I assumed the role of Malaysian Cricket President some years ago because I love cricket and because I wanted our Malaysia to be a force in the region and ultimately on the Global cricket scene. We have the talent, our batsmen and bowlers are as good as any in the region, but they have arrived on the global cricket scene at a time when cricket, as we once knew it has changed from being a "gentlemen's" sport into an international money maker for the commercial sporting companies, and the international cricket associations of the world.

Bearing this in mind, it is I believe my responsibility to guide the MCA into the "new world" of cricket. It isn't a major consideration that the Malaysian team wouldn't win a medal, the important thing was that Malaysia could produce the facilities, the world standard turf wickets, changing facilities and relaxation areas and the friendship that goes hand-in-hand with modern sport. We will tell the world that we play cricket, play it well and more importantly know how to stage and promote it with finesse.

My role as President is, I believe, to direct, with the input of our officials, the best possible direction for Malaysian Cricket into the new era. One of the ways we will be doing this, will be to promote cricket as a good and preferable sport, where the Association provides the grounds and equipment and the potential players merely have to turn up. Like in the old days, except the Association pays the bills.

I love Cricket and I would love Malaysia to play Test Cricket, but we have to do it properly. The lead-up years with the establishment of National Junior Cricket has begun, Cricket in schools, around the nation is just happening. It is all very exciting.

In course, may I say thank you to all who have helped in the progression of cricket in Malaysia.