Friday, October 26, 2001

A Minor Point of View

After watching the recent Foosball Malaysia Central Region Tournament, I am going out on a limb to say that Mikey Tan and Ong Poh Seng have the stuff of Champions. The rest of you foosers, better watch out... LOL.

In terms of "points" they are still quite far behind, and that should not be a deterrent but rather an impetus for them to strive forward. Take Sean P’ng, for example, with fierce determination and hard work, he swept to the top of the points in less than a year.

During the Mild Seven Nationals 2000, Kevin Heng was touted to be the next person to repeat Sean P’ng’s feat. Can someone let me know where is “Aerial King” Kevin Heng… LOL. Anyway, I am glad to see that he will be back to defend his Single’s Title at this year’s Mild Seven Nationals.
To be fair to the up and coming foosers, I must mention that points gained or lost are dependent on the number of tournaments sanctioned by Foosball Malaysia. And this year has seen fewer tournaments than the year before.

<propaganda>
Well, what I heard from the “grapevine” is that volunteer organizers were busy and hardly appreciated for their efforts, which is of course very de-motivating. Lets remember to give them a break and thank them for their effort and their much-needed support for the sport of foosball in Malaysia.

Lets recognise some of the foosers whom have helped in the organising of foosball tournaments (sanctioned and non-sanctioned) in 2001: CMMAK, Nick, Bobby Tham, Alex Chong, Albert Cheok, Cyrus Foo, June, Raymond Kan, Edgar and Simon.

Sponsors: Alex Hing, Mild Seven, Foosball Malaysian, Disney Ace and Expressions.
(If you think I left anyone out, PLEASE do me the honour of adding their names below.)
</propaganda>

This coming Mild Seven Nationals 2001 should be very interesting. There will be renewed competitiveness, new challenges, old rivalries and intense foosing!!! And I wish you all good luck and may the best fooser wins!

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

From Beijing to Foosball Malaysia Central Region Tournament

Well, one thing is for sure, there are no foosball tables in Beijing, or at least I did not find one. I tried asking around... but could not really say the word, "foosball" in Mandarin. Struggling with some sign language, twisting both my hands, did not get me anywhere. Instead, I got to discussing about China's first ever World Cup Football qualifying.

Anyways, after coming back from Beijing on Oct 17th, it was time for some serious foosing... LOL. Went and got myself qualified for the Mild Seven Nationals on Oct 19th and on the following night, participated in the Foosball Malaysia's Central Region Tournament. The results and some info on the tournament are as follows:

From 19th October to 20th October 2001 at Bravos and Breakers respectively, Foosball Malaysia organised a Central Region Tournament as a warm-up to the Mild Seven Malaysia Nationals, which will be held from Nov 9 to Nov 11 2001 in KL Plaza.

As with most FM's foosball events, the turnout was good with players from Penang, Johor and Klang Valley. I think photos should be available at Foosball Malaysia's site.

Results for Rookies Event at Bravos - 19th Oct 2001

Rookie Singles:
1st Mickey Tan
2nd Pietro
3rd Azlan

Rookie Doubles:
1st Mickey Tan & Cheong HH
2nd  Pietro & Megat
3rd Alan & Ravindran

Results for Pro-Am and Open Doubles Event at Breakers, KL - 20th Oct 2001

Open Doubles:
1st Shaun Boy & Chin Teik Eng
2nd Ong Poh Seng & Edmund
3rd Michael Tan & Lim Yen Seng

Pro-Am Doubles:
1st Jerry Chang & Azlan
2nd Ong Poh Seng & Shaun Lung
3rd Mak Choong Moon & Simon Lim

Kudos to CMMak, Bobby, Cyrus, June, Expressions and others for making the tournament happening!!

Thursday, September 27, 2001

A Chat with Link Pendley of Valley-Dynamo and Jimmy of Expression


From left: Simon, Jimmy and Link.

During the 2001 April Foosball Malaysia Championship, we had an opportunity to chat with Link Pendley of Valley-Dynamo and Jimmy of Expression and Breakers fame.

Link Pendley was down in Malaysia to promote speed pool throughout the country. And fortunately for us, Jimmy and Link took the opportunity presented by FM Championship to make an announcement about the VIFA league to all the players.

We had a few question for Link and Jimmy and here's what they said.

Q: Are you first of all a fooser?

Link: Yes, I started playing back in 1967 and the first foosball table I played on was the Deutschmeister (spelling?) in Germany. It used to cost 10 cents per game.

Jimmy: Yes, on the Lowen... and that was 6 years back in Modesto's KL. Two years after playing on Lowen, I started on the Tornado and been on both table since.

Q: Link, what are your vision for promoting foosball in Asia? Singapore or Japan?
Since Malaysia has the largest player base in this region, it is naturally our plan to reach out to the neighbouring countries through here. But there are a few legislative and marketing issues that need to be overcomed first. For instance, in Singapore, an entertainment outlet is only allowed to place a single coin-operated game machine. And since there is a bigger pool players base, these establishments would rather choose a pool table over a foosball table.

Our international marketing strategies has always been to partner with local coin-op games operators who are interested. These operators are usually well established and very familar with local market conditions.

As for Japan, I have just had a discussion Joe Ueno of Japan Foosball Club and we will continue after this.

Q: What about promoting foosball and expanding the player base further in Malaysia?

Jimmy: We have already placed foosball tables in Colleges like Taylor's, Sunway and Inti. This will hopefully increase the player base further.

Thursday, June 7, 2001

Mike Vale's Farewell


The guys... from left: Jerry, Simon, Danny and Thomas.


Good buddies.... Revelino and Mike Vale.


One final chance for Reve to trash Mike before he leaves for UK.


Ahhhh... Jock da main man of Barcode... I wonder who's that behind him.


Mikey waiting for the next game.... Mohan intense concentration...


Revelino Shah in a game. Wei... Reve... give us a call man...


Reve... taking one last pix with Mike.


Ahhh... the gang... nuff said.


Fabian the porn star (blame this on Noel, he force me to write this). In the background, is Danny the nanny... in his own blissful world listening to a walkman.


Reve with Mike behind him having a not-so-friendly game with Joanne and Aunnie.

Photo credits: Mr Rayfish Ng.

Wednesday, May 23, 2001

FM Players Championship April 2001 Babes


The elegant Mrs. Mak posing from the bar.


Our Malaysia Women Champion Aunnie Teh.


Janet showing us how to defend.


June and Lee Sze.


You can look at them but too bad they are not available anymore!! Cheryl and Aunnie...


A fooser from Johor


Joanne in defense mode.


Miss Junko From Japan... waiting for anyone who dare to play a game or two of poker with her!!

Photos credits: Edmond, Simon and Cheong

FM Players Championship April 2001 - Part 3


Mr. Cool Bobby Tham take on Nasu san from Japan.


Strategy discussion !!shhhh.......


Boozing Time!!!


Open Doubles final. Miqdad@Macdaddy and Ali@Popeye vs Our Malaysia Best pair Shaun P'ng@Japanese gal and Ng Eng Hwai@Old Man (Check out our best hairstyle player in the tournament, Jock)


Foosers from Penang..... From Left up, Khoo Teng Boon, Paul, Joel (check out the grips, is it for sale Joel?), Nick, Shaun Boy and sesat from Negeri Sembilan Bobby Tham.


Paul trying his luck on Junko.....


From Left, McDaddy(Miqdad), Cyrus the Virus, Ricky Ong Poh Seng, Paul, Jerry, Amoodi and ermmm.... is it Hilal or something...sorry!!


Check out Thomas' t-shirt (for your information it is for sale, interested please contact Thomas)

Photo credits: Edmond. Simon, Cheong and Paul.

FM Players Championship April 2001 - Part 2


Sean Yeap sucking on ice during his break... and guess who is watching from behind... Mohan lah... LOL!!


Oops not ready... Joe Ueno and Shaun P'ng getting ready for a pix.


Now they are ready!!!


From left: Simon Lim interviewing Jimmy of Breakers and Link Pendley of Valley Dynamo paused for a photo shoot.


Lovely couple... Cheryl and Alex Hing.


Another lovely couple, Mr and Mrs Mak with cool dude Joooeeeellll.


Lim Yen Seng taking a break on one of the couch...


Then he's up and foosing with fisherman Ray Ng.

Photo credits: Edmond, Simon and Cheong.