The OCM Sports Goodwill Ambassadors Programme organized a talk by Mr. Andrew Gopal on 18th April 2009 at Wisma OCM. Mr. Andrew Gopal is the President of the Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC), a community sports club established in 1957. Ulu Klang New Village in 1957 was a small and poor village with unsurfaced roads, which were dusty on dry days and muddy when it rained. The residents were mostly resettled squatters comprising un-skilled workers, labourers and vegetable farmers. Today, it is a thriving suburb on the fringe of the City of Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Andrew Gopal began his talk by giving a background of the founding of UKRC on 20th September 1957 by the late Mr. K. Suppiah, after being granted a piece of land of approximately 5.27 acres, by the then Mentri Besar of Slenagor for the purpose of a club-cum-community hall and playing field. UKRC then paid a fee of $690/= for the survey of the land, which was to be maintained by the managing Committee of UKRC as a green lung reserve.

He said that the club house was built in 1960 though fund raising activities and contributions from the residents. He stated that through proper care and maintenance, the Football field of UKRC is one of the best fields in the Klang Valley. UKRC organizes an international invitation Football competition annually to raise funds for its Junior Football Development programmes.
unfolded the events in 1999 and 2003, when two separate groups of business people tried to take over the land for the construction of a primary school and 10 bangalow lots in 1999 and a low to medium cost condominium and commercial lots in 2003. In the battle with the politicians, Mr. Andrew Gopal acknowledged the very important role played by the justice and sports loving reporters of the Malay Mail, without whose support and publicity, UKRC would not have survived until today.

In prevent possible attempts by unscrupulous politicians and business people to annex the public playing fields and community clubs, Mr. Andrew Gopal advised the public on the following:
• Residents must ensure that District Office has initiated the process to gazette Green Lungs/Open Space in their residential area as endorsed by the National Council for Local Government on 18th August 2003 after the UKR tussle with the Selangor State Government.
• Once gazette, Resident Associations/Recreation Club could make an application under Section 63(1) of the National land Code 1965 to take charge of the said open space whereby a lease for a period up to 21myears can be granted by the State Government.
• This will ensure proper maintenance of the open space y the said association or club and in drawing up sports programmes for the community and importantly be the guardian of the open space from being de-gazetted under Section 64 of the National Land Code, once a lucrative proposal reaches the desk of the State Authorities

After the talk, Mr. Andrew Gopal was presented with a vest of the OCM Sports Goodwill Ambassador by YAM Yinki Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, President of OCM.

Y.Bhg. Dato’ Roy Rajasingham introducing Mr. Andrew Gopal, President of the Ulu Klang Recreation Club.

Mr. Andrew Gopal presenting his talk on the Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) to OCM Council Members and the public on 18th April 2009.

Part of the audience comprising OCM Council Members and the public.

YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, President of OCM presenting a souvenir to Mr. Andrew Gopal at the end of his talk.

Mr. Andrew Gopal wearing the OCM Sports Goodwill Ambassadors Vest, with from left, Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan, Deputy President OCM, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Roy Rajasingham, Vice President of OCM, YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, President of OCM and Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi, Hon. Secretary of OCM.

Mr. Ng Num Thian, wearing the OCM Sports Goodwill Ambassadors Vest, with from left, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Roy Rajasingham, Vice President of OCM, YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, President of OCM, Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan, Deputy President OCM, and Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi, Hon. Secretary of OCM.