Although the prime minister, due to possible local planning laws difficulties in the UK, had already expressed his doubts over the proposed elite sports centre in Brickendonbury outside London, Youth and Sports Minister Azalina Othman was quoted as saying that the project would still go ahead.

Isn't this a serious matter and isn't there a need for a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)?

Is Azalina defying Pak Lah and the cabinet? Or has the project got off the ground already before the problems are fully contemplated?

This reminds me of a government decision to give up the lease on the old Malaysia Hall in Bryanston Square for a new four-unit building in Bayswater.

I have heard of so many stories about this including that some people made money, despite the fact that the landlords of the old premises were willing to offer a new lease. Despite higher rent, it was said that it was still worthwhile to stay there rather than move to the new place.

Thus in the light of demands for a detailed report on Bank Negara's huge foreign exchange losses some years ago, can we also demand for an equally detailed report over the purchase of the new Malaysia Hall?

Looking at the quality of our Malaysian sportsmen and women, I do not see how this project can change the status quo overnight and allow our sprinters to clock 10 seconds or less for the 100 metre dash, or our hockey team to be one of the top five in the world as we once were.

We all know that the problem is more basic than that. Too much government and bureaucratic interference as well as busybodies and managers who made a good living out of our sports budget.

The irony is that despite the abundance of public money being allocated for sports, our sportsmen and women are still suffering from deprivation. The promised monies are either too little or none at all.

Of course, the scandals in our football is another matter.