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PERMULAAN agak perlahan oleh jaguh lumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang langsung tidak menggusarkan ketua jurulatih negara, John Beasley terhadap kemungkinan atlet itu untuk layak ke Olimpik. Azizul kini berada dalam kedudukan selesa dan sudah semakin pasti mengesahkan tempat beraksi buat kali kedua di temasya terbesar dunia itu yang akan berlangsung di kota London bermula 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos 2012. Berlandaskan keadaan itu mendorong Beasley untuk tidak menghantar pelumba di bawah program ‘Road to London’ untuk menyertai siri Piala Dunia Klasik yang ketika di Beijing dari 13 hingga 15 Januari depan. Katanya, selain Azizul selaku juara bertahan dalam acara keirin pada siri itu dan beberapa pelumba seperti Josiah Ng dan Fatehah Mustapa juga tidak akan dihantar untuk membolehkan mereka memberi tumpuan kepada latihan. “Saya tidak akan menghantar pelumba dalam program Road to London ke Beijing kerana mereka sudah berada dalam pungutan mata yang selesa. Mereka perlu

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Institute (NSI) have offered the Malaysian hockey team the chance to set up camp at the University of Bath before the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18. “There is a hockey facility at Bath which is ideal for the team to use to acclimatise to the conditions in the UK. We have offered it to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and are waiting to hear from them,” said NSI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz yesterday. In August, the national shuttlers, led by world number one Lee Chong Wei, utilised the facilities at Bath to prepare for the World Cham­pionships in London. The NSI are already helping the hockey team. Several experts are with the squad and a few of their officers are expected to accompany the players to Dublin. The team are now preparing for a six-match series with China here from Jan 11-20. A similar series with India in New Delhi from Jan 27-Feb 4 has been cancelled after the Indians requested f

ADAKAH Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) mengamalkan sistem ‘'pilih kasih’ terhadap pemain yang keluar meninggalkan badan induk badminton negara itu, apabila dengan sengaja menetapkan syarat berbeza. Contoh terbaik isu Tan Chun Seang yang diharamkan menyertai kejohanan di Asia selepas bertindak keluar dari BAM manakala hak Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen dirampas daripada beraksi di Kejohanan Dunia 2010 yang sehingga kini dikatakan masih belum ada penyelesaian selain isu pelbagai syarat dikenakan terhadap Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari andai mereka ingin berlatih bersama skuad negara di Bukit Kiara secara berkala. Syarat yang dikenakan terhadap lima pemain disebutkan itu sekadar contoh yang mungkin dihadapi lebih ramai pemain sebelum ini tetapi yang menjadi kemusykilan mengapa gandingan adik-beradik Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern bebas berlatih bersama skuad negara meskipun sudah keluar dari BAM. Apakah kerana ada ‘payung’ besar yang memayungi sehingga BAM tidak beran

PKBM, MSN dan KBS perlu menilai semula program latihan pasukan lebuh raya negara supaya dapat menyaingi pencapaian yang dilakar skuad trek. TAHUN 2011 sekali lagi memaparkan episod suka dan duka dalam sukan lumba basikal di Malaysia. Jurang pencapaian antara skuad trek dan skuad lebuh raya negara sekali lagi menjadi isu yang perlu ditangani Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM). Ketika program yang direncana dalam skuad trek di bawah kendalian John Beasley terus membuahkan hasil, program yang dilabur ke atas skuad lebuh raya pula dilihat belum lagi memuaskan biarpun Malaysia kini mempunyai satu lagi pasukan bertaraf benua iaitu Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG). Meskipun ada sedikit peningkatan yang ditunjukkan di beberapa kejohanan - Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), Tour de Brunei dan Tour de Taiwan - hakikatnya peningka- tan tersebut masih belum konsisten dan jauh menepati jangkaan. Pentas temasya Sukan SEA 2011 di Indo- nesia bulan lalu sudah pasti menjadi

KITA akan melangkah ke tahun 2012 dalam beberapa hari lagi dan dalam tempoh itu banyak cerita didengar mengenai sukan negara biarpun kadangkala amat menyedihkan. Hampir setahun selepas Datuk Misbun Sidek meninggalkan BAM, nama beliau kembali menjadi sebutan selepas khidmatnya dikatakan diperlukan oleh Datuk Lee Chong Wei untuk membantu beliau memperkemaskan diri menghadapi Sukan Olimpik 2012 London. Kita pun telah tahu bahawa Misbun tidak bercadang untuk kembali membantu pemain yang setahun dulu mengatakan boleh membawa diri sekalipun tanpa Misbun. Kalau saya jadi Misbun, saya pun akan membuat keputusan yang sama. Di pihak BAM terdapat dua pendirian yang bercanggah iaitu keputusan tidak akan menambah bilangan jurulatih yang ada dan pendapat Presiden BAM yang mengatakan khidmat Misbun boleh dipertimbangkan kalau Chong Wei benar-benar memerlukan beliau. Apa pun terserahlah kepada semua pihak yang selama ini rasa yakin bahawa Chong Wei berada di kedudukan terbaik bagi

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) tidak menunjukkan ehsan kepada semua rayuan yang diterima, sebaliknya kekal dengan keputusan pendaftaran pemain import yang diluluskanJawatankuasa Pemeriksaan, Pemantauan dan Ketelusan pada 22 Disember lalu. Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pertandingan Tempatan, Datuk Hamidin Mohd. Amin berkata, selepas menilai semua aspek yang ditetapkan, beliau mendapati, pendaftaran semua 26 pemain sebelum ini adalah adalah tepat dan menolak sebarang tambahan pemain import . ''Jawatankuasa Pertandingan Tempatan (JKPT) telah menyemak balik keputusan yang telah dibuat mengenai pendaftaran pemain import yang diputuskan baru-baru ini. ''Setelah meneliti semua peraturan yang disyaratkan FIFA (Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa) dan FAM, kami mengekalkan keputusan yang dibuat sebelum ini. ''Ini bermakna semua pasukan yang mungkin gagal mendaftar seorang atau kedua-dua pemain import sebelum ini berpeluang mencari pemain b

PETALING JAYA, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has streamlined the ticket prices for the finals of the Malaysia Cup and the FA Cup as well as matches involving the senior national squad and Harimau Muda A for all seats beginning next season. FAM vice-president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said tickets for the finals of the Malaysia Cup and the FA Cup had been fixed at RM40 while for friendlies involving the senior national squad and the Harimau Muda A, the price would be RM20. He said that for group competitions for any championship involving the two teams, however, the ticket would be RM30 for the preliminary rounds, RM40 for the semifinals and RM50 for the final. "For the Charity Shield match between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan on Jan 7, in Kota Baharu, the ticket has been fixed at RM15 for the uncovered seats and RM30 for the covered seats. "We decided on these prices after having thorough discussions with the Ticket and Gat

PETALING JAYA, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The Cambodian FA Cup champion, Preach Khan Reach FC will replace Harimau Muda B (the national under-19 squad) in the Malaysia FA Cup Championship next season. This was decided by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Local Competition Committee as Harimau Muda B would be taking part in the Triangular Championship in Singapore from Feb 17 to 21 front and the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup in Brunei from Feb 25 to March 5, said its chairman, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin. "The Cambodian team will replace Young Tigers B only for the FA Cup and will make the Bukit Jalil National Stadium as their main stadium. "Preach Khan Reach FC would bear all the expenses incurred during the FA Cup," he told reporters after chairing the committee's meeting at Wisma FAM here Thursday. Meanwhile, Hamidin said Football Association of Singapore (FAS) would foot the refereeing bills incurred when Lions XII (Singapore's under-23 squad) play

SERDANG, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The national karate exponents are hoping that the National Sports Council will renew the contract of their kumite coach P. Arivalagan but will not object if a new foreign coach is enlisted as wanted by the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf). Arivalagan's contract ends on Saturday. K. Theagarajan, the gold medallist in the kumite individual 84kg category at last month's Indonesian SEA Games, said a decision on the matter would be announced next week. "I am not opposed to the hiring of a foreign coach but I prefer that Arivalagan continues as coach. My teammates also feel the same way," he told reporters here Thursday. He added that Arivalagan should be allowed to continue as coach, saying he (Arivalagan) was a committed and dedicated person. He was met by reporters at a special ceremony held by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to honour four of its students who won gold medals at the Indonesian SEA Games. Besides Thea

KUALA LUMPUR: Like all great champions Nicol David refuses to embrace defeat. So it upsets her that she is still unable to achieve the one thing she wants most: squash in the Olympics. Typically, Nicol refuses to give up, continuing her campaign despite the intransigence of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on accepting squash as part of the Games. Nicol’s latest attempt to get her sport in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics also met with failure. The IOC snubbed squash in favour of golf and rugby but that has only made Nicol, who presented a paper to the IOC in 2009 for the inclusion of squash, even more determined to crusade on. “My dream has always been to play in the Olympics and I will do everything I can to see squash in the Games,” said Nicol, who has won every title the sport has to offer. My vision 2020: Nicol David intends to fight for squash’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympics even though she is unlikely to be playing.   “It’s discouraging that the IOC have rej

Plans laid for 2013 and 2014 The men’s recurve team (from left) Khairul Anuar Mohamad, Cheng Chu Sian and Haziq Kamaruddin. DESPITE being a tight financial squeeze, the National Sports Council still managed to doll out enough cash to keep its programmes humming along ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. Its reward was a better than expected showing at the Indonesia Sea Games besides improvement shown by athletes in archery, bowling cycling, diving, football and squash.   Badminton, though, had little to show apart from the conquests of Lee Chong Wei and with NSC having a direct interest in the sport, the lack of talent coming through must be a major concern.   For badminton, or rather Chong Wei, is Malaysia's best hope of ending the Olympic gold medal drought in London.   The Sea Games was the highlight for NSC, although it did come in for criticism after initially laying on an all-too-modest target of 40-45 gold medals.   The national contingent

KUALA LUMPUR: National athletes under the ‘Road To London 2012’ programme can still qualify for next year’s London Olympics. National Sports Council (NSC) Athletes Division director Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said several qualifying meets had been identified to enable all athletes in the programme to qualify for the Games, which begin at the end of July next year. “Although the London Olympics is getting nearer, just 212 days away, it does not mean time has run out for the athletes to qualify,” said Ahmad Shapawi. So far, seven athletes have qualified with four of them archers Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim. The others are divers Bryan Nikson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee. Ahmad Shapawi said the NSC had lined up several competitions for the women’s archery squad to enable them to make the cut. The women archers can book their Olympic berths at the World Championships in the United States in July. As a pre-cursor to t

KUALA LUMPUR - Sedar bahawa permainan mereka semakin merudum dan enggan masalah itu dibawa ke tahun baru, beregu utama negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong mengambil inisiatif sendiri dengan menambah dos latihan sebaik kembali dari kejohanan Siri Super Masters Akhir, dua minggu lalu.  Pasangan bermasalah itu menjalani latihan tambahan 30 minit daripada waktu kebiasaan, selain memulakan latihan lebih awal. Malah, pelbagai bentuk latihan tambahan yang akan dirangka bersama oleh jurulatih, Pang Cheh Chang, Tan Kim Her serta Yoo Yong Sung bakal menanti, termasuk latihan yang memerlukan mereka melompat di seluruh gelanggang. Dengan Sukan Olimpik London hanya tinggal kurang lapan bulan untuk memulakan kempen dari 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos, Boon Heong menegaskan, adalah mustahak untuk mereka mengetepikan segala kekecewaan dan memasuki tahun baru dengan fikiran yang positif. "Dua tahun terakhir yang kami lalui tidak begitu bagus, saya dan Kien Keat juga tidak gembira dengan apa yang t

KUALA LUMPUR - Jika penerjun veteran Yeoh Ken Nee bersara selepas Sukan Olimpik 2012, pengganti paling sesuai untuk bergandingan dengan Bryan Nickson Lomas adalah jurulatih mereka sendiri, Huang Qiang. Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata, bekas penerjun handalan China itu yang sudah menjadi warganegara Malaysia bersedia untuk diturunkan bila-bila masa dan kembali bergelar atlet. "Dia sudah lima tahun membantu Kesatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (ASUM) dan dia boleh mewakili negara dalam acara terjun termasuk Sukan Olimpik 2012 London," katanya ketika dihubungi semalam. Jelasnya, Huang Qiang sesuai bergandingan dengan Bryan dalam acara 10 meter platform serentak andai diberi peluang oleh ASUM, tatkala umurnya juga baru mencecah 28 tahun. "Jika kita lihat objektif asal pengambilan Huang Qiang, kita bukan sahaja mahu dia menjadi jurulatih skuad elit tetapi mewakili negara dalam acara terjun sebaik sahaja pulih dari kecederaan,&quo

SIKAP ‘membisu’ Persatuan Bola Sepak Singapura (FAS) berhubung jadual perlawanan dan juga gelanggang rasmi skuad Harimau Muda menjelang saingan Liga Singapura (Liga-S) musim depan menimbulkan tanda tanya jurulatih, Ong Kim Swee. Menurut Kim Swee, setakat ini beliau masih belum menerima sebarang maklumat rasmi daripada FAS berhubung perkara itu walaupun difahamkan, saingan Liga-S bakal bermula pada 9 Februari depan. Meskipun mengakui persiapan anak-anak buahnya tidak terjejas dengan situasi berkenaan, Kim Swee benar-benar berharap supaya FAS dapat menyalurkan maklumat itu kepadanya ataupun menerusi Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) dengan kadar segera. “FAS masih tidak beritahu saya mengenai perkara itu, dengan FAM pun belum lagi. “Saya harap semua urusan ini boleh diketahui dalam tempoh terdekat bagi memudahkan kami menyusun jadual memandangkan pemain Harimau Muda A akan beraksi pada Kejohanan Piala Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) Bawah 22 tahun pada Jun tahun depan,

IMBAS KEMBALI... Zandra (kiri) bersama Jacqueline meraikan kejayaan mereka meraih pingat emas pada Sukan SEA di Jakarta, Indonesia bulan lalu. ADA sebab ratu boling negara, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi menarik nafas lega ketika menutup ‘buku’ musim 2011. Apa tidaknya, lima gelaran berada dalam genggaman Zandra sepanjang tahun ini termasuk kejayaannya meraih pingat emas pada Sukan SEA di Jakarta, Indonesia bulan lalu. Malah, tidak keterlaluan jika dikatakan meraih emas pada temasya dwitahunan itu dianggap sebagai penutup tirai 2011 penuh gemilang bagi pemain berusia 25 tahun itu. “Syukur alhamdulillah... saya berpuas hati dengan pencapaian saya sepanjang tahun ini. Lima kejayaan yang saya raih tahun ini amat bermakna sekali. “Paling manis sudah pasti kejayaan saya meraih emas pada Sukan SEA di Indonesia lalu,” jelas Zandra ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam. Zandra memulakan saingan tahun ini dengan langkah kanan apabila menjuarai Terbuka Malaysia 2011 dan Kejohanan Kebangsaan

“BUKAN satu isu besar.”Demikian tegas atlet 400 meter lari berpagar wanita negara, Noraseela Mohd. Khalid ketika mengulas mengenai surat tunjuk sebab yang dikeluarkan Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) kepadanya. Noraseela berkata, surat tersebut sebenarnya telah diterima daripada KOAM kira-kira dua minggu lalu sebelum diketahui oleh pihak media yang mengeluarkan berita mengenai perkara tersebut pada 24 Disember lalu. “Ketika berita itu didedahkan pihak media, saya sudah membalas surat tunjuk sebab tersebut kepada KOAM. “Saya sendiri tidak faham, mengapa perkara ini perlu diperbesar-besarkan oleh segelintir pihak. “Memang saya ada menerima surat tunjuk sebab daripada KOAM dan mereka meminta saya membalasnya semula. “Saya sudah membalasnya dan harap selepas ini, tidak perlu diperbesarkan lagi,” kata Noraseela ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam. KOAM mengeluarkan surat tersebut bagi meminta penjelasan daripada Noraseela selepas dia mengeluarkan kenyataan kepada medi

IBU EMAS... Skuad Harimau Muda meraikan kejayaan muncul juara acara bola sepak pada Sukan SEA di Jakarta, Indonesia bulan lalu. TAHUN 2011 kini hanya menghitung detik-detik terakhir sebelum melabuhkan tirainya beberapa hari sahaja lagi. Sepanjang tahun ini, pelbagai suka duka mewarnai skuad bola sepak negara yang dilihat berada di landasan yang tepat untuk kembali dimartabatkan di pentas antarabangsa terutama di Asia Tenggara. Sedar atau tidak, perjalanan gemilang 'adik dan abang' - skuad Harimau Muda dan Harimau Malaya sepanjang tahun ini bukannya tercipta sebegitu sahaja. Sebaliknya, ia mengambil masa sejak bertahun lagi dan ia jelas terbukti apabila semakin ramai peminat semakin membanjiri stadium dan mula mengenali nama-nama pemain tempatan, selain berbangga menyarung jersi kebangsaan tidak kira tempat dan waktu ketika ini. Paling jelas, semakin ramai yang 'pantang dicuit' terutamanya jika pihak media 'mengusik' pasukan kesayangan mereka yang tewas

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National women's doubles pair Chin Ee Hui/Wong Pei Tty may call it quits if they fail to qualify for the London Olympics next year. The former world's number one women's pair, now ranked 20th following a knee injury suffered by Pei Tty, however, will discuss their future with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). "Our age is catching up on us. If the BAM still needs our services, maybe we can play for one or two more years. Otherwise, we hope we will be appointed coaches," Ee Hui said here. Only 16 pairs will make it to the London Olympics from July 27 to Aug 12. Pei Tty, 30, and Eei Hui, 29, were ranked world's number one pair in May 2009 after winning the Indonesian Open win that year. They had just returned from the India Open where they were ousted in the semi-finals last week. In the last two Olympics, they fared badly as they were eliminated in early rounds in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. E

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National athletes under the 'Road To London 2012' programme can still qualify for next year's London Oylmpics, said National Sports Council (NSC) Athletes Division director Ahmad Shapawi Ismail. He said several qualifying meets had been identified to enable all athletes in the programme to qualify for the London Games, which will kick off at the end of July next year. "Although the London Olympics is getting near, just 212 days away, it does not mean time has run out for national athletes to qualify (for the London Olympics)," he told Bernama here. So far seven national athletes have qualified for the London Olympics with four of them from the archery squad, namely Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim. The others are divers Bryan Nikson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee. Ahmad Shapawi said the NSC had lined up several competitions for the women's archery squad t

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Terengganu has been chosen as the training base for the national cycling team that will compete in the Asia Cycling Champion (ACC) and Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) next year. Coach Syed Mohd Hussaini Syed Mazlan said 11 riders had started a month-long centralised training since Dec 20. "We chose Terengganu as the training base because it is one of the stages for the LTdL," he told Bernama when contacted here today. Syed Mohd said training would be conducted in Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kuala Terengganu covering about 280km. He said the riders selected for the ACC are Mohd Haris Salleh, Zamri Salleh, Anuar Manan, Shahrul Mat Amin, Mohd Fauzan Mohd Lufti, Amir Mustapha and Adiq Husaini. The riders for the LTdL will be made up of Akmal Amron, Mohamad Nazri, Mohd Fakharullah Alias, Suhardi Hasan, Falani Ali, Mohd Rauf Misbah, Mohd Fauzan Mohd Lufti, Amir Mustafa and Adiq Husaini. Syed Mohd said Malaysia has been given the honou

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National weightlifters who failed to make an impact at the World Weightlifting Championships in France last month, will continue their search for a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics. Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) honorary secretary Adzhar Derani said national weightlifters would continue their search for a ticket to London at the Asia Weightlifting Championships in South Korea in April. He said Raihan Yusuf (women), Mohammad Afifi Jamaluddin and Aricco Jumitih (men) who competed in France last month faced an uphill task against world class weightlifters from Russia and Ukraine. "We believe they will have a better chance in South Korea although weightlifters from China and the Middle East countries will be the favourites," he told Bernama when contacted today. Raihan competes in the women's 58kg category while Mohammad Afifi and Aricco are down to compete in the men's 69kg category. Adzhar said Amirul Hamizan Ib

ALOR SETAR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National mountain biker Masziyaton Mohd Radzi will probably have to forget about competing at the Olympic Games 2012 after failing to get sponsorship to participate in three more qualifying tournaments in Europe. Masziyaton, 23, said it was vital for her to compete in the three tournaments to earn the 200 points required to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London. "So far I've earned 135 points and I need to participate in three more overseas tournaments to earn another 65 points and qualify for the Olympic Games," she told reporters here Tuesday. She said she needed sponsorship of RM76,000 to enable her to take part in cycling tournaments in Italy, the United Kingdom and Switzerland which were scheduled to begin in April next year. Masziyaton, who clinched a silver medal in the mountain bike cross country event at the recently concluded Indonesian SEA Games, said she was determined to win a medal for Malaysia in the same event a

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Wembley Arena, the badminton venue for the 2012 London Olympics, will not be a lucky hunting ground for any shuttler to bag the men's singles gold, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi. Sieh said as most of the badminton tournaments in the United Kingdom were usually hosted in Birmingham, Wembley Arena with a sitting capacity for 12,500 peoples might be a neutral battleground for world number one men's singles Datuk Lee Chong Wei and his arch-nemesis Lin Dan of China. "Yes, Lin Dan beat Chong Wei in the 2011 World Championships that was held at the Wembley Arena, in August. "But Lin Dan needed three sets to beat the Malaysian and I hope Chong Wei can reverse the result if both of them meet in the Olympics men's singles final, next year," he told Bernama, recently. Lin Dan tamed Chong Wei 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 during the tournament held at the Wembley Arena. The Wembley Arena

PETALING JAYA, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- National striker Safee Sali reiterated his desire to renew his contract with Pelita Jaya FC despite the current strife at the Indonesian club due to an imminent ban by FIFA. The 27-year-old sensational striker who contract expires by end January (FIFA), remains confident that the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) and FIFA would be able to resolve the crisis that could prevent him from featuring for the Malaysian national team. Safee said he was prepared to face any eventuality and has a 'Plan B' in place in the event that the crisis could not be resolved. "Since I believe the problem can be solved by PSSI and FIFA soon, the opportunity to play abroad must be used to the fullest. I am ready to extend my contract with Pelita Jaya," he told reporters at Mutiara Damansara near here. Safee, a former Selangor stalwart said in the event that his club Pelita Jaya or the PSSI was banned, he would either play for Brisbane Ro

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) hope to identify a new set of players for the national team from the PSM President's Cup from Jan 21-24, since the contract of the current players expires by end of the year. PSM secretary-general Datuk Arshad Yahaya said only six of 15 players in the current squad would be retained for the International Sepak Takraw Federation's Super Series 2 (ISTAF) in Palembang from Feb 23-26. "We will look for new talents during the President's Cup competition and the 9 nine players dropped from the national squad can go back to their respective state teams. "Though they are dropped, they can still fight for their place in the team, provided they can impress the selectors," after presenting prizes to winners of the PSM Super Series League 2011 at the National Sports Council (NSC) Gymnasium 2 here. In the league, Team PSM emerged as the winner to pocket the RM20,000 top prize while

KEMAMAN, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Datuk Misbun Sidek to find a formula so that their reconciliation can benefit Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the country's badminton as a whole. Ahmad Shabery said both (BAM and Misbun) must set aside their pride and emphasize on the importance of the country's badminton. "This is not about anyone's personal pride. Misbun may feel apprehensive about coming back and BAM may feel that such a move would be swallowing their pride but what is important is the country's badminton," he told Bernama when commenting on Chong Wei's wish to seek advise from Misbun. Chong Wei had indicated last Wednesday that he wouldn't mind receiving assistance from Misbun, who quit BAM last Dec 31, if it could bolster his Olympic dreams. However, a local daily reported that Misbun seemed non-committal to such a move, adding that the for

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- The outstanding and consistent successes of Datuk Nicol Ann David and Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the world arena were among the highlights of national sports achievement this year. Coupled with that, the national contingent surpassed its gold medal target at the SEA Games in Indonesia, as new-found talents emerged in world championships. Nicol, 28, continued her sterling march as the world number one player, according to the Women's International Squash Players Association (Wispa) for the 65th month since August 2007, up till this month. Her biggest win for the year was the World Open in Rotterdam, Netherlands for the sixth consecutive time after defeating her traditional foe and world number two player Jenny Duncalf, of England, 11-2, 11-5, 11-0 in only 29 minutes. In fact, she also broke the previous record held by five-time World Open champion, Australian legend Sarah Fitz-Gerald since 2002. Nicol continued her brilliant streak in th

KEMAMAN, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants national striker Safee Sali who plays for Pelita Jaya FC in the Indonesian Super League (ISL) to remain calm and not make any hasty decisions that may hamper his playing career. Ahmad Shabery said Safee need to allow the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) to resolve their quandary following FIFA's decision to ban the Indonesia Super League (ISL). "Right now, Safee need not be worried because it does not affect the ranking. The only concern is that if the ISL was banned, what will be the implication for him," he told Bernama when met here. According to Indonesian news portal Republika, FIFA had issued a letter to All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) president Djohar Arifin Husin stating that it did not recognise the ISL. The contents of the letter, signed by FIFA secretary-general Jarome Valcke and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Ale

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's soccer star Safee Sali who plays for Indonesian professional outfit Pelita Jaya is in a quandary following FIFA banning the Indonesia Super League (ISL). Pelita Jaya plays in the ISL. According to Indonesian news portal Republika, FIFA had issued a letter to All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) president Djohar Arifin Husin stating that it did not recognise the ISL. According to the contents of the letter, signed by FIFA secretary-general Jarome Valcke and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary-general Datuk Alex Soosay, the ban also extends to all players, officials and referees involved in the ISL. "A freeze has also been imposed on transfer of players from the ISL, effectively preventing them from playing in leagues or championships in countries which are FIFA affiliates. "Players like Safee are also affected, they cannot play outside the ISL," the portal said. Prior to this, Safee had said if

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Dec (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU) has issued a show cause letter to Noraseela Mohd Khalid after the 400 metres runner criticised the national athletics organisation. MAU in a statement said the council, which met on Dec 10 in Kangar, Perlis, had decided to issue the show cause letter to the women's 400 metres gold medalist who was given 14 days to response. Noraseela, 32, was reported to have criticised the MAU management which was said to be not appreciative of the service and sacrifice of athletes after she successfully defended her 400-metre hurdles gold at the SEA Games in Indonesia last month. According to her, the negative attitude of certain quarters in the union had hampered the development of athletes and national athletics. Meanwhile, Noraseela when contacted confirmed receiving the letter last week but declined to comment. "If they want to settle the problem, come and see me. "If they want me to reply, I will r

Lee Chong Wei (dua kiri) pada majlis menandatangani perjanjian sebagai duta jenama kopi pracampur 'Cafe 99' di Wisma CNI, Taman Perindustrian Glenmarie Shah Alam, semalam. SHAH ALAM - Datuk Lee Chong Wei menegaskan, dia tidak menganggap Chen Long, lawan yang menumbangkannya tiga kali dalam empat pertemuan terakhir, sebagai ancaman kepada matlamat utama 2012 iaitu memenangi pingat emas Olimpik. Jelas pemain No.1 dunia itu, satu-satunya orang yang mampu menggugat impiannya pada temasya London 2012 adalah seteru utamanya, Lin Dan. "Saya rasa Chen Long bukan pencabar utama saya. Saya tahu semua orang risau selepas melihat saya kalah kepadanya tiga kali tahun ini, tetapi tidak untuk diri saya. "Saya tidak berada dalam keadaan terbaik, agak letih selepas beraksi dalam begitu banyak kejohanan dalam tempoh tiga bulan lalu, mungkin tidak dapat fokus pada permainan saya. "Orang cakap sekarang saya perlu berdepan cabaran sukar dua jaguh China, namun say

SEPANG, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysian paralympic athletes displayed a high level of determination and commitment during the ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Indonesia, although they did not meet the target set said Chef-de-Mission Datuk Borhan Dollah. "They competed with a lot of determination and their commitment level was high. They may have not achieved the initial target but we can still be proud of the overall achievement. "Our athletes not only faced their opposition, they also had to overcome the hostile fans from the host country. They (paralympic athletes) also faced what the normal athletes had undergone during the SEA Games," he told reporters after arriving with the Malaysian contingent at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here Wednesday. Malaysia had targeted 57 gold medals but ended their campaign with 51 gold, 35 silver, 42 bronze medals to finish third overall behind champion Thailand with 115 gold, 94 silver, 71 bronze and host

OLYMPIC Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said yesterday Sea Games hosts should be given a free hand to decide any number of sports they want to include in the biennial event. Datuk Sieh Kok Chi As all governments of Asean countries give their full support to the games and allocate millions of ringgit to organise them, Kok Chi said the hosts should not be barred from offering any number of sports. "It's the hosts' money to organise the biennial event. Let them decide any number of sports they want to offer. "The more the merrier. Maybe their own people would like their government to offer more sports compared to the other hosts and it will make the people happy," he said yesterday. Kok Chi was asked to comment on Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia's remark that the country's athletes in the 27th SeA Games in Myanmar in 2013 will only compete in the sports that ar

BERSEMANGAT...Afandi yakin skuad Harimau Muda mampu gegar Liga S. TIGA perlawanan pada siri jelajah Australia yang boleh dirangkumkan cukup cemerlang oleh skuad Olimpik negara baru-baru ini seolah-olah memberi amaran kepada lawan mereka pada saingan Liga Singapura (Liga S), bahawa penampilan pertama kali anak buah Ong Kim Swee di negara jiran itu tidak boleh dipandang remeh. Bermula dengan kemenangan 3-0 ke atas Sydney FC, anak buah Ong Kim Swee kecundang tipis 0-1 kepada Central Coast Marines FC sebelum melakar kemenangan besar 4-1 ke atas lawan sama kelmarin. Mungkin bagi pihak yang kerap mengkritik, ia bukanlah pencapaian yang boleh dibanggakan, lebih-lebih lagi hanya bertemu lawan berstatus kelab di Liga Australia, namun bagi pengurus pasukan Harimau Muda A, Datuk Afandi Hamzah, apa yang dicapai skuad negara itu amat membanggakan dan cukup penting dalam persiapan bagi mengharungi saingan Liga S, awal tahun depan. “Pengalaman yang diraih di Australia sebenarnya c

NATIONAL Olympic coach Ong Kim Swee reckons he will have too many strikers to choose from for next year’s assignments. Ahmad Hazwan (left) was the most impressive in Australia. NATIONAL Olympic coach Ong Kim Swee reckons he will have too many strikers to choose from for next year’s assignments. And the former international says that is just how he wants it. In fact, the newcomers have  put the pressure on the regulars after the successes over the past year. There are several on form strikers in contention and Kim Swee admits it will be hard selecting the best for tournaments. The Malacca-born said: “I’ve got a lot of players. It will be tough for me to choose the best but it is better to have this problem than no players,” he said. Among his options are Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Ahmad Fakri Saraani, A. Thamil Arasu, Syahrul Azwari and the injured Izzaq Faris Ramlan. Ahmad Hazwan and Ahmad Fakri made headlines in the team’s recent tour in Australia