The Malaysian Badminton contingent lost out on the just concluded Thomas and Uber Cup in Jakarta over the weekend. While this is not any new news, it is always good to reflect on the performances of the Malaysian team.

This is not something that is not done over the years. While the last Thomas Cup won by Malaysia was won back in 1989, there has not been any significant achievements ever since.

Of course, there was the All England championships won by our young pair of shuttlers Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong last year. That was before they were greeted with some fanfare and some guest of honour returns to their alma maters. Before the tournament, they were unknowns, after winning the All-England, they were almost celebrities. But ever since that elevation, they really haven’t gone far, have they?

But that was then, this is now. The fact that we did put up a fight against the Chinese in the semi-finals did not bring about much credit really, considering that losing is always bitter disappointment. So nothing really got out of that. The Chinese went on to clean sweep the Thomas and Uber Cup respectively.

The World Congress in IT (WCIT 2008) kick off in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. That is one of the main events this year perhaps. Known as the Olympics of the IT Industry, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft did actually appear via some hologramic show made by some local company. Not bad really for someone who is too busy to attend the world’s biggest IT event. If the world’s biggest IT guy is not attending the world’s biggest IT event, then who is?

The curtain closer for most of the European club leagues end this week with the UEFA Champions League final being stage in Moscow. Although this is not the first time both teams are from the same country, this would be the first time both teams are from England. Premiership champions Manchester United is up against _title_ challengers Chelsea FC in a mouth watering final to see who will be crowned Champions of Europe. So far, Liverpool FC holds the record in England for the winning the championship the most times (5). Manchester United is going for their 3rd while Chelsea is in their first final, ever. The game will be live on TV at 2am on Wednesday night, so stay up if you prefer a more international game.