YOURSAY ‘All races were either cheering or clasping their heads in despair.’
Zaid: Honour our shuttlers, smash the bigots
Ratbatblue: Congratulations to our young badminton team. They have achieved the near impossible task of reaching the final. No one gave them a chance.
If points were considered like goals in football, it could be reasonably concluded that we lost by only four points (last set 17-21).
For once, let’s leave politics out of sport and fete these youngsters and guide them to victory in the next final.
It was good to see the true nature of multiculturalism in our country - when the camera scanned the Malaysian camp and all races were seen either cheering or clasping their heads in despair watching their country's performance.
This was the scene in the early 80s and earlier, but sadly after that, this spirit started fading. I agree that it’s not fair to ostracise Lee Chong Wei (for supporting BN). If Pakatan Rakyat was in power, he would do the same.
I agree with former minister Zaid Ibrahim too, that sport is one of the most powerful weapons that can be used to unite the country and this course should be actively pursued.
Rolando: Well said, Zaid. Let politics not destroy the type of camaraderie exemplified by our players and spectators at the Thomas Cup badminton finals.
It was also happening at all public place, from mamak stalls, pubs, kopi tiam, to wherever the live telecast of the final was available.
Dr Suresh Kumar: How wonderful it would be if only the policies of the government of the day could also unite the people, just like sports.
We, as a nation state, will then achieve greater heights in education, economy, arts and culture, sports, etc.
Congratulations to our Thomas Cup team - it might not have been possible without the teamwork of all those who involved, as well as the support from the fans.
Also my good wishes for the Uber Cup team. United we stand, divided we fall.
AnSoN: They have a Malay chief coach, Rashid Sidek, without which the team would not be complete. So let's not just say the team comprised of Chinese, they are all Malaysians. The team did their best and they deserve the salutes.
StopMonkeying: Zaid, not many can reason rationally these days, except a few like your goodself.
Don't let the minority extremists destroy our beloved nation by keeping quiet and not doing anything. The right thinking majority should rise to voice out their views and be counted.
P Dev Anand Pillai: Our players just did not have luck on their side. Besides, the Japanese were a formidable team as well. Though all our players were of ethnic Chinese origin, they represented their motherland and were proud of it.
If only we could see our Indian boys be given the encouragement to take up some sport and represent the nation like the badminton team, instead of indulging in crime, it would be great.
Sport bonds, but if it is politicised, it becomes a charade. Syabas to our players.
Fourtan: Good one, Zaid. Very simply, Malaysia just cannot afford to go on doing what it's doing now, i.e. to lose its most productive citizens and to run a government based on corrupt 'you help me, I help you’ principles, or we will become a Philippines.
Imran: We are glad that there is at least one Malay politician who dares to speak up for the non-Malays. The MCA and MIC suckers don’t have a fraction of the guts required.
How could they? They are all there for personal gains and just waiting for ministerial posts.
Kazakh: We decent Chinese do not over-react like the Umno mercenaries who go round protesting and destroying private and public properties.
We are law abiding citizens and will not stoop so low like Isma and Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, projecting a stupid doomsday scenario for the Malays and Islam.
If the Malays choose to listen to these people, God, please have mercy on them for they know not what these Satan-inspired individuals are trying to do.
Leo: I am not a keen badminton fan. But when I watched the final on Sunday night, my heart was with our Malaysian team to win the Thomas Cup.
I was hoping the victory would put our nation onto the world map of sports. My mind was not concerned whether the players were Malays, Chinese or Indians or others. After all, they are Malaysians.
Looking back, it took great players of various races to accomplish our badminton successes this far. We had P Gunalan, the Sidek brothers and many others. We must salute them all.
HatiPakatan: The whole Thomas Cup team may be of Chinese origin but they are all Malaysians first.
The proponents of ‘ketuanan’ this and that, must take note that you can only be superior if you excel in your field of expertise and not bring other races down. We should stop our Malaysian version of apartheid and religious imperialism. God bless Malaysia.
Survivor: To all our badminton players and especially to those who put in so much effort and time in training and preparing themselves for the Thomas Cup, please note your sacrifices will not go unnoticed. Even if you do not win, you have honoured the country. Bravo.
Anonymous_3e46: If you call me ‘celaka’, I would not be hurt because it is just a cliché like ‘alamak’ and ‘matilah adoi’.
But if you call me a ‘pendatang’, that’s different. You are questioning my loyalty to my country and my beloved king, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Tiger50: Why are we so political over sports and badminton? Lee Chong Wei may support BN which is his choice in politics and that is the freedom guaranteed by our constitution.
It does not make him any less a Chinese who contributes to the honour of the country. BN does not own Malaysia, we do. The Chinese are not any less loyal to Malaysia than any of the other races.
My Opinion: When P Gunalan was playing, I supported him. When Misbun and Razif Sidek were playing, I supported them. When Chong Wei is playing, I support him.
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