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Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin heads a list of dignitaries who will take part in an Inter-Varsity Golf tournament at Sungai Long Golf Resort, near here on July 7. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Alumni Honorary secretary Mohd Lilansah Idris said former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Melaka Yang DiPertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin and Works minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor are among others in the list. The tournament, organised by the UTM Alumni (PAUTM), would also comprise 80 former students of Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia, he said. Mohd Lilansah said each university is allowed to field 16 golfers and they would be divided into groups of 4 and play for the challenge trophy that was won by the UPM Alumni last year. He added that this year

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will finalise proposed changes to its competitions calendar which include re-scheduling its flagship event, Asian Games, to a five-year cycle, instead of the current four years at its 28th General Assembly in Singapore on Friday. The OCA Sports Committee, at its meeting in the island republic on Monday, proposed that the Asian Games be held in 2019 -- a year before the Summer Olympic Games -- instead of the traditional two years before the Olympics. According to the OCA website, the proposed changes include the merging of the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games into one event, held every four years. This would leave the OCA with five events, as opposed to six in the current schedule. According to the website, the final approval of the changes could only be given by the General Assembly, which meets on July 3. With events already pencilled through to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, the

Chong Wei's new aggression is a plus Rizal Abdullah Monday, June 29th, 2009 06:22:00 A MINOR back injury might have provided Lee Chong Wei with the answer to overcome the stumbling block that is Lin Dan in the World Championship in six week’s time. STILL ON TOP: Chong Wei won his match despite not being 100 per cent fit — BERNAMApic Since injuring his back in the first round of the RM425,000 Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold 2009, the world No 1 has become more aggressive on the court as he wants to finish off his opponents as quickly as possible. It is this new style which could prove to be Chong Wei’s special weapon as he seeks his first world title and he knows his nemesis, Lin Dan, will still be the favourite. “I suffered the injury on Wednesday and ever since then, I have been undergoing physiotherapy. It could be a b

IF there is one thing about the BA of Malaysia (BAM) that we have to admire, it has to be its ability to hire the best when it comes to coaching talent. Former world champion Hendrawan of Indonesia is the latest big name coach to be hired and he will surely have an impact on Malaysian badminton. The only question is how much? BAM has, since the 1980s, been bringing in high profile coaches and their contributions to the national team have been immense but that is not where the problem lies in Malaysian badminton. As seen in the recent Yonex-Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold, the country is seriously lacking in talent below the national team. If China are bold enough to expose players like men's singles finalist Chen Long and women's singles Wang Shixian, Malaysia had to field their best to ensure there would be returns in what is basically a second grade tournament. No doubt, badminton has consistently delivered medals for Malaysia at the world stage but t

PETALING JAYA: The next few weeks will be crucial to world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei as he steps up his preparations for the world championships, which will be held in Hyderabad from Aug 10-16. And coach Misbun Sidek hopes that Chong Wei will politely say no to some invitations for outside activities that could distract his focus on training. The Penangite has been invited by many to attend their functions and talks. And Misbun said that it was normal for a player of Chong Wei’s reputation to be in demand. “He has to say no to some people sometimes in a nice way. It’s not easy for him to do this because he is an icon now. “People may misconstrue ‘no’ as arrogance,” said Misbun. “But if it is said politely, people will understand. It is important for Chong Wei to devote his time to his preparations for the world championships.” Chong Wei will compete in the championships as the top seed and Misbun said that it was important for him to handle his emotions well. “Being tagged as

THE much awaited triple treat in the national cycling week next month has been severely hampered by fears over the spread of the Infuenza A (H1N1) virus. Of the three, only the Perlis Open on July 28-30 will remain as a race with a majority of international entries. The Tour of Negri Sembilan, while still on the UCI Asia Tour calendar as a 2.2 grade event, will feature local teams, with a limited number of international entries. The Malacca Chief Minister's Cup on July 20-21 has been taken off the UCI Asia Tour calendar and will take place as a national race. Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said concerns over the spread of the virus had taken its toll on the events. "The Perlis Open has already confirmed a number of foreign teams, and arrangements have already been made. So, there was no turning back for that race, thus it will go ahead with international entries," said Naim. "Even so, we trust the

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Tai Beng Hai readily admits that it will be no easy task to meet the Malaysian Hockey Federation’s (MHF) target to win the Champions Challenge II tournament, which will be held in Dublin from July 6-12. He said that Malaysia had not won any international tournaments of note other than the SEA Games and the target added pressure on the players. “We realise that this is expected of us since the world rankings put us as the second seeds. We have to take one step at a time and go forward,” he said. In the eight-team tournament, Malaysia will open their campaign in Group B against Austria on July 6. Their other group matches are against France (July 7) and Russia (July 9). Group A comprises Japan, Chile, Poland and Ireland. The Japanese, who are ranked two rungs above Malaysia at No. 14 in the world, are the top seeds. The top two teams from each group qualify for the crossover semi-finals, which will be played on July 11. The final is slated for

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is looking for a general manager to put its house in order, and this has put paid to whispers that a former international has been hired, and will start tomorrow.. "There is no truth to speculation that we have already hired a former international as MHF general manager. In fact, the only thing that was discussed in our recent meeting was to place an advertisement in the newspapers inviting suitable candidates to apply," said MHF secretary Hashim Yusoff. It had been widely speculated that the former international, who represented Malaysia in the World Cup, has received the blessing of MHF top guns and was only waiting for an official letter from the National Sports Council. "The MHF would like to invite interested candidates, including former internationals, who have a degree to apply for the position. An added advantage will be if the person has experience in management, planning and a financial background." The la

PUTRAJAYA, 29 Jun (Bernama) -- Pusat Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik bernilai RM40 juta akan dibina bersebelahan Kompleks Sukan Kampung Pandan di Kuala Lumpur dan dijangka siap dalam tempoh dua tahun lagi, kata Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Beliau berkata pusat tersebut yang dibina mengikut keperluan golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) akan membolehkan atlet golongan tersebut membuat latihan dan persediaan rapi bagi menghadapi temasya tempatan dan antarabangsa. "Pusat tersebut merupakan sumbangan dan pengiktirafan kerajaan dalam memajukan sukan paralimpik di negara ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Seminar Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik Prestasi Tinggi di sini Isnin. Pusat itu akan mengandungi blok pentadbiran, blok asrama bagi 300 orang, gelanggang berbumbung yang menempatkan kolam renang serta gelanggang sukan, lapangan memanah dan kemudahan infrastruktur yang lain, katanya. Mengenai seminar tersebut, Shabery berkata seminar julung kali itu

Oleh Harris Rajahdin harajah@bharian.com.my Terbabit dalam sirkit pro jadi bekalan ke Kejohanan Dunia PENGALAMAN beraksi dalam sirkit profesional tahun lalu, mampu memberi kelebihan buat Shalin Zulkifli untuk mengharungi Kejohanan Bowling Wanita Dunia di Las Vegas mulai 24 Julai hingga 2 Ogos ini. Dengan dirinya adalah pemain pro tunggal negara, harapan tinggi diletakkan kepada bahu Shalin untuk menangani saingan pasukan Amerika Syarikat yang membariskan semua pemain profesional, buat pertama kali dibenarkan dalam acara ini. “Pengalaman saya beraksi dalam saingan profesional akan membantu saya dalam kejohanan ini memandangkan ia adalah kali pertama pemain profesional dibenarkan untuk menyertainya,” katanya. Shalin, 31, melihat penampilannya di kancah profesional sebagai banyak membantunya berkembang sebagai pemain. Namun, dia kini dalam keadaan tertanya-tanya sama ada mampu meneruskan pembabitannya tahun ini berikutan permohonan bantuan kewanga

KUALA LUMPUR - Wan Mohammed Najmee Wan Mohammed dan Nor Azian Alias dinobat sebagai juara lelaki dan wanita selepas masing-masing mengungguli Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan di Melaka, kelmarin. Paling mengejutkan adalah kejayaan Najmee yang mengetepikan saingan nama-nama besar seperti Anuar Manan dan Suhardi Hassan. Pada perlumbaan sejauh 154.7 itu, Najmee yang mewakili Kuala Lumpur mencatat masa 3 jam 51min.51s. Dia meninggalkan dua pelumba LeTua, Mohd. Hafiz Rosli di tempat kedua dan Mohd. Razif Mohd. Salleh, ketiga. Anuar (Pahang) yang dianggap pilihan untuk muncul juara hanya sekadar mampu menduduki tempat kelima di belakang juara bertahan, Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Polis). Suhardi yang mewakili Kuala Lumpur pula berkedudukan lebih jauh di belakang iaitu di tempat ke-13. "Kejayaan Najmee ini meletakkan dirinya kini bergelar pelumba ranking No. 1 negara dan akan memakai jersi putih dalam mana-mana jelajah bertaraf antarabangsa," kata Presiden Persek

Bersama Norbakti Alias Tiada idea 'jual' sukan ini kepada penaja, balik-balik kerajaan negeri APA sudah jadi dengan bola sepak profesional tempatan. Sana sini kedengaran pasukan negeri mahupun kelab dibayangi masalah kewangan. Hampir setiap tahun sejak liga profesional yang diperkenalkan pada 1994, masalah pemain tak dibayar gaji bulanan dan tiada caruman Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) kerap dibangkitkan. Antara negeri yang dilanda masalah kewangan adalah Sarawak, Pahang, Perlis serta Melaka dan terbaru, kelab UPB-MyTeam yang mengambil satu langkah ke depan dengan memohon untuk menarik diri daripada saingan Piala Malaysia musim ini. Mengapa selepas lebih daripada 10 tahun liga profesional diperkenalkan, masalah seperti ini masih berlaku? Sebenarnya, ia tidak memerlukan pemikir agung untuk mengesan masalah ini. Apa gunanya liga profesional jika terlalu ramai pegawai di persatuan negeri masih amatur.

HASRAT Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) menghantar atlitnya ke Kejohanan Dunia di Berlin, Jerman di sebalik penularan wabak Influenza A (H1N1), akhirnya mendapat restu Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN). Pemangku Ketua Pengarah MSN, Abdul Jalil Abdullah berkata secara dasarnya MSN tidak menghalang atlit untuk menyertai mana-mana kejohanan luar negara ketika kes wabak selesema babi semakin serius kecuali ke negara berisiko tinggi seperti Amerika Syarikat. "Dalam kes KOAM, MSN sedia memberi pelepasan jika atlit olahraga mahu ke Jerman. MSN tidak mahu menghalang atlit daripada bertanding di peringkat antarabangsa," katanya. KOAM sebelum ini bertegas untuk menghantar atlitnya ke Jerman dan akan mencari penaja sendiri sekiranya MSN tidak membenarkan atlit tempatan ke luar negara atas alasan keselamatan akibat wabak tersebut. Timbalan Presiden KOAM, Karim Ibrahim sebelum ini berkata Kejohanan Dunia dari 15 hingga 23 Ogos penti

PUTRAJAYA - Kecewa dengan apa yang berlaku, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek bertindak membawa isu pertelagahan berhubung wabak selesema babi atau influenza A (H1N1) antara empat kementerian ke kabinet tidak lama lagi. Kementerian yang dimaksudkan adalah Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS), Kementerian Kesihatan, Kementerian Pelajaran dan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi. Sambil mengakui ada perbezaan pandangan dan masalah penyelarasan dalam membuat keputusan, Ahmad Shabery mahu perkara ini dapat diselesaikan segera agar atlet negara tidak menjadi mangsa. "Saya akan bawa masalah ini untuk mendapat perhatian kabinet supaya selepas ini akan ada pelarasan dalam membuat keputusan. "Memang ada pandangan berbeza antara empat kementerian ini dalam membuat keputusan berhubung penyertaan atlet elit dan pelapis negara ke kejohanan di luar negara," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian selepas merasmikan Seminar Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik Prestasi Tinggi Malaysia di s

Ahmad Shabery Cheek (kanan) menunjukkan angka 43, simbolik menjelang Sukan Paralimpik ASEAN di Putrajaya, semalam. Turut kelihatan, Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Mohd. Yasin Salleh (tengah) dan pemangku Ketua Pengarah MSN, A. Jalil Abdullah. PUTRAJAYA - Sukan Paralimpik akan mempunyai pusat pembangunan mereka sendiri yang serba canggih dan memenuhi keperluan atlet orang kurang upaya (OKU) bernilai RM40 juta. Ketika mengumumkannya, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, ia bertujuan mengiktiraf sumbangan atlet paralimpik dengan menyediakan kemudahan terbaik untuk mereka. "Pusat pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik berhampiran Kompleks Sukan Kg. Pandan itu nanti apabila siap nanti, boleh dianggap model yang terbaik di Asia Tenggara. "Ia memiliki semua kemudahan yang mesra atlet paralimpik di negara ini serta kelengkapannya yang serba canggih seperti asrama dan pelbagai gelanggang untuk OKU," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian selepa

Oleh Rosnadiah Rosli bhsukan@bharian.com.my KEMENTERIAN Belia dan Sukan dijangka memulakan projek pembinaan sebuah Pusat Pembangunan Paralimpik di Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur bernilai RM40 juta bagi meningkatkan mutu sukan paralimpik di Malaysia, pada September ini. Menterinya, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, berkata pembinaan pusat yang pertama seumpamanya di Malaysia itu, kini dalam peringkat akhir aspek pelannya. "Pusat ini lengkap dengan pelbagai kemudahan termasuk kolam renang, lapangan memanah, gimnasium dan gelanggang, dijangka siap dalam dua tahun lagi. "Ini adalah inisiatif kementerian dalam memberi keutamaan terhadap sukan paralimpik yang sering dijadikan sekadar sukan sampingan," katanya selepas merasmikan Seminar Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik Prestasi Tinggi, semalam.

AHMAD SHABERY yakin dengan perancangan yang diatur untuk kemudahan golongan OKU. PUSAT Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik bernilai RM40 juta akan dibina bersebelahan Kompleks Sukan Kampung Pandan di Kuala Lumpur. Ia dijangka siap dalam tempoh dua tahun, demikian jelas Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek semalam. Beliau berkata, pusat tersebut yang dibina mengikut keperluan golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) akan membolehkan atlet golongan tersebut membuat latihan dan persediaan rapi bagi menghadapi temasya sukan tempatan dan antarabangsa. "Pusat tersebut merupakan sumbangan dan pengiktirafan kerajaan dalam memajukan sukan paralimpik di negara ini," katanya selepas merasmikan Seminar Pembangunan Sukan Paralimpik Prestasi Tinggi di ibu negara semalam. Pusat itu akan mengandungi blok pentadbiran, blok asrama untuk 300 orang, gelanggang berbumbung yang menempatkan kolam renang serta gelanggang sukan, lapangan memanah dan kemudahan infrastruktur yang lain. Mengenai

SAFUAN (kanan) dan Li Jane dinobatkan selaku Olahragawan dan Olahragawati Perak bagi tahun 2008. "ANUGERAH ini menaikkan semangat saya untuk terus bekerja keras bagi mempertahankan kedudukan sebagai Pemain No.1 Dunia." Begitu azam baru pemain boling padang negara, Safuan Said setelah diumumkan sebagai Olahragawan Negeri Perak bagi tahun 2008 di Ipoh malam kelmarin. Sebelum ini, Safuan turut memenangi anugerah tersebut pada tahun 2003 dan 2006 lalu. Safuan yang menduduki takhta No. 1 dunia sejak tahun 2006 bertekad untuk menggandakan latihannya bagi mengekalkan prestasinya sesuai dengan statusnya sebagai pemain No. 1 dunia. "Pemain dari England, Australia dan New Zealand sedang mengintai peluang untuk merampas kedudukan tersebut," jelasnya yang kini sedang giat menjalani latihan sebagai persediaan menghadapi Kejohanan Boling Padang Asia Pacifik di Kuala Lumpur tidak lama lagi. Selain Safuan, pemain badminton negara, Koo Kien Keat turut dicalonkan untuk anugera

Oleh Meor Hisham Zulkifli bhsukan@bharian.com.my PROGRAM untuk atlit pelapis tidak terjejas walaupun terpaksa menarik diri daripada Sukan Remaja Asia (AYG) di Singapura yang bermula hari ini akibat penularan wabak Influenza A (H1N1). Pengarah Cawangan Pelapis Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Jefri Ngadirin, berkata program latihan dan pembangunan atlit tetap diteruskan kerana masih banyak kejohanan tempatan dianjurkan termasuk Karnival Atlit Pelapis pada Julai ini. "Pembatalan ke kejohanan ini tidak menjejaskan keseluruhan program pembangunan kecuali atlit ini tidak mendapat pendedahan di peringkat serantau. Kami cuma tidak dapat nilai tahap kemampuan mereka berbanding atlit lain di dunia. "Bagaimanapun, secara keseluruhannya, ia tidak menjejaskan persediaan negara untuk membentuk barisan pelapis yang mantap untuk skuad elit kebangsaan," katanya. Kelmarin, Kementerian Pelajaran membuat keputusan muktamad melarang 71 atlit negara berlepas ke Singapura kerana bimbang penularan

Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, brought the first leg of the Asian Youth Games Torch Relay to an end on Sunday afternoon -- and promised a safe and healthy environment in the shadow of the H1N1 virus. "I am confident the Games will go on," Dr. Balakrishnan told the media after the torch relay ceremony. "It will not be interrupted. We will not let H1N1 spoil our party." Dr. Balakrishnan carried the flame, which had been lit earlier in the day at the Kallang Waterfront, into Raffles City Atrium. The flame was transferred to a safety lantern, ahead of the second leg of the torch relay on Monday, culminating at the Opening Ceremony at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The government minister praised the organisers, SAYGOC, in the face of the unexpected threat posed by the H1N1 virus sweeping the globe. "On the eve of the opening I am very confident and very happy with the work of the organising committee,"

KUDAT, June 29 (Bernama) -- Youths in the country must unveil their talent in sports to boost the country's image globally said Umno Puteri chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin. Rosnah said since the government had already set the path and direction for the youths to develop their talent in sports, youths must seize the opportunity to unveil their talent so that the country will have a large number of talented athletes. "Sports is one area identified for development by the government to provide opportunities, not only as an athlete but an avenue to seek a career in the field. "Sports is now considered an important medium for the youths to generate good income," she said after presenting prizes at a Zone 1 Umno Puteri Futsal match here Monday. Rosnah who is also the deputy Health Minister said youths of today must learn how to turn sports into a viable career and one that can give them an opportunity to hoist the pride of the country. "I hope the youths, in

LANGKAWI, June 29 (Bernama) -- The return of experienced trio Bibiana Ng Pie Chin, Siti Nur Masitah Mohd Badrin and Joseline Cheah to the national shooting squad after a two-year suspension by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), has boosted the country medal hopes at the Laos Sea Games. National shooting coach Mohd Hashim Desa hopes the presence of the three shooters would help the country achieve what the national squad had achieved in the past. Bibiana Ng, Joseline Cheah and Siti who served a two-year suspension after testing positive for propranolol during the President Ally T. H. Ong Championships, joined the national squad in training after their suspension ended in April. The trio are among 14 national elite shooters undergoing their first phase of training at the Langkawi International Shooting Range of Malaysia (Lisram) since June 18, under coaches Mohd Hashim and Saidov Isroil from Belarus. The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) are hoping that

KOO Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong displayed an awesome show of power to nail the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold men’s doubles title yesterday. But to national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky, the duo’s overall performances in the tournament could have been better. Yesterday, Kien Keat-Boon Heong blew away former national players and sparring partners Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen with a 21-11, 21-13 win in just 21 minutes. It was their easiest win in the tournament. But in their two previous matches in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the duo dropped the second game en route to beating China’s Sun Junjie-Tao Jiaming and Indonesians Alven Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan respectively. Rexy said that he would have to work on Kien Keat’s and Boon Heong’s lack of focus in a match. “They have done well to win the title but they have the tendency to lose focus in a match,” said Rexy. “They usually win the first game but drop the second. This allows their opponents to build confid

Oleh SANTHY MUTHALU sukan@utusan.com.my Rosmah Mansor menyampaikan replika cek bernilai RM70,000 kepada Julius Kilimo Kipkorir yang menjuarai larian Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 sambil diperhatikan oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (kiri) di Dataran Merdeka, semalam . - UTUSAN/Zulhafiz Hanafiah KUALA LUMPUR - Seperti biasa, pelari Kenya terus menguasai kebanyakan kejohanan maraton yang diadakan di negara ini. Terbaru, Kejohanan Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai lebih AS$96,500 (RM340,838.85) dikuasai oleh Julius Kilimo Kipkorir, 29, dengan mencatatkan masa 2 jam 17 minit dan 2 saat. Diikuti dua lagi rakan senegaranya di tempat kedua dan ketiga, Nelson Kirwa Rotich, 28, dan Armon Kipchirchir, 24, masing-masing melakukan catatan 2'18.24s dan 2'18.55s pada kejohanan itu. Untuk kemenangan itu, Kipkorir menerima cek bernilai RM70,694 manakala rakan-rakannya Kirwa Rotich dan Kipchirchir masing-masing menerima RM

Koo Kien Keat (left) and Tan Boon Heong on their way to winning the doubles title in the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold in Johor Baru yesterday. KOO Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong answered their critics with a classy performance to clinch their second men's doubles title this year in the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold at the Johor Baru City Council Indoor Stadium yesterday. But in the women's doubles, World No 1 Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui failed to recapture the form that won them the Indonesia Open when they were outclassed by China's Ma Jin-Wang Xiaoli, losing 21-9, 21-11 in 29 minutes. Kien Keat-Boon Heong, known for their erratic display, brushed aside former national pair Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen 21-11, 21-13 in just 21 minutes to claim the winners' cheque for US$9,480 (RM33,483). It was an encouraging victory though the Johor Baru meet was only a second tier event, for the pair who won the Swiss Open in March ahead of the World

Raja Ahmad Zainuddin SAYA percaya, tidak ramai yang mengikuti bola sepak Piala Konfederasi yang sedang berlangsung di Afrika Selatan, iaitu gelanggang Piala Dunia 2010, secara serius sehingga pasukan Amerika Syarikat membuat kejutan. Kekalahan juara Eropah, Sepanyol 2-0 di tangan Amerika Syarikat di separuh akhir, membuka mata ramai peminat. Mereka seperti tidak percaya pasukan ranking pertama Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (Fifa) itu tumbang. Tapi, itulah bola sepak. Sebarang kemungkinan boleh berlaku dan pasukan Amerika Syarikat disifatkan melakukan kejutan paling besar untuk dekad ini. Kejayaan mengalahkan Sepanyol itu di luar pemikiran orang biasa dan ia sebenarnya tidak berlaku dengan sendiri, tetapi dengan kajian, perancangan dan keupayaan menterjemahkan arahan jurulatih apabila berada di atas padang. Yang pasti bagi saya ada formula tersendiri membabitkan empat perkara atau 4K. ia membabitkan kesungguhan, keyakinan, kerja keras dan kemah

Oleh SUHANA MD. YUSOP suhana.yusop@kosmo.com.my TENGKU Muhammad Muaaz bersama adindanya Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra (kanan) turut serta dalam larian Maraton KL di ibu kota semalam. MUSA (tengah) turut menyertai Maraton KL di Dataran Merdeka semalam. KUALA LUMPUR - Tiga anakanda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin menyertai larian Kids Dash , program sampingan dalam perlumbaan larian Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 di Dataran Merdeka di sini semalam. Puteri sulung Tuanku Mizan, Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah, 12, mengambil bahagian dalam kategori 3 Kilometer (KM) dan dua lagi anakanda Seri Paduka, Tengku Muhammad Muaaz, 8, dan Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra, 7, mengambil bahagian dalam kategori 950 Meter yang disertai oleh lebih 500 orang kanak-kanak. Tuanku Mizan dan Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah turut berangkat ke Dataran Merdeka untuk memberi sokongan. Keberangkatan Seri Paduka berdua pada pukul 8.30 pagi itu disambut oleh isteri Perdana Menteri, Datin Seri Ro

Oleh AZIZI MAJID azizi.majid@kosmo.com.my PEMAIN No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei terus unggul. Semalam, dia meraih kejuaraan kedua dalam tempoh seminggu apabila muncul juara pada Kejoha- nan Grand Prix Emas Terbuka Malaysia Yonex-Sunrise 2009. Chong Wei yang juga juara Terbuka Indonesia minggu lalu mudah menumbangkan pemain muda China, Chen Long 21-16, 21-9 pada perlawanan yang berlangsung di Stadium Tertutup Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru semalam. Chong Wei ketika ditemui berkata, meskipun prestasinya tidak memuaskan berikutan kecederaan pada bahagian pinggang yang dialaminya sejak awal kejohanan itu, ia tidak menghalangnya untuk terus berjuang menentang Chen Long. "Memang kesakitan pada baha- gian pinggang memberi kesan kepada saya tetapi saya cuba untuk terus bertahan. "Bagi saya Chen Long seorang pemain yang sangat agresif selain kurang melakukan kesilapan," katanya. PEI TTY (kiri) Eei Hui terpaksa akur kepada kehebatan Xiaoli-Ma Jin dalam acara beregu wani

Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa dan Rizar Mohd Noor bhsukan@bharian.com.my CHONG Wei (kiri) dan Chen Long bersama hadiah juara dan naib juara perseorangan lelaki yang mereka menangi di Kejohanan Grand Prix Emas Terbuka Malaysia, semalam. Hajat Pei Tty-Eei Hui raih juara berganda tak sampai TANPA perlu bertunjangkan kecergasan terbaiknya, Lee Chong Wei tetap terlalu hebat untuk cuba disaingi pemain muda China, Chen Long dalam laluannya mengungguli Kejohanan Grand Prix Emas Terbuka Malaysia, semalam. Chong Wei, menerima rawatan fisioterapi setiap hari selepas mengadu sakit belakang ketika pusingan pertama lalu, hanya perlukan 31 minit untuk menundukkan Chen Long 21-15, 21-9 di Stadium Tertutup Johor Bahru. Ia adalah gelaran kedua berturut-turutnya selepas memenangi Siri Super Terbuka Indonesia, minggu lalu. Turut melakar gemilang ialah gandingan Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong yang muncul juara beregu lelaki selepas menundukkan pasangan sene

SINGAPURA, 28 Jun (Bernama) -- Malaysia yang menarik diri daripada menyertai Sukan Belia Asia (AYG) yang bermula esok di republik ini berikutan wabak Influenze A(H1N1) adalah dengan persetujuan negara tuan rumah. Pengerusi Bersama Jawatankuasa Penganjur AYG, Oon Jin Teik berkata mereka menghormati keputusan Malaysia tidak menghantar kontinjennya ke sukan itu yang bermula esok sehingga 7 Julai. "Kami faham keputusan dan mereka lakukan apa yang terbaik untuk pasukan mereka," kata Oon dalam satu taklimat media di sini hari ini. Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) telah memaklumkan kepada jawatankuasa itu lewat petang semalam bahawa Malaysia tidak akan menyertai sukan tersebut, kecuali dua anggota pasukan perahu layar yang sudah pun berada di Singapura dan akan meneruskan penyertaan dalam acara mereka masing-masing, kata beliau. "Tetapi setakat ini tidak ada sesiapa daripada Jawatankuasa Olimpik Kebangsaan memberitahu kami bahawa mereka tidak akan menghantar pasukannya dan suka

JOHOR BAHARU, June 28 (Bernama) -- Lee Chong Wei was unstoppable and the Koo Kein Keat and Tan Boon Heong combination found their winning touch to keep the Malaysian flag flying at the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton championship here today. On a day when Malaysia had three finalists in the US$120,000 tournament, it was the World No. 1 women's doubles pair, Chin Ee Hui and Wong Pei Tty, who found the burden of carrying the nation's hopes a little too heavy to bear and were knocked out in straight games by an unknown pair from China. But there was Chong Wei of course and the World No. 1 took only a little more than half an hour to beat China's former World Junior champion Chen Long to win his second title in as many weeks. The pre-match prediction that Chong Wei would come up against yet another great Chinese wall was blown to pieces right from the very start. Chong Wei led 6-0 but then allowed the 20-year-old Chen Long to draw level at 7-7 before the lanky Chine

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Julius Kilimo Kipkorir, running his maiden 42km full marathon, clocked two hours 17 minutes and two seconds to win the inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon, leading a Kenyan clean sweep of the top three places in the men's category, here today. Kipkorir came home more than a minute ahead of his compatriots, Nelson Kirwa Rotich and Armon Kipchirchir who clocked 2'18:24s and 2'18:55s respectively to clinch second and third places. The race started and finished at Dataran Merdeka. For his feat, Kipkorir received USD20,000 (RM70,694) from the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor while Kirwa Rotich and Kipchirchir took home USD8,000 (RM28,277.60) and USD5,000 (RM17,673.50) respectively. Kipkorir said he could not believe he had won, since this was his first attempt in a full marathon. "Previously, I took part only in the 21km event (half marathon)," he told reporters here today after the race. "When I ca

LANGKAWI, June 28 (Bernama) -- Two national sailors who are already in Singapore for the Asian Youth Sailing Championships which started today, would continue their participation despite a directive from the National Sports Council (NSC) to withdraw, due to the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak. Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah said the two sailors, Mohd Amirul Shafiq and Khairuneeta Mohd Afendy had arrived in Singapore two days ago and will compete in the Byte C2 category. Mohd Afendy in an e-mail to Bernama said national sailors have been trained to take care of their health, including precautionary measures against H1N1 as they have been given vaccine and their body temperatures monitored every six hours. He added that Singapore, as the organiser, had also ensured maximum control and preventive measures by screening everyone at the venue. "Every participant has been given a log book to record their body temperature while cleanliness at the c

SINGAPORE, June 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's withdrawal from the Asian Youth Games (AYG) starting here tomorrow because of the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak has met with understanding from the host. In a media briefing here today, the AYG Organising Committee co-chairman Oon Jin Teik said they respected Malaysia's decision not to send their contingent for the AYG from tomorrow until July 7. "We understand their decision and they are doing what they feel is best for their teams," said Oon. In fact, the Olympic Council of Malaysia had informed the AYG organising committee yesterday evening that Malaysia would not be taking part in the Games except for the two members of the sailing team who are already in Singapore and would continue to participate in their respective events. "But so far, no national olympic committee have informed us that they will not be sending their teams and the Games will go on as planned," he said. Malaysia was to have sent a contingent

Members of the Philippine youth soccer team are taken to the Aloha Loyang Resort to be kept in quarantine in Singapore June 20, 2009. — Reuters pic SINGAPORE, June 29 — The torch relay for the Asian Youth Games (AYG) blazed a spectacular trail across Singapore yesterday, setting the scene for a nine-day sporting fiesta that will bring together some 1,400 of the continent’s finest young athletes. The flame, which was ignited at dawn by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, will reach the Singapore Indoor Stadium tonight for a glittering opening ceremony attended by all 43 participating countries. Despite the spectre of Influenza A (H1N1) and Malaysia’s late decision not to send its full contingent here, the stage is now set for Singapore’s first multi-sport extravaganza since the 1993 South-east Asian Games. “It’s important that not only do we see this as a sporting event, but also an event for bringing people together from Asia, especially young people,” said Teo, who is also presi

DATUK Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak (tiga dari kiri) ketika mengumumkan kejohahan Jelajah Persatuan Tenis Profesional (ATP) yang akan berlangsung di Kuala Lumpur pada September depan, semalam. MALAYSIA mencipta satu lagi sejarah. Jelajah Persatuan Tenis Profesional (ATP), kejohanan paling unggul di dunia akan berada di Kuala Lumpur pada September depan. Kali ini bukan untuk perlawanan pertunjukan tetapi hadir sebagai kejohanan yang akan menghimpunkan ramai gergasi tenis dunia. Ia dijadualkan berlangsung pada 26 September hingga 4 Oktober dan menawarkan hadiah wang tunai AS$947,750 (RM3.5 juta). Pengumuman itu dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak yang turut bangga dengan pemilihan Kuala Lumpur sebagai tuan rumah Terbuka Malaysia 2009 yang diserapkan dalam kalendar ATP. Terbuka Malaysia adalah antara lima kejohanan dalam Jela- jah ATP iaitu pusingan ke-64 dalam kalendar mereka musim ini. Malaysia mendapat hak untuk menganjur selama lima tahun akan datang. Pem

Misbun Sidek (left) hugs Lee Chong Wei after his 21-9, 21-15 win over Kenichi Tago on WORLD No 1 Lee Chong Wei is on course for his fourth title of 2009 after a masterful performance while it was the end of the road for veteran Wong Choong Hann in the Yonex-Sunrise Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold men's singles semi-finals at the Johor Baru City Council Indoor Stadium yesterday. And Chong Wei will get a chance to exact revenge on China's Chen Long, who defeated the Malaysian in the first round of the India Open in March, in the final today. As for Wong Mew Choo, her career could hit rock bottom after her unexpected defeat to China qualifier Wang Xin in the women's semi-finals. Wang Xin, 24, who just recently joined China's national team, is competing in her first Open tournament. Chong Wei, who has won the Malaysia, Swiss and Indonesia Open titles this year, thrashed Hong Kong's Hu Yun 21-9, 21-8 in only 20 minutes. In the first game, Chong Wei rac