Politicising the sports industry? Indeed, this has what has happened in our country during the past two decades.

Unlike the first two decades after Independence when sports associations and clubs were free from political hands, the 1980s and 1990s saw a huge intrusion, or is it obsession, by politicians to reap political gains by interfering in the management of these sporting associations and clubs.

Although there were a few politicians who were actively involved in sports associations and club in the 1960s and 1970s - like Tengku Ahmad Rithaudden and Samad Ismail - we can almost agree that at least they did not politicise their position.

In the 1980s and 1990s, politicians competed with one another to head sports associations and clubs. This coincided with the period when money politics became endemic, especially in Umno.

Did these two happen by chance? My belief is they did not. Politicians are obsessed with power and control. They believe that when they succeed in winning a title, their political reputation will grow.

Voters will look upon them. And above all that, they will have managed to have caught the attention of their supreme leader.

But do they succeed in attaining all this? Probably at state levels. Not at national levels. Just look at soccer and badminton. Yes, we managed to capture Thomas Cup in the 1980s, but was this success due to political leadership or the players?

Badminton, especially of late, really needs professionals rather than politicians.

The fate of soccer has been worse. In the 1970s, our Pestabola Merdeka was a top annual event in Asia together with Korea's President Cup and Thailand's King's Cup. Our team was one of the admired teams of Asia.

Come the 1980s and 1990s, our soccer team is struggling even at the Asean level. These are the periods when politicians, and later royalty, led our soccer federation.

I believe as long as our sports association and clubs are lead by politicians, they will not be able to make a come back.

Abu Aiman