As expected, the National Sports Council's (NSC) plans to set up a High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) in Brickendonbury, London was rejected by the East Herts Council.

Despite the public outcry over the original project costing RM490 million, the government proceeded with the project on a smaller scale costing RM70 million. It spent RM2 million on preliminary work including payments to architect firms and expenses incurred by visiting Malaysian delegations to start off the project.

It is disappointing the NSC refused to heed the voice of the people. Despite their opposition and knowledge that the local government laws in England would not allow such a sports complex, it was regrettable that the NSC still went ahead with it and spent about RM2 million of taxpayers' money.

It was disheartening that the East Herts Council, in rejecting the application, described the project as an "inappropriate development within a green belt." It was further embarrassing, as it questioned the need for upgrading the football field to match FIFA standards as we have only made it to the Olympics once and never to the World Cup.

However, their main concern was that Brickendonbury houses heritage-listed buildings on a green belt. Any development would be against their national planning policy. Their decision not to allow the development of a green belt should be a lesson for us on the preservation of greeneries and heritage in our own country.

What is the NSC going to do next? Its director-general, Ramlan Abdul Aziz, says there are there options available; appeal against the decision, submit a fresh application or abandon the project altogether. Judging from past experiences, I am sure that the NSC will go for the second option, that is to submit a fresh application and spend a few more million to process the new application.

What should we do next? As the East Herts Council has said, we have not even qualified for major competitions like the Olympics and World Cup. It may be an embarrassing remark but unfortunately true. Our status in the international arena is nothing to shout about.

We should abandon the HPTC in Brickendonbury and focus our attention and energy to improve the basic standards of sports in the country. Until we achieve a reasonably acceptable standard, any number of HPTCs we may build is not going to take us to the Olympics or World Cup finals.

Our priority should be to build up our sports from scratch, at the level of schools. Our once-reputable name in sports has deteriorated to a level where even our basic standards are below par. The standard of sports in schools, which at one time was the envy of many, is now in a deplorable state.

Over emphasis on the 'A syndrome' has taken away the glory that sports once enjoyed. Today the number of students who score straight As have increase tremendously but those excelling sports have dwindled miserably.

Many of our schools lack proper playing fields, badminton courts and facilities for other popular sports. The money spent on HPTC in a faraway land could be better in our own country to improve these facilities especially those in rural areas.

It would be more beneficial and cost-effective to build football fields, badminton courts and even sports complexes in towns and kampungs throughout the country that badly lack these facilities. Many open fields, which used to be youngsters' favorite places of recreation, have been eliminated in the name of development. What is our own policy on the preservation of green?

Majority of sports heroes usually come from the masses, not from the rich and wealthy segment of the population. Unless we tap the great potentials that exist in the masses, we will not succeed in selecting the best to represent the nation.

There are no shortcuts to achieving world standards in sports. Provide more facilities, take sports to the masses and bring back its glory of the yesteryears.