I wanted to talk about Loh Lin Kok, the recalcitrant SAA Boss.
There is no thread on him other than one started by ahleebabasingaporethief which equate SSC with PAP & hence PAP-bashing – thereby dropping Loh as the focus. I should have started this in Coffee Shop – but risk discussing here as it seems this revamped place is a more sober space now.
My disdain, then dismay & finally disgust with Loh stretched over the years – turn into frustration when I read the ST Discussion Board exchange on the SSC-SAA impasse.
See link http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28596
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28392
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28098
The gist of it all:-
2 camps :
The majority : Many contributors, some more cerebral than others, some simply hate his obnoxious face, all asking him to go – in both polite/impolite language
The minority : Not explicitly supporting Loh, but paints him as victim – unhappy with others being ‘personal’ with Loh, instead choose to blast SSC-PAP-snotty Singaporeans, saying Loh is the constitutional head of NSA – SSC can’t dumped him
It is the minority’s remarks & comments (see link) that make my blood boil.
Honestly, sports-politics dichotomy is an age-old issue.
We read of FIFA suspending Brunei FA because they said Brunei Govt ‘interfere’ with NSA, Iraq FA also kenna etc etc.
After public criticism from Teo Chee Hean, V. Balakrishnan, Teo Ser Luck, Loh sarcastically agreed with need to examine state of athletics – his solution, bring in high powered International Panel including Lord Sebastian Coe, to do analysis.
Loh is simply boasting he has friends in high places – who will pay for the enormous cost when SAA has complained of using reserves since SSC has withheld funds from them due to non-compliance of reports/plans.
My point is simple: people make a stand.
Do you think Loh should go or not go?
His supporters arguments are:-
(1) Loh not be blamed for state of athletics – all the usual constraints & limiting factors mentioned.
(2) Loh is constitutionally elected – so he is legit. He goes – no guarantee that his successors can do better – another facile argument
(3) He is the victim here – SSC high-handed, shift goalpost, bring in lawyers etc etc
One only needs to read ST Sports recent litany of Loh-led controversies over the years – from 1982, annually (mostly) until today. Scraps with athletes, coaches, office rivals, ministers, SSC officials including people like EW Barker, Tan Eng Liang, Edmond Periera, Harun Mundir, his PRC talent-finds-turned-duds, etc etc
My point is simple : in any other arena, Club Manager or President – no results (whatever reasons, out you go), let others step in.
Loh is the root & source of it all – remove him, not all problems will be solved – but it is a necessary first step.
The logical next phase : - how to engineer his removal openly & constitutionally.
In our Sporting History, it is naïve to suggest our Govt cannot/should not/must not interfere with NSA.
If the sport has massive social/national prominence, then they will do it.
Late 70s when ex-FAS President Ganesan is deemed to have soured relations with Johor Sultan. He was ‘legally’ removed & others brought in – in fact a whole line of FAS President – from that Malay, then Teo Chong Tee, then Mah, Ho Peng Kee, Abu Abbas,to today.
Likewise, badminton, table tennis, bowling etc etc. I am not saying the results are enviable – I dislike Lee Bee Wah’s antics as well – but the sublime/not subtle intervention exist.
What bugged me:-
(1) Why Loh hung on to this thankless job & reign as tyrant for so long FOR WHAT – EGO?
(2) How did he get elected term after term – must be like the Pope appoint cardinals, cardinals elect Pope system right ? The affiliate clubs scene must be so stagnant, filled with his kakis that they routinely return him. These deadwood must go if new blood should have a chance
After our good showing in swimming/sailing in Beijing Olympics / Asian Youth Games / SEA Games & this years’ Youth Olympics Games (also Asian games / Commonwealth Games), the powers-that-be & I must say, Singaporeans at large expect better effort from Spore Athletics.
The next 3 months will be abrasive & ugly.
SSC has decided to play constitutional hard-ball. Comply with Audit Report & KPI within one month – or else no funding.
Loh is wily enuf to know they want him out – so I would expect his strategy to be 3 pronged:-
(1) appeal for support from International Athletics heavyweights – that he is persecuted
(2) appeal to public but painting himself as reasonable, as victim, SSC as bullies
(3) his cronies & some well-meaning athletics supporters like Maurice Nicholas, Tang Ngai Kin (sic) to back him against anyone who might want to replace him
Remember as late as last Sept, an anonymous petition to remove him from athletes, parents, officials was started in vain.
I really hope Loh will get his just desserts & get booted out at long last.
But the process will not be an uneventful one.
Stay tuned.
There is no thread on him other than one started by ahleebabasingaporethief which equate SSC with PAP & hence PAP-bashing – thereby dropping Loh as the focus. I should have started this in Coffee Shop – but risk discussing here as it seems this revamped place is a more sober space now.
My disdain, then dismay & finally disgust with Loh stretched over the years – turn into frustration when I read the ST Discussion Board exchange on the SSC-SAA impasse.
See link http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28596
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28392
http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28098
The gist of it all:-
2 camps :
The majority : Many contributors, some more cerebral than others, some simply hate his obnoxious face, all asking him to go – in both polite/impolite language
The minority : Not explicitly supporting Loh, but paints him as victim – unhappy with others being ‘personal’ with Loh, instead choose to blast SSC-PAP-snotty Singaporeans, saying Loh is the constitutional head of NSA – SSC can’t dumped him
It is the minority’s remarks & comments (see link) that make my blood boil.
Honestly, sports-politics dichotomy is an age-old issue.
We read of FIFA suspending Brunei FA because they said Brunei Govt ‘interfere’ with NSA, Iraq FA also kenna etc etc.
After public criticism from Teo Chee Hean, V. Balakrishnan, Teo Ser Luck, Loh sarcastically agreed with need to examine state of athletics – his solution, bring in high powered International Panel including Lord Sebastian Coe, to do analysis.
Loh is simply boasting he has friends in high places – who will pay for the enormous cost when SAA has complained of using reserves since SSC has withheld funds from them due to non-compliance of reports/plans.
My point is simple: people make a stand.
Do you think Loh should go or not go?
His supporters arguments are:-
(1) Loh not be blamed for state of athletics – all the usual constraints & limiting factors mentioned.
(2) Loh is constitutionally elected – so he is legit. He goes – no guarantee that his successors can do better – another facile argument
(3) He is the victim here – SSC high-handed, shift goalpost, bring in lawyers etc etc
One only needs to read ST Sports recent litany of Loh-led controversies over the years – from 1982, annually (mostly) until today. Scraps with athletes, coaches, office rivals, ministers, SSC officials including people like EW Barker, Tan Eng Liang, Edmond Periera, Harun Mundir, his PRC talent-finds-turned-duds, etc etc
My point is simple : in any other arena, Club Manager or President – no results (whatever reasons, out you go), let others step in.
Loh is the root & source of it all – remove him, not all problems will be solved – but it is a necessary first step.
The logical next phase : - how to engineer his removal openly & constitutionally.
In our Sporting History, it is naïve to suggest our Govt cannot/should not/must not interfere with NSA.
If the sport has massive social/national prominence, then they will do it.
Late 70s when ex-FAS President Ganesan is deemed to have soured relations with Johor Sultan. He was ‘legally’ removed & others brought in – in fact a whole line of FAS President – from that Malay, then Teo Chong Tee, then Mah, Ho Peng Kee, Abu Abbas,to today.
Likewise, badminton, table tennis, bowling etc etc. I am not saying the results are enviable – I dislike Lee Bee Wah’s antics as well – but the sublime/not subtle intervention exist.
What bugged me:-
(1) Why Loh hung on to this thankless job & reign as tyrant for so long FOR WHAT – EGO?
(2) How did he get elected term after term – must be like the Pope appoint cardinals, cardinals elect Pope system right ? The affiliate clubs scene must be so stagnant, filled with his kakis that they routinely return him. These deadwood must go if new blood should have a chance
After our good showing in swimming/sailing in Beijing Olympics / Asian Youth Games / SEA Games & this years’ Youth Olympics Games (also Asian games / Commonwealth Games), the powers-that-be & I must say, Singaporeans at large expect better effort from Spore Athletics.
The next 3 months will be abrasive & ugly.
SSC has decided to play constitutional hard-ball. Comply with Audit Report & KPI within one month – or else no funding.
Loh is wily enuf to know they want him out – so I would expect his strategy to be 3 pronged:-
(1) appeal for support from International Athletics heavyweights – that he is persecuted
(2) appeal to public but painting himself as reasonable, as victim, SSC as bullies
(3) his cronies & some well-meaning athletics supporters like Maurice Nicholas, Tang Ngai Kin (sic) to back him against anyone who might want to replace him
Remember as late as last Sept, an anonymous petition to remove him from athletes, parents, officials was started in vain.
I really hope Loh will get his just desserts & get booted out at long last.
But the process will not be an uneventful one.
Stay tuned.
