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HAJAT Malaysia memanafaatkan kelebihan di tempat sendiri dalam edisi kelima Kejohanan Bowling Komanwel di Sunway Mega Lanes sepanjang minggu lalu berkecai apabila dipintas Singapura dan England untuk pendahulu keseluruhan. Kejayaan menamatkan saingan di tempat ketiga dengan dua pingat emas, tiga perak dan tiga gangsa boleh dianggap memuaskan dari segi bilangan pingat apatah lagi kesemua wakil negara iaitu Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman dan Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi (gambar) tidak pulang tangan kosong. Begitupun, selepas bermula cemerlang dengan Zulmazran dan Siti Safiyah membawa pulang dua emas dalam acara perseorangan, mereka bagaikan hilang punca untuk mengekalkan momentum dan sebaliknya, pemain Singapura dan England menunjukkan belang sebenar. “Ia satu pencapaian memuaskan biarpun masih banyak ruang untuk diperbaiki,” kata penolong jurulatih, Ben Heng ketika diminta mengulas pencapaian anak buahnya. Meskipun Adrian boleh dian

Shabery serah kepada PKBM, UCI cari punca SIASAT punca kemalangan! Itulah teguran Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek untuk mendapatkan gambaran sebenar kemalangan yang menimpa ikon sukan negara, Azizulhasni Awang di Manchester, minggu lalu. Menteri Belia dan Sukan itu kini menyerahkan kepada kepakaran Persatuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI) melakukan penyiasatan mengenai keadaan velodrom acar berbasikal itu. “Saya serah kepada pihak persatuan dan pihak UCI membuat siasatan kerana ia lebih kepada aspek keselamatan velodrom itu, sama ada terdapat unsur kecuaian dan kelemahan atau pun apa-apa bentuk kemalangan yang boleh berlaku pada bila-bila masa,” katanya di Jasin, Melaka, semalam. Mengenai proses pemulihan Azizul selepas pembedahan, Shabery berkata walaupun kecederaan itu memerlukan masa untuk pulih, dia beranggapan jaguh trek negara itu tidak harus di halang ketika dia begitu bersemangat, khusunya menyahu

Imbasan insiden kemalangan yang dialami Azizulhasni di Manchester minggu lalu sehingga menyebabkan betis kiri pelumba basikal trek negara itu ditusuk serpihan kayu. - AP JASIN - Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI) akan menyiasat punca kemalangan yang menimpa jaguh trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang ketika menyertai kejohanan Trek Berbasikal Siri Piala Dunia di Manchester. Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, ini kerana ia membabitkan faktor keselamatan. "Saya serah kepada pihak persatuan dan pihak UCI untuk membuat siasatan terhadap perkara ini kerana ia lebih kepada keselamatan bagi velodrom itu, sama ada terdapat unsur kecuaian dan kelemahan, atau bentuk kemalangan yang boleh berlaku pada bila-bila masa," katanya setelah melepaskan 30 peserta konvoi bermotosikal dan lawatan mesra di sekitar Kampung Ayer Molek, Kolam Taman Maju di sini, semalam. Beliau mengulas insiden bet

CHENNAI: Five-time world champion Nicol David will lead the World Cup squash mixed team event championship next month, where nine countries have confirmed participation. After a lapse of 11 years, the Squash Racquets Federation of India (SRFI) will host the five-day event, beginning March 8, at the newly-built Express Avenue in Chennai. “This is the revival of the world cup since the inaugural event was last held in Malaysia in 1996. “World No 1 Nicol David, along with the top 10 players in the world will be participating,” Major (rtd) S. Maniam, the Chennai-based SRFI consultant coach, said. Leading squash playing nations Australia, Egypt, England, Malaysia, France, India, Mexico, South Africa and Sri Lanka will be taking part in the championship. — Bernama

KIM SWEE (kiri) berkata sesuatu kepada anak-anak buahnya selepas latihan skuad Harimau Muda A di padang Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya baru-baru ini. JURULATIH Harimau Muda A, Ong Kim Swee terpaksa membuat satu pilihan tepat iaitu memilih untuk mengutamakan tugasan negara berbanding saingan liga domestik. Kim Swee, 41, yang juga pengendali skuad Olimpik kebangsaan terpaksa merehatkan beberapa tonggak utamanya ketika Harimau Muda A seri 1-1 dengan Felda United pada aksi Liga Super di Stadium Shah Alam kelmarin. Perkara yang sama turut akan dilakukan Kim Swee apabila Harimau Muda A turun bertemu Perak untuk aksi keenam Liga Super di Ipoh malam esok dan aksi pusi- ngan kedua Piala FA menentang Johor di Stadium Shah Alam, Khamis ini. Ini kerana, skuad Olimpik kebangsaan bakal bertemu Pakistan pada aksi kedua pusingan pertama di Lahore, 9 Mac ini setelah menang 2-0 pada aksi pertama Rabu lalu. “Untuk pertemuan dengan Felda United ini, saya terpaksa turunkan juga lima pemain

Clement Soo, one of the longest administrators of a national sports association in the country, is calling it quits after 33 years of involvement in karate. Clement, who initiated the formation of the Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) in 1978, said that he would step down as the secretary-general ahead of the upcoming biennial general meeting (BGM) in Malacca on March 20. Clement Soo: Also resigning as vicepresident of the Asian Karate Federation.   He is also resigning as vice-president of the Asian Karate Federation (AKF). The 64-year-old Clement has been the secretary-general of Makaf since 1990 and he said that he was not seeking re-election to make way for younger blood. “I think it’s enough already. It’s time to let someone younger take over and show that he is also able to serve the association well,” he said. “My only involvement in karate after this is to conduct karate lessons.” Clement was the first national coach when Malaysia took part in the inau

MANILA, Philippines –  Organizers of the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia stood firm on the number of sports to be played when they host the biennial event in November. They said the 44 sports that were previously listed in their calendar will remain, and that if there are changes to be made, it will only be in the number of events. The Indonesians have set two conditions amid numerous requests from other member countries regarding the inclusion of more sports and events as well. One, no additional funds should be spent for the additional events being lobbied, and two, no new venues should be put up to accommodate such changes. Initially listed by the organizers were 44 sports and 542 events. Even if no additions are made, this one promises to be the biggest SEA Games ever. “Two conditions were applied by the hosts: no additional funds and no new venues,” said Monico Puentevella from Bali, Indonesia. The vice chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee and

AZIZULHASNI mengerang kesakitan selepas betis kirinya ditusuk serpihan kayu pada Kejohanan Trek Berbasikal Siri Piala Dunia di Manchester, London minggu lalu. PERSEKUTUAN Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI) akan menyiasat punca kemalangan yang menimpa jaguh keirin negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang ketika menyertai Kejohanan Trek Berbasikal Siri Piala Dunia di Manchester, London minggu lalu. Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, ini kerana ia membabitkan faktor keselamatan. "Saya serah kepada pihak persatuan (PKBM) dan pihak UCI untuk membuat siasatan terhadap perkara ini kerana ia lebih kepada keselamatan bagi velodrom itu, sama ada terdapat unsur kecuaian dan kelemahan atau bentuk kemalangan yang boleh berlaku pada bila-bila masa," kata Shabery di Jasin, Melaka semalam. Beliau diminta mengulas insiden betis kiri Azizulhasni ditusuk serpihan kayu sepanjang 20 sentimeter ketika menyer

JASIN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) and the International Cycling Union (UCI) will investigate the cause of a freak accident involving national track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang during the World Track Cycling Championship in Manchester recently. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said safety factors had to be taken into account to ensure that the velodrome was safe for use. "I leave it to the MNCF the UCI to probe into the matter as it entails the safety aspect and whether there were negligence and weaknesses resulting in the accident," he told reporters after flagging off an expedition involving 30 motorcycles at Kampung Ayer Molek, Kolam Taman Maju here Sunday. Ahmad Shabery said other events continued to be held at the velodrome after the accident. Mohd Azizulhasni was blazing towards the final bend of a world title race when four of the six riders crashed in a scene of carnage behind Si

By P.Vijian CHENNAI, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Five-time world champion Datuk Nicol David will lead the World Cup squash mixed team event championship next month, where nine countries have confirmed participation. After a lapse of 11 years, the Squash Racquets Federation of India (SRFI) will host the five-day event, beginning March 8, at the newly-built Express Avenue in Chennai. "This is the revival of the world cup since the inaugural event was last held in Malaysia in 1996. "World No 1 Nicol David, along with the top 10 players in the world will be participating," Major (Rtd) S. Maniam, the Chennai-based SRFI consultant coach told Bernama on Sunday. Leading squash playing nations Australia, Egypt, England, France, India, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa and Sri Lanka would be taking part. Maniam said the early rounds would be played at the Indian Squash Academy while the final matches would be held on an all-glass show court at the shopping mall. A p

Hayley White of England (left) being congratulated by Shayna Eng of Singapore after winning the Women's Masters gold medal of the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship. Pic: Rushdan Manan PETALING JAYA, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Adrian Ang came close to clinching Malaysia's third gold medal but fumbled at the last hurdle. The 24-year-old Penangite had to settle for the silver in the Men's Masters of the 5th Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship at Sunway Mega Lanes in Bandar Sunway here Saturday. In the finals step-ladder event, Ang managed to knock down 161 pin falls, 45 pins behind Remy Ong of Singapore who scored 206 pin falls. "I wanted to make a good start at the first few frames and managed to have two strikes on the first two frames. I think I might have inadvertently in a bit of rush in doing so," said Ang. At the outset, Ang continued his fine running in the second block of the Masters event, accumulating 1,295 pin falls to follow-up

KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have decided to give to their affiliates the US$100,000 they received from India for participation in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last October. The OCM secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said yesterday that the national sports associations (NSAs) would receive RM1,500 for each of their athlete who competed in the Games. “The OCM executive committee decided that the money will go to the association and not the athletes. It is for the NSAs to use for training purposes. We will disburse the money to them soon,” he said. Kok Chi said that swimming would take the biggest share of the grant, totalling RM39,000, provided by the hosts for the first time to participating national Olympic councils. He added that some of the NSAs should use the money to fund their training programme for the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will be held in the Isle of Man from Sept 7-13.

PETALING JAYA, 25 Feb (Bernama) -- Pemain boling negara Adrian Ang mendahului acara Masters lelaki pada Kejohanan Komanwel Kelima selepas selesai saingan blok pertama di Sunway Megalanes, Bandar Sunway, dekat sini, pada Jumaat. Adrian memulakan saingan dengan agak lembab apabila merekodkan 165 jatuhan pin tetapi memperbaiki hayunan pada baki lima permainan dengan catatan 278, 226, 202, 210 dan 227 jatuhan pin bagi mengumpul 1,353 jatuhan pin. "Saya harap dapat mengekalkan momentum pada blok kedua esok," kata pemain berusia 24 tahun dari Pulau Pinang. Mengekori rapat dengan perbezaan 54 pin ialah pemain England, Matt Chamberlain, dengan 1,299 jatuhan pin diikuti Chris Japp dari Wales dengan 1,275 jatuhan pin. Seorang lagi pesaing negara, Zulmazran Zulkifli, menduduki tempat kelima dengan 1,251 jatuhan pin. Dalam kategori wanita pula, pemain England, Hayley White mendahului saingan dengan 1,387 jatuhan pin diikuti pemain Malta, Sue Abela (1,331) dan Geral

JANGAN jadikan Persatuan Sepaktakraw Malaysia (PSM) ‘persatuan kampung’! Itulah ingatan bekas Setiausaha Agung PSM, Ahmad Tajuddin Sahabuddin kepada badan induk itu dalam mengendalikan isu peletakan dan penarikan balik jawatan bekas presiden, Datuk Ahmad Ismail. Dia yang pernah menjadi setiausaha agung badan induk itu dari 1976 sehingga 1986 berkata, mengikut perlembagaan, kedudukan Ahmad selaku presiden PSM belum sah walaupun mengumumkan sudah menarik semula peletakan jawatannya. “Dia (Ahmad) perlu mengemukakan surat rasmi menarik semula peletakan jawatannya dan bukan hanya setakat mengumumkannya dalam surat khabar. Pemangku presiden (Mohd Shapian Ali) kena panggil mesyuarat majlis untuk membincangkannya. “Dan sekiranya mendapat mandat penuh daripada majlis, baru boleh dia kembali menerajui badan induk itu. Jangan buat sesuka hati meletak dan menarik peletakan jawatan. Apa, ingat PSM ini ‘persatuan kampung’ ke?,” katanya dihubungi, semalam. Ahmad sebelum

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been practised in the private sector for sometime and the Prime Minister has implemented it for all Cabinet ministers. Now the national badminton set-up will be evaluated by the Key Performance Indicator (KPI). The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ng Chin Chai said the coaching and training committee have approved the move to measure the performances of the players and coaches using the KPI. “We are coming out with a more objective way of evaluating their progress. “It is not just for the elite players but the back-up players will also have their own KPI. “The back-up players do not necessarily have to win the smaller tournaments but they must fulfill certain criteria, for example, maybe to reach at least two quarter-finals out of the five they compete in. “At the end of the year, every player under a particular coach must get certain percentages. The coaches will evaluate their players. “We, in turn, will use that to measure

FORMER World No 1 Dinara Safina hopes to play with renewed confidence under new coach, Davide Sanguinetti in the US$220,000 (RM682,000) BMW WTA Malaysian Open at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, which starts tomorrow with the qualifying round. The Russian is on a comeback trail after a series of poor performances and injuries saw her world ranking drop to 112. Dinara, who turns 25 on April 27, has been working with the Italian former ATP Tour professional since early this month after she parted ways with Gaston Etlis following the 'double bagel' she received from Belgium's Kim Clijsters in the first round of last month's Australian Open "I am working hard on my game under Sanguinetti, who is with me for this tournament. It will be my first tournament with him and I hope to achieve a certain target here," said Dinara at the tournament's official sponsor and charity campaign announcement function at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian &

Koo Kien Keat (kiri) dan Tan Boon Heong bakal berdepan dengan laluan sukar dalam All England. KUALA LUMPUR - Kelekaan yang sering ditunjukkan pasangan utama negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong setiap kali mendapat undian mudah, membuatkan ketua jurulatih beregu kebangsaan, Rexy Mainaky lebih senang anak didiknya itu menerima undian sukar pada kejohanan All England, bulan depan. Beregu No. 5 dunia itu diletak dalam 'undian maut' pada kejohanan 8-13 Mac ini, apabila berada dalam kelompok bersama juara Olimpik, Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, juara dunia, Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun serta pasangan yang mengalahkan mereka dalam semua empat pertemuan terakhir, Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong dari Korea Selatan pada kejohanan di Birmingham pada 8-13 Mac ini. Bermakna, Kien Keat-Boon Heong berpotensi menentang beregu handalan Indonesia, Markis-Hendra di suku akhir dan jika mara ke separuh akhir, pasangan handalan China, Haifeng-Cai Yun atau Sung Hyun-Yeon Seong pula menanti d

THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) has approved Rexy Mainaky's request for Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to have joint-training sessions with back-up pairs in order to help the senior combination improve their defence. Rexy and back-up coach Tan Kim Her have agreed on twice a week sessions besides matchplay on Wednesday and Saturday. The first session was held yesterday where Boon Heong had a one-hour session with Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Wei Shem-Lim Khim Wah. Kim Her said it will be a long term arrangement as both groups of players will benefit from the training. "The arrangement was to help Kien Keat and Boon Heong improve their defence while the back-up pairs will also improve by training with the top pair. It is a long term plan as it is going to help all the pairs in their preparation for the 2012 Olympics." "Boon Heong had a one-hour session with Hee Chun-Wee Kiong and Wei Shem-Khim Wah who did the attacking. Kien Keat wasn't around

SRAM and CIMB officials with the National Junior Circuit players at the launch of the CIMB Rising Stars Circuit and second CIMB National Junior Circuit in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — Picture by Fariz Iswadi Ismail   BRITISH Junior Open boys' Under-13 champion Ng Eain Yow intends to take on the big boys in the Under-17 event of the CIMB National Junior Circuit this year. Eain Yow, Malaysia's first British Junior champion since Ong Beng Hee, has no fear playing against boys several years older. "My coach (Andrew Cross) feels I should play in the Under-17 event. It's not a problem for me as I'm used to it, having played against the same players in Under-15 tournaments last year," said Eain Yow, 13, after the launch of the sixth CIMB Rising Stars Circuit and second CIMB National Junior Circuit in Bukit Jalil yesterday. CIMB and the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) are finally beginning to see the fruits of their labour after five years

IRFAN (tengah) meraikan jaringannya ketika menentang Pakistan di Stadium Shah Alam malam kelmarin. Malaysia menang 2-0. SEMANGAT pemain sayap skuad Olimpik kebangsaan, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria kini semakin membara. Pemain yang turut dikenali sebagai ‘Kecik’ itu menjaringkan gol pertama Malaysia ketika menewaskan Pakistan 2-0 pada aksi pertama pusingan pertama Kelayakan Olimpik 2012 di Stadium Shah Alam kelmarin. Gol kedua Malaysia pada perlawanan tersebut dijaringkan pemain tengah, Irfan Fazail. Menurut Wan Zaharulnizam, 20, dia sudah tidak sabar menunggu aksi kedua di tempat lawan dan kini terus bekerja keras untuk meningkatkan tahap kecer- gasannya agar terus mendapat kepercayaan jurulatih skuad Olimpik kebangsaan, Ong Kim Swee. “Selepas pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali, saya baru dapat beraksi sepenuh masa dalam dua perlawanan bersama skuad Harimau Muda A iaitu ketika menentang T-Team dan Perlis. “Jadi pada aksi bertemu Pakistan se- malam (kelmarin), tahap

DARI kiri, Zulmazran, Siti Safiyah, Zandra dan Adrian menunjukkan pingat yang dimenangi selepas beraksi dalam acara campuran pada Kejuaraan Tenpin Boling Komanwel ke-5 di Sunway Mega Lanes semalam. SKUAD boling negara terlepas mengutip pingat emas ketiga mereka apabila tewas kepada Singapura dalam acara campuran pada Kejuaraan Tenpin Boling Komanwel ke-5 yang berlangsung di Sunway Mega Lanes semalam. Skuad negara yang dibarisi Adrian Ang, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi dan Zulmazran Zulkifli hanya berjaya mencatat 5,055 jatuhan pin. Singapura pula yang menurunkan Shayna Ng, Geraldine Ng, Jason Yeong-Nathan dan Remy Ong beraksi cemerlang pada blok kedua dengan menjatuhkan 2,340 pin, sekali gus menambah jumlah 1,826 pin yang dicatat pada blok pertama untuk memenangi pingat emas. Sementara itu, skuad India yang dibarisi Prathima Hedge, Akaash Ashok Kumar, Swapna Mitra dan Shabbir Dhankot, mencuri tumpuan apabila memenangi pingat gangsa

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Feb (Bernama) -- Pemain remaja S Theiviya terpilih untuk menggalas cabaran negara pada Kejohanan Tenis Wanita BMW Terbuka Malaysia 2011 di Kelab Equestrian Bukit Kiara di sini mulai Sabtu ini hingga 6 Mac ini. Beliau, yang terpilih melalui slot 'wildcard', berkata kejohanan ini juga akan menjadi sebahagian daripada persediaannya untuk menjadi pemain profesional pada masa depan. "Saya telah menjalani latihan intensif selama dua bulan di Barcelona, Sepanyol, pada awal September lalu dan kini saya merasakan mendapat semangat baru untuk menyertai kejohanan ini. "Saya berasa gembira dapat bermain dengan jaguh antarabangsa namun saya tidak meletakkan harapan yang tinggi kerana pemain yang menyertai kebanyakannya bertaraf professional serta merupakan jaguh dunia yang kuat," katanya kepada pemberita di sini Khamis.

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Feb (Bernama) -- Buat pertama kali selepas 13 edisi Sukan Malaysia dilangsungkan sejak 1986, acara bina badan akan dipertandingkan pada temasya edisi ke-14 yang akan berlangsung di Kompleks Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil dari 28 Mei hingga 6 Jun ini. Setiausaha kehormat Persekutuan Bina Badan Malaysia (MBBF) Kamaruzaman Kadir berkata pertandingan acara itu bersama 19 acara pilihan lain disahkan pada Rabu. "Kemasukan bina badan dalam Sukan Malaysia merupakan pengiktirafan kepada sukan itu. Ketika acara bina badan sering diketepikan dari Sukan SEA dan Sukan Asia, kemunculan acara ini dalam Sukan Malaysia memberi nafas baru kepada pembina badan negara," katanya kepada Bernama, di sini pada Khamis. Kamaruzaman berkata acara bina badan di Sukan Malaysia terbuka kepada pembina badan berusia di bawah 21 tahun dan akan mempertandingkan tiga kategori iaitu bawah 60kg, 60 hingga 70 kg dan 70kg ke atas. MBBF, katanya akan segera menghantar surat kepada

LANGKAWI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The 12th edition of the Langkawi Ironman Malaysia Triathlon scheduled to be held on Sunday will be postponed to a suitable date later. Championship director A.Chandrakumanan said the organisers were having discussions with the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) to fix a new date. He said the initial proposal to postpone the championship to May was not feasible due to the time constraint. He said the organisers had to postpone the championship as they needed RM3 million including the cost of providing prizes, accommodation for the officials and food and beverages for the organisers. Chandrakumanan hoped that the Youth and Sports Ministry would take over the organisation of the 2011 and subsequent championships. The Ironman Langkawi consists of three disciplines, namely swimming (3.8km), cycling (180.2km), and a 42km run.

PARA pemain Malaysia meraikan kejayaan menewaskan Pakistan 2-0 di Stadium Shah Alam malam tadi. BIARPUN gagal mencipta kemenangan besar, jurulatih skuad Olimpik kebangsaan, Ong Kim Swee tetap yakin Malaysia mampu mara ke pusingan kedua. Pada aksi pertama pusingan pertama Kelayakan Olimpik 2012 di Stadium Shah Alam malam tadi, Malaysia berjaya menewaskan Pakistan 2-0. Kim Swee berkata, Pakistan pasti akan beraksi corak lebih terbuka pada aksi kedua di Lahore pada 9 Mac depan kerana lawan perlu memadam kelebihan dua gol skuad negara. “Secara keseluruhan, kita tetap beraksi baik. Cuma pada babak kedua, penjaga gol gantian Pakistan (Muhammad Omar) cemerlang menyelamatkan beberapa percubaan terbaik kita. “Tapi 2-0 masih tetap baik bagi kami. Sudah tentu pada aksi kedua di Lahore nanti, Pakistan akan bermain secara menyerang untuk mengejar dua gol. “Dengan Pakistan tidak beraksi secara bertahan nanti, saya yakin kita mampu menjaringkan satu atau dua gol lagi di Lahore,

Malaysia’s Wan Zaharul Nizam celebrates after scoring against Pakistan yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan   MALAYSIA enjoyed a good start to their Olympic Asian Zone Qualifying first round campaign by overcoming 10-man Pakistan 2-0 in the first leg at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. It was rather a comical display from the Pakistan side who added spice into the match by resorting to rough play. Coach Ong Kim Swee had instructed his chargers to go on the offensive from the start for an early goal and he got what he wanted when Wan Zaharul Nizam Wan Zakaria scored in the fourth minute. The midfielder picked up a loose ball from outside the penalty box following a corner kick clearance and rifled home a shot past Pakistan goalkeeper Yousuf Ejaz Butt. Malaysia picked up the pace and had several good opportunities to extend their lead through K. Gurusamy's free kick, which hit the crossbar in the 15th minute and also Ahmad Shakir Ali's attempt from an acute a

PENGADIL perlawanan, Liu Kwok Man melayangkan kad merah kepada Ansar kerana menendang penjaga gol negara, Khairul Fahmi pada perlawanan kelayakan pra-Olimpik di Stadium Shah Alam, malam tadi.   Jaringan Zaharul, Fazail cipta sorakan gemuruh di Stadium Shah Alam HALANGAN pertama kelayakan pra-Olimpik sudah diatasi Ong Kim Swee dan anak buahnya apabila menewaskan Pakistan 2-0 di Stadium Shah Alam malam tadi, tetapi ia tidak cukup untuk mengatasi kerisauan yang bakal dihadapi jurulatih berkenaan. “Selepas perlawanan, ada tiga perlawanan Liga Super yang perlu diharungi pemain sebelum kembali menyertai latihan pada 2 Mac,” kata Kim Swee dalam sidang akhbar selepas perlawanan. “Ketika itu, saya perlu menilai semula siapa yang berada pada tahap kecergasan terbaik untuk dibawa ke Lahore. Siapa yang akan dipilih, saya perlu tunggu sehingga mereka melaporkan diri 2 Mac ini.” Dua gol pada awal dan akhir babak pertama memberikan bekalan selesa buat skuad Olimpik negara s

Pemain Malaysia, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria (dua dari kiri) merembat bola melepasi tiga pemain Pakistan dalam perlawanan kelayakan Olimpik di Stadium Shah Alam, malam tadi. Malaysia menang 2-0. - AFP SHAH ALAM - Menang tetapi masih belum cukup! Skuad Olimpik Malaysia sekadar merakamkan kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Pakistan dalam aksi berat sebelah di Stadium Shah Alam yang dihadiri kira-kira 10,000 penyokong setia negara, semalam. Walaupun menguasai sebahagian besar perlawanan dengan Pakistan beraksi 10 pemain sepanjang babak kedua, skuad negara gagal meraih kesempatan memperoleh gol sebanyak mungkin bagi menutup terus cabaran lawan dalam 90 minit seterusnya. Kemenangan dua gol tanpa balas itu sebenarnya belum menjanjikan keselesaan buat Ong Kim Swee dan pemain yang akan bertandang ke Lahore, Pakistan pada 9 Mac ini bagi melengkapkan pertemuan kedua pusingan pertama. Dua pemain muda, Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria dan Mohd. Irfan Fazail muncul wira negara dengan gol

Wong Tat Meng will be the first Malaysian to join the Indonesia BA (PBSI) as a singles coach.    WONG Tat Meng has resigned as women's singles coach and will soon become the first Malaysian to join the Indonesia BA (PBSI) as a singles coach next month. Tat Meng, who tendered his resignation on Feb 11, will guide the national players until March 11, after which the Malaysian will team up with former national coach Li Mao, who is the singles head coach of Indonesia. Tat Meng said he accepted PBSI's offer as it gives him the chance to gain experience outside Malaysia and also boost his coaching credentials with a leading badminton nation. "I have been with the BA of Malaysia (BAM) for almost eight years and I decided to gain new experience in Indonesia. I will be reporting to Li Mao and will start work in another four weeks," said Tat Meng. "It is also a good chance for me to widen my coaching knowledge and also meet new challenges in a new envir

PERSIAPAN ratu badminton negara, Wong Mew Choo untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik London 2012 tersentak apabila jurulatihnya, Wong Tat Meng meletak jawatan berkuat kuasa, hujung bulan depan. Jurulatih yang menyertai skuad negara sejak 2006 berbuat demikian selepas menerima tawaran lumayan membantu bekas jurulatih negara dari China, Li Mao membimbing skuad kebangsaan Indonesia. Setiausaha BAM, Ng Chin Chai berkata jurulatih itu mengakui sukar menolak tawaran lumayan dari Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI) dan sudah mengemukakan surat peletakan jawatannya, baru-baru ini. “Dia akan menjadi jurulatih pertama dari Malaysia melatih skuad Indonesia,” katanya selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan (CTC) BAM di Stadium Juara Bukit Kiara, semalam. Chin Chai yang juga pengerusi jawatankuasa berkenaan berkata, pihaknya kini dalam proses mencari jurulatih baru bagi menggantikan tempatnya yang akan menamatkan tugasnya hingga hujung

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) - Cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang who is recovering from surgery to remove splinter from his calf cannot afford a long rest. National Sports Institute (ISN) director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz said Azizulhasni has to work his muscles after six weeks to prevent cramps. He said initial reports from Melbourne said that the national rider need a three to four weeks break from light training. "After six to eight weeks, Azizulhasni must undergo mobilisation process by moving in certain positions and working the leg muscles. "He can do light exercises after evaluation of the mobilisation process. A long rest will make his leg muscles become tight," he told Bernama here Wednesday. Azizulhasni was involved in a freak accident enroute to winning the bronze medal at the World Cup Classic in Manchester on Sunday. A 20cm splinter pierced the left calf of Malaysia's gold medal hope at 2012 London Olympic Games. Azizulhas

Wong Tat Meng (kiri) mencari pengalaman baru di Indonesia dengan bekerjasama dengan Li Mao yang kini menjadi ketua jurulatih skuad negara itu. KUALA LUMPUR – Jika penyerang kebangsaan, Mohd. Safee Sali menjadi pemain bola sepak pertama Malaysia beraksi dalam liga Indonesia, jurulatih badminton negara, Wong Tat Meng pula menjadi jurulatih pertama negara ini yang akan menyertai skuad kebangsaan negara itu. Selepas lapan tahun menabur bakti bersama skuad kebangsaan, Tat Meng yang sentiasa dikenang sebagai jurulatih yang berjaya menaikkan ratu badminton negara, Wong Mew Choo dan menjulangnya menjuarai Terbuka China 2007, akhirnya memilih untuk mencari pengalaman baru di luar negara. Bekas jurulatih perseorangan Malaysia, Li Mao yang kini bertindak sebagai ketua jurulatih perseorangan Indonesia merupakan orang yang bertanggungjawab membawa Tat Meng ke negara itu, kerana percaya dengan kemampuannya selama beberapa tahun menjadi pembantunya di negara ini. Bagi Tat Me

KUALA LUMPUR - Skuad badminton Malaysia mungkin boleh melupakan hasrat untuk mencari keputusan terbaik pada Sukan SEA Indonesia, November ini kerana akan beraksi tanpa tonggak terbaiknya, jaguh No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan pasangan utama, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.  Malah, skuad wanita yang akan turun sebagai penyandang juara berpasukan juga mungkin tidak menyenaraikan pasangan utamanya dan pemenang pingat emas beregu 2009, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui jika beregu senior itu bergelut untuk melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik 2012. Setiausaha Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Ng Chin Chai berkata, mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemandu Road to London 2012 yang dipengerusikan oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek pada 25 Januari lalu memberi kelonggaran kepada badminton untuk merehatkan tonggak utama pada temasya yang berlangsung dari 11 hingga 25 November itu. Pusingan kelayakan Olimpik akan bermula pada April ini dan ketika Sukan SEA berlangsung

CHONG WEI tidak akan beraksi pada Sukan SEA 2011 bagi memberi tumpuan pada Sukan Olimpik 2012. JAGUH badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan beregu utama, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong tidak akan beraksi pada temasya Sukan SEA 2011 di Indonesia, November ini. Perkara itu disahkan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan (C&T) Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Ng Chin Chai. Chin Chai berkata, keputusan untuk tidak menyenaraikan Chong Wei, Kien Keat/Boon Heong pada Sukan Sea kali ini dibuat selepas mengambil kira persiapan ketiga-tiga pemain itu menjelang Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London. “Keputusan ini dibuat selepas mengambil kira tentang program-program yang telah diatur bagi menghadapi Sukan Olimpik pada tahun depan. “Kami (BAM) mahu mereka terus fokus kepada program-program itu tanpa ada sebarang gangguan,” kata Chin Chai selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat C&T di pejabat BAM di Bukit Kiara semalam. Ditanya sama ada Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Dat

KUALA LUMPUR - Pelumba berbasikal trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang yang kini dalam proses pemulihan selepas menjalani pembedahan mengeluarkan serpihan kayu daripada betisnya, tidak boleh berehat terlalu lama bagi mengelakkan otot kakinya kejang. Ketua Pengarah Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), Datuk Dr. Ramlan Abd. Aziz berkata, berdasarkan laporan awal kecederaan Mohd. Azizulhasni yang diperoleh dari Melbourne, pelumba itu perlukan rehat tiga hingga empat minggu tanpa sebarang latihan ringan. "Pada minggu keenam hingga kelapan, Azizulhasni perlu menjalani proses mobilisasi, bergerak dalam posisi tertentu, bagi menggerakkan otot-otot kakinya. "Selepas penilaian proses mobilisasi tersebut, barulah dia boleh menjalani latihan ringan. Jika berehat terlalu lama, otot-otot kakinya akan menjadi ketat," katanya di sini, semalam. Azizulhasni, pelumba sandaran utama untuk meraih pingat emas pertama Malaysia dari Sukan Olimpik di London pada tahun hadapan, terbabit de

ZANDRA AZIELA (kiri) dan Adrian Ang menyelamatkan maruah negara dengan memenangi pingat perak pada hari ketiga Kejohanan Tenpin Boling Komanwel ke-5 di Pyramid Mega Lanes, Bandar Sunway semalam. KEMARAU pingat emas skuad boling negara berterusan pada hari ketiga Kejohanan Tenpin Boling Komanwel ke-5 di Pyramid Mega Lanes, Bandar Sunway semalam. Hanya pingat perak diperoleh dalam acara beregu campuran menerusi gandingan Adrian Ang/Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi yang melakukan 2,543 jatuhan pin. Kehebatan pasangan England, Matt Miller/Nicki Ainge ternyata terlalu unggul buat Adrian/Zandra apabila merangkul pingat emas selepas melakukan 2,621 jatuhan pin. Pingat gangsa pula dimenangi pasangan Australia, George Frilingos/Ann-Maree Putney dengan 2,524 jatuhan pin. "Andrian merupakan penyelamat kepada aksi kami (Adrian/Zandra) hari ini (semalam). Dia telah menutup segala kesilapan yang saya lakukan ketika prestasi saya di bawah tahap sebenar. "Namun, kami

PETALING JAYA, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's mixed pair Adrian Ang and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi fought their hearts out in the final frame to deliver the silver medal for Malaysia in the 5th Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships. In the mixed doubles events played at the Sunway Megalanes here, the Malaysian duo accumulated 2,543 pin falls and finished 78 pins behind gold medallists, Nicki Ainge and Matt Miller of England. It was England's second gold medal of the competition after Miller and his partner, Matt Chamberlain clinched the gold medal in the men's doubles event on Tuesday. Australian pair -- George Frilingos and Ann-Maree Putney -- claimed the bronze medal with 2,524 pin falls. "In the first four games, we struggled a bit but we managed to overcome our performance. We just put in our best effort, that is the best we could do," said Zandra Aziela. Zandra Aziela had lines of 216, 187, 226, 181, 203 and 232, while Adrian had li

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Judo Federation hope to end their 30-year wait for a SEA Games gold medal during the 2011 SEA Games hosted by Indonesia from Nov 11 to 25. MJF executive secretary I. Mariapan said Malaysia would be sending 16 judo exponents to Indonesia in an effort to make up for the disappointment at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos. "In the past, judo has won silver and bronze medals but not a gold. It has been a long time. We hope the eight men and eight women judokas will be able to end that drought," he told Bernama here Wednesday. The last time Malaysia won a gold medal in judo was during the 1981 Manila SEA Games in the Philippines. Mariapan the identified judokas were currently preparing for the National Judo Championships in Kuala Lumpur on April 16 and 17. He added that 19 exponents would also be competing in an International Judo Championships in Taipei, Taiwan in July.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Injured National track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, currently recuperating in Melbourne after a freak accident during the World Track Cycling championship in Manchester, was in for a pleasant surprise after receiving a get well message from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. "When I arrived home (Melbourne) from Manchester, I received a basket of fruits and flowers. When I read the card attached, I was shocked as it was from the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin himself. "I was totally overwhelmed by the concern shown by the Deputy Prime Minister," he said via a short message service (SMS) to Bernama Wednesday. Mohd Azizulhasni was blazing towards the final bend of a world title race when four of the six riders crashed in a scene of carnage behind Sir Chris Hoy, the eventual winner, from England. The 23-year-old Malaysian's calf was skewered by a 20cm shard of Siberian pine from the track, b

SHAH ALAM, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Olympic squad will take a two goal advantage to Lahore for the second leg after beating 10-man Pakistan 2-0 in the first leg of their 2012 Olympic Qualifier at the Shah Alam Stadium Wednesday night. Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria and Mohd Irfan Fazail struck in the first half to give the home team a comfortable 2-0 first half lead but the second half failed to produce any goals. The second leg will be held at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan on March 9. The Olympic squad coached by Ong Kim Swee took an early lead when Wan Zaharulnizam struck in the 3rd minute to give about 7,000 fans reason to cheer. The second goal came on the stroke of half time but despite Pakistan being reduced to 10-man after Hong Kong referee Liu Kwok Man gave Ansar Abbas the marching orders, the Malaysian boys failed to find their scoring touch. Abbas was ordered off the field for using an elbow on Malaysian goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat,

KUALA TERENGGANU - Ibu kepada jaguh trek negara, Azizulhasni Awang, Selamiah Yong agak terkilan kerana tidak sempat berpesan kepada anaknya itu agar menyimpan serpihan kayu yang tertusuk betisnya untuk dijadikan kenangan. Menurut Selamiah, 47, beliau amat berharap supaya anaknya itu menyimpan serpihan kayu tersebut dan membawanya pulang ke rumah mereka di Kampung Nibong Stesyen, Dungun sekembalinya ke tanah air nanti. Katanya, beliau masih menunggu panggilan telefon atau khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) daripada jaguh trek negara itu dan berharap serpihan kayu tersebut masih belum dibuang dan dijaga dengan elok. "Memang dia ada hubungi saya malam hari kejadian semasa dia mula dirawat di hospital di Manchester tetapi ketika itu saya tak terfikir tentang perkara tersebut (simpan serpihan kayu untuk kenangan). "Saya teringin sangat nak tengok sendiri dengan lebih dekat bagaimana rupa kayu yang tertusuk betis kiri Azizulhasni, memang mengerikan dan kalau dia bawa

SELAMIAH menatap laporan akhbar mengenai Azizul, di Dungun, semalam. Kakinya masih sakit tetapi minta kami sekeluarga tidak bimbang keadaannya SELAMIAH Yong - ibu kepada jaguh lumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang lega kerana pembedahan mengeluarkan serpihan kayu daripada kaki anaknya berjaya dan sudah dibenarkan keluar hospital dan pulang ke Melbourne. Ibu berusia 47 tahun itu berkata, dia menerima berita itu melalui Sistem Pesanan Ringkas (SMS) yang dihantar Azizulhasni pada jam 1.30 petang semalam yang memberitahu dia selamat dan sedang menunggu penerbangan dari Dubai ke Melbourne. “Jijoe (Azizulhasni) memberitahu kakinya masih sakit tetapi minta kami sekeluarga tidak bimbang keadaannya. “Kami bangga dengan Jijoe yang tetap meneruskan perlumbaan hingga ke garisan penamat sedangkan kakinya ketika itu masih tertusuk serpihan kayu itu. Dia tidak menyerah kalah demi negara,” katanya ditemui di rumahnya di Jalan Teratai, Dungun, semalam. Selamiah berkata, d