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KUALA TERENGGANU, 31 Jan (Bernama) -- Jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei adalah antara 54 pemain yang disenaraikan akan menyertai kejohanan badminton Proton Nasional Sirkit Grand Prix Final 2010 di Stadium Negeri di sini dari 18-21 Februari ini. Naib Presiden Persatuan Badminton Terengganu (PBT) Harry Isaac berkata semua pemain terbaik di negara ini, baik perseorangan ataupun beregu akan hadir dalam kejohanan kali ini. "Ini kali kedua Terengganu telah diberi penghormatan untuk mengendalikan kejohanan berprestij ini. Kali pertama ialah dua tahun lalu," katanya kepada Bernama. Harry berkata kejohanan itu menawarkan hadiah keseluruhan bernilai RM84,000 dan kategori yang dipertandingkan ialah perseorangan lelaki-wanita, beregu lelaki-wanita, beregu campuran serta perseorangan lelaki-wanita remaja. Beliau berkata kejohanan itu akan memberi peluang kepada peminat-peminat badminton di negeri ini menyaksikan jaguh-jaguh badminton negeri beraksi. Dala

KUALA LUMPUR – Muhammad Hafiz Hashim amat teruja dengan pengalaman baru yang bakal dirasai apabila memilih untuk beraksi buat kelab Musica Champions dalam saingan Super Liga Badminton Indonesia pada 19-27 Februari ini. Kelab yang berpangkalan di Kudus itu turut dibintangi pasangan handalan Indonesia, Candra Wijaya dan Luluk Hadiyanto, sekali gus menghadirkan satu pengalaman buat Hafiz untuk bergabung dengan pemain-pemain dari luar Malaysia buat kali pertama. Menurut Hafiz, 28, kejohanan sembilan hari itu mengambil format Piala Thomas dan Uber di mana setiap perlawanan akan menampilkan wakil - tiga perseorangan dan satu beregu. Pertandingan berlangsung secara liga dengan juara setiap kumpulan akan berentap pada perlawanan akhir. Setakat ini, tujuh pasukan sudah mengesahkan penyertaan. Selain Musica Champions, turut bertanding adalah Jaya Raya (Jakarta), Tangkas Alfamart (Jakarta), Djarum (Kudus), Suryanaga (Surabaya), SGS PLN (Bandung) dan Mutiara, juga dari Bandung.

KUANTAN turned out to be a bruising experience for the Malaysia Hockey League's Premier Division teams and coaches over the weekend. For starters, the stands in the Kuantan Stadium were empty except for players and match officials. The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is taking Premier Division to the states for the second season, but only Penang has seen a good fan turn-out. Ipoh and Kuantan only attracted a handful of diehard fans. And the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru, slated to play host in mid-February, received a blow when thieves carted away the stadium lights' fuse boxes. The matches will now be held at the Tun Razak Stadium instead. The weekend also saw Tenaga Nasional crash and to confound matters, their goalkeeper S. Kumar fractured his ribs when he took a powerful reverse stick shot from Sapura's Izzat Rahim on his chest. Tenaga not only lost the match 2-0 to slide down the standings but have now also lost their goalkeeper for several w

BIARPUN memberi lampu hijau, Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong mengingatkan Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) bahawa program latihan atlet di Ranau Sabah bakal berdepan masalah. Beliau yang sebelum ini berat hati untuk memberi kebenaran atas alasan lokasi dan kemudahan di Ranau belum lengkap berkata, ada atlet dilapor tidak bersedia mengikuti program itu. “Saya tidak cakap tidak mahu meluluskan program itu, cuma apa yang saya persoal sebelum ini, adakah lokasi itu betul-betul memberi manafaat kepada atlet? “Keputusan ini bukan kerana MSN menyerah kalah, tapi 15 atlet yang terpilih dalam program itu benar-benar layak di bawah program MSN berbanding 60 hingga 70 atlet dalam cadangan awal mereka sebelum ini. Kami tidak mahu di kemudian hari akan dipersalahkan kerana tidak mahu membantu atlet. “Tapi harus diingat, adakah semua atlet ini mahu menyertai program di Ranau? “Jika ada atlet yang tidak mahu pergi, KOAM tidak boleh menggantik

IT was another wasted opportunity for Lee Chong Wei to beat Lin Dan of China when the latter prevailed at the crucial stages to capture the Korea Open men's singles crown in Seoul yesterday. Chong Wei was not tested severely by Lin Dan but yet he let the title slip away as the Olympic champion won 21-19, 14-21, 21-16 in 67 minutes. Chong Wei, who won the World Super Series Masters Finals in Taipei and the Malaysia Open last week, failed in his bid to get the US$90,000 (RM275,000) first prize, the highest in men's singles in badminton and had to settle for US$45,600 (RM139,200). It could have been a different story had Chong Wei shut out Lin Dan while leading 18-17 in the first game. But he lost concentration and gave away two easy points. Chong Wei earned a comfortable 21-14 victory in the second set but drifted from his rhythm when he started to play cautious again in the deciding game. Lin Dan's gleeful reaction after winning match point showed h

AFTER a "positive" meeting on Wednesday, BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh is confident Misbun Sidek will seriously consider resuming his post as the national singles coach. Nadzmi said Misbun gave a positive response during their meeting and he realised that his presence was necessary in order to help Lee Chong Wei become Malaysia's first ever Olympic gold medallist in London next year. Nadzmi said he listened to Misbun's grouses and was looking forward to seeing the episode end on a good note. "I have met Misbun and we both agreed that Chong Wei is our best ever chance to win a gold in the Olympics and Misbun must seriously consider returning as the national singles coach. "I have also stated that BAM will not change the structure for one person and he (Misbun) respects the structure." Nadzmi said Misbun will also be meeting with BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai and general manager Kenny Goh to settle the misunderstand

“BERLATIH di Pusat Latihan Ranau satu tindakan yang tidak logik,” itulah yang ditegaskan oleh atlet 400 meter lari berpagar wanita negara, Noraseela Khalid. Bagi atlet senior yang juga pemegang rekod kebangsaan acara itu menegaskan, tiada gunanya dia ke Ranau kerana kemudahan di Kompleks Sukan Bukit Jalil sudah mencukupi terutama dengan adanya trek baru yang dinaikkan taraf. “Mengapa saya perlu ke sana. Ia tetap sama kerana saya masih juga tidak mempunyai jurulatih. “Jika keluar, lebih baik saya ke Afrika Selatan. Di sana lebih banyak pertandingan dan saya juga mempunyai jurulatih. Bagi saya latihan di Bukit Jalil sudah mencukupi kerana semuanya ada di sana. “Namun, apa yang cuba dirangka oleh KOAM (Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia) dengan membawa keluar atlet ke luar bertujuan membolehkan atlet lebih fokus dan mengelak berlakunya masalah disiplin. “Itu masalah atlet. Bagaimana mahu bertaraf dunia jika mempunyai perangai seperti itu. Atlet sendiri kena fikir,” katany

KUALA LUMPUR: When Lee Chong Wei arrives home from Seoul today, he will be greeted with positive news on the return of his coach and mentor, Misbun Sidek (pic) . Misbun has come out a happy man after a meeting with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, on Wednesday. And yesterday, the 51-yer-old Misbun, who dropped a bombshell by sending in his resignation letter on Dec 31, said that Nadzmi showed great understanding throughout their discussion. And he is reconsidering his decision to quit and is looking forward to coaching Chong Wei in his preparation towards the 2012 London Olympics. “I have met the president. And I respect his opinion and input. He also listened to what I had to say. And I am happy with his positive approach,” said Misbun. “I am happy that he has given me some time to digest all that he has said. “I will reconsider my decision and will probably get in touch with the BAM again after the Chi

KUALA LUMPUR: A resilient world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei collapsed at the crucial stage to allow archrival Lin Dan of China to take the honour as the first champion of the richest tournament in badminton history. In the US$1.2mil South Korea Open in Seoul yesterday, the three-time champion displayed a late burst of power in the rubber game to win the last six points consecutively for a 21-19, 14-21, 21-16 victory to dethrone Chong Wei as the champion. The hard work and solid netplay over one hour and 15 minutes earned Lin Dan a jackpot purse of US$90,000 (RM275,000). It was Lin Dan’s first title since withdrawing from three Open tournaments over the last two months – in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. He had cited a back injury to conceded walkovers to his opponents in the quarter-finals. There was sheer frustration for Chong Wei after coming so close to becoming the first Malaysian to win three titles in a month after the Super Series Masters Finals in Taipei and

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin participates in RTES Endurance Ride. Pic: Arjasneh Ahmad   SETIU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday took part in the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) Endurance Ride Series 1 at the International Endurance Park Terengganu in Lembah Bidong, here. Tuanku Mizan, riding the horse VV Coco, led three other riders in the 80km ride which was flagged off by Youth and Sports Executive Chairman Rozi Mamat. Also taking part in the race were his princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah, 15, prince Tengku Muhammad Mua'az, 11 and princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra, 9. The race was divided into three categories namely 120km, 80km and 40km. Other teams taking part are the Ar-Raudah Equine Centre, State of Terengganu Endurance Team, Langkawi Endurance Team and Malaysian Army Endurance Team. The results are expected to be obtained tomorrow morning.

Jonnatha Mosalve of Androni Giocattoli riding in the rain is the winner of Yellow Jersey. Pic: Shahrizan Jeffri Aziz JASIN, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Germany's Robert Foster of the United Healthcare Pro Cycling team, powered himself in the rain-halted stage eight of the 2011 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) to win his maiden stage win of the Tour. The 33-year-old Foster displayed remarkable sprinting skills to head a mass-finish, by crossing the finishing line first with a time of three hours, 23 minutes and 32 seconds. "It's been raining but it's not cold...24 degrees, so nobody is cold. It's a hard race but it's not so hard like 20 degrees below. "It feels good, the team worked hard and yesterday it was close when I came in second position. Today I had good legs and I told my team the situation was okay in the last kilometre and I go full steam ahead and it happened (winning stage 8)," said Foster after the race. Asked on tomorrow's stag

SEREMBAN, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Andrea Guardini, representing Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli from Italy, dominated stage seven of the 2011 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which ended in Tampin, near here today. The young Italian star also reclaimed the blue jersey for the sprint competition, ending today's stage in three hours, 24 minutes 57 seconds in the competition route covering a distance of 149.5km from Banting to Tampin. Finishing in another massed bunch in today's race, Guardini displayed his remarkable sprinting skills in the final 300 metres to cross the finishing line first. "It was a different sprint from previous days. Not many people expected such finishing. "Looking at the road book (race manual), it was a false flat uphill, but in reality, the last two kilometre was downhill. But I handled the situation, I took the corner in fifth position and that was the ideal position and I did 300 metres finishing flat out," said the 21-year-old ride

Winners of respective colours of jersey, from left: Anuar Manan (Blue), Nino Corredor (Yellow), Jonnatha Monsalve (Red) & Rahim Emani (White). Pic: Shahrizan Jeffri Aziz PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's continental team rider, Anuar Manan grabbed the blue jersey as the current point competition leader when he topped the leaderboard after stage six of 2011 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) Friday. The Terengganu Pro Asia Cycling cyclist accumulated 70 points, one point ahead of Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli rider, Andrea Guardini, who won the jersey since stage one in Langkawi. Russia's Boris Shpilevsky of Tabriz Petrochemical Team is in third position with 35 points. In Friday's stage six from Rawang to Putrajaya which covers a distance of 106.7km, Guardini claimed his third stage win and denied Anuar a chance of winning his first stage. "I have not reached my target yet but I have won the blue jersey. I thank my teammate who worked hard for the w

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Jan (Bernama) -- Persatuan Pelayaran Malaysia (MYA) dijangka menerima tawaran satu slot kelayakan untuk beraksi di Sukan Olimpik London 2012 daripada Persekutuan Pelayaran Dunia (ISAF) tidak lama lagi. Pengurus Besar MYA, Mohd Afendy Abdullah berkata beliau telah menerima pelawaan secara tidak rasmi itu daripada badan induk sukan pelayaran dunia pada minggu lepas menerusi e-mel daripada ISAF kepadanya. "Mereka (ISAF) melihat Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara di rantau Asean yang berpotensi untuk maju dalam sukan pelayaran kelas International 470," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama pada Ahad. Mohd Afendy berkata beliau akan menjawab surat itu dalam masa terdekat namun MYA perlu melakukan perbincangan secara terperinci dan mendapat persetujuan daripada Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) terlebih dahulu.

KEPERCAYAAN diberikan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan apabila menyenaraikan hoki ke dalam program Road To London akan sedaya upaya dibalas skuad negara dengan cuba melepasi kelayakan temasya kejohanan terbesar itu. Setiausaha Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia (PHM), Maninderjit Singh berkata, pengiktirafan diberikan kerajaan kepada sukan ini cukup besar nilainya. Apatah lagi katanya, apabila Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek mahu segala bantuan diberikan kepada pemain hoki kebangsaan bagi membolehkan mereka tersenarai sebagai sebahagian kontinjen ke London bersama skuad bola sepak negara. “Saya fikir pengiktirafan ini hasil kejayaan meraih pingat perak pada Sukan Asia lalu. Dengan kepercayaan diberikan, skuad negara akan sedaya upaya melepasi kelayakan ke Sukan Olimpik London,” katanya. Jelas Maninderjit, usaha ke arah itu pastinya bermula awal tahun depan, iaitu pada pusingan kelayakan untuk ke Sukan Olimpik yang berlangsung di tiga lokasi utama. “Setak

SYUKUR selepas tidak digugurkan daripada program Road To London, skuad memanah negara kini berazam mahu membuktikan mereka layak disenaraikan dalam kelompok 77 atlet dengan misi utama tahun ini untuk melayakkan diri ke Olimpik. Kini tugas besar perlu digalas Cheng Chu Sian, Wan Muhamad Khalmizam Wan Abd Aziz, Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra dan Muhammad Izzudin Abd Rahim untuk menebus aib yang tercalar di Sukan Komanwel dan Sukan Asia tahun lalu dengan melepasi kelayakan pertama menerusi Kejohanan Dunia di Itali, Julai ini. Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan Memanah Kebangsaan Malaysia (NAAM), Abdul Hamid Hasan berkata, biarpun sebelum ini kedudukan mereka dalam program itu tidak menentu tetapi atlet tetap memberi tumpuan untuk layak ke London selepas beraksi di Beijing 2008. Katanya, meskipun pencapaian pungutan pingat mengecewakan tetapi dari segi kutipan mata, jumlah yang diraih jauh lebih tinggi berbanding di Komanwel dan kekuatan itulah yang mahu dibina skuad memanah sepanjan

SERBA BOLEH...Misbun mengurut kaki Chong Wei selepas sesi latihan, baru-baru ini.    PERTEMUAN Datuk James Selvaraj dengan jurulatih perseorangan negara, Datuk Misbun Sidek yang dijangka berlangsung semalam tidak menjadi kenyataan apabila Pengarah Latihan Prestasi Tinggi itu mengesahkan belum bertemu Misbun. Sehingga jam 9 malam tadi, James tidak dapat menghubungi Misbun untuk mengatur pertemuan penting itu. James berkata, dia sedia mendengar keluhan dan memberi pandangan jika diperlukan sebelum jurulatih itu bertemu Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh. James berkata, dia mendapat tahu daripada Jalani Sidek bahawa Misbun mahu bertemunya untuk berkongsi pandangan sebelum bertemu Nadzmi untuk menyelesaikan isu peletakan jawatannya. “Saya tidak kisah jika Misbun mahu bercakap dengan saya sebagai Pengarah Prestasi Tinggi BAM atau orang yang rapat dengan keluarga beliau,” kata James yang hanya mahu isu itu berakhir. Hasrat Misbun

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Nicol David will kick start the year by competing in the US$55,000 Cleveland Racquet Classic in Ohio on Sunday. The five-time world champion, who won all nine Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) titles last year, will be gunning for the 51st title of her career since turning pro in 2000. The 27-year-old Penangite trained for three weeks under former world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald in Melbourne to prepare for the challenges this year. Nicol, who bagged the Wispa Player of the Year award for a fifth consecutive time last week, will take on a qualifier in the first round. She will have two Australians in her half of the draw – world No. 7 Kasey Brown and world No. 3 Rachael Grinham. The Penangite, who also won all 10 titles in 2008, is expected to meet world No. 2 Jenny Duncalf of England in the final. Nicol last tasted defeat when she was beaten by Duncalf in the semi-finals of the Qatar Classic in November 2009.

KUALA LUMPUR: Veterans Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Lin Dan of China flexed their muscles to reach the quarter-finals of the US$1.2mil South Korea Open in Seoul yesterday. But three youngsters – Kenichi Tago of Japan and China’s Wang Zhengming and Du Pengyu – seized the limelight when they knocked out three China stars – Chen Long, reigning champion Chen Jin and Bao Chunlai respectively – in the second round. Tago battled for one hour and 29 minutes to break the resolve of fourth-seeded Chen Long for a 20-22, 23-21, 21-16 win. Pengyu and world junior champion Zhengming, however, did not face much resistance in their matches. Pengyu ousted Chunlai 21-16, 21-13 and Zhengming overcame Chen Jin 21-11, 21-14. This has led to speculation that Chunlai and Chen Jin pulled their punches to allow their juniors to go through. In today’s quarter-finals, Pengyu will face Tago while Zhengming has a tricky match against Chong Wei. Yesterday, Chong Wei ripped South Korean Pa

KUALA LUMPUR -- Datuk James Selvaraj ( gambar ) berkata, beliau bersedia mendengar luahan Datuk Misbun Sidek dan memberi pandangan kepadanya sebelum jurulatih perseorangan itu mengadakan pertemuan dengan Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh. Ujar James, beliau tidak kisah sama ada Misbun mahu meletakkan dirinya sebagai Pengarah Prestasi Tinggi BAM atau orang yang rapat dengan keluarga Sidek, kerana yang penting beliau dapat membantunya menyelesaikan krisis dengan badan induk badminton kebangsaan itu. Menurut James, Misbun, menerusi adiknya, Jalani Sidek ada menyuarakan hasrat untuk bertemu dengannya bagi berkongsi pandangan sebelum jurulatih itu mengadakan pertemuan dengan Nadzmi dalam mencari penyelesaian mengenai isu perletakan jawatannya. Katanya, hasrat tersebut disuarakan pada hari terakhir Terbuka Malaysia, Ahad lalu dan beliau telah memaklumkan kesediaannya untuk bertemu Misbun jika pertemuan tersebut dapat melegak

Karathu azam guna pengalaman 30 tahun hadapi Selangor BERPENGALAMAN 30 tahun sebagai pengendali, kemampuan jurulatih baru Kelantan, Datuk M Karathu akan teruji kerana dia mempunyai hanya tiga hari untuk membimbing anak buahnya bagi menghadapi perlawanan sumbangsih pembuka tirai Liga Super, Piala Sultan Ahmad Shah, malam esok. Begitupun, Karathu yang menggantikan B Sathianathan sebagai pengendali, mahu menggunakan segenap pengalaman panjang sebagai jurulatih itu untuk memastikan kemenangan The Red Warriors apabila berdepan Selangor di Stadium Shah Alam, malam esok. Permulaan baik malam esok, katanya, sekali gus akan memudahkan misinya untuk membawa pasukan yang pernah dikendalikannya pada 1993 itu, memenuhi misi berada dalam kelompok tiga teratas Liga Super dan menjulang salah satu trofi utama musim ini. “Saya yakin dapat memainkan peranan dengan baik dan boleh meningkatkan kualiti pemain, bagaimanapun saya tidak mahu terlalu menekan mereka kerana bimbang ment

GENTING HIGHLANDS: Vene­zuelan Jonnatha Monsalve won Stage Five of the Tour of Langkawi from Tapah to Genting Highlands yesterday but Colombian Libardo Nino Corredor stole the limelight by wresting the yellow jersey from Japan’s Takeaki Ayabe. The 43-year-old Corredor, the oldest rider on the Tour, was in the eight-man leading pack just one kilometre before the finish line at the summit when Monsalve decided to launch an attack. Corredor followed suit but could not keep up with the Venezuelan, faltering just a few hundred metres before the finish line. Loyal fan: A supporter with the Terengganu flag cheering on riders from the Terengganu Cycling team during Stage Five of the Tour of Langkawi in Genting Highlands yesterday. — Bernama   On Wednesday, Corredor suffered a similar fate when he was pipped to the finish line by Ayabe in the Ayer Tawar-Cameron Highlands stage. Not only did the riders have to endure the brutal climb up Genting, they also had to con

GELAGAT peminat-peminat yang memberi sokongan kepada para pelumba yang mendaki laluan tanah tinggi Genting Highlands dalam perlumbaan peringkat kelima, semalam. - BERNAMA GENTING HIGHLANDS - Skrip lama masih lagi menghantui pelumba skuad kebangsaan di Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), selepas tidak ada pelumba yang berjaya menempatkan diri dalam kelompok 30 terbaik ketika mendaki Genting Highlands, pada peringkat kelima LTdL 2011. Perkara ini diakui oleh pengurus pasukan Amrun Misnoh, bahawa aspek pendakian perlu diberi penekanan yang khusus kerana ia akan melibatkan kedudukan pelumba bagi individu terbaik keseluruhan dan juga pasukan keseluruhan. Menurut Amrun, sejak 16 edisi LTdL, pelumba yang mewakili pasukan Malaysia masih dibayangi kehebatan pelumba luar negara, terutama sekali dari Amerika Selatan dan Itali. Tambah beliau lagi, ini bermakna pelumba pendaki yang sedia ada perlu dipertajamkan lagi kemampuan mereka selepas ini. Peringkat kelima semalam menyaks

AZAB dua pendakian ke puncak Cameron dan Genting Highlands sudah diatasi penyandang gelaran Raja Pecut Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Anuar Manan, dan tumpuannya kini menambah mata untuk memastikan jersi biru kejohanan kekal miliknya. Sasaran utama pelumba pasukan Terengganu Pro Asia Cycling itu ialah menjuarai sekurang-kurangnya satu daripada baki lima peringkat, dan medan terbaik ialah laluan landai dari Rawang ke Putrajaya pada peringkat keenam hari ini. “Saya lega kerana dua peringkat paling sukar sudah berakhir, dan baki lima peringkat selepas ini menampilkan laluan landai yang dinanti-nanti pelumba pecut seperti saya,” kata Anuar yang kini berkongsi 51 mata dengan pendahulu kategori pecut - Andrea Guardini. “Perlumbaan esok (hari ini) adalah peluang terbaik untuk saya mencuri satu peringkat dalam edisi kali ini, dan rakan sepasukan juga sudah bersedia untuk memastikan saya dapat mengutip seberapa banyak mata di zon pecutan. Pencapaian terbaik Anuar setakat

Supporters cheering on the riders during the fifth stage of the LTDL from Tapah to Genting Highlands yesterday. — Bernama picture LE TOUR de Langkawi's (LTdL) queen stage with its finish atop Genting Highlands has always provided the drama, but never a surprise of the magnitude of a Malaysian team writing history with a leader after this stage. But after the tour's most famous stage yesterday, LeTua Cycling Team's Libardo Nino emerged with the yellow jersey as the overall leader after managing to hold on to draft behind Androni Giocattoli's Jonnatha Monsalve across the finish line. Venezuelan Monsalve wasn't the favourite to win Stage Five from Tapah to Genting Highlands, as most eyes were on Colnago-CSF's Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, who fell flat of expectations by finishing seventh. Nino, who had also finished second to Japan's Takeaki Ayabe of the Aisan Racing Team in the previous stage, found out with three kilometres of climbing

Saingan peringkat kelima dari Tapah ke Genting Highlands semalam memaksa setiap pelumba mengerah kudrat dalam usaha untuk menggenggam gelaran sebagai Raja Bukit. PELUMBA pasukan Androni Giocattoli, Jonnatha Monsalve menjuarai peringkat kelima Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2011, semalam. Meskipun berkayuh dalam keadaan cuaca hujan dan kabus tebal sepanjang laluan menuju ke Genting Highlands, ia tidak menghalang pelumba Venezuela itu untuk melintasi garisan penamat selaku juara dengan catatan masa 3 jam 33 minit 31 saat. Kejayaan itu membolehkan Monsalve merampas Jersi Merah (Raja Bukit) daripada pelumba Azad University Cycling Team (IUA), Rahim Emami. Tempat kedua pula menjadi milik pelumba veteran LeTua Cycling Team (L2A), Libardo Nino Corredor yang turut mencatat masa yang sama dengan Monsalve manakala Mirsamad Pourseyedi G. daripada IUA berada di tempat ketiga dengan catatan 3’33:32s.

ISU melarang pemain kebangsaan - yang bakal terbabit dalam misi kelayakan Sukan Olimpik 2012 - beraksi di liga tempatan ‘masih kabur’ tetapi Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) tetap melihat perkembangan itu daripada satu sudut positif. Apa yang mahu dilihat nanti adalah perbincangan yang bakal diadakan dengan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan dapat memberi maklumat lebih terperinci mengenai pemain daripada skuad mana yang terbabit akan dibawa menjalani latihan di kelab luar. “Pengurusan skuad kebangsaan seperti skuad senior, Harimau Muda A, Harimau Muda B dan bawah 23 tahun diuruskan berasingan. Oleh itu kita akan lihat bagaimana topik itu nanti,” kata Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, semalam. Hujah itu dibangkitkan berikutan kenyataan panas Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek yang memberi cadangan mahu melarang pemain yang bakal digilap ke arah misi kelayakan Olimpik dikecualikan daripada aksi Liga Malaysia, khasnya Liga Super. Apapun

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will not send their elite track cyclists for the Indonesia SEA Games in November although a clean sweep of the gold medals in the men’s event is possible. With elite cyclists like Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Rizal Tisin in their ranks, it won’t take much for Malaysia to dominate the proceedings. But the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) prefer more challenging tasks for their riders. MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad also felt the same, adding that he strongly supported Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s suggestion that athletes for the Road to London programme focused on the 2012 Olympics than participating in the SEA Games. Naim, in fact, prefers to use the SEA Games as a platform to expose the back-up riders. “Cyclists who excel at the SEA Games should then move on to higher continental and world competitions. We should send our back-up riders to the SEA Games and let our elite cyclists focus on

ANNUAR (kanan) merasmikan logo baru Liga Malaysia sambil diperhatikan oleh Stuart di Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya semalam. PELANCARAN logo baru Liga Malaysia (Liga M) berserta logo baru Liga Super dan Liga Premier semalam menandakan titik perubahan untuk melonjakkan prestij saingan liga bola sepak kebangsaan itu. Tajaan Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) selama tujuh tahun sejak 2004 berakhir secara rasmi semalam sekali gus menyaksikan penaja baru, Astro bakal mencorakkan Liga M dengan tajaan RM120 juta untuk tempoh 2011-2014. Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tan Sri Annuar Musa yang juga Pengerusi Malaysia Super League Sdn. Bhd. (MSL) ketika melancarkan logo baru itu turut membayangkan sesuatu yang mampu menjana kewangan setiap pasukan bertanding. "Bermula musim ini, semua pasukan yang perlawanan membabitkan mereka disiarkan secara langsung akan diberikan sejumlah wang. Sebelum ini mereka tidak diberi apa-apa. "Selain itu, geran tahunan setiap

TIMBALAN Presiden Persekutuan Berbasikal Kebangsaan Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Naim Mohamad menyokong penuh saranan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery agar barisan atlet berbasikal negara memberi tumpuan khusus dalam Program Road to London berbanding penyertaan di Sukan Sea, Indonesia hujung tahun ini. Berbasikal yang kini menjadi fokus utama program itu untuk menghasilkan emas pertama temasya terbesar dunia Olimpik, London 2012 selain badminton menambah dua nama lagi untuk menjadikan senarai pelumba yang berada dalam program itu menjadi enam. Justeru, jika sebarang pertandingan tidak mendatang kepentingan kepada pelumba memang wajar Sukan Sea diketepikan untuk memberi perhatian lebih khusus kepada persediaan menghadapi Sukan Olimpik. Naim berkata, pelumba negara kini dalam kelas tersendiri dan kemampuan Azizulhasni Awang, Rizal Tisin dan Josiah Ng di peringkat dunia sudah teruji. “PKBM menyokong saranan Shabery. Fokus utama adalah Olimpik dan tiada acar

PETALING JAYA: There are fears several members of the national karate squad may call it a day when P. Arivalagan makes way for a foreign coach at the end of the year. But rather than harp on the recent episode regarding his surprise ouster and reinstatement, Arivalagan wants his exponents to focus on making sure that his last hurrah at the Indonesia SEA Games in November turns out to be a great one. The Indonesia SEA Games from Nov 11-20 will be the last time he will handle the national squad after the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) reached a compromise with the National Sports Council (NSC) during a joint-working committee meeting on Tuesday. The Makaf technical committee had earlier decided not to renew his contract they have but now allowed him to stay on as the head kumite coach until the end of this year after the NSC stepped in to help find a solution. “It looks like the SEA Games will be my last assignment with the national team. It’s sad but, i

JAGUH negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei (gambar) dipaksa bekerja keras sebelum mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Premier Terbuka Korea Selatan 2011. Pemain nombor satu dunia itu yang baru bergelar juara Terbuka Malaysia 2011 Ahad lalu nyaris dikejutkan pemain Denmark, Jan O. Jorgensen pada pusingan pertama semalam. Pada perlawanan tersebut, Jorgensen mengheret Chong Wei hingga ke set penentuan sebelum pemain kelahiran Pulau Pinang itu berjaya mencatatkan kemenangan 21-9, 18-21, 21-16. Jika pada Terbuka Malaysia, Chong Wei mendapat suntikan semangat dengan kehadiran jurulatihnya, Datuk Misbun Sidek, di Korea Selatan dia hanya ditemani seorang lagi jurulatih perseorangan, Tay Seu Bock Pada aksi pusingan kedua hari ini, Chong Wei akan berdepan cabaran pemenang pertemuan di antara pemain Korea Selatan, Park Sung-Hwan dan Przemyslaw Wacha dari Indonesia.

JUARA bertahan Terbuka Korea, Datuk Lee Chong Wei (gambar) memerlukan masa hampir sejam untuk melangkah ke pusingan kedua manakala Wong Mew Choo hanya beraksi 36 minit. Chong Wei diakui mendapat undian sukar di kejohanan Siri Super Premier pertama di Seoul, berdepan pemain Denmark, Jan O Jorgensen di pusingan pertama. Chong Wei menang set pertama 21-9 gagal mengekalkan rentak sama di set kedua membolehkan Jorgensen bangkit menang 21-18 untuk mengheret perlawanan ke set penentuan. Kedua-dua pemain saling mengejar di set ketiga, namun Chong Wei mula menjarak diri sebaik mencecah mata ke-14 untuk menang 21-16. Di pusingan kedua hari ini, jaguh negara itu akan berdepan sama ada Park Sung Hwan dari Korea atau Przemyslaw Wacha dari Poland. Dalam pada itu Mew Choo hanya dipaksa berkerja keras pada set pertama oleh pemain kelayakan dari China, Lie Xin. Kedudukan terikat sehingga 18-18 tapi Mew Choo mula mengorak langkah menamatkan hasrat pemain muda itu dengan 21-18. Di s

PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is, as usual, the sole Malaysian flag-bearer in the men’s singles event after the first round of the US$1.2mil South Korea Open badminton championships in Seoul yesterday. Chong Wei overcame a jittery start to survive a strong challenge from Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark before prevailing 21-9, 18-21, 21-16 in 54 minutes. He will take on South Korea’s Park Sung-hwan in a last-16 match that is expected to go down to the wire. Sung-hwan needed just 31 minutes to blow away Wacha Przemyslaw of Poland 21-14, 21-10. National coach Rashid Sidek has warned Chong Wei to brace himself against two enemies – Sung-hwan and probably also the linesmen. “It is normal for Chong Wei to get off to a slow start. It is not because he is tired after winning the Super Series Masters Finals and Malaysia Open. He is just getting used to the new environment,” said Rashid. ”I am confident that he will get better with every match. “Chong Wei has a

BERAKHIRNYA empat peringkat Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 (LTdL 2011), pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia belum menampakkan kegarangan mereka pada edisi kali ini. Tidak seperti satu lagi pasukan yang berpangkalan di negara ini, Terengganu ProAsia Cycling (TSG), skuad kebangsaan dilihat masih terkial-kial mencari rentak bagi menyaingi kehebatan pencabar. Pada peringkat keempat dari Ayer Tawar ke Cameron Highlands semalam, kayuhan kesemua enam pelumba negara agak lesu, sekali gus menyaksikan mereka jauh ketinggalan di belakang pasukan lain berdasarkan carta terkini kedudukan keseluruhan. Selepas empat peringkat, pasukan kebangsaan menghuni tangga ke-22 daripada 23 pasukan yang bertanding pada edisi ke-16 tahun ini. Dalam kategori Asia, Malaysia menduduki tempat kelapan daripada sepuluh pasukan. Situasi itu menunjukkan barisan pelumba negara belum mampu memukau peminat tempatan sebagaimana yang dijelmakan pelumba TSG yang juga Raja Pecut 2010, Anuar Manan da

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: As expected, the real gear-grinders came to the fore in Stage Four of the Tour of Langkawi from Ayer Tawar to Cameron Highlands yesterday. Japan’s Takeaki Ayabe of Aisan Racing broke free from the eight-man lead group in Brinchang to win the stage. Colombian Libardo Nino Corredor of Le Tua finished in second – just a wheel-length behind. Iranian Amir Zargari of Azad University came in third. The three climbing zones, with a Hors Category climb just eight kilometres before the finish line, did much damage to the main bunch as riders with climbing legs really showed their prowess in the stage. The eight-man lead group was primed for a mass finish but it was Ayabe who pipped Corredor to the finish line. “I wasn’t looking to take the stage today as I was actually eyeing the Hors Category climb,” said Ayabe. “I missed the Hors climb because some riders veered off the route and caused a pile-up. But I managed to catch up with the lead group. “

Aisan Racing Team’s Takeaki Ayabe celebrates his victory yesterday. — Bernama picture   AISAN Racing Team's Takeaki Ayabe stormed away from the leading pack in the last 500m to cross the finishing line at Tanah Rata and claim the fourth stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi yesterday. The cool and rainy weather which resulted in a slippery surface saw riders adopt a cautious approach but the Japanese ace seized an opportunity to sprint away in the final stretch to claim victory and the yellow jersey. He completed the 137.6km from Ayer Tawar to Cameron Highlands in 3:42:15 seconds. "Actually I prefer a good result in the mountain competition. However, I am really happy to get a stage win today (yesterday). I was in 10th position (after the last KOM competition). "But when we entered the downhill route, the road was slippery and dangerous. I got some distance from the front riders but managed to chase them. I am really happy that I could do a good sprint a

Takeaki Ayabe melepasi garisan penamat untuk menjuarai peringkat keempat Le Tour de Langkawi dari Ayer Tawar ke Cameron Highlands, semalam. - utusan/Izham Jaafar CAMERON HIGHLANDS - Pelumba pasukan Aisan Racing Team, Takeaki Ayabe melakukan kejutan pada peringkat keempat Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2011 apabila menjadi pelumba pertama melintasi garisan penamat di Tanah Rata sekali gus membolehkannya menyarung jersi kuning. Ketika tumpuan diberikan kepada pelumba Amerika Selatan dan Itali, Ayabe mempamerkan kayuhan bertenaga pada 500 meter terakhir apabila mengejar sembilan pelumba yang berada di depannya untuk meraih tempat pertama dengan catatan tiga jam 42 minit 15 saat. Pelumba veteran, LeTua Cycling Team (L2A), Libardo Nino Corredor pula menamatkan saingan di tempat kedua manakala Amir Zagari daripada Azad University Cycling Team (IUA) di tempat ketiga. Keputusan itu membakar semangatnya menjelang perlumbaan peringkat kelima dari Tapah ke Genting Highlands

AYABE mengangkat tangan sebaik melepasi garisan penamat pada peringkat keempat LTdL 2011 di Cameron Highlands semalam. HENJUTAN pada kira-kira 500 meter menuju ke garisan penamat menjadi 'senjata' pelumba Aisan Racing Team, Takeaki Ayabe pada peringkat keempat Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Le Tour de Langkawi 2011 (LTdL 2011) semalam. Semangat tidak mudah berputus asa pelumba Jepun itu membolehkannya muncul pemenang perlumbaan di zon pendakian berstatus Hors dari Ayer Tawar ke Cameron Highlands sejauh 137.60 kilometer (km). Ayabe, 20, melakukan kejutan apabila berjaya memintas sembilan pelumba di depannya sebelum melintasi garisan penamat selaku juara dengan catatan masa 3 jam 42 minit 15 saat.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Aisan Racing Team's Takeaki Ayabe stormed away from the leading pack in the last 500m to cross the finishing line at Tanah Rata and claim the fourth stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi here Wednesday. The cool and rainy weather which resulted in a slippery surface saw riders adopt a cautious approach but the Japanese ace seized an opportunity to sprint away in the final stretch to claim victory and the Yellow jersey. He completed the 137.6km from Ayer Tawar to Cameron Highlands course in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 15 seconds. "Actually I prefer a good result in the mountain competition. However, I am really happy to get a stage win today. I was at 10th position (after the last KOM competition). "But when we entered the downhill route the road was slippery and dangerous. I got some distance from the front riders but managed to chase them. I am really happy that I could do a good sprint and went ahead of seven other ride

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI) of North Sumatra will be using Bukit Jalil as their training base to prepare their back up athletes for the 26th SEA Games hosted by Indonesia in November. National Sports Council's director of the Pelapis division, Jefri Ngadirin said KONI's request was informed by North Sumatra's Head, Ristanto who was in Malaysia since last Saturday. "They were overwhelmed by the facilities available at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil and NSC's Pelapis programme. They want to work together in training and competition," he told Bernama here Wednesday. Jefri said according to Ristanto, six athletes from North Sumatra have been identified to represent the Indonesian contingent for the SEA Games to be hosted at Jakarta and Palembang from Nov 11-25. North Sumatra athletes who are good in sports like karate, boxing and athletics, want to take advantage of the facilities

PETALING JAYA, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Super League (MSL), the commercial arm of the Football Association Malaysia (FAM), has appointed International Football Federation (FIFA) Professionalization Consultant, Stuart Ramalingam as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). FAM deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Stuart would be in charge of restructuring and commercialization of the Member Associations' (MA) footballing products. "Stuart, who began his post as CEO last November, is set to spearhead the new initiatives which include redeveloping and commercial revamping of Professional League and Clubs and launching and commercially sustaining MA's FIFA grassroots Football initiatives," he said after launching the new MSL 2011 logo at Wisma FAM here Wednesday. Stuart has worked with FIFA since 2008 and was the founder of an Integrated Marketing and Communications Agency, the Brainchild Group. Annuar said MSL would also implement a uniformed

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Despite criticism from their own officials on preparations or the lack of it in Palembang, one of the host for the 26th SEA Games in November, Indonesian Youth and Sports ministry are confident that the city will meet the July 1, deadline, to complete the Games venues. Indonesian Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Wafid Muharram was quoted by the Jakarta Post that the ministry had formed a special team to monitor Palembang's preparations. "The team, comprises representatives from the ministry, sports federations and the Indonesian Sports Council/National Olympics Committee, to observe the progress of venues," he said. Last week, legislator Reny Marlinawati said that Palembang was not ready to host the Games as some of the future venues in the city were still swamps or shrubbery, while others had no foundation or supporting infrastructure.

TERUJA...Shabery (dua dari kanan) melancarkan Logo Tahun Industri Sukan 2011-2012 di Casa 1, MSN, semalam.    KETIKA beberapa sukan utama diletakkan sasaran meraih pingat khususnya emas di Sukan Olimpik 2012 London, penyertaan bola sepak dan hoki sebagai keluarga baru program Road To London pula dilihat sekadar membantu mereka melepasi kelayakan. Mungkin bersikap lebih realistik dengan keupayaan kedua-dua sukan itu di pentas lebih tinggi, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek mahu segala bantuan diberikan kepada sejumlah 50 pemain bola sepak dan hoki kebangsaan bagi membolehkan mereka tersenarai sebagai kontinjen ke London. “Bagi acara hoki dan bola sepak, kita tidak boleh melihat bantuan perlu diberi selepas mereka layak tetapi kita akan cuba bantu mereka supaya mereka layak. “Tiada kompromi terhadap misi mendapatkan emas pertama tetapi sasaran kita tahun ini ialah mendapatkan seberapa ramai atlet ke Sukan Olimpik,” katanya selepas mempengerusikan