The Morality of Foosball: The Debate

Byline: Leo.

NOTE: This article should be approached on a lighter note. Before you begin to read this article, follow the instructions below:

1. Sit back and relax yourself
2. Stretch your jaw muscles
3. Say aloud "I am reading this article to see the lighter side of Foosball"
4. Repeat the above until you fall into a state of hypnosis

Back in high school, I took part in various debates and elocutions at various levels. At the same period, I remember one of the most memorable subjects was Pendidikan Moral (Moral Education), well, because during then we either have free time to fool around in class or we participated in games/quizzes during that period. One of the very few things that I still remember until now is that there were 64 so-called moral values. So, coupled with the above fore mentioned skills that I picked up during high school, I have decided to decode, with some logic and some bull****, the question of morality that lies behind the game of foosball.

The Moral Side

• Patience - You learn to smile and portray a friendly face even though deep inside you're pissed coz your opponent has fluked for the #%$@! thousandth time
• Determination - You play to get your ass kicked over & over again to try to gain back your lost pride
• Friendliness - No matter what the outcome of a game is, most of the time, you get to hear a lot of c*** during the game and laugh along to it
• Value of Money - You realize that RM 2 can amount to quite a bit if you times it with the number of games you play every time you get near a foosball table (try to calculate how much you spend on foosball in a year

The Immoral Side

• Distraction - Foosball can be a distraction to work, study, etc. because you think of it so ever often
• Temptress - Every time you have something to do and the thought of foosball come to mind, you think of how to make a small slot in your busy schedule for foosball
• Value of money - Even though you know RM 2 can amount to quite a bit, you still continue to be addicted
• Foosball widows - As defined in Robert Uyeyama's foosball glossary; Foosball widow:

• A spouse/significant other who is left alone (widowed) while the player is out playing
• A spouse/significant other who hasn't been exposed enough to become addicted to the game

So there it is, the morality of foosball. I wonder if anyone can provide an answer to its addiction. For those of you who are cracked enough to think of more, please do not hesitate to add-on. Till then.

Fools Balls???

Byline: Leo.

As foosers, how many times have you gone through a moment where you hear "Foosball?? Huh?? What is it?? Oh…table soccer you mean" or something along those lines? Foosball is a sport that never fails to surprise or bring about a host of funny looks when you mention to someone the many aspects of the game. Here are some recollections of the things I've heard people say when it comes to making acquaintance with foosball:

"Fooshball?? What??"
"What you mean this thing has National Finals??"
"Oh…you mean that game with balls all over the table?" (Hmm…)

This simply goes to show that there’s way much more we can do in order to promote this game. How??? Start with bringing them near a table and asking them to watch if they refuse to participate. Believe me, no matter how much they despise the game as spectators, addiction is simply just a few games away. Later, let them take over and play while you excuse yourself to the gents/ladies etc. The starting point is when they are able to score and make their first pull/push shot with later echoes from the sound of aluminum. From then on, as many old time foosers will put it, the saying "There goes my life savings" will be a familiar term.

Then again…there's also the ignorant crowd that needs to know that such a game exists as depicted by this real life situation I faced as I was studying for my exams two days before the National Finals this year (You need the foosball t-shirt to know what I’m writing about). I was taking a break from books when I walked up to my friend who introduced me to two of his friends.


During the introduction, he told his friends that I was going to play in the National Finals for foosball. The girl asked what foosball is and I tried to explain to her by telling her how a table looks like. "Oh, you mean the ping-pong machine???" were her exact words that left me speechless. Out of words, I pointed at the logo on the t-shirt I was wearing only to hear her reply "Oh, I thought it was a fire hydrant. I didn’t know it was a man. Wow, are you a body builder?"

Perhaps many of you are not that "lucky" to have been entertained by such experiences but it's these things that really say foosball is still an unknown sport to many. So it is here that I'll begin writing some articles in my aim to promote the game. Let's hope we're not viewed as a bunch of fools rigging out their savings on some balls...;) Happy Fools-Balling!!!

Mild Seven Foosball Challenge 2001 Photo - Part 6

Oliver da Hyppo and Mohan da Hammer, 2nd Place Tornado Doubles Winners.


Bobby Tham and Ng Eu Hock, 4th Place Tornado Doubles Winners.


The Lowen Doubles Champion and the Champion of Champions, Shaul Maricar and Edgar Phang


John Chin and Lai Peng Yue, Lowen Doubles 2nd Place Winners.


Raymond and Poh Seng, Tornado Double Champion.


The foosers after the prize giving.


The man with the mic who is also the organiser, Mr Albert Cheok.


Happy faces after the prize giving. Well done... :-)


All waiting to go to the party at Breakers, KL.


All waiting to go to the party at Breakers, KL.


Taking a rest!!! Raymond Kan... lau eh.

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng

Mild Seven Foosball Challenge 2001 Photo - Part 5

Lee Sze (did someone say "Montoya"?) and Joanne Seaton.


Pui Kang Yuen after the Ladies Singles final with Aunnie.


Yumiko and Joel. Joel was waiting for his Single Finals match with Raymond Tang.


Jack and Cyrus celebrates their 3rd placing.


Watching and waiting for the finals to begin: Junior, Thomas, Sean, Eu Hock, Poh Seng and Edmond.


The Lowen Singles Final on the big screen.


Another view of the big screen TV.


Champion of Champions, Single and Double Champion, Shaul Maricar celebrating with girlfriend.


Firdarus, 2nd Placing in the Lowen Singles.


The Finals, competition area.


The Mild Seven Challenge Trophies.

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng

Mild Seven Foosball Challenge 2001 Photo - Part 4

Happy foosers.


Another group picture... Sean, Darrel, Eu Hock, Joanne, Lee Sze, Jack, Oliver, Cyrus, Poh Seng, June, Pietro and Bobby.


Raymond giving Thomas the "eye"... :-)


Oliver da Hyppo, looking tired... well he should be... played in every events there is... :-)


Defending Tornado Single Champion 2000, Kevin Heng and Jack.


Ray carrying little Joel, soon to be fooser!!!


Albert Cheok and Greg, on the stage.


Mighty Duck Raymond Tang... one cool dude and this year's 2nd Place Winner in the Tornado Singles.


CM Mak of Foosball Malaysia, Jimmy (Expressions Tai Ko) and Francis (Tournament Director).


Hubby and wifey, Thomas and Aunnie.


Waiting for the finals!!! (Thomas' got a glow around his head... Halo??)

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng

Mild Seven Foosball Challenge 2001 Photo - Part 3

Oliver Yong and Thomas Lok have a friendly with Lowen Doubles Partner, Win Hoong and Benny.


Joanne, June and Lee Sze on the stage helping out.


A view of the tournament area in KL Plaza concourse from the first floor.


Another view of the tournament area.


Mr Rayfish Ng waiting for the next match. Thanks for the photos, Ray!!


Aunnie Teh partners June Cheah in a friendly match.


The veterans: Thomas, Eu Hock, Sean and CM Mak.


The retired... Junior.


Taking a breather... Ronnie, Michael, Alzan and Ben Neo.


The slippery and sweaty duo... CM Mak and Ray Ng.


Little Joel reaching out to Thomas.


Time for a group picture... Sean, Darrel, Eu Hock, Joanne, Lee Sze, Jack, Oliver, Cyrus, June, Pietro and Bobby.

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng

Mild Seven Foosball Challenge 2001 Photo - Part 2

Dynamic brothers, Kevin Heng and Kenny Heng.


Mohan and Raymond Kang.


Megat and Ryan... eh... Meg Ryan kah?


Nik having a friendly game.


Pietro and Chin Seang in a friendly match.


The two jays... Joel and Jerry.


Uncle Ben Tan and doubles partner, Albert Cheeook.


Cyrus Fu and doubles partner Jack.


Sean Yeap and Eu Hock in Shaolin Foosball... :-)


"Walking snake" Kent Lee and "Five men" Ben Neo.

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng