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Ahmad Shabery Cheek beramah mesra dengan pemain-pemain badminton negara pada majlis makan tengah hari di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. - BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR - Sepuluh tahun lalu, ketika Malaysia kalah teruk dalam Kejohanan Piala Thomas di tempat sendiri, Datuk Lee Chong Wei duduk di kelilingi para penonton yang marah. Mereka menghamburkan kata-kata kesat terhadap skuad kebangsaan. Selepas 10 tahun berlalu, kini tiba giliran Chong Wei pula mengambil alih tugas berat yang pernah digalas rakan-rakan senior, malah tanggungjawabnya lebih berat kerana bertindak sebagai perseorangan pertama. Menjadikan memori hitam 10 tahun lalu semakin menebal, Chong Wei bakal beraksi di gelanggang yang sama yang menyaksikan Malaysia tersingkir di peringkat kumpulan pada Piala Thomas 2000 - Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. Pasukan negara, yang diketuai Wong Choong Hann dan beregu Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah ketika itu kalah 2-3 kepada Denmark dan Korea Selatan dalam saingan Kumpulan A. Chong Wei mengakui

KUALA LUMPUR: For tennis is Wimbledon. For football is World Cup. And for badminton, it has to be the Thomas Cup Finals as far as Malaysia are concerned. And Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek has made a clarion call to home fans to make a beeline to the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil to throw in support. “Fans aboard scramble to see world-class actions, especially when it comes to Wimbledon or US Masters (golf). They value and root for their home stars. I hope our fans will do the same. Tickets are affordable,” he said. “All the players here have sacrificed so much by training hard, watching their diet and keeping fit. At least, as their fans, we can go out there and show our support for all their efforts.” Shabery continued to show his support for the team yesterday when he treated them to lunch after having a one-hour closed door session with the players. “This is another step towards strengthening team unity and motivating the players,” he said. “I

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian players are set to train in isolation at the Putra Stadium in the final week before the start of the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals following the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) oversight in booking the hall in advance. The arrangement now is for the players to train at the competition venue from May 3. The Finals begin on May 9 and the foreign teams are expected to train at the stadium at least three days before the start of the competition. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek admitted that it was a painful lesson for the hosts after their failure to book the venue early for training. “We were unable to take full advantage despite being the hosts. This is a lesson for all of us here,” said Shabery.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei was not in the team when Malaysia last hosted the Thomas Cup Finals in 2000. He was among the spectators in the stands at the Putra Stadium and he remembers the taunts, jeers and boos from the fans for the team who failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The failure also led several key Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) office bearers to quit their posts. Chong Wei has vowed to prevent a repeat of such an atmosphere in the Finals this time at the same venue. He will play at first singles for the first time in a team event at home. “I was a junior player at that time. I still remember how angry the fans were. They showed their displeasure when the team lost and said things that did not sound good,” said Chong Wei, who is the skipper of the team. “As a player, it would have been very demoralising. I do not want my team to go through this.” The others in the team are Wong Choong Hann, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Tan Chun Seang, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boo

LEE Chong Wei can still recall Malaysia being jeered by their fans in the failed 2000 Thomas Cup campaign at Putra Stadium and has vowed that this will not happen this time around. Chong Wei said he will lead the campaign from the front in the May 9-16 tournament. Chong Wei was a junior when Malaysia were knocked out in the group stages in 2000 but the World No 1 is determined that 2010 will hold fonder memories for him. He is already on track as he has four campaigns under his belt -- three as first singles -- and has learnt to live with the pressure well. He was, despite Malaysia falling in the semi-finals, unbeaten in the 2008 Thomas Cup in Jakarta and Chong Wei said his role as first singles will be crucial to Malaysia, especially as the team will need the fans supporting them. "I was still a junior player then and it was not a pretty sight seeing Malaysia getting jeered by the fans then. I hope the fans will be with us throughout the Thomas Cup," said

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 April (Bernama) -- Acara Standard Chatered Kuala Lumpur Marathon pada 27 Jun ini mensasarkan kutipan RM1 juta di bawah slogan "Run For A Cause" untuk disalurkan kepada lima pertubuhan kebajikan. Penasihat jawatankuasa penganjur Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad berkata hasil kutipan daripada larian ini akan dibahagikan kepada lima pertubuhan kebajikan iaitu Persatuan Bagi Orang Buta Malaysia, Yayasan AIDS Malaysia, Majlis Kanser Kebangsaan Malaysia, Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam dan Yayasan Amanah Standard Chartered. Beliau berkata KL Maraton bukanlah satu acara sukan semata-mata, sebaliknya juga adalah platform bagi badan korporat dalam negara menunaikan tanggungjawab sosial mereka kepada masyarakat. Bercakap kepada pemberita di sini pada Khamis beliau berkata antara artis diundang bagi memeriahkan suasana acara kali ini adalah ialah A. Thanuja (Miss World/Malaysia), Fahrin Ahmad, Aishah Sinclair, Amy Mastura, Zainal Abidin. Acara Maraton yang mendapat sokon

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The organisers of the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon, scheduled on June 27, hope to collect RM1 million for charity through the "Run For A Cause" slogan. "The proceeds from the run will be distributed to five charity organisations, namely the Malaysian Association for the Blind, Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Malaysian National Cancer Council, Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam and Yayasan Amanah Standard Chartered," the event's advisor Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad told reporters here on Thursday. Ibrahim said the event was not just a sporting event but rather a platform for corporate bodies in the country to fulfill their social obligations. A number of artists and celebrities including A. Thanuja (Miss World/Malaysia), Fahrin Ahmad, Aishah Sinclair, Amy Mastura, Zainal Abidin would be among those invited, he said. For further information, those interested can surf the www.kl-marathon.com website. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek remains confident that the national Uber Cup squad can spring a surprise when Malaysia hosts the Thomas and Uber Cup finals at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 9-16. He said despite not being the favourite, the women's team was able to surprise everyone by winning the gold medal at the Laos SEA Games. "I am confident they (Uber Cup team) will be able to produce a similar surprise. Not only are they capable of reaching the semi-final, they can go further," he told reporters after having lunch with national shuttlers here Thursday. National badminton Team manager Datuk Syed Abu Bakar Abdullah who echoed the minister's confidence said: "In Laos, nobody expected the women's team to win the world, so why not the Uber Cup? All they need to do is try their very best." Women's team captain Wong Pei Tty said she and her team-mates have set a target of r

BUTTERWORTH, April 29 (Bernama) -- South African rider Lange Malcom powered his way to win the third stage of 2010 Jelajah Malaysia (JM2010) from Taiping to Auto City Juru, near here, Thursday. Malcom, 36, of Team Medscheme clocked two hours, 59 minutes and two seconds to edge his team-mate Arran Brown who also clocked an identical time at the finishing line. In third position was Malaysia's Mohd Zamri Salleh of the Armed Forces team, who was given the same time. "The teamwork was really good today especially in this shorter stage compared with yesterday's race. However, the deciding stage will be this Saturday and it will be another long distance race. "It was a good finish although it was not an easy one. To have two riders of the team in front was excellent," said Malcom. Malcom said after yesterday's race, the team knew it would be difficult to win the yellow jersey and so concentrated on the race to win the stage. "We did it again t

SHABERY (duduk, tengah) bersama timbalannya, Datuk Razali Ibrahim (duduk, lima dari kanan) serta barisan jurulatih dan pemain negara melaungkan "Malaysia Boleh" pada majlis makan tengah hari di Kuala Lumpur semalam. MENTERI Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek yakin skuad wanita negara mampu mencipta kejutan besar pada Kejohanan Badminton Piala Uber yang akan berlangsung dari 9 hingga 16 Mei di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Beliau berkata, barisan pemain wanita negara mampu mengulangi kejayaan seperti mana ketika mereka memenangi pingat emas pada Sukan SEA di Laos tahun lalu. "Saya yakin skuad Piala Uber mampu ulangi kejayaan yang sama. Bukan sahaja mereka mampu sampai ke peringkat separuh akhir tetapi lebih daripada itu," katanya selepas menghadiri majlis ramah mesra dan makan tengah hari bersama skuad Piala Thomas dan Uber negara di Kuala Lumpur semalam. Pendapat Ahmad Shabery turut dipersetujui pengurus skuad Piala Thomas/Uber negara, Da

JIRONI (depan, kiri) merupakan antara atlet yang dicadangkan oleh KOAM untuk menjalani latihan di luar negara. KESATUAN Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) akan meminta Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) memberi lebih ruang kepada atlet pelapis untuk berlatih di luar negara. Presiden KOAM, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim berkata, badan induk itu telah menyenaraikan tujuh atlet pelapis yang menyerlah pada Sukan SEA 2009 di Laos serta beberapa kejohanan sejak awal tahun ini, untuk menjalani latihan di Eropah. "Selama ini, atlet elit olahraga berpeluang untuk berlatih di luar negara dan KOAM kini bercadang memberi ruang kepada atlet pelapis pula untuk turut serta menjalani latihan di luar negara, bagi memberi pendedahan di peringkat antarabangsa kepada mereka," katanya semalam.

MALCOM mengangkat kedua-dua belah tangannya sebaik sahaja melintasi garisan penamat pada perlumbaan peringkat ketiga JM2010 dari Taiping ke Auto City, Juru semalam. SEPERTI diramal, pelumba Giant Asia Racing, David McCann terus mempertahankan Jersi Kuning selepas berakhirnya peringkat ketiga Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Jelajah Malaysia (JM) 2010 dari Taiping ke ke Auto City, Juru semalam. McCann yang memenangi Jersi Kuning keseluruhan pada Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Piala Gabenor Melaka 2010 minggu lepas, mengekalkan kayuhan cemerlangnya pada saingan sejauh 126.1 kilometer semalam dengan melepasi garisan penamat dalam peloton pertama. Pelumba sensasi Ireland itu mengekalkan kedudukan sebagai pendahulu keseluruhan dengan catatan masa 12 jam, 08 minit dan 41 saat, 20 saat mengatasi pencabar terdekatnya, Takumi Beppu daripada Aisan Racing . Menurut McCann, walaupun perlumbaan semalam meliputi jarak yang tidak begitu jauh berbanding dua peringkat terdahulu, namun dia lebih cenderung untuk

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia mahu sekurang-kurangnya membawa pulang tiga pingat emas pada Kejohanan Skuasy Asia yang akan berlangsung di Chennai, India bermula 1-8 Mei ini. Presiden Persatuan Raket Skuasy Malaysia (SRAM), Datuk A. Sani Karim ( gambar ) berkata, untuk mengulangi kejayaan pada 2008 di Kuwait dengan membawa pulang empat emas agak sukar, tetapi, sasaran tiga pingat emas mungkin lebih relevan. ''Bukan kita tidak yakin tetapi cabaran dalam saingan wanita sekarang semakin sengit lebih-lebih lagi lawan dari Hong Kong dan Pakistan mula menunjukkan peningkatan dalam permainan mereka sejak kebelakangan ini. ''Saya rasa sasaran dua atau tiga emas itu lebih relevan dan kalau dapat ulangi kejayaan gondol empat emas itu satu kejayaan besar buat kita,'' katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui selepas majlis Anugerah Sukan Negara 2009 di sini, kelmarin. Menurut A. Sani, skuad wanita amat bergantung kepada kekuatan pemain nombor satu dunia, Datuk Nicol David

KUALA LUMPUR - Atlet terjun negara, Leong Mun Yee (gambar) berharap dapat memperbaiki kedudukannya dalam ranking dunia dengan meletakkan pingat perak sebagai sasaran pada Kejohanan Dunia yang akan berlangsung di China, Jun ini. Atlet kelahiran Perak itu berkata, sasaran tersebut lebih realistik berbanding meletakkan harapan untuk memenangi emas memandangkan penerjun tuan rumah bakal menjadi penghalang. ''Saya rasa pingat perak memadai kerana pada Kejohanan Dunia ini atlet China cukup kuat dan bukan mudah untuk menyaingi kehebatan mereka,'' katanya ketika ditemui pemberita selepas majlis Anugerah Sukan Negara 2009 di sini, kelmarin. Mun Yee memberitahu, selepas kejohanan tersebut, dia akan menumpukan perhatiannya pula pada Sukan Asia di Guangzhou, China dan Sukan Komanwel di New Delhi, India yang akan turut disertainya pada hujung tahun ini. Menurutnya, peluang untuk memenangi pingat lebih terbuka di Sukan Asia berbanding Sukan Komanwel. ''Sukan Komanwel

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no financial worries for track cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang in his pursuit for excellence in studies and in sports. Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) stepped in yesterday to provide support to the 22-year-old Dungun-born cyclist under their ‘Star’ scholarship programme. The full scholarship allocates RM160,000 a year until Azizul graduates from the Deakin University in Melbourne where he is pursuing a degree in commerce, majoring in sports management. Helping hand: Azizul Hasni showing the scholarship that he received from Yayasan Sime Darby to help him with his university degree   YSD council member Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, who gave the scholarship to the two-time world championship silver medallist at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, said that the annual amount would cover tuition fees and training allowance for the cyclist. “The Star scholarship is to reward high flyers. It is not impossible for an athlete to excel in studies and in sports

HOST nations, without a doubt, take full advantage of their position to ensure that their team do well but sadly, Malaysia have not done much to boost their hopes of regaining the Thomas Cup. The advantage of being hosts gives you a chance to practice at the tournament venue but Malaysia will only get the opportunity to train at Putra Stadium five days before the event begins on May 9. It would have been ideal if the players had been training at the venue for at least three months as it would have given them the chance to adapt to the conditions. Also, regular training at the venue will surely help newcomers like Tan Chun Seang and doubles pair Ong Soon Hock-Hoon Thien How to get used to playing at the venue which should have been their ‘home’, not Juara Stadium, which is their current training centre. It is surprising the BA of Malaysia (BAM) didn't have the foresight to make an early effort to secure the venue’s booking to allow the Thomas and Uber Cup trainees to co

PETALING JAYA: The recognition given to coach K. Rajagopal and the national Under-23 squad for the 2009 SEA Games at the National Sports Awards will be huge boost for the revival of Malaysian football. Rajagopal won the best coach award while his team, who ended a 20-year gold drought for Malaysia in SEA Games football in Laos last December, picked up the men’s Team of the Year award. A proud Rajagopal, the first football coach to win the award, said that it was a fresh start for the number one game in the country after having been in the doldrums for a long time. “Football has finally gained some mileage. I am happy for the players and the attention given to the sport after all the criticisms,” he said yesterday. Football came on board twice previously in the National Sports Awards introduced in 1966 with the late Mokhtar Dahari and Shukor Salleh being the winners of the Sportsman of the Year award in 1976 and 1977 respectively.

GELANGGANG di Kompleks Futsal Putrajaya hampir siap sepenuhnya menjelang Rentap Futsal Putrajaya Kosmo!. pada 14 hingga 16 Mei depan. MENTERI Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila menjadi pemain pertama yang berjaya menjaringkan gol di gelanggang Kompleks Futsal Presint 18, Putrajaya. Semalam, Shabery bersama timbalannya, Datuk Razali Ibrahim serta para pegawai kanan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) mempamerkan kehebatan masing-masing dalam satu perlawanan persahabatan futsal bagi menguji gelanggang futsal yang baru siap dibina itu. Biarpun sibuk dengan tugasnya selaku menteri kabinet, Shabery turun meluangkan masa untuk mempamerkan bakatnya dalam permainan futsal. Beliau memiliki kehebatan tersendiri apabila berjaya membuka tirai jaringan pada perlawanan tersebut sekali gus muncul individu pertama mencipta nama sebagai penjaring di Kompleks Futsal Putrajaya yang serba canggih itu. Selepas hampir dua jam beraksi, Shabery ternyata berp

KAMAL (kiri) menyerahkan replika cek tajaan bernilai RM500,000 bagi penganjuran SUKMA XIII kepada Mohd. Ali di Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, Melaka semalam. SUKAN Malaysia (Sukma) XIII yang akan berlangsung di Melaka pada 10 hingga 19 Jun ini terus mendapat sambutan daripada pihak penaja Semalam, syarikat pengeluar minuman isotonik, 100Plus tampil menghulurkan tajaan sebanyak RM500,000 bagi memeriahkan temasya dwi tahunan itu. Ketika menerima tajaan tersebut, Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam berkata, sumbangan itu adalah dalam bentuk wang tunai dan minuman yang akan digunakan sepenuhnya bagi menjayakan Sukma XIII. Menurutnya, sebahagian daripada penajaan tersebut akan digunakan untuk tujuan promosi bagi mengedarkan pelekat kereta Sukan Malaysia XIII Melaka 2010 yang akan diedarkan tidak lama lagi. Semalam berlangsung majlis penyerahan tajaan itu yang disempurnakan oleh Pengurus Hal-Ehwal Korporat Negara Fraser & Neave, Datuk Kamal Harun di Seri Negeri, Ayer Kero

PERLAWANAN simulasi bagi Kejohanan Piala Thomas dan Uber dianggap berjaya memberi pengalaman kepada pemain terutamanya buat mereka yang kali pertama beraksi di kejohanan badminton berpasukan paling berprestij di dunia itu. Dalam perlawanan itu skuad Piala Thomas negara menang 4-1 ke atas pasukan B negara, manakala skuad Piala Uber menang 5-0 ke atas pasukan B. Datuk Lee Chong Wei mudah menundukkan Liew Darren 21-11, 21-14, Wong Choong Hann mengatasi Tan Chun Seang 21-15, 21-15 dan Muhd Hafiz Hashim menewaskan Chan Kwong Beng 21-9, 21-17. Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong pula dicabar sengit Ong Soon Hock-Hoon Thien How sebelum menang 21-16, 23-21. Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Latif pula ditewaskan Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong 21-18, 15-21, 17-21. Bagi ketua jurulatih beregu, Rexy Mainaky, kekalahan Fairuzizuan-Zakry bukan suatu yang membimbangkan kerana prestasi empat beregu negara itu agak setara. “Kami sudah memilih Fairuzizuan-Zakry kerana mereka ada pengalaman di banyak kejohanan d

AZIZULHASNI yang dinobatkan sebagai Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009 kelmarin, turut menerima biasiswa pengajian daripada Yayasan Sime Darby di Kuala Lumpur semalam. HANYA 12 jam selepas dinobatkan selaku Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009 malam kelmarin, tuah terus mengiringi Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang apabila dia menerima biasiswa pengajian daripada Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) menerusi Program Biasiswa 'Bintang' semalam, lapor WAN FAKHRUL BAKAR. Jaguh berbasikal trek negara berusia 22 tahun itu yang popular dengan gelaran The Pocket Rocketman itu berlepas pulang ke Melbourne, Australia malam tadi dengan berbekal semangat dan motivasi tinggi atas kedua-dua penghormatan tersebut. "Syukur alhamdulillah, penat lelah saya selama ini berbaloi dengan penghargaan ini. Terima kasih kepada semua. Biasiswa ini pula sudah tentu menjadi suntikan semangat buat saya. "Ini pertama kali sebuah syarikat korporat menaja pengajian saya di Universiti Deakin. Saya rasa akan terus setia dengan Si

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Newly crowned national sportsman of the year, cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, also known as 'The Pocket Rocketman' for his explosive speed off the blocks, will be eyeing two gold medals at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. The 22-year-old rider from Terengganu who won a historic silver medal from the keirin event at the recent World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, is expected to compete in his two pet events, keirin and 200m Sprint. "I know it won't be easy, especially with riders from China, South Korea and Japan showing significant improvement," Azizulhasni told reporters after receiving scholarship to a tune of RM160,000 a year to continue his studies at the Deikin University in Australia, from Yayasan Sime Darby, Wednesday. The pint-sized cyclist from Dungun, has over the past two years, already left some critics biting the dust by erasing all doubts about size being a disadvantage in the

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- The responsibility of winning the country's first ever gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, must not be vested entirely on the shoulders of athletes said Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad. He said, instead everyone, including the government, associations, private sector and the people of Malaysia must work as a united force to see the mission succeed. Naim who was commenting on the aspirations of National track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang's ambition to try and win the country's first Olympic gold medal in London, after being crowned as the National Sportsman of the Year for 2009 last night, said it would not be an easy task. "Preparing athletes for the mission is not an easy task. As for Azizulhasni and MNCF, there will a lot of effort to be put in. "We have to look after his welfare and future to ensure Azizulhasni can fully focus on the task ahead without any interru

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Newly crowned national sportsman of the year, cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, also known as 'The Pocket Rocketman' for his explosive speed off the blocks, will be eyeing two gold medals at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. The 22-year-old rider from Terengganu who won a historic silver medal from the keirin event at the recent World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, is expected to compete in his two pet events, keirin and 200m Sprint. "I know it won't be easy, especially with riders from China, South Korea and Japan showing significant improvement," Azizulhasni told reporters after receiving scholarship to a tune of RM160,000 a year to continue his studies at the Deikin University in Australia, from Yayasan Sime Darby, Wednesday. The pint-sized cyclist from Dungun, has over the past two years, already left some critics biting the dust by erasing all doubts about size being a disadvantage in the

LANGKAWI, April 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian sailors competing in The Top of The Gulf Regatta 2010 at Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Pattaya, Thailand starting Friday, hope to finish among the top five. Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah said 20 national elite and back up sailors would be taking part in the five-day Regatta. "Our hope will be on a number of established sailors who have been performing well at international sailing events," he told Bernama before leaving with the team to Thailand today. Mohd Afendy said Khairunnisa Mohd Afendy and Norashikin Mohamad Sayed, the duo who won the International 420 event gold medal at the Asian Sailing Championships in Shanwei, Guangdong, China last month, would start as favourite in their event. Muhamad Amirul Syafiq Md Jais and Khairunneeta Mohd Afendy who would represent the country at the Youth Olympics in Singapore (August) in the Byte category, are also medal hopes in Pattaya, he said.

TAIPING, 28 April (Bernama) -- Pelumba pasukan Medscheme, Johann Rabie, muncul juara peringkat kedua Jelajah Malaysia 2010 dari Teluk Batik ke Taiping di sini Rabu. Pelumba Afrika Selatan berusia 23 tahun itu menamatkan perlumbaan sejauh 205.2km itu dengan mencatat masa empat jam 49 minit dan 51 saat dengan melepasi garisan penamat dengan kelebihan tipis 0.03 saat. Beliau dicabar sengit pada peringkat akhir perlumbaan oleh pelumba Ireland, David McCann dari pasukan Giant Asia Racing Team yang terpaksa mengakhiri saingan di tempat kedua. Pelumba Australia, Mark O'Brien dari pasukan Le Tua, menduduki tempat ketiga dengan catatan masa 4:50:05s. Tiga pelumba tempatan menduduki dalam kelompok 10 pelumba terbaik dengan pelumba Terengganu Yusrizal Yusof di tempat kelima diikuti pelumba negara Amir Mustafa Rusli dan tempat ke-10 milik pelumba Le Tua, Adrian Chuah Wye Kit. "Saya gembira dengan keputusan ini seperti dirancang. Terdapat tujuh pelumba di hadapan saya dan saya

TAIPING, 28 April (Bernama) -- Berikut adalah keputusan peringkat kedua Jelajah Malaysia 2010 (JM2010) dari Teluk Batik ke Taiping, sejauh 205.2km, yang berakhir di sini hari ini: 10 Pelumba Terbaik: ------------------- 1. Johann Rabie (Team Medscheme) 4 jam 49 minit 51 saat 2. David McCann (Giant Asia Racing Team) 4:49:54s 3. Mark O'Brien (Le Tua Racing Team) 4:50:05s 4. Takumi Beppu (Aisan Racing Team) 4:50:08s 5. Yusrizal Yusof (Terengganu) 4:50:54s 6. Amir Mustafa Rusli (Malaysia) 4:50:54s 7. Matnur (Polygon Sweetnice) 4:53:06s 8. Herwin Jaya (Polygon Sweetnice) 4:53:13s 9. Dadi Suryadi (Indonesia) 4:53:18s 10. Adrian Chuah Wye kit (Le Tua Racing Team) 4:53:18s Klasifikasi Keseluruhan (Jersi Kuning): 1. David McCann (Giant Asia Racing Team) 9:09:39s 2. Takumi Beppu (Aisan Racing Team) 9:09:59s 3. Amir Mustafa Rusli (Malaysia) 9:10:40s Kategori Pecutan (Jersi Hijau): 1. Amir Mustafa Rusli (Malaysia) - 25 mata 2. Ahmad Fallanie Ali (

MAJLIS Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) meluluskan dana permulaan RM8 juta untuk Yayasan MOM yang ditubuhkan bertujuan membantu latihan dan kebajikan atlit serta persatuan sukan yang menghadapi masalah kewangan. Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, berkata dana permulaan itu dikeluarkan daripada simpanan tunai MOM dan berharap syarikat korporat serta penaja dapat membantu menambah dana yayasan itu atas tanggungjawab sosial mereka Kita dalam usaha mendapatkan persetujuan tiga panel bebas dari luar untuk menjadi ahli jawatankuasa bagi menguruskan yayasan ini, selain tiga ahli lembaga MOM bagi memastikan ia diuruskan dengan baik dan tidak disalahgunakan Keputusan melantik tiga panel bebas itu bertujuan mengelakkan berlaku pilih kasih dan menangkis tanggapan pihak tertentu dalam MOM saja yang akan memperoleh manfaat daripada yayasan ini,” katanya semalam. Mesyuarat Majlis MOM yang bersidang 25 Julai lalu meluluskan penubuhan yayasan itu, sekali gus mencontohi yayasan yang sudah wujud

KUALA LUMPUR: The squads for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be involved in simulation ties at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara tonight (6pm). And national singles coach Misbun Sidek is hoping that the public will turn up to show their support for the players. Malaysia are hosting the Finals of the world men’s and women’s team championships at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 9-16. Tough task: Reserve Tan Chun Seang will take on Lee Chong Wei in the simulation match today. “We are staging the simulation ties in the evening to follow the schedule for the Finals and it is also to get the public to come and see our players action,” said Misbun. “We have assembled the best players we have for the event. I hope the Malaysian fans will turn up to fill the stadium to help us create the environment to get the players into the mood before the Finals. “I am sure the shuttlers will hold nothing back as we are also giving cash incentives to the winning team. “The si

HAMIDIN (tiga dari kiri) bersama jurulatih Sriwijaya FC, Rahmat Dermawan (dua dari kiri) dan pembantu jurulatih Selangor, Rosedy Nadzir (kanan) pada sidang media Piala AFC di Kelana Jaya semalam. SELEPAS dua musim saingan Liga Malaysia (Liga M) berlangsung dengan kelibat seratus peratus pemain tempatan, sudah tiba masanya Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) menim- bang semula penggunaan pemain import untuk saingan musim depan. Bukan sekadar meningkatkan semula keghai- rahan penonton ke stadium, kehadiran pemain import dilihat penting bagi memartabatkan taraf Liga M di peringkat Asia terutama apabila wakil kelab dari Malaysia beraksi pada Piala AFC. Kepentingan pemain import bagi saingan kelas dua Asia itu diakui sendiri Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Bola Sepak Selangor (FAS), Datuk Hamidin Mohd. Amin selepas melihat skuad Gergasi Merah itu terkandas seawal peringkat kumpulan pada Piala AFC 2010. "Selangor pernah beraksi pada Piala AFC 2006 dan ketika itu kami memiliki pemain im

IPOH, April 26 (Bernama) -- The National hockey team, preparing for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup next month, will play two test matches against India and South Korea. The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) vice president Datuk Abdul Rahim Mat Ariff said Malaysia would play four times Sultan Azlan Shah Cup winner, India on May 3 and South Korea the next day. "The friendly matches are part of the National team's preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh from May 6-16," he told reporters after launching an advertisement campaign for the tournament on Sri Maju Express buses at the Ipoh Municipal Council here Monday. He added that the National team was ready to face their opponents and go one better than the two runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2009. Seven countries, namely South Korea, Egypt, China, India, Pakistan, Australia and Malaysia have confirmed their participation for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this year, he said. Abdul Rahim hoped by placin

ARTHUR Koh (right), a member of the national football team that were among the best in Asia in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away at the age of 74 in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. The classic centre forward, Koh was known as a master header of the ball who used to give teams from South Korea and Japan a hard time. Clement Soosay, a fullback who played with Koh in the great Selangor team, said: "Arthur was very good with his head. He could come from nowhere to head in the ball." Koh played alongside the legendary Ghani Minhat in leading the Selangor attack and helped them win the Malaysia Cup in 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1966. Koh is survived by his wife, Veronica, and two sons -- Francis and Christopher. NST

YANG di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (kanan) menyampaikan trofi Anugerah Olahragawan Negara 2009 kepada Azizulhasni sambil diperhati Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara, Datuk Zolkples Embong, malam tadi. Nicol Olahragawati kali ke-7 JAGUH berbasikal trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang dinobatkan selaku Olahragawan Kebangsaan, manakala ratu skuasy, Nicol Ann David melakar sejarah membolot anugerah Olahragawati Kebangsaan buat kali ketujuh di majlis Anugerah Sukan Negara 2009 di Kuala Lumpur, malam tadi. emilihan Azizulhasni itu menyaksikan dia memenangi anugerah berprestij berkenaan buat pertama kali dan menjadikannya sebagai pelumba basikal ketujuh memenanginya selepas Ng Jo Ngan (1970), Daud Ibrahim (1971), Rosman Alwi (1985), M Kumaresan (1987), Shahrulneeza Razali (1999) dan Josiah Ng (2004). Pelumba yang menuntut di Universiti Deakin, Australia dan menjadi harapan negara memenangi pingat emas di Sukan Komanwel dan Asia, hujung tahun ini, mengetepikan saingan sengit

NATIONAL track cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang, dubbed the "Pocket Rocket", was crowned 2009 Sportsman of the Year, while squash World No 1 Nicol David was named Sportswoman of the Year for the seventh time at the national sports awards night in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The celebrated Malaysian sportsmen and sportswomen. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin presented the awards to the winners. Azizul could not believe he had won the country's highest sporting honour. "I did not expect this. Back when I first reported at the National Sports Complex, there were posters of former award winners like Rosman Alwi and (Ng) Joo Ngan," said the 22-year-old who flew in from his training base in Melbourne for the awards ceremony earlier yesterday. "I was determined then to emulate them and I did it today (yesterday). Frankly I did not expect this honour so soon as I am still learning about the sport." Azizul is the seventh cyclist to win

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David were named the 2009 National Sportsman and Sportswoman respectively. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin presented the main awards and a RM10,000 incentive each to the two winners at the 2009 National Sports Awards here Tuesday night. Nicol, who won the award for the seventh time, was not present as she is still training in Amsterdam. The award is the first for Azizulhasni, 22, the track cyclist based in Melbourne, Australia, who ranked first in last season's World Cup Series and also ranked first in the Keirin until March last year. The Terengganu-born cyclist, who is coached by John Beasley of Australia, showed consistent performance last year by winning the silver in the Keirin event at the World Championship in Poland in March before winning the gold in the same event at the World Championship in Beijing in April. In November, he won the silver in

TUANKU MIZAN menyampaikan trofi Olahragawan Kebangsaan kepada Azizulhasni pada Majlis Anugerah Sukan Negara 2009 di Hotel Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur malam tadi. JAGUH berbasikal trek, Azizul- hasni Awang dan ratu skuasy, Datuk Nicol Ann David dinobatkan selaku Olahragawan dan Olahragawati Kebangsaan 2009 malam tadi. Kedua-dua anugerah tertinggi itu telah disampaikan oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin pada Majlis Anuge- rah Sukan Negara 2009 yang berlangsung di Hotel Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. Azizulhasni menewaskan pencabar terdekatnya, jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei serta enam calon lain iaitu Daniel Bego (renang), Muhammad Farkhan (tinju), Sazali Samad (bina badan), Zulmazran Zulkifli (boling), Muhamad Hatta Mahamut (karate) dan Loh Jack Chang (wusyu). Azizulhasni, 22, ketika ditemui berkata, anugerah tersebut adalah sesuatu yang membangga dan menggembirakannya kerana mendapat pengiktirafan tertinggi di negara ini. "Sebelum Suka

Oleh Norzie Mohd. Khasbi sukan@utusan.com.my Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang menjulang trofi Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009 di Kuala Lumpur, malam tadi. – UTUSAN/ Izham Jafar KUALA LUMPUR – Kejayaan merangkul pingat perak Kejohanan Trek Dunia Dunia melayakkan jaguh lumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang dinobatkan sebagai Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009. Namun, tumpuan peminat sukan tanah air pada Anugerah Sukan Negara, semalam turut terarah kepada kehebatan ratu skuasy, Datuk Nicol David mendominasi gelaran Olahragawati Kebangsaan buat kali kelima berturut-turut sejak memenanginya pada 2005. Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin berkenan menyampaikan anugerah tersebut. Nicol diwakili oleh Presiden Persatuan Raket Skuasy Malaysia, Datuk A. Sani Karim. Turut mencemar duli ke majlis tersebut ialah Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Sultan Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah dan dihadiri Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dan Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN)

KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang, dubbed the Pocket Rocketman , was ecstatic after winning the country’s highest sporting honour for the first time here last night. Azizul rode on the strength of his historic achievements at the World Championships and World Cups to beat six other nominees, including world No. 1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei and five-time Mr Universe Sazali Samad, to the 2009 national Sportsman of the Year award. In the women’s category, squash’s Nicol David beat five other nominees, including World Rankings Masters bowling champion Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, to claim the award for the fifth successive time. Chong Wei captured six international titles last year and he has been at the top of the world rankings since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, he was only a quarter-finalist at the world championships in India last year and this in a way weakened his claim for the award for the third time after 2005 and 2008. On the other hand, A

PETALING JAYA: Lee Chong Wei and Nicol David may have secured the most titles in their respective sports last year but they could find themselves upstaged by younger rivals when the 2009 National Sports Awards are handed out tonight. On paper, Chong Wei looks good to collect a third national sportsman award based on his consistency on the international badminton circuit. Chong Wei, who was the winner in 2005 and 2009, claimed seven international titles, including a successful defence of the Super Series Masters Finals crown. Chong Wei is now into his 17th month as world No. 1 but he faces a tough fight from Terengganu-born cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang. The 22-year-old capped a phenomenal rise to the top of world track cycling last year when he became the first Malaysian to take gold in the World Cup in Melbourne and went on to triumph for the second time in Beijing to claim the overall keirin title for the first time. Azizul also became the first Malaysian to top the keir

IPOH-based express bus operator, Sri Maju Sarata Ekspres will sponsor five executive buses to transport players and officials taking part in the Azlan Shah Cup. Perak Hockey Association president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ariff (left) launches the Azlan Shah Cup 2010 promotional campaign as Sri Maju Sarata chairman Datuk Yeoh Tian Te (second from left) looks on at Dataran Ipoh yesterday. — Picture by Muhaizan Yahya The tournament, being held in conjunction with Sultan Azlan Shah's recent birthday celebrations, will be held on May 6-16 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium. Defending champions India, world champions Australia, African champions Egypt, Asian powerhouses South Korea, China, Pakistan and hosts Malaysia will compete in the tournament. At the ceremony to unveil the logo at Dataran Ipoh yesterday, Perak Hockey Association (PHA) president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ariff said: "Another 22 buses plying the route between Ipoh and Singapore will also carry the competition's lo

FROM the startlist of the Jelajah Malaysia that begins today in Kuala Selangor without the glitter of the past three editions, it should be easy for David McCann's Giant Asia Racing Team, Ng Yong Li's LeTua Cycling Team and Takumi Beppu's Aisan Racing Team to decide how the results sheet will look like when the race ends in Kuala Perlis on Saturday. The Le Tua Cycling members look all geared for action in the Jelajah Malaysia. — Picture by Mohd Yusni Ariffin That easy assessment, though, could be affected by the presence of South African club team Medscheme, who are led by two powerful contenders in Johann Rabie and Malcolm Lange. The rest of the 19-team field is dotted with some potential surprises. It would be interesting to see how the promising Adiq Husainie Othman features in the national team that have track stars Hafiz Sufian and Rizal Tisin making their first appearances for the national road team. Irishman McCann is on a roll, going for his third straig

CYCLIST Azizul Hasni Awang is poised to strongly challenge World No 1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei for the 2009 Sportsman of the Year award in Kuala Lumpur today. Azizul Hasni Awang (pic left) and Lee Chong Wei are the leading contenders for the 2009 Sportsman of the Year award. Squash player Nicol David, with a strong showing last year, looks set to win her seventh Sportswoman award. Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, will grace the function in Kuala Lumpur. Azizul, known as "Pocket Rocket", created history last year by being the first Malaysian to win a World Championships silver medal. The Terengganu-born achieved it in the Poland edition by coming out second in the 200 metre sprint. He silenced his doubters by making an impact in the World Cup by winning the keirin title in the Beijing and Melbourne stops. As for Chong Wei, he is regarded as one of the most consistent players in the world. T

LEE CHONG WEI ANTARA Azizulhasni Awang dan Datuk Lee Chong Wei, siapa bakal dinobat sebagai Olahragawan Kebangsaan 2009 pada majlis Anugerah Sukan Negara 2009 malam ini. Mungkinkah kejayaan cemerlang perenang, Daniel Bego yang menobatkannya sebagai Raja Renang pada Sukan SEA Laos tahun lepas, atau kejayaan Muhammad Farkhan yang mencatat sejarah meraih emas tinju di luar Kuala Lumpur bakal mengejutkan nama-nama besar lain. Anugerah Sukan Negara, pengiktirafan tertinggi kerajaan buat atlet tanah air yang gigih dan cemerlang, kembali menampilkan perebutan gelaran tersohor Olahragawan dan Olahragawati yang boleh dianggap sengit. Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, yang juga merupakan atlet sukan berkuda yang tidak asing serta Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah, berkenan berangkat hadir sebagai pencetus inspi- rasi buat atlet, pegawai dan pentadbir sukan untuk terus berjuang. Tentu sekali, mata tertumpu kepada Chong Wei dan Azizulhasni yang dilihat calon pali

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Sports scientists from the high performance support team will be stationed in Melbourne, Australia next month to support the 12 national track cyclists. National Sports Institute (NSI) director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said the team led by bio-mechanic Mick Flyjer would be assisted by an analyst, psychologist, food technologist and masseur. "We had sent scientists to Melbourne before but only when needed like during championships. The National Sports Council will also send the road cycling team to Melbourne," he told Bernama here Monday. He said support from sports science was needed as cycling was one of Malaysia's best hope for a gold medal at London 2012 Olympics. The Melbourne-based cyclists are Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng, Mohd Rizal Tisin, Muhammad Edrus Md Yunos, Junaidi Mohamad Nasir, Mohamad Hafiz Mohamed Sufian, Muhammad Syamil Bahrum, Mohd Harrif Saleh, Amir Mustafa Rusli, Mohammad Akmal Amrun, Muha