Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's coach Datuk K.Rajagobal is confident that Malaysia will prevail when they take on Taiwan in the second leg match of their 2014 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier in Taipei on Sunday. Malaysia edged Taiwan 2-1 in the first leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Wednesday night. "We did not lose or draw. The win today was a good result. Some changes have to be made because of injuries but nevertheless, I am confident we will advance to the next round," he said at the post-match press conference. Malaysia only need to secure a draw to earn their ticket to the next round where they will take on Singapore. Meanwhile, Taiwan's coach Lo Chi Tsung said he accepted the defeat and admitted that Malaysia were no pushovers. "After this, we will change strategy and go for the jugular from the starting whistle. With home ground advantage, I am sure we can win," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia beat Taiwan 2-1 in the first leg of the World Cup 2014 Football Asian Zone qualifier at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here Wednesday night. Half time: Malaysia 1 Taiwan 0 Scorers: Malaysia - Safiq Rahim (28th min), Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak (54th) Taiwan- Chen Po Liang (77th) MALAYSIA: Mohd Sharbinee Allawee Ramli, Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar, Mohamad Fadhli Mohd Shas, Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak, Helmi Remeli (Abdul Hadi Yahaya), Safiq Rahim (Mohd Shakir Shaari), Baddrol Bakhtiar, Amar Rohidan, S. Kunanlan, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal and Mohd Safee Mohd Sali (Ahmad Fakri Saarani). TAIWAN: Lin Po Cheng, Chang Yung Hsien, Lin Cheng Yi, Chen Yu Lin, Chen Yi Wei (Wu Pai Ho), Tsai Hsien Tang, Lo Chih An, Chan Che Yuan (Wu Chun Ching), Chen Po Liang, Chang Han (Chen Po Hao) and Lo Chih En. REFEREE: Mahapab Chaiya (Thailand)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be hoping to break a 34-year curse when they take on Taiwan in the Asian Zone World Cup first round, first-leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight (8.45). Malaysia began taking part in the qualifying rounds in 1974 and – after 10 attempts – have never progressed beyond the second round. But then, these are heady days for Malaysian football, especially after winning the Suzuki Cup Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship last December. Not only are they unbeaten so far this year, but a majority of the players who featured in the Suzuki Cup are still with the team. Leading the charge will be the enigmatic Mohd Safee Sali, the leading scorer in the AFF Suzuki Cup with five goals. Calm before the storm: National coach Datuk K. Rajagopal (second from left) shaking hands with his Taiwanese counterpart Lo Chih-Tsung while the two captains – Malaysia’s Safiq Rahim (left) and Taiwan’s Chen Yu-Lin – look on during a press

Malaysia’s Safee Sali hopes to build on his club form to score his first international goal of the year today.    MALAYSIA are eager to carry their AFF Cup-winning form into the Asia Zone World Cup Qualifiers where they hope to start their campaign on a positive note against Taiwan in a first round first leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today. Coach K. Rajagobal has named a formidable 23-man squad that include 14 players from the AFF Cup team. The coach acknowledges the praise for Malaysia following their AFF Cup performance but he wants to put that aside and look forward to "a new chapter". "It will be our first tournament after winning the AFF Cup. Everyone is eager and excited about tomorrow (today). We need to focus and play at our best level for a good result," said Rajagobal after a team managers' meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday. "We made history by winning the AFF Cup. I told my boys, 'let

KETUA pasukan bola sepak Malaysia, Syafiq Rahim (kiri) bersalaman dengan ketua pasukan bola sepak Taiwan, Chen Yu Lin pada sidang akhbar perlawanan pusingan kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014 di Wisma FAM, Kuala Lumpur, semalam. - Foto Osman Adnan Kami sudah sedia kekang Taiwan: Safiq "KAMI sudah bersedia dari segi mental dan fizikal!" Itu keyakinan dilaungkan kapten skuad kebangsaan, Safiq Rahim menjelang pertemuan getir menentang Taiwan dalam pusingan pertama, kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014 di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, malam ini. “Selama tujuh bulan lalu kami sekadar beraksi dalam perlawanan persahabatan dan ini peluang terbaik membuktikan kemampuan kami selepas kali terakhir menjulang Piala AFF Suzuki Disember, tahun lalu,” kata tonggak skuad Harimau Malaya itu. “Sasaran kami adalah untuk pergi sejauh mungkin dalam pusingan kelayakan ini dan mengekal rekod tanpa kalah sepanjang tahun ini. Memang kami tidak sabar untuk beraksi dalam perlawanan seben

K. RajagoBal (tiga dari kiri) sempat menguji kebolehan anak-anak buahnya pada sesi latihan di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, semalam. Malaysia akan menentang Taiwan pada perlawanan kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014, malam ini. - UTUSAN/ismail kamadin. PETALING JAYA - Kurang tempoh 24 jam perlawanan pusingan pertama kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014 bertemu Taiwan, Datuk K. Rajagobal terus berteka-teki mengenai kesebelasan utama yang akan diturunkan di Stadium Nasiona,l Bukit Jalil, malam ini. Tanpa mahu mendedahkan tahap kecederaan pemain-pemain utamanya seperti Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha dan Abdul Hadi Yahya, beliau berkata, mungkin akan terdapat kejutan dalam senarai kesebelasan utama yang akan diturunkan pada malam ini. ''Saya masih menunggu sehingga saat akhir perkembangan beberapa pemain utama yang mengalami kecederaan dengan mengambil kira pandangan nasihat dan pandangan pegawai fisioterapi. ''Seperti Khairul Fahmi, saya mungkin akan mem

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's dream of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is not impossible although the country is ranked 143rd in the FIFA World ranking. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the dream can become a reality if the national squad under Datuk K. Rajagobal can perform well in the first match and maintain the consistency in following matches. Ahmad Shabery said the confidence and hope placed on the national squad by the entire nation should be a driving force and inspiration for the squad to score a win against their opponent in their first round of the Asia Zone World Cup Qualifier. Malaysia will play Taiwan in the first leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow before travelling to Taipei for the return leg on July 3. "The solid support from Malaysian fans is clearly evident because Malaysians of all ages are seen wearing the national jersey and supporting the national team, includ

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Amateur Volleyball Association (MAVA) league has been revived after 13 years, as part of the association's efforts to promote the sports to smaller towns in the country. The MAVA League, spotting a new name - 1Malaysia Volleyball League - will feature a men's and women's league, unlike in the past where there was only a men's league. MAVA vice president Azahari Sairin said the league was made possible through an injection of funds and support from Mizuno and Mikasa, two closely associated sponsors, of the association for many years. "The focus on the league will be grassroots development and venues selected include small towns like Mentakab and Batu Pahat. "By organising the league in smaller towns, we hope to promote the sport to the grassroots where quality tournaments are lacking," he told reporters at the launch of the event at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here today.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- The National netball squad hope to make their presence felt at the 13th World Netball Championships in Singapore from July 3 to 10, although Malaysia are not among the favourites. Malaysian Netball Association president Suraya Yaacob said she hoped the national squad would be able to compete against teams drawn together in Group D, England, Malawi and Barbados. Suraya said by competing and doing well in the world meet, Malaysia would be able to improve on its ranking from the current 22nd spot to maybe 12.

MELBOURNE, June 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian World number one Datuk Nicol David, playing her first Australian Open, will face New Zealand's Kylie Lindsay in the first round, while second seed Jenny Duncalf of England takes on a qualifier in Canberra from August 8-14. Defending champion Madeline Perry of Northern Ireland takes on Malaysia's Siti Munirah Jusoh and Hong Kong's Annie Au plays a qualifier while New Zealand's Joelle King faces Gaby Huber of Switzerland. Australian women have received far more favourable draws, with third seed Rachael Grinham taking on Lucie Fialova of the Czech Republic while fifth seed Kasey Brown and seventh ranked Donna Urquhart are up against qualifiers. Lisa Camilleri will play training partner Sarah Cardwell and Canberra's Christine Nunn takes on Hong Kong's Joey Chan. In-form Victorian Melody Francis faces former Australian and 10th seed Natalie Grinham, who now plays for the Netherlands. Another Aussie, David P

MELAKA, June 27 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek today hailed Datuk Lee Chong Wei for his excellent performance at the Indonesian Open badminton championship which ended yesterday. He said the World Number One's consistent superlative performance now put Chong Wei on track to reach even greater heights, particularly with the World Championship and the Olympics coming up. "I am very proud of his performance (in winning the Indonesian Open men's singles title), more so he did it in style," he told reporters after opening the 11th International Youth Dialogue organised by the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) here Monday. He was commenting on Chong Wei's 21-11, 21-7 victory over Demark's Peter Gade in the final of the Indonesian Open at the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. It was Chong Wei's fourth win in the championship, and his third consecutive victory this year, earning himself a place in

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) will only be sending four paddlers to the SEA Games in Indonesia in November in view of the team events not being competed at the Games. TTAM executive director Soong Poh Wah said the association had yet to finalise the national squad for the SEA Games and that a decision on this would only taken after a selection meeting with the Olympic Council of Malaysia at the end of next month. "Unlike the last SEA Games in Laos, this time around the team events have been left out. Therefore, the size of the national squad will also be reduced accordingly," he told Bernama here today. Soong said despite the full range of events not being competed, he expected Malaysia to do well at the SEA Games. He added that the 24th Golden Racquet Championships in Ho Chi Minh City from July 12 to 17 would serve as a pproving ground for the national paddlers to earn their tickets to the SEA Games.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Amateur Karate Federation (MAKAF) president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has denied imposing restrictions on all athletes and coaches in the national squad from issuing any statements on the team. He claimed that the coaches or athletes in the team could still give statements on their performance in a tournament as long as they were consistent with the policies of the federation. "They just cannot give comments on selection of athletes made by MAKAF, issues that can lead to internal strife and administrative issues," he told Bernama after closing the National Schools Karate Championship at Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras here Sunday. Mohd Ali, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, claimed that the restrictions were imposed to protect the good name of the federation. Prior to this, MAKAF had issued a statement that only the president could issue comments on matters related to the federation. Meanwhile, nat

JAKARTA, June 26 (Bernama)-- Another match, another victory and Datuk Lee Chong Wei is the winner of the men singles crown at the Indonesian Open at the Istora Senayan here Sunday. A comprehensive 21-11,21-7 win over Denmark's Peter Gade in the final has given Chong Wei his third title in a row and an accomplishment which will go down in the history books of the Indonesian Badminton Open. After all he is the first non-Indonesian to have won the men's singles crown for the third consecutive time to take his rightful place alongside local heroes like Ardy Wiranata and Taufik Hidayat who had achieved a similiar feat. For Chong Wei, title No 3 was easy. Too easy in fact as Gade's challenge collapsed totally in the face of some speedy attacking play from the world No 1. "Rarely you see Peter (Gade) give up on the court. But today it was a rare occasion to see him doing so. I have so much respect for him as a fighter on the court. He never gives up wh

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Three athletes who snubbed a dope test conducted by the National Sports Institute (NSI) have already undergone anti-doping tests in Bulgaria said the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU). MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the trio underwent the doping test on June 23 and waiting for the results. The three athletes - Norjannah Hafizah Jamaluddin, Nurul Sarah Kadir and Noor Imran Hadi - had gone missing when the NSI requested them to undergo a medical and dope test in Bukit Jalil on May 24. However, two days later, they were reported to have left to Bulgaria for a training stint. "Apart from undergoing dope tests, they have also participated in a few competitions," said Shahidan when met by reporters after the KL International Marathon here Sunday. "They will return to Malaysia next month and prepare for the Asian Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan from July 7-10. NSI Director-General, Datuk Dr Raml

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hopes to find an amicable solution to enable national gymnast Elaine Koon to make a comeback to the national team. Ahmad Shabery said the country does not want to lose an athlete who has achieved excellent results at the international stage. "I hope she (Elaine) will not be easily slighted. It is not easy to produce an athlete who has achieved success, so we have to ensure that athlete can continue producing results," he told reporters after opening the Perpaduan Belia 1Malaysia Festival at Jalan Bukit Bintang here Saturday. Ahmad Shabery said he was also ready to meet the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) to discuss the matter. "Elaine is still young and talented and we need gymnasts like her," he said. The Minister's views and opinion was in contrast to that of National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong who had yesterday acce

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- After winning the Hong Kong Marathon in February, Kenyan marathon ace Nelson Kirwa Rotich has set his sights on defending the Standard Chartered KL Marathon title on Sunday at Dataran Merdeka. The 30-year old Kenyan however, admitted that tomorrow's race was going to be more challenging than the Hong Kong marathon because of the hot and humid weather here. "That is what makes the KL Marathon unique from other marathons. The hot weather and the humidity provides a major challenge for the runners' endurance," he said during a media conference here Saturday. Nelson, who was also the defending champion in the full marathon category, would run alongside 22,000 other participants including Malaysia's own marathon ace Shaharudin Hashim, Malaysia Games gold medallist J. Karthik and Kenyan blind marathon runner Henry Wanyoike with his guiding partner Joseph Kibunja. The event which would begin as early as 5am Sunday

JAKARTA, June 25 (Bernama)-- Datuk Lee Chong Wei looks unstoppable in his march towards his third consecutive Indonesian Open men's singles title. He plays Peter Gade of Denmark in the final tomorrow after overcoming his stiffest resistance todate in the US$600,000 championship at the Istora Senayan with a victory over rising Chinese star Chen Long in their semi-final clash. It took Chong Wei, the defending champion, almost 53 minutes to subdue the young Chinese from Fujian Province in scores of 21-17,21-18 to book his ticket into the final where the Danish veteran Peter Gade awaits. The 34-year-old Gade beat the all conquering Japanese player Sho Sasaki in the other semi-final 21-11,21-14 and many see the match tomorrow as a clash between a player at his prime and a player past his prime. "But whatever it is, Peter (Gade) is an experienced player who knows his way around the court. Even at his age he is still a top four player in the world today,"

From Dan Guen Chin JAKARTA, June 25 (Bernama) -- The performance of the Malaysian men's doubles pair at the Indonesian Open here has been a huge disappointment. So said Razif Sidek, a member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning team and an All-England men's doubles winner with younger brother Jalani in 1982. Razif the former National head coach who was at the Istora Senayan, venue of the championship, took the Malaysians to task over their performances, or rather the lack of it, at the championship. The challenge of Mohamad Fairuzizuan Tazari/Ong Soon Hock, Hoon Tien How/Zakri Latiff ended in the first round while 2007 All England winners Tan Boon Heong/Koo Kien Keat fell in the quarter-finals to an unknown Indonesian pair. "I saw them play and it was clear that they were not mentally and physically prepared for the championship," said Razif. Razif, who is now a sports commentator, added that the physical state of the Malaysians was another vital aspe

From Dan Guen Chin JAKARTA, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are looking towards Indonesia to set up their very own training and development centre. Something to model that of their Indonesian counterpart in Cipayung, an hour and a half drive from the capital. BAM's High Performance Director Datuk James Selvaraj who visited the centre today, came away impressed with the set-up there. "They have complete facilities a badminton training centre needs, and even more, like a swimming pool and a running track. "of course the basics are also there. Like living quarters and training halls," said Selvaraj. The BAM is looking to set up their own training centre in Kuala Lumpur, a place they can call their own. "We need a dedicated training centre if we are to start producing and grooming future stars. We need specialized facilities for badminton training and unless you have your own centre, you cannot do so. "I n

SINGAPORE: Asian football president Mohamed Hammam should follow Fifa vice-chief Jack Warner and quit the sport after both were suspended over bribery claims, a former top official said yesterday. Malaysia’s Peter Velappan, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary for 30 years until 2007, said not only Mohamed but also Fifa’s entire executive committee should resign as the sport seeks to clean up its image. “I would suggest in the interests of Fifa and global football, the entire Fifa exco (executive committee) must resign and open up a new chapter for football for the future,” Velappan said in Singapore. “In the same way, for the future of Asian football, Mohamed should resign.” Mohamed was not available for comment yesterday after Warner’s surprise resignation from all international football posts, three weeks after he was suspended over vote-rigging claims. Velappan supported Mohamed when he came to power in 2002 but the two later fell out. He pre

Skuad Kim Swee tekad kembalikan aura kegemilangan bola sepak negara ‘SEMANGAT 1980’ bakal meniup api cabaran pemain Harimau Muda Malaysia apabila turun ke gelanggang menentang Lubnan dalam perlawanan pusingan kedua pra-Olimpik, esok buat melakar episod baru bola sepak tanah air. Pada tahun berkenaan skuad negara layak ke Sukan Olimpik di Moscow buat kemunculan kali kedua di temasya berkenaan selepas kejayaan 1972 dan jejak langkah sama tampak ghairah mahu diikuti pemain pimpinan Ong Kim Swee. Ketua jurulatih berkenaan menyuarakan betapa anak didiknya pasti ingin melakar sejarah mara ke pusingan ketiga untuk menghidupkan kembali aura zaman kegemilangan bola sepak negara yang hilang hampir 31 tahun itu. “Pada saya mereka tentu mahu mencipta sejarah tetapi harus diingat kita masih mempunyai satu lagi halangan dan pemain perlu menumpukan sepenuh perhatian pada perlawanan timbal balik Khamis ini (esok) sebelum memikirkan untuk mara ke pusingan ketiga,” katanya ya

Pemain skuad Olimpik terus menjalani latihan di MSN Bukit Jalil petang semalam, walaupun hanya tiba dari Lebanon beberapa jam sebelum itu. Skuad negara akan berdepan Lebanon pada aksi timbal balas Kelayakan Olimpik di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, esok. - UTUSAN/ASWAD YAHYA SEPANG - Malaysia perlu memburu gol awal bagi memastikan keadaan lebih selesa dan tidak tertekan pada perlawanan timbal balik menentang Lebanon pada pusingan kedua Kelayakan Olimpik di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, esok. Ketua pasukan, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat mahu semua rakan sepasukan mencari gol awal sekiranya ingin melayakkan diri ke pusingan ketiga saingan bola sepak Sukan Olimpik 2012. Katanya, skuad negara di bawah bimbingan Ong Kim Swee sudah bersedia mengasak kubu lawan dan pertahankan gawang gol habis-habisan, selepas seri tanpa jaringan dengan Lebanon di Beirut, Ahad lalu. "Saya dan rakan sepasukan bertekad mahu memburu kejayaan menentang Lebanon di gelanggang sendiri," kat

PEMAIN skuad Olimpik giat menjalani latihan di padang Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) semalam walaupun hanya baru tiba dari Lebanon awal petang semalam. Skuad negara akan menjadi tuan rumah untuk perlawanan timbal balik Kelayakan Olimpik menentang Lebanon di Stadium Nasional, esok. - UTUSAN/ ASWAD YAHYA SEPANG - Ketumpulan jentera serangan memaksa jurulatih skuad Olimpik negara, Ong Kim Swee memikirkan strategi baru untuk meraih kemenangan apabila bertemu Lebanon pada perlawanan timbal balik pusingan kedua Kelayakan Olimpik di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil esok. "Saya lihat barisan hadapan dan pertahanan perlu diubah strateginya, kerana kita perlukan gol untuk layak ke saingan seterusnya. Namun, saya tidak tukar corak permainan keseluruhannya. "Apa yang paling penting ialah disiplin pemain perlu dijaga kerana walaupun kita menyerang, pada masa yang sama kita juga perlu bertahan. Ia perancangan penting yang saya akan buat pada latihan sebelum perlawanan ber

MAJLIS Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) baru saja mengadakan Perhimpunan Agung Tahunan tanpa mencetuskan apa– apa polemik seperti yang berlaku pada pemilihan yang lalu, di mana jawatan presiden MOM hendak dicabar oleh Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim. Walaupun beliau membatalkan hasrat berkenaan tetapi buat beberapa ketika suasana menjelang pemilihan jawatan MOM mendapat laporan akhbar yang agak meluas. Pemilihan yang baru lalu berlangsung tanpa diganggu oleh calon–calon yang ingin mencabar jawatan utama MOM, khususnya jawatan Presiden atau jawatan Setiausaha Kehormat yang merupakan dua jawatan penting yang boleh mencorakkan hala tuju MOM. Hanya penyandang jawatan Timbalan Presiden yang awal–awal lagi menyatakan tidak lagi mahu mempertahankan jawatan ini, penyandang jawatan yang lain semuanya mahu mempertahankan kedudukan masing–masing. Empat muka baru telah dipilih untuk mengisi jawatan naib presiden, bendahari kehormat serta jawatan Penolong Setiausaha. Yang lainnya adalah muka l

Christina Loh equalled the qualifying mark of 32.31 for the World Championships in the 50m breaststroke. CHRISTINA Loh has booked her place in the Malaysian team for next month's World Championships in Shanghai. The 16-year-old qualified on merit at the recent Southeast Asian age-group championships in Vietnam. Christina made headlines at the event by setting meet records en route to winning all the three breaststroke events. The Penang-born started her campaign by equalling her national mark of 32.31 to claim the 50m breaststroke title. The qualifying mark for the World Championships is also 32.31. Christina will join seniors Chan Kah Yan (women's 50m backstroke), Khoo Cai Lin (women's 800m freestyle), Chui Lai Kwan (women's 100m freestyle) and Kevin Yeap (men's 800m freestyle) when she makes her maiden appearance at the world meet. The youngster also smashed the 100m breaststroke record by three seconds to win in 1:11.29 and then wrapped up the

PETALING JAYA: Young breaststroker Christina Loh (pic) has landed a prized ticket to the World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai next month after rocking the 35th edition of the South East Asian age-group swimming championships in Vietnam recently. The 16-year-old made the biggest splash among the Malaysian swimmers as she set new meet records en route to winning all the three breaststroke races in her first participation in the Group 1 age-group category. Christina equalled her own national mark of 32.31 for the second time this year in claiming the 50m breaststroke final, erasing the seven-year-old standing record belonging to Vietnam swimmer Bui Thi Hai. The qualifying standard for the World Championships for the women’s 50m breaststroke is also 32.31. Christina will thus join Khoo Cai Lin (women’s 800m freestyle), Chan Kah Yan (women’s 50m backstroke), Chui Lai Kwan (women’s 100m freestyle) and Kevin Yeap (men’s 800m freestyle) to make her debut appearance a

PETALING JAYA: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) high performance director Datuk James Selvaraj will no longer be kept in the dark over decisions made regarding players or coaches in the national set-up. The assurance was given by the BAM’s newly elected deputy president Datuk Al-Amin Majid yesterday. “He is holding one of the influential positions and it is only right that he is kept in the loop pertaining coaching and training matters. Information can be e-mailed or he could be contacted immediately whenever something takes place,” said Al-Amin. Al-Amin was responding to statements that James was caught unaware of the resignation of two national players – Tan Chun Seang and Julia Wong – and the promotion of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coach Chi Shanrong to the elite squad recently.

Malaysia’s Wan Zack Wan Nor (left) tries to stop a Lebanon player at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium on Sunday. The teams drew 0-0. — Picture by Supian Ahmad   MALAYSIA showed good organisation and resilience to hold Lebanon to a 0-0 draw in their Olympic Qualifier second round first leg match in Beirut on Sunday. Although, the team would have liked to have returned from the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium with an away goal, they can take comfort from their defensive excellence, led by centre-back Muslim Ahmad. The game also witnessed a selfless, industrious 90 minutes from midfielders Gary Steven Robbat and K. Gurusamy, who both made life difficult for Lebanon in the middle. It would have been, however, so much better for Malaysia if substitute striker Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim had converted in injury time to break the deadlock in Beirut. The result put Malaysia in a favourable position as they host the West Asian team in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. C

Nur Suryani has so far failed to reproduce the form that won her accolades last year.   NUR Suryani Mohd Taibi's return to competition after her marriage, turned out to be an unhappy one at the ongoing World Cup Series in Munich. The 28-year-old had hoped to become the first Malaysian to earn an Olympic spot but fared badly in the 10-metre air rifle on Saturday. Nur Suryani failed to make the final, posting 397 to finish 14th in the preliminary round. Medallists in each event earn Olympic quotas for their country. The Ipoh-born shooter, who got married last month, now hopes to do better in the 50m rifle three-position event. The seasoned campaigner has so far failed to reproduce the form that won her accolades last year. She was a silver medallist in the 10m air rifle at the Sydney leg of the World Cup series and the first Malaysian to win an Asian Games medal, in taking bronze in the same discipline in Guangzhou last November. The entire shooting team

MOHD Ali (tiga dari kanan) tidak dapat memberi tumpuan kepada latihan kerana komitmen kepada pelajaran.      PERSATUAN Tinju Amatur Malaysia (PTAM) mahu mendapatkan dua lagi peninju untuk melengkapkan senarai skuad berkenaan ke Sukan SEA 2011 di Indonesia, November ini selepas berlaku sedikit perubahan dalam senarai asal skuad. Mohd Ali Abd Karim yang sebelum ini disenaraikan bagi kategori 56 kilogram (kg) dikatakan tidak dapat memberi tumpuan kepada latihan kerana komitmen kepada pelajaran manakala Mohd Farhan Mohd Harun bertukar ke kategori 75kg berbanding 69kg sebelum ini. Setiausaha Kehormat PTAM, Mejar (B) Maulud Othman, mengesahkan mengenai perubahan itu dan pihaknya akan memilih dua lagi peninju mengisi kekosongan berkenaan sebelum melengkapkan senarai lapan peninju yang akan disenaraikan bagi persiapan terakhir ke temasya berprestij rantau ini. Menurutnya, setakat ini senarai peninju ke temasya itu membabitkan Mohd Farhan yang juga pemenang pingat em

PELUMBA terbaik negara, Azizulhasni Awang kini hanya menunggu lampu hijau daripada Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) berhubung tahap kecergasannya sebelum pulang ke Melbourne untuk menjalani latihan di bawah bimbingan ketua jurulatih negara, John Beasley. Azizul kini dilapor sudah 95 peratus cergas dan jika tiada sebarang masalah berhubung tahap kecederaannya, Olahragawan Negara 2009/2010 itu akan kembali menjalani latihan sepenuhnya bermula awal bulan depan. Timbalan Presiden, Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Naim Mohamad ketika mengesahkan perkembangan itu berkata, laporan penuh berhubung tahap kesihatan pelumba harapan negara itu akan diketahui dalam tempoh satu dua minggu lagi. “Perkembangan Azizul kini dipantau sepenuhnya ISN. Jika semua berjalan lancar, Azizul dijadual kembali ke Melbourne pada 29 Jun ini. “Dia juga dijangka turun beraksi pada perlumbaan pertama di Kejohanan Universiti Dunia di China, Ogos ini selain dilapor sudah

KUALA LUMPUR - Skuad hoki kebangsaan dibelasah 1-5 dan 1-9 dalam dua perlawanan persahabatan dengan pasukan No. 2 dunia Belanda, di Amsterdam baru-baru ini. Kekalahan buruk itu dicatatkan selepas skuad negara mempamerkan aksi hambar pada kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah di Ipoh, Perak, baru-baru ini. Memegang status sebagai pemenang pingat perak Sukan Asia di Guangzhou, China tahun lalu, persembahan seburuk itu tidak sewajarnya berlaku, lebih-lebih lagi apabila menyaksikan jurang gol yang cukup besar yang dijaringkan Belanda. Kekalahan tersebut turut menyaksikan jurang prestasi yang begitu jauh antara pasukan yang berada di ranking No. 2 dunia itu dengan skuad kebangsaan yang menghuni tangga ke-15 dunia. Setiausaha Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia (PHM), Maninderjit Singh, mengakui jurang permainan antara pemain negara dan Belanda terlalu jauh, sehingga skuad bimbingan Tai Beng Hai itu begitu mudah diratah. "Kita akui jumlah jaringan yang kita lepaskan sukar diterima

KUALA LUMPUR - Ujian doping ke atas tiga atlet olahraga yang berada di Bulgaria tidak boleh dilakukan secara tergesa-gesa, kerana ia harus berjalan dengan sempurna untuk mewujudkan elemen "kejutan" kepada mereka yang terlibat. Ketua Pengarah Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), Datuk Dr. Ramlan Abd. Aziz mengakui, ramai yang mempersoalkan bila kesemua atlet berkenaan akan menjalani ujian doping seperti tiga lagi rakan mereka di Malaysia, masalahnya ramai yang tidak faham bahawa proses tersebut tidak semudah yang disangka. Tegasnya, masalah logistik menjadi punca kelewatan untuk melaksanakan ujian yang sempurna, apatah lagi ujian tersebut bukan dilakukan oleh ISN sendiri, sebaliknya mereka akan menggunakan pihak ketiga iaitu Pertubuhan Anti-Doping Serantau (RADO) Eropah. "Tindakan sudah diambil. Kita sudah mengesan atlet berkenaan dan mencari waktu yang sesuai untuk melakukan ujian secara mengejut bukan menerusi temujanji. Kalau hendak buat temujanji, ia mung

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- Thirty-two teams from 25 countries will compete in the first International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) World Championship to be held at the Titiwangsa Stadium, here, from July 21 to 24. Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Ahmad Ismail said the aim of organising the championship was to make sepak takraw an international sport and not only known as a "village sport". "This championship and other super series will determine the participating countries' world rankings in the sport," he said after chairing a meeting of the ISTAF World Championship main organising committee, here, Monday. He said among the 25 participating countries were Australia, China, Taiwan, Germany, Iran, India, Indonesia, the United States, Oman, France, South Korea, Thailand and Laos. Ahmad said the championship would be broadcast to 66 countries with about 750 people watching the live and delayed telecasts. D

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The Olympic squad must show maturity and confidence in their game to win their return leg against Lebanon at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (June 23). Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said though the ability of coach Ong Kim Swee to hold Lebanon to a scoreless draw at their own backyard was a good result, they should be able to be more adventurous when playing at home. "I saw the players were adopting to a more defensive style of play in the first half and only launched attacks in the second half although they did not score any goals. "The experience and exposure will come in handy but their maturity in the game will be a deciding factor," he told reporters after watching the match which was telecast live from Beirut, with about 1,000 fans at Dataran Merdeka late last night. The match which ended in a 0-0 draw was the second round of the Olympic Qualifier, aimed at earning a

ABDUL Hadi (kiri) cuba melepasi kawalan pemain Myanmar dalam perlawanan persahabatan di Kota Bharu, kelmarin.   PENYERANG Harimau Malaya, Abdul Hadi Yahya mahu kemenangan membenam Myanmar 2-0 dalam aksi persahabatan di Kota Bharu kelmarin, dijadikan ‘noktah terakhir’ kepada desas-desus yang mengatakan pemain kebangsaan terbabit dengan isu rasuah. Sambil mengharapkan skuad negara tidak lagi dikaitkan dengan perkara ‘jijik’itu, penyerang Terengganu itu turut menyimpan hasrat supaya semangat juang rakan-rakannya yang lain tidak terganggu bagi meneruskan misi lebih mencabar terutama menghadapi kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014 menentang Taiwan, hujung bulan ini. “Puncanya mungkin daripada dua pasukan yang beraksi dalam Piala Presiden dan isu itu terus merebak hingga mengaitkan dengan pemain pasukan kebangsaan. Saya percaya rakan-rakan dalam skuad kebangsaan tidak terbabit dengan perkara ini. “Saya sebenarnya kecewa dengan isu itu kerana saya percaya 100 peratus pemain

Menunggang Smith, Baginda ketuai RTES atasi 13 pasukan di Lembah Bidong, Setiu YANG diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin bersama anakandanya, Tengku Muhammad Ismail dan Mohd Sulaiman Muda masing-masing meraih tempat ketiga acara berpasukan Kejohanan Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy 2011 di Terenggganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu, semalam. Tuanku Mizan yang menunggang kuda bernama Smith dan mengetuai pasukan Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) mencatat 4 jam 19 minit 49 saat manakala Tengku Muhammad Ismail (4:19.50s) dan Mohd Sulaiman (4:56.43s) untuk mengatasi 13 pasukan lain. Juara berpasukan disandang The Horses dari Thailand yang diwakili Wipawan Pawitayalarp, Warit Khuntarhporn dan Prutirat Ratanakul Serireongrith yang meraih wang tunai AS$2,000 (RM6,000) bersama trofi kejohanan. Wipanan mencatat 4:03.03s, diikuti Warit (4:03.04s) dan Prutirat Ratanakul (4:03.26s). Pasukan State Of Terengganu

YANG Dipertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin bersama anakandanya, Tengku Muhammad Ismail dan Mohd Sulaiman Muda meraih tempat ketiga acara berpasukan dalam Kejohanan Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy 2011 yang berlangsung di Terenggganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu, Terengganu, awal pagi semalam. Tuanku Mizan yang menunggang kuda bernama Smit mencatat masa 4 jam 19 minit 49 saat, Tengku Muhammad Ismail (4 jam 19 minit 50 saat) dan Mohd Sulaiman (4 jam 56 minit 43 saat) selaku wakil pasukan Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) menewaskan 13 pasukan lain untuk memenangi tempat ketiga acara berpasukan. Juara berpasukan disandang pasukan The Horses dari Thailand diwakili oleh Wipawan Pawitayalarp, Warit Khuntarhporn dan Prutirat Ratanakul Serireongrith meraih hadiah wang tunai AS$2,000 (RM6,071) bersama trofi kejohanan. Wipawan mencatat masa 4 jam 3 minit 3 saat, Warit (4 jam 3 minit 4 saat) dan Prutirat Ratanakul (4 jam

SEKALIPUN rasuah bola sepak menjadi isu hangat sejak kebelakangan ini dan saya sendiri diundang sebuah stesen televisyen swasta tempatan untuk membincangkannya Jumaat lalu, Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) tetap menarik perhatian saya. Ini kerana pencapaian atlit Perak yang gagal meraih sebarang pingat emas di temasya Kuala Lumpur 2011 turut meletakkan negeri itu di tangga tercorot, selepas hanya mengutip lima perak dan 18 gangsa daripada 13 negeri yang mengambil bahagian. Saya seperti tidak percaya dengan pencapaian Perak sedangkan kemudahan sukan yang ada di negeri itu adalah antara yang terbaik, malah saya tertanya-tanya bagaimana negeri kecil seperti Perlis mampu meraih lima emas, enam perak dan lapan gangsa. Banyak kejohanan bertaraf antarabangsa seperti hoki Piala Sultan Azlan Shah dan terbaru, Kejohanan Olahraga Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Malaysia diadakan di Ipoh dan mereka terbukti mampu memberi persaingan, tetapi sebaliknya berlaku di SUKMA. Saya berharap

Wong Kai Meng (right) and Muhd Azuan Zainuddin in action in the final of the National Taekwondo Championships in TAR College yesterday. — Picture by Chan Wai Yew   MALAYSIA'S chances of qualifying for the London Olympics taekwondo tournament look doubtful as three exponents, who were to compete in the Asian qualifiers in Bangkok on Nov 4-6, are injured but national coach R. Dhanaraj remains optimistic. The experienced Elaine Teoh, who will battle in the combined women's finweight and flyweight categories, is carrying a knee injury while Nurul Nadia Mahamat (bantamweight/featherweight) is also down with the same injury. Ryan Chong (men's finweight/flyweight) has a broken wrist while Afifuddin Omar Sidek (bantamweight-featherweight) is the only one who is injury-free. Dhanaraj's consolation is that Ryan will be able to return to training next month while Elaine and Nurul Nadia will resume training at the end of August. "The Olympic qualifiers in B

By P.Vijian NEW DELHI, June 19 (Bernama) -- After a sparkling success in the last Sepaktakraw World Championships, India declared that it was ready to face Asian giants in the 1st ISTAF World Cup in Malaysia next month. The Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI) had gone on high gear, conducting special training for coaches and players to groom them for the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) World Cup. "We are confident of doing better in Malaysia and improve our rankings this year and also qualify for the super series. "It will be a tough competition because several top sepaktakraw playing nations like Thailand and Malaysia will be there, but we have been preparing since 2010," Dr R.S. Dagar, STFI president told Bernama. The world championship that will feature 24 men's and 12 women's teams and US$50,000 (RM150,000) in prize money, will be held at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from July 21 to 24. At the 24th S

THE national men's hockey team suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Netherlands in their Tour of Europe training matches. After losing 5-1, even though Malaysia levelled the score 1-1 off an Amin Rahim penalty corner in the first match on Friday, the seniors were humiliated 9-1 yesterday. The script was almost the same in the second match, as the Dutch took a first minute lead but Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin equalised with a third minute field goal, only for Malaysia to suffer a torrid second half where the hosts scored six goals with ease. The team are in Europe to play friendly matches which is part of their preparation for the Olympic Qualifier next year.

SETIU, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Sultan's Cup Endurance Challenge inaugurated five years ago will be renamed as Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Challenge. Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the name change was in recognition of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin's contribution and involvement in the sport. "The Endurance Challenge has seen a tremendous increase in participation and response over the past five years and it is about time to elevate the status of the race," he said when launching the 2011 Sultan Mizan Cup Endurance Challenge which was held simultaneously with the prize presentation ceremony of the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy '11 here today. He added that this year's race was expected to attract 90 riders from 15 countries, namely from Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Chile, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin launches the Sultan Mizan Cup 2011 which is held simultaneously with the prize presentation ceremony of the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy yesterday. — Picture by Aswadi Alias    YANG di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Regent of Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Mohd Sulaiman Muda finished third in the team event at the Malaysia-Thailand Open Endurance Challenge Trophy at the Terengganu International Endurance Park at Lembah Bidong in Setiu yesterday. The Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) team accumulated a total time of 13:36:22s, with the King completing the three-loop 80km course in 4:19:49s, just a second faster than the Regent. Winners of the team category were Team Horses from Thailand, comprising Wipawan Pawitayalarp, Warit Khuntarhporn and Prutirat Ratanakul Serireongrith. The trio clocked 12:09:33s to finish just over an hour ahead of the

Malaysia’s Faizal Abu Bakar (right) and Lebanon’s Kojok Mahmoud fight for the ball in a second round first leg match in Beirut yesterday. The teams drew 0-0. — Picture by Supian Ahmad MALAYSIA kept alive their hopes of appearing in their first Olympic Games since 1980 in Moscow when they earned a creditable 0-0 draw with Lebanon in a second round first leg match in Beirut yesterday. The result put Malaysia in a favourable position as they host Lebanon in the return leg in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. The winners will advance to the third round of 12 teams, which decides the qualifiers for next year's London Olympics. The team got off to a nervy start with the bigger Lebanese players dominating proceedings in the opening minutes. Except for the four-man defence, led by centre backs Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Mohd Shas, the other players were struggling to play their normal game. They were also guilty at times in making bad passes and ball watching inside their own half.