News about Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin participating in the national polo team sure did stir up social media today.
The news was confirmed by national polo team manager, Datuk Mohamad Zekri Ibrahim, who said that the minister’s participation was confirmed after a strict selection process.
Malaysians, however, seemed divided on the topic. Some saw no harm in that decision, while some criticised the minister and said he should choose between politics and polo.
Football Association of Malaysia’s president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, however, has voiced his skepticism about the participants selected for the national polo team.
“I have been informed that there was an article in a newspaper whereby a statement was made by Datuk Mohamad Zekri, voicing his opinion that they are individuals qualified to represent the country at the upcoming SEA Games.” the Crown Prince said in Facebook posting on the Johor Southern Tigers page. He did not mention any names, though.
“Did I not beat the team that the said Datuk represented, with a score of 10-0 and 11-0 in a polo tournament in Pekan, Pahang? With a margin like that, how can you represent the country?”
“I initially thought that there was only one person lobbying to represent the country, but as it turns out, there were more who lobbied to represent the country in the coming SEA Games.” the FAM president lamented.
The Crown Prince of Johor went on to add that the only way to resolve this issue is to have a polo match between the selected SEA Games polo squad and the Royal Johor Polo Club team, which consists of the Crown Prince himself, his brother, and two of their players.
“I also recommend that this match to be shown on live TV and watched by the entire nation. Let’s leave it to the nation to decide for themselves the individuals qualified to represent the country.”
“To me, the more qualified people to represent the country are Saladin, Hussaini Yunos, Tengku Hassanal Shah, Tengku Amir, Tengku Muhammad Shah, Amran Selamat and a few more worthy individuals.”
Tunku Ismail also suggested that the fans should be charged RM 10 for the match, and the proceeds will either go to FA Cup champions Kedah, other local clubs, or simply be channelled to charities.
What do you guys think of the Crown Prince’s suggestion? Would you want this match to happen?
If you’ve never watched TMJ play polo, here you go:
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