association, which has International friends,” said Megat who is a St John Alumni.
Meanwhile, when The Vibes asked about his relationship with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), Megat said that it was always professional and nothing more or less. “We respect each other but that’s it. “I feel that MHC can do better as the national body. They need to push the states to do more for hockey. I know we are going through the pandemic but, even before the crisis, nothing was done.
“However, I believe that MHC can be governed better. Only then, I think they will be able to question state affiliates for not progressing and I hope it happens soon for the sake of hockey in Malaysia,” Megat added. – The Vibes, October 22, 2020.
