Khairy’s ready to rock the sporting scene – but what’s his real goal?

IN my childhood days, I hated bitter gourd, onions and bean sprouts. I would do anything to avoid them.

Now older (and wiser), the taste buds have changed and I have come to like them – I even love bitter gourd when it’s fried, spicy and crispy – the bitter, the better.

Life’s like that. Our tastes change, as do our opinions.

Like my criticism three years ago of Khairy Jamaluddin’s ascent to the post of Negri Sembilan Cycling Association president.

He won unopposed in 2020 and I did not think it was right.

Not because he was not good enough or passionate about the sport but at that time, the former Youth and Sports Minister (2013-2018), was the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister and MP for Rembau.

He also, later, had his hands full as he headed the Covid-19 vaccination campaign and I was not sure if he would do justice to the cycling community at the state level.

After all, it is at state level that the real work is needed to nurture and groom the young stars.

A man who wears too many hats will only spread himself thin and could end up being counterproductive.

Now, Khairy is back in the Malaysian sporting scene – and I am only too glad.

For one, he no longer has any political post having lost in last year’s general election and being ousted from Umno as well.

To be fair, he was doing a great job as Health Minister at the height of the pandemic before the hard fall.

But a real man is one who picks himself up after a fall.

Khairy has done so, with some help from Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who has appointed him as Johor youth advisor and as a Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) director.

A resurgent Khairy is now on a mission to help JDT become a prominent football club in the Asian region. He has all the time he needs now to bury himself into his new tasks.

Football is not something new for Khairy. He was vice-president of the Football Association of Malaysia from 2007-2010.

He is also contesting the vice-president’s post in the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

If he wins, one can expect some drastic changes.

Having brushed shoulders with Khairy during his tenure as sports minister, I can say he has leadership quality, flair and the presence to inspire those under his charge.

Don’t be surprised if he makes it all the way to the top of the sports’ administration ladder.

He could well be an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and even lead the National Sports Council (NSC) one day.

Who knows – there could be a separation in the current Youth and Sports ministry with Hannah Yeoh handling one and Khairy taking the other. What a combo that will be!

However, the big question is – is Khairy here to stay? Or is he using sports as a platform to relaunch his fallen political career?

Only time will tell.

Whatever the game plan, one thing is certain – he can take the sports he is handling now to greater heights.

JDT, already at the pinnacle in Malaysia, are going to rock Asia and the cycling scene can expect some thrills and spills if Khairy wins in this election.

His towering presence may be bitter for some of the laggards in the sport but he is certainly going to spice up the sports arena – just like my fried bitter gourd.