I have gone through many unforgettable moments in line of
duty while covering sports events. Many were happy but most were distracting
needing patient and self-control to carry through. Here are some of the
prominent ones that shaped my carrier and style of leadership.
Being baptised into sports commentating - It
was in 1964 when I was a rookie broadcaster being asked by my boss to assist in
the live coverage of the Final of the All Blues Final Rugby HMS Malaya
Tournament. It was the first time the Malay Service was doing a rugby match. I
was picked because the boss read my school activity included Rugby. The main
commentator was Baharin Tahir. Being new I have no experience in sports
commentating. Baharin introduced the match in the usual fashion. Then he handed
the microphone to me to continue as he was answering nature’s call, he said. I
did my best. I was lucky I recognised most of the players on the field as most
of them were my friends. Baharin turned up at the end of the match for the
conclusion. That was how I was baptised into sports commentating. Baharin did
not know the game of Rugby. My boss was happy as she received complimentary
calls.
Being elevated unofficial team leader - I
was assigned the commentator for the Malay Service at an athletic meet in
Seremban in 1964. We had the usual unwritten procedure of having someone to be
“team leader” among the 4 language services then. As someone new and in
learning process I was happy to have my good friend Lee Pak Gong from the
English service to be the “leader”, a job entailing to make the necessary
arrangements such as line booking (for transmission), liaising the commentary
positions as well as getting the necessary information from the local
organiser, and accommodation arrangement. I was the most senior in rank from the
other services. Right from the start I noticed there were differences among the
three fellow commentators. The Indian service commentator was adamant that he wouldn’t
take instructions from Lee. Strangely he was supported by our Chinese service
colleague. They insisted I should be the right person to lead the coverage. I
had to use my wits to diffuse the situation. Lee relented to the pressure to avoid
ill feelings. So out of the blue I learnt human relationship in a multiracial
society quite fast. The coverage went well without anything amiss. From that
day I was always appointed team leader of sport coverage among the services
representatives. That was how I learn to be a fair and firm leader.
On the eve of Singapore separation from Malaysia - In
early August 1965 I was assigned the commentator for the Malaysia Athletic
Championship at Ferrer Park, Singapore. The atmosphere was strange. We were not
getting assistance from our counter-part at Radio Singapura. The Singapore
Telecom was not helpful when they refused to provide connection for our live
commentary to Kuala Lumpur. At the Opening Ceremony by The Yang Di Pertuan
Agong, Singapore was represented by its Yang Di Pertua Yusof Ishak. None of the
State’s ministers including the Chief Minister attended. We thought that was
strange. As for the broadcasts we have no choice but to record the whole events
and brought them back to the newly built Studio in Johor Baru for a delayed
transmission. We have to stay in Johor Baru and continue the same procedure
till the end ferrying the materials. When we came back to Federal House, it was
announced on 9 August that Singapore was no longer in Malaysia. I was involved
in scripting the announcement of the separation for the Malay broadcast.
Longest Commentary - When
I was the Malay Programme Organiser (MPO) of the Northern Region 1966-72 there
were many sports events at national level being held in the northern states.
One of those unforgettable one was the Malaysian Badminton Championship held at
the brand new Syed Omar Stadium in Alor Star. All the great names in
badminton of the early days were there, P.Gunalan, Tan Yee Khan, Ng Boon Bee, Abdul Rahman Mohd
and many others. The Final started at 6.00 pm. The BAM President then the late
Tan Sri Khir Johari expected the whole affairs to be over by 10.00 and the big
crowd would get home via the bus service. It didn’t work that way. The old
scoring system forced the matches to extend well past 1.00 am. As the
commentator I was asked to continue till the end of the last match due to
over-whelming demand from listeners throughout the country. It was a harrowing
experience commentating single handed for 7 hours without a break. Luckily the
technical staff was helpful in getting the good food and drink around the pasar
malam surrounding the stadium that night.
Fair and Balance Reporting - The
13 May (1969) incident in KL took its toll on the Malaysia Cup football final
between Perak and Selangor which was supposed to have been played at the normal
venue, Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. It was moved to the Penang City Stadium
at Lorong Kulit. I was asked to be the TV commentator. We were placed on top of
the lower roof beside the grandstand. It was a nervous experience as we were in
full view of the packed stadium and I have not done any TV work for some time.
It was an exciting match. I did my best. Somehow the reader’s reactions in the
national newspapers were not complimentary to me being accused as being biased
against Perak the losing side and my home state where I have some friends
playing in the team. I thought I did a fair job not to side any team in local
tournament. That thought me a good lesson in being fair in commentating but the
perception of audience will always be different.
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