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KETUA Pengarah, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong menjelaskan bahawa beliau bukannya meragui kredibiliti Presiden Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim mengenai isu pembayaran elaun kepada atlet oleh badan olahraga negara itu. Sebaliknya Zolkples berkata, beliau hanya tidak mempercayai ‘orang-orang bawahan’ Shahidan dalam menguruskan wang elaun tersebut sekiranya MSN memberi hak kepada mereka melakukannya. Alasannya ialah semua perancangan yang dibuat oleh KOAM selama ini adalah tidak selari dengan apa yang dipersetujui oleh Jawatankuasa Kerja (JKK) Bersama MSN KOAM. MSN tidak akan memberi peranan tersebut (pembayaran elaun atlet) kepada KOAM, tidak sesekali,” kata Zolkples ketika ditemui pada Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Antara Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Majlis Sukan Negara dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia sempena Pelancaran ‘Team Malaysia’ di Kuala Lumpur semalam. “Bukan kerana tidak percaya terhadap kredibiliti presiden me

KUALA LUMPUR — Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) akan menyerahkan 17 gelanggang futsal di Lembah Klang kepada persatuan yang berkenaan sebelum 15 Mei ini, kata menterinya, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.   Beliau berkata, sebelum ini KBS tidak dapat menyerahkan kepada persatuan berkenaan dengan lebih awal ekoran masalah bekalan air dan elektrik hingga menyebabkan ia tidak dapat digunakan dan menjadi sasaran vandalisme. "Jadi sebelum proses penyerahan dilakukan KBS akan memastikan kesemua gelanggang berkenaan dalam keadaan sempurna dan mempunyai bekalan elektrik dan air serta bebas daripada masalah vandalisme,” katanya ketika menjawab pertanyaan dalam program Borak-Borak Belia kawasan Titiwangsa, di sini, hari ini. —Bernama

THE Super League may be reduced to 12 teams next season with each side able to hire as many as three foreign players in proposals to the FA of Malaysia executive committee. FAM deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa said radical changes are needed to elevate the M-League to Asian standard and allow Malaysian teams to play in the AFC Champions League. "All this while, the M-League has been professional in name only. From a management standpoint, we have yet to meet the standards set by AFF (Asean Football Federation) and AFC (Asian Football Council)," said Annuar after chairing a MSL committee meeting at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya yesterday. "We have made several recommendations to the FAM exco to raise the standard of the M-League and to improve the management of teams. "One of the main suggestions is to sever the link between teams and their respective state FAs. The management must be independent, I don't know about others, but Kelantan is al

ahmad Shabery Cheek (tengah), CEO Kumpulan TM, Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd. Isa (kiri) dan Pengerusi TM Datuk Dr. Halim Shafie melihat jersi Panthera pada majlis menandatangani perjanjian dengan MSN dan MOM di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. KUALA LUMPUR - Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) menandatangani perjanjian dengan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) bagi melaksanakan kempen sukan yang unik yang dikenali 'Team Malaysia'. Di bawah kempen tersebut, TM diberi hak eksklusif menjual jersi belang hitam kuning atau Panthera yang lazimnya dikhaskan untuk atlet negara sahaja. Kini orang ramai boleh membeli jersi tersebut dan memakainya sewaktu menyaksikan atlet negara beraksi pada sesuatu kejohanan. Jersi tersebut boleh dibeli di premis TM Point yang terpilih serta siri Jelajah TM pada harga RM79.90 sehelai dan harga istimewa menerusi belian secara online RM69.90. Di bawah perjanjian itu juga TM bertanggungjawab memasarkan dan promosi cenderam

TM tawar imbuhan RM100,000 sebagai pembakar semangat atlit ATLIT negara yang meraih pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik London 2012 bakal menerima tambahan RM100,000 daripada RM1 juta ditawarkan di bawah Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan (Shakam) susulan persetujuan Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) memberi imbuhan berkenaan. Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, ketika mengumumkan perkara itu berkata kesudian TM menawarkan imbuhan tambahan kepada pemenang emas Olimpik London itu boleh menjadi pembakar semangat untuk atlit negara merangkul emas pertama. “Ini juga satu lagi kejayaan usaha membabitkan pihak swasta dalam membantu kerajaan memaju dan membangunkan sukan negara,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyaksikan majlis menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman (MoU) antara TM, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) serta melancarkan “Team Malaysia” di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. MoU itu dimeterai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan TM,

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants a detailed report on former national coach Datuk Misbun Sidek's refusal to accept an offer to train the back up players. "If Misbun chose not to accept the offer (to coach the back up squad), I need to know the details and need it soon," said Ahmad Shabery after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and the National Sports Council (NSC) and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for a "Team Malaysia" campaign. Through the memorandum, TM would have the rights to use the NSC and OCM logos in their products. Misbun was reported to have refused an offer by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to coach the back up squad players. "I was made to understand that Misbun's task will be to produce many more Lee Chong Wei's for the future and I feel it is a fair request because Chong Wei can

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Datuk Lee Chong Wei's former coach Datuk Misbun Sidek has turned down an offer from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to return to the BAM fold. BAM deputy president Tengku Kamil Ismail Tengku Idris Shah said Misbun's decision was unanimously accepted by the BAM council that met at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara here Thursday. "Following Misbun's refusal to accept BAM's offer, he will not be part of the National coaching set up," he said. Misbun who had joined BAM as head coach in 2002, and who later coached Chong Wei, shocked the entire nation by submitting his resignation letter to BAM just a day before his contract was to expire on Dec 31. Subsequently, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong and BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh had met Misbun, urging him to return to the BAM fold.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Widiya Shamsuri is among three Asian referees and six assistants appointed by the Federation of International Football (FIFA) to officiate in the Women's World Cup to be held in Germany from June 26 to July 17, this year. According to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, besides Widiya, the other assistant referees are Allyson Flynn (Australia), Sarah Ho (Australia), Kim Kyoung Min (North Korea), Saori Takahashi (Japan) and Zhang Lingling (China). The referees are South Korean's Cha Sung-mi, Japan's Etsuko Fukano and Australian Jacqui Melksham. Australia, North Korea and Japan are representing Asia in the 16-team event. Widiya, 34, from Seremban had previously been on the line in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Russia in 2006 and the same tournament in Beijing in 2008. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) referees committee chairman Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz said the selection of Widiy

By P. Vijian NEW DELHI, April 28 (Bernama) -- World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei will face India's rising star Sourabh Verma in the quarter finals of the India Open Super Series at the Siri Fort Sports Complex after his impressive win Thursday. After a rusty start in his opening match yesterday, Chong Wei, the top seed, weaved his magic on court against South Korea's Lee Hyun Il today, easily outplaying the latter to signal his intention of winning the elusive Indian Open title. Chong Wei trapped a jaded Hyun IL with his neat net play and excellent drop shorts that left his rival in disarray in both sets, and needed only 31 minutes to wrap up the match 21-13, 21-17. "There was no pressure from my opponent today. I am enjoying the Indian Open. I am preparing myself for the World Championship (in August in London)," Chong Wei told Bernama after his match here Thursday. The All England champion who had been bogged by food poisoning and injuries d

GEORGE TOWN, April 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash sensation and current women's world No. 1 Datuk Nicol David led the Malaysian charge into the semi-finals of the 16th Asian Individual Squash Championships here Thursday. Besides Nicol, Low Wee Wern, Delia Odette Arnold, Ong Beng Hee and Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan also advanced to the last four of the competition. Nicol, who is defending her Asian title for the seventh consecutive time while gunning for her eighth title in the championships, outclassed Hong Kong's Chan Ho-Ling 11-6, 11-6, 11-7. The 27-year-old five-time world champion, who took 31 minutes to down her opponent in straight sets, said she was glad to win the match in front of her family and friends. "I was trying not to give too much room for her (Chan) but she still managed to play some good shots to steal points," she said during the post-match interview here Thursday. She said she need to be cautious tomorrow as it would be a tou

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry may soon fund badminton events. Mailsport learnt several representatives from the ministry met with BA of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh yesterday to discuss how the Tourism Ministry can play an active role in hosting international tournaments. Kenny confirmed meeting the officials but declined to reveal further details. The ministry has been lambasted in the past for spending millions on sports events, including exhibition matches hosted in near-empty stadiums. Tournaments, like the Malaysian Open and Thomas/ Uber Cups, enjoy good following as attested to in the number of spectators and wide coverage by local and foreign Press. This comes as an additional boost as BAM are in the midst of signing a sponsorship deal with Maybank. Meanwhile, BAM will start their Level 3 coaching course at the end of the year. This could see the likes of seasoned coaches like Yap Kim Hock and even Misbun Sidek (pic) sig

MISBUN Sidek, who has yet to accept the new contract from the BA of Malaysia (BAM), must do so before the executive council meets today or look elsewhere for a coaching job. BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh had, over the weekend, strongly hinted that today's Exco meeting will be the deadline for Misbun to accept or decline the offer but he is hopeful the coach will continue nurturing BAM players. However, Misbun has a habit of keeping it to the last moment to announce his decisions but in this case, hasn't much of a choice. BAM general manager Kenny Goh confirmed that there hasn't been any official word from Misbun up till yesterday and said the Exco will deliberate on the matter. The parent body has offered Misbun to coach several back-up players including his son Misbun Ramdan and will also consider putting an elite player, most likely Tan Chun Seang, into the group. Currently, Hendrawan is in charge of the nine back-up singles players but the

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim PRESIDEN Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim meminta agar cadangan pihaknya bertanggungjawab membayar elaun kepada atlet tidak dijadikan isu. Shahidan berkata, keputusan ahli Majlis KOAM untuk membayar sendiri elaun atlet mereka dibuat pada mesyuarat sebelah pagi iaitu sebelum cadangan itu diajukan kepada Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dalam mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kerja (JKK) MSN-KOAM. Zolkples dalam sebuah akhbar berkata, KOAM tidak boleh dipercayai terutamanya selepas persatuan itu gagal membeli peralatan sepatutnya biarpun sudah menerima peruntukan RM280,000 pada akhir 2007. “Semua sudah selesai, semua bayaran atlet dan lain-lain akan dibuat secepat mungkin.” Dalam pada itu, ketika ditanya sama ada beliau menerima atau tidak keputusan MSN yang enggan memberi peruntukan untuk KOAM membayar sendiri elaun atlet, Shahidan nampaknya cuba mengelak daripada memberi jawapan tepat. “Kita hanya mencadangkan, kal

NEW DELHI, April 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian shuttlers, along with the world's top player Datuk Lee Chong Wei, had a head start in the Indian Open Super Series Wednesday -- easily advancing to the second round. As expected, Lee, favourite to win his maiden Indian Open title, set the pace by beating his Indian opponent Ajay Jayaram. On the second day, other Malaysians also took advantage of the less competitive championship, where world class players like China men's singles stars Lin Dan and Chen Long plus women single's aces - Wang Shixian, Wang Yihan and Wang Xin - were missing. However, their talents are yet to be tested in Delhi, as the early rounds posed little challenge from young players, largely from India, Japan and South Korea. National top players like women's double's pair Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty who had an easy game against India's Thulasi P.C-Siki Reddy, winning 21-7, 21-11, are likely to rough it out in the next round. They

GEORGE TOWN, April 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash sensation and current women's world No. 1 Datuk Nicol David cruised into the quarter finals of the 16th Asian Individual Squash Championship after beating Jerryca Teo of Singapore at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar, here Wednesday. Nicol, who received a first round bye, beat Jerryca 11-2, 11-6 and 11-4 in the second round to set up a quarter-final date with Chan Ho-Ling of Hong Kong. The 27-year-old Penangite, who took 25 minutes to down her opponent in straight sets, said she was glad to win her first game at the squash centre that was named after her. "It's always great to win the first matches of a tournament and I am happy to get through to the quarter finals," she said when met after her match here. The five-time world champion said she would be more focused in Thursday's match as it will be a tougher encounter against Chan who had earlier defeated Eun Tschan

PUTRAJAYA, April 27 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hopes the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia from Nov 11-25, will not become an exclusive broadcast rights event, without prior notice. He said every country must be informed whether broadcast rights are exclusive or otherwise because countries would need at least a year to prepare the budget and find sponsors. "We do not want to see what happened during the Laos SEA Games in 2009 to repeat itself. In Laos, the organising committee imposed very high broadcast rights at the last minute, forcing many countries to shy away from broadcasting the games. "Without wide coverage of the games, there will be no highlights of the action in that particular country," he told reporters here. Ahmad Shabery was commenting on Indonesia's decision to bar media coverage from the Malaysian media, even for the launching of the SEA Games mascot, apparently because they did not have br

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Former chief secretary to the government Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid has been appointed Malaysia's chef-de-mission for the London Olympic Games next year. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said Ahmad Sarji's appointment was endorsed by the OCM at its meeting on Saturday. Sieh said the meeting also appointed Malaysian National Cycling Federation deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamed as chef-de-mission for the SEA Games in Jakarta and Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia president Datuk Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali as chef-de-mission for the Games in Palembang. The 2011 SEA Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Nov 11 to 25. "The trio were nominated last month and endorsed by OCM on Saturday," he told Bernama Wednesday. Ahmad Sarji is Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation president.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Incumbent Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar announced his decision to defend the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president's post but if he loses, Malaysia may also lose a member in the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Tunku Imran who will defend the OCM presidency post for the 2011-2013 term said under the IOC charter, the member must be a president of the National Olympic Council. "It's a democratic process. I'm open to any challenge for the post. But Malaysia will not have a representative in the IOC, in the near future, if I lose," he told Bernama, here Wednesday. He is one of 110 members of IOC for the 2006-2014 term. Tunku Imran who took over as the OCM president from Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah in 1999 said candidates for the presidency must understand the Olympic movement's work and commitment because OCM is a 'service organization' and not a place for hunting positions. Asked ab

DATUK Seri Shahidan Kassim masih berteka-teki sama ada mahu merebut jawatan Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) dipertandingkan bagi penggal baru 2011-2013 pada 18 Jun ini yang dijalankan serentak sempena Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan (AGM) majlis itu. Presiden Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) dan Persatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (Asum) itu menjelaskan masih terlalu awal untuk menyatakan pendiriannya dan membuat keputusan berhubung perkara itu. “Borang pencalonanpun belum diedarkan. Pendirian saya akan diketahui apabila tiba masanya nanti,” katanya kepada pemberita pada satu sidang media kelmarin. Menurutnya, dunia yang kini terbuka memerlukan perubahan termasuk juga dalam bidang sukan namun jika tiada pertukaran dari segi kepimpinan mungkin sesetengah sikap yang perlu diubah. Sekiranya berhasrat untuk bertanding kali ini, bekas Menteri Besar Perlis itu bakal berdepan Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar yang sudah mengesahkan untuk mempertahankan jawatan di

IMBAS KEMBALI... Presiden MOM, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar (tengah) bersama Dr. Jegathesan (kiri) dan Sani semasa Mesyuarat Agong Tahunan MOM ke-28 pada 30 Mei 2009. NAIB Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk A. Sani Karim menawarkan diri untuk bertanding jawatan Timbalan Presiden majlis itu bagi penggal 2011-2013, pada sesi pemilihan 18 Jun depan. Sani berkata, beliau menawarkan diri selepas penyandang, Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan mengesahkan tidak akan mempertahankan jawatannya bagi penggal depan. "Selepas Dr. Jegathesan membuat keputusan tersebut, ramai rakan dari persatuan sukan memujuk saya untuk mengisi kekosongan tersebut. "Dengan bakat kepimpinan sukan sebagai bekas presiden SRAM dan kini sebagai presiden Persekutuan Skuasy Asia sejak 2009, saya menawarkan diri untuk bertanding jawatan Timbalan Presiden," kata Sani semalam. Sani yang juga bekas presiden Persatuan Raket Skuasy Malaysia (SRAM), adalah salah seorang daripada Nai

Korean Nyeon Ho Lee retrieves a shot against Ong Beng Hee in their match yesterday. — Picture by Ramdzan Masiam ONG Beng Hee and Low Wee Wern opened their campaigns at the 16th PBA-Musmetro Asian Championships with impressive wins at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in George Town yesterday. After a first-round bye, Beng Hee made short work of Nyeon Ho Lee, taking less than 25 minutes to beat the Korean 11-5, 11-4, 11-9. The Malaysian No 2 had it easy in the first two games but the aggressive Korean fought back in the third, forcing Beng Hee into unforced errors, but the Malaysian's experience saw him through. "Playing on this court, I have to be patient as being too aggressive one tends to get tired very fast," said Beng Hee. Beng Hee, a native of Penang, said it was always nice to get through the first round as it always has him worried, and with the win, he can play with more confidence in his remaining matches. The cool Wee Wern was also

KUALA LUMPUR: The India Open does not offer ranking points for the world championships in August or the Olympic Games next year. But the Super Series event, which begins today in New Delhi, still holds significant importance for Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei and the men’s pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong as their pride is at stake. World No. 1 Chong Wei is determined to show that he is king of the Super Series events and in the absence of Lin Dan of China, the men’s singles title, at least on paper, should be easy picking. Chong Wei however, had been left red-faced in India twice and he will want to avoid a similar situation. Due to food poisoning, he was sent packing by Chen Long of China in the opening round of the India Open in 2009 and months later, he went down to Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the quarter-finals of the world championships in Hyderabad. Coach Teh Seu Bock, however, did not want to pile unnecessary pressure on Chong Wei. First hurdle: Lee C

PETALING JAYA: Confidence is soaring high on Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi to become the first Malaysian female rifle shooter to feature in the Olympics when she makes a third attempt to qualify for the London Games next year at the World Cup leg in Fort Benning, the United States, from May 12-25. The fresh hope stems from her good showing in the previous leg in South Korea two weeks ago when she came close to making the top eight cut. Fresh hopes: Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi came close to booking a spot for the London Olympics in South Korea two weeks ago.   She was joint eighth with seven other shooters on 396 in the 10m rifle event but lost out narrowly in a shootout to finish in 12th spot. A place in the top-eight final would have given her a spot in the London Olympics. It was certainly a better performance from Suryani compared to her outing at the first leg in Sydney last month. The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) secretary, Jasni Shaari, is excited ov

INDONESIA, host of the 26th Sea Games, has chosen the Komodo dragon as mascot for the Games, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang on Nov 11-25.    The Indonesia Sea Games Organising Committee (Inasoc), was qouted by the Jakarta Post as saying that a pair of Komodo dragons, a male (Modo) and a female (Modi), were chosen in recognition of the republic's conservation efforts to protect the dwindling number of the rare giant lizards. Modo and Modi were unveiled on Monday night at a function in Jakarta to mark the 200-day countdown to the Games. The Komodo dragons, the largest lizard in the world, only live on the Indonesian islands of Komodo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. On Jan 15, Inasoc unveiled its logo, a Garuda eagle, to symbolise the power and grandeur of Indonesia. Indonesia dominated the Games between 1977 (when it first competed) and 1997. The nation failed to top the medal charts only twice in that period -- in Bangkok in 1985 and in Chiang

MENAMATKAN cabaran dalam kelompok empat pasukan terbaik adalah sasaran skuad hoki Malaysia menjelang kancah saingan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah ke-10 di Ipoh pada 5 sehingga 15 Mei ini. Setiausaha Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia (PHM), Maninderjit Singh berkata, jika mampu melakukannya ia tetap dianggap pencapaian terbaik memandangkan kejohanan kali ini disertai oleh pasukan yang berada dalam 10 ranking terbaik dunia Maninderjit yang lebih dikenali dengan panggilan mesra “Mike” berkata Australia selaku juara dunia menduduki ranking pertama manakala Britain (keempat), Korea Selatan (keenam), Pakistan (kelapan) dan India (sembilan). Manakala Malaysia berada pada ranking ke-15 Persekutuan Hoki Dunia (FIH). “Kejohanan kali ini disertai pasukan yang menduduki ranking tertinggi semasa. Jika Malaysia mampu menamatkan cabaran dalam kelompok empat terbaik saya kira sudah cukup bagus,” katanya selepas majlis mempromosi kejohanan di Tol Ipoh Selatan, Ampang Lebuhraya Plus Selatan-Utara

SUBANG JAYA - Cadangan Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) untuk untuk membenarkan khidmat pemain import dalam Liga Malaysia (Liga M) disokong penyerang kebangsaan yang beraksi di Indonesia, Safee Sali. Safee berpendapat, cadangan FAM itu wajar disokong kerana ia akan merancakkan lagi Liga M, khususnya sambutan penonton ke stadium. "Saya setuju dengan cadangan FAM itu kerana saya yakin kehadiran pemain import bakal memeriahkan lagi Liga M, malah ia turut menyumbang kepada kehadiran penyokong ke stadium," katanya di sini, kelmarin. Safee yang pulang ke tanah air selama dua hari, sempat menyertai perlawanan persahabatan bersama para pelajar Akademi Fantasia 9 anjuran Mizi Sports Centre di gelanggang Ferro Futsal, di sini. Safee yang merupakan duta Mizi Sports Centre turut disertai rakan sepasukan dalam skuad kebangsaan, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak dan Zaquan Adha yang juga merupakan duta butik barangan sukan tersebut. Mengulas mengenai kebimbangan segelintir pihak

PERSATUAN lain boleh bangkit bicara kes masing-masing tetapi bukan Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM). Penjelasan daripada Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong, semalam secara terang menolak cadangan Presiden KOAM, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim untuk memegang tanggungjawab membayar elaun atlitnya seperti diamalkan sebelum Sukan Komanwel 1998. “Jika cadangan itu dikemukakan persatuan lain, saya mungkin boleh berbincang lagi. Terus terang, saya tidak percaya kepada mereka apa lagi mengenai soal duit,” kata Zolkples. Katanya, soal amanah kepada badan induk olahraga itu sangat diragui apa lagi selepas badan induk olahraga itu didakwa gagal membeli peralatan yang sepatutnya selepas menerima peruntukan RM280,000 pada akhir 2007. Kredibiliti KOAM dalam pengurusan wang yang diamanahkan itu boleh dipersoalkan apabila KOAM yang sepatutnya menggunakan peruntukan itu untuk membekalkan peralatan kepada pusat latihan negeri di bawah program Suka

Moda (kanan) dan Modi dipilih sebagai maskot Sukan SEA 2011. KUALA LUMPUR – Biawak Komodo dipilih sebagai maskot Sukan Sea ke-26 di Indonesia dari 11 hingga 25 November ini. Pasangan dinamakan ‘Modo’ (jantan) dan ‘Modi’ (betina) dipilih sejajar dengan usaha kerajaan Indonesia melindungi spesies haiwan itu yang semakin berkurangan, demikian menurut jurucakap jawatankuasa penganjur sukan itu yang dipetik oleh akhbar Jakarta Post semalam. Di Jakarta semalam, Modo dan Modi diperkenalkan kepada umum dalam satu majlis bagi memulakan detik pengiraan 200 hari menjelang perasmian sukan serantau itu yang akan diadakan di Palembang. Beberapa acara akan juga diadakan di Jakarta. – Bernama

GEORGE TOWN, April 26 (Bernama) -- National squash player Ong Beng Hee opened his hunt for his fifth title in the Asian Individual Squash Championship by thrashing South Korean youngster Nyeon Ho Lee at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar, here today. Besides Beng Hee, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, Ivan Yuen Chee Wern, Elvinn Keo Jinn Chung, Choong Kam Hing, Kamran Khan and Muhd Asyraf Azan were the other Malaysians to advance to the third round of the competition. After shaky performances in his last two tournaments, Beng Hee, ranked world number 27, took only 35 minutes to beat his opponent in straight sets of 11-5, 11-4 and 11-9. "It is always good to win in the first round," said Beng Hee when met after his match. He said he will be focusing on tomorrow's match at the glass court and expected a tougher time against Kamran.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice-president Datuk A. Sani Karim has offered to contest the deputy presidency at the council's annual general meeting on June 18. Sani, who is also the president of Asian Squash Federation and a former president of the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, said he made the decision after incumbent Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan confirmed that he would not be defending the post. "After Dr Jegathesan announced that he would leave the fray, many friends from sports associations persuaded me to run for the deputy presidency," he told Bernama here Tuesday. Sani said he did not get any reaction from other OCM vice-presidents -- Prof Datuk W.Y Chin, Datuk Zakaria Ahmad, Datuk Roy Rajasingham and Low Beng Choo -- on his intended candidature and whether they were also interested to go for the number two post. "Even if others decide to vie for the post, I will not change my decision,"

LANGKAWI, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) is forced to stop sending its athletes to participate in any championship, whether locally or abroad, due to financial problems. MYA general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah said the association had to suspend its participation in all championships as it had to bear the debts incurred during the hosting of the IODA World Sailing Championship 2010 in Langkawi, which was participated by more than 50 countries, in December last year. "Most of the allocation had been utilised to upgrade the facilities at the National Yachting Training centre, here," he told Bernama, here Tuesday. In addition, he said the facilities and equipment acquired for use by the sailors involved considerable allocation. As such, the MYA hoped that the National Sports Council (NSC) could speed up payments owed since 2008, as well as the half-year grant for the year 2011.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Host for the 26th SEA Games, Indonesia has chosen the Komodo dragon as mascot for the 2011 Games which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Nov 11 to 25. The Indonesia SEA Games Organizing Committee (Inasoc), was qouted by Jakarta Post as saying that a pair of Komodo dragons, a male (Modo) and a female (Modi), were chosen in recognition of the Republic's conservation efforts to protect the dwindling number of the rare lizard. Modo and Modi were unveiled last night at a function in Jakarta, to mark the 200-day countdown before the games open on Nov 11 in Palembang. The Komodo dragons, the largest lizard in the world, only live on the Indonesian islands of Komodo in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. On Jan 15, Inasoc unveiled its logo, a Garuda eagle, to symbolize the power and grandeur of Indonesia. Indonesia dominated the Games between 1977, when it first competed, and 1997, failing to top the medal charts only twice in that p

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Council and the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) may end up spending millions to send national athletes for training and competition overseas, due to the lack of facilities at the Ranau Sports Complex in Sabah. The MAAU said since the Ranau complex does not have the necessary facilities, athletes would have to be send overseas for training and competition as an alternative, to prepare athletes for the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia. MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the Union had identified 38 competitions abroad, especially in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovakia, to prepare the athletes. "Athletes will be allowed to choose the competitions deemed suitable for their events and the MAAU will submit the proposals to the National Sports Council for approval," he told reporters at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil here Monday. However, Shahidan said MAAU would continue its plans to u

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan will not defend his post at the council's Annual General Assembly (AGM) on June 18. "I'm not offering myself for re-election. But I will continue to serve the OCM in my area of expertise, especially in medical and anti-doping," he told Bernama, here Monday. When contacted last week, Dr Jegathesan who is also the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission and chairman of the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia said he was still undecided whether to defend the post which he has held since 2005. In the last election, Dr Jegathesan was challenged by Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad but retained the post after garnering 65 votes compared with 33 received by the latter. All 12 posts for the 2011-2013 term are expected to be contested at the OCM AGM. The term of the current office bearers (2009-2011) ends in June. Dr Jegathes

PUTRAJAYA, April 24 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek expressed confidence in Indonesia's ability to host a successful SEA Games in November, 2011. He added that less than seven months left, some had raised concern over the country's ability to play host to the regional game since there were claims that preparations were behind schedule. "I have confidence in Indonesia's ability and believe everything will be ready for the games. Even when India were hosting the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, there was a lot of issues and concern raised as to whether the country was ready to host the event. "There was also concern that venues will not be ready, but in the end everything was fine," he told reporters at the closing ceremony of the 2011 VT Sambathan Cup Futsal Carnival at the 1Malaysia Futsal court at Presint 18 here Sunday. Last Wednesday, the Indonesian SEA Games Organising Committee (Inasoc) had announc

MELAKA, April 23 (Bernama) -- Terengganu Pro-Asia Cycling Team (TSG) cyclist Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin clinched the third circuit of the National Cycling Grand Prix 2011 by the narrowest of margins here Saturday. The National cyclist from Terengganu clocked 4 hours 00 minutes 55.281 seconds to complete the 156km race held at Jalan Tun Kudu, Bukit Katil and overcome a gritty later challenge from Armed Forces rider Mohd Zambri Salleh who crossed the line in 4'00:57.67s, a mere three seconds behind. Mohd Shahrul who broke away from the pack at the final 40km mark was leading all the way until Mohd Zambri staged a late rally in the final 5km, but the Terengganu lad held on for the win. Mohamad Aim Mohamad Fauzi from Pahang took third place with a time of 4' 04:25.516s in the race that saw 83 riders. Anuar Manan, another TSG rider from Terengganu and a renown sprinter, could only manage 7th spot after clocking 4'07:21.22s. The women's race saw the country'

SHAH ALAM, April 23 (Bernama) -- With the controversy over the resignation of national singles chief coach Datuk Misbun Sidek abating, national badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei, the world number one men's singles player, is now shifting his focus to the World Championship in London this August. Chong Wei, the All-England champion this year, is determined to make amends after being shown an early exit by Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat last year. "I have three months to prime myself," he told reporters after receiving a metallic black Proton Inspira CVT 2.0 car from Proton Holdings Berhad here Saturday. The mock key for the car was presented to him by Proton Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, who is also Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) chairman. Also present was Proton Holdings managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir. Chong Wei was rewarded the car for his consistent superior performance in the sp

KETIKA ramai yang terus bermain teka-teki mengenai kemampuan sebenar atlet negara untuk melakar kegemilangan di Sukan Olimpik London tahun depan, masih ada suara positif impian seumpama itu bukan sesuatu yang mustahil untuk dizahirkan. Pembinaan karektor, aspek mungkin kurang diberi perhatian rupanya turut menjadi ramuan penting dalam menentukan sama ada seseorang atlet itu mampu meraih kejayaan apabila berdepan cabaran atau sebaliknya. Ketua Pengarah Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz berkata, ketika ini, tiga atlet negara iaitu Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Azizulhasni Awang dan Pandelela Rinong  sudah pun menunjukkan karektor sebenar mereka sebagai atlet bertaraf Olimpian. Menurut Dr Ramlan, pembinaan karektor tidak akan datang dengan hanya menyertai kejohanan tetapi lahir hasil keupayaan atlet itu sendiri mengatasi pelbagai dugaan demi meraih kejayaan di London kelak. “Mereka perlu mempunyai karektor yang kuat iaitu apabila mereka berdepan pelbagai

BIARPUN pada awalnya skuad terjun negara mensasarkan pencapaian yang jauh lebih baik di saingan terakhir Siri Kejohanan Dunia Fina di Mexico, hari ini, namun hasrat itu berkubur begitu saja selepas Persatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (Asum) tiba-tiba mengambil keputusan mendadak untuk menumpukan kepada saingan dalam negara saja. Tindakan Asum yang secara tiba-tiba menyisihkan Kejohanan Dunia yang berprestij itu menimbulkan tanda tanya memandangkan mereka bersungguh-sungguh mahu merapatkan jurang dengan China selaku negara yang gah mendominasi sukan itu selama ini. Bukan saja di Mexico, Asum turut tidak menghantar wakil ke siri ketiga iaitu di England pada 15 dan 16 April lalu. Senario ini dianggap merugikan terutama selepas kilauan pingat yang diidamkan daripada Siri Kejohanan Dunia Fina tampak hampir berada dalam genggaman apabila Pandelela Rinong meraih perak bersama rakan segandingan Leong Mun Yee untuk acara 10 meter platform seirama di siri kedua kejohanan itu, di Beij

GARA-GARA kemelut yang berterusan berhubung isu program lati- han pusat atlet-atlet olahraga negara di Kompleks Sukan Ranau (KSR) di Sabah, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (gambar) ada pendirian tersendiri untuk menyelesaikannya. Shabery berpandapat, elok dibatalkan sahaja hasrat untuk membawa atlet-atlet olahraga negara menjalani latihan di KSR sekiranya masalah-masalah yang berbangkit sebelum ini masih gagal untuk diatasi. "Perkara ini bukan baru sebenar- nya, malah kita sudah beritahu sejak dari awal lagi, latihan tidak per- lulah diadakan jauh-jauh. "Lagipun, atlet-atlet sendiri telah memberitahu yang mereka belum bersedia untuk berlatih di sana (KSR) kerana ada dalam kalangan mereka masih lagi menuntut di institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi di sekitar Lembah Klang. "Bagi saya, batalkan sahaja hasrat untuk menjalani latihan di Ranau dan teruskan latihan seperti biasa di Bukit Jalil," kata Shabery ketika ditemui Kosmo!