Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

NICOL David stands as the odd one out in the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open semi-finals as a spate of upsets decimated the women's draw at Berjaya Times Square yesterday. Dipika Pallikal (left) returns a shot to Nicol David in the quater-finals of the CIMB Nicol David KL Open yesterday. Pic by Supian Ahmad Egyptian duo Raneem El Weleily and Nour El Sherbini joined Hong Kong's Annie Au in turning the form book upside down, ensuring one unseeded player will be in tomorrow's final.   Ong Beng Hee too showed there is life left in the 32-year-old legs as he ousted Asian champion Nafiizwan Adnan 12-10, 11-13, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 in a 91-minute marathon to keep hopes of a Malaysian double alive.   But there was litle surprise when Nicol, who was last on court with India's Dipika Pallikal nearly an hour behind schedule, eased through 11-5, 11-2, 11-6.   "She was trying to put the ball to the back of the court and I had to be

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is still in two minds over the fate of senior coach Tai Beng Hai after the Dublin Olympics Qualifier failure.    Nine state affiliates held a discussion at Bukit Jalil yesterday, and came to a conclusion that Beng Hai should be given the mandate until the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh on May 24-June 3.     However, the coach met MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in Kuala Lumpur after that, and the state affiliates' discussion was not endorsed.    "I just had a meeting with Beng Hai, and he briefed me on why the team failed in Dublin. "I would like to make it clear here that I am very disappointed that the team did not play in the final.    "We had two chances and blew both (against South Korea and Ireland) and now it is back to the drawing board.     "On the matter of Beng Hai, I am  undecided if he should be retained for the Azlan Shah Cup, or that we bring in another local or foreign coach to r

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarah Fitz-Gerald is generally known as the Aussie squash legend who held a record five world titles since 2002. That was until it was equalled by Malaysia’s own squash queen Nicol David in 2010. Then last year, Nicol re-wrote the history books by becoming the first woman to win six world titles in Rotterdam. Despite having her record erased by Nicol, Fitz-Gerald is actually relieved and believes that the current world No. 1 will go on to achieve far greater things in the next 10 years. “I’m very happy that Nicol broke the record and I’m amazed at her achievements,” said Fitz-Gerald, who is in town as coach to rising Indian star Dipika Pallikal for the CIMB Nicol David KL Open. “She’s a brilliant world No. 1 and she will only go on to achieve greater success. “There’s still at least 10 more years left in her and, who knows, maybe she might even break the record of being the longest world No. 1 in history.” Kiwi legend Susan Devoy currently holds the r

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles specialist Chan Peng Soon has vowed to keep his feet on the ground despite his delight at reaching No. 8 in the world rankings with Goh Liu Ying. Peng Soon-Liu Ying have shown tremendous improvement since last year, reaching the semi-finals of the All-England earlier this month and the quarter-finals of the Swiss Open a week later – both times losing narrowly to world No. 3 Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia. Those two results, however, were enough to move them up to their highest ranking ever. It has also, more or less, guaranteed their tickets to the London Olympics come July. Peng Soon, however, is not letting the small success get to his head, preferring instead to take things one at a time. “It sure feels great to have reached No. 8 ... but it is still a long way from the top and we still need to work harder,” said Peng Soon. “Our target now is to maintain our form, as our confidence is still high, and reach at least the qu

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran Ong Beng Hee proved there is still fire in his belly after winning a 91-minute battle with team-mate Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan to qualify for the semi-finals of the CIMB Nicol David KL Open squash championships at the Berjaya Times Square. The 32-year-old Beng Hee needed five sets to tame world No. 34 Nafiizwan 10-12, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 yesterday. Nafiizwan had earlier stunned world No. 10 and team-mate Mohd Azlan Iskandar in five sets in the first round on Wednesday. Stumbling block: Malaysia’s Ong Beng Hee (left) bumping into compatriot Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan during their CIMB Nicol David KL Open quarter-final yesterday. Beng Hee won 10-12, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7.   Beng Hee, ranked 23rd in the world, will now face Omar Mosad of Egypt for a place in the final. Beng Hee, who won the KL Open title in 2008, admitted that he felt under pressure after losing the first set to Nafiizwan. “I did not play my best ... I was lucky to reach the semi-final

TERENGGANU Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is far from happy with LionsXII supporters who hurled racist remarks at Francis Doe during the FA Cup quarter-final second-leg tie at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Tuesday.    Doe, who was called several  derogatory names by a group of spectators at the stadium, is still bitter, sad, and angry.    The 26-year-old Liberian striker, who did not expect racism to rear its ugly head in this part of the world, said the words hurt and made it impossible for him to concentrate on the game which ended scoreless.    Both Ahmad and Doe said something should be done to prevent  such an incident from happening again but according to Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh, it is up to the FA of Malaysia to seek remedial actions.     Che Mat, who is also Terengganu team manager, said the state association does not need to lodge a formal complaint with  FAM since the FA Cup tie fell under the jurisdiction of the national  body.

ULAS...Sultan Ahmad Shah (kiri) mengulas tindakan Annuar selepas merasmikan Pejabat Baru JPJ, di Kuantan, semalam.    “DIA (Tan Sri Annuar Musa) sudah diingatkan supaya tidak terlalu lantang bercakap kepada media dan menggunakan saluran yang betul jika mahu membuat kenyataan tapi dia gagal mematuhinya dan perlu menanggung akibat perbuatannya itu,” kata Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Sultan Ahmad Shah, semalam. Baginda bertitah, Annuar sepatutnya tahu mengenai peraturan itu kerana sudah dimaklumkan Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah supaya tidak terlalu banyak bercakap kepada media dalam mesyuarat jawatankuasa eksekutif, baru-baru ini. Titahnya, tindakan timbalannya itu yang mengkritik prestasi pasukan kebangsaan sebagai satu kesilapan besar dan perlu dikenakan tindakan. “Apabila kita menyalahi undang-undang atau peraturan, kita mesti sedia menghadapi akibat daripada perbuatan itu. Annuar kini perlu merayu sebelum Jawatankuasa T

“APA sahaja hukuman yang bakal saya hadapi saya akan terima tetapi jangan tidak berlaku adil kerana saya Timbalan Presiden kelas kedua.” Demikian reaksi Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tan Sri Annuar Musa yang bersedia untuk menerima apa sahaja keputusan yang akan diputuskan oleh Jawatankuasa Tatatertib persatuan itu selepas pendengaran kes 4 April ini. Bagaimanapun, menurutnya, keputusan yang bakal dibuat itu tidak boleh terhenti begitu sahaja kerana ia melibatkan kesamaran undang-undang yang memerlukan keputusan kongres bersama-sama dengan ahli gabungan untuk memperjelaskannya. Katanya, beliau akan menghadiri pendengaran kes tersebut bersama-sama dengan orang yang arif dengan peraturan persatuan tersebut untuk membantunya mempertahankan diri. “Saya akan menghadiri pendengaran tersebut dengan bantuan orang yang lebih arif dalam persatuan sebab saya hanya orang biasa, saya memerlukan bantuan orang yang lebih tahu tentang selok belok pe

KIM SWEE (kanan) lebih mengutamakan kekuatan mental pemain menjelang aksi menentang Singapore Armed Forces, Ahad ini. KEKUATAN mental pemain Harimau Muda dilihat menjadi keutamaan pengendalinya, Ong Kim Swee menjelang pertemuan menentang Singapore Armed Forces dalam aksi Liga Singapura (Liga S) di Stadium Choa Chu Kang, Ahad ini. Kejayaan menewaskan Courts Young Lions dengan keputusan 3-1 di Stadium Yishun, Ahad lepas jelas menjadi tonik utama skuadnya dalam usaha mengekalkan rekod kebal tanpa kalah dalam saingan Liga S setakat ini. Malah, kredibiliti Armed Forces yang dibarisi beberapa pemain import juga tidak menghadirkan rasa gerun di hati Kim Swee kerana yakin dengan kemampuan anak-anak buahnya dalam usaha memburu tiga mata berharga. "Pada aksi menentang Young Lions sebelum ini, pemain saya dilihat tidak mudah menyerah kalah meskipun ketinggalan pada suatu ketika. "Bagi saya, semangat juang yang ditunjukkan pemain Harimau Muda ketika itu adalah satu p

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemain nombor satu dunia Datuk Nicol Ann David mara ke peringkat separuh akhir Kejohanan Skuasy Terbuka KL Nicol David CIMB 2012 selepas menewaskan Dipika Pallikal dari India pada perlawanan yang berlangsung di pusat beli belah Berjaya Times Square malam Khamis. Pemain berusia 28 tahun itu mendapat laluan mudah apabila mengambil masa 25 minit untuk menumpaskan Dipika 11-5, 11-2 dan 11-6. Nicol akan bertemu Raneem El Weleily dari Mesir esok pada perlawanan separuh akhir. Kali terakhir mereka bertemu ialah pada separuh akhir Kejohanan Terbuka Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico pada 2010, yang dimenangi Nicol.

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemain nombor dua negara Ong Beng Hee menempah tiket ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Skuasy Terbuka KL Nicol David CIMB 2012 di Berjaya Times Square, malam Khamis. Sebelum itu, beliau terpaksa berdepan rakan senegara, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, dalam satu perlawanan sengit yang berlangsung selama 91 minit. Beng Hee memenangi set pertama 12-10 sebelum kalah pada dua set berikutnya kepada Mohd Nafiizwan 11-13 dan 6-11 sebelum bangkit semula untuk menguasai set dua berikutnya, 11-7 dan 11-7.

IPOH, 30 Mac (Bernama) -- Anakanda Sultan Perak, Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Shah, 54, mangkat di kediamannya di Kuala Lumpur awal hari ini akibat serangan asma. Setiausaha Sulit kepada Sultan Perak Kol Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Nor ketika dihubungi Bernama berkata Raja Ashman menghembuskan nafas terakhir di kediamannya di Bukit Damansara pada 1.30 awal pagi tadi. Beliau berkata jenazah Almarhum dibawa ke Masjid Ubudiah, Bukit Chandan di Kuala Kangsar, untuk disembahyangkan sebelum istiadat pemakaman berlangsung di Makam Diraja Kuala Kangsar yang terletak bersebelahan dengan masjid itu selepas selepas asar. Raja Ashman yang terkenal dengan sifat mesra rakyat meninggalkan isteri Datin Seri Noraini Jane Kamarul Ariffin serta seorang putera Datuk Ahmad Nazim Azlan Shah serta dua puteri Raja Eminah Alliyah dan Raja Bainunisa Safia. Baginda merupakan anakanda ketiga Sultan Perak daripada lima adik-beradik iaitu Raja Muda Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Dat

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's world no. 1 women's squash player Datuk Nicol David advanced to the semi-finals of the 2012 CIMB Nicol David KL Open Squash Championships after outclassing Dipika Pallikal of India at Berjaya Times Square here, Thursday night. Nicol, 28, had an easy passage in her quarter-final encounter, winning in straight sets 11-5, 11-2, 11-6 in just 25 minutes. "It seemed like an easy match because she (Dipika) started making errors. As for me, I just tried to work out the court again, especially the glass court.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's number two Ong Beng Hee produced a vintage display to move into the semi-finals of the 2012 CIMB Nicol David KL Open squash championships at the Berjaya Times Square, here Thursday night. The unseeded Beng Hee overcame compatriot, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in a thrilling five-set quarter-final encounter that lasted for 91 minutes. Beng Hee who took the first game 12-10, lost the next two sets, 11-13, 6-11 before regaining his composure to win the fourth and final sets, 11-7, 11-7, respectively. "Obviously it was a tough match and the pressure was on me to beat him. I felt my experience had seen me through and I've played well today. "I was very lucky to get to the semi-finals and hope I hope to play better tomorrow, or else I won't get a chance to win my second title here," said Beng Hee, who won the KL Open title in 2008.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Proton, the overall defending champion of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), will kick-off their 2012 Asia campaign this weekend at the Brother International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand. The local motorsport team that emerged as the APRC manufacturer's champion would also return as the favourites to defend their title in New Zealand, said Proton in a statement here Thursday. The reigning APRC champion Alister McRae of Scotland would lead the charge for the team using the Satria Neo S2000, and he will be joined by former double junior world champion PG Andersson, who is making his debut in the championship, it said.

IPOH: Raja Kecil Sulong of Perak Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at 1.30am Friday at his home in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. He was 54. A palace official said the second son of Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah died after an asthma attack. His body was brought to Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar for burial at the Royal Mausoleum later Friday. Raja Ashman leaves behind wife Datin Seri Noraini Jane Kamarul Ariffin , 53, son Raja Ahmad Nazim Shah, 18, daughters Raja Emina Aliyyah, 20, dan Raja Bainunisa Safia, 17. Raja Ashman was appointed Raja Kechil Sulong on March 16, 2010

PETALING JAYA: The Axiata Cup organisers, Total Sports Asia (TSA), admitted that the tournament got off to a slow start but they believe it will only get better. The US$1mil tourney, the richest badminton team event in the world, drew much flak due to a rather poor crowd turnout. Some national coaches were also not happy with the dates of the competition as they claim it interfered with the Thomas Cup and Olympic preparations. TSA senior vice-president James White, however, insists the tournament will go on to become one of the world’s most prestigious. “I suppose we did not give the tournament enough publicity and it resulted in a poor turnout at first,” said White. “It takes a while for people to be aware of it but we saw the crowd picking up after each day. As for the timing, we wanted to provide more live coverage for those who could not attend the event. “We also thought the tournament could also be a part of the players’ preparations for the major competition

NSI board members unaware about move to remove Ramlan    Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 20:53 by Haresh Deol - MALAYMAIL   DR RAMLAN: Still admitted at Serdang Hospital     BUKIT JALIL: If Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz had been asked to vacate his position as chief executive officer, it definitely came as a shock to several members of the National Sports Institute (NSI) board. The board members contacted by Mailsport yesterday said they were unaware that Dr Ramlan was asked to leave by April 1, pointing out explicitly that was not the way they conducted their business at NSI. A board meeting has been scheduled for today and though it is not on the agenda, these members are expected to raise the matter since it was reported in the media. The meeting will be chaired by the chairman, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Zin Bidin, in Bukit Jalil. “I’m a member of the board and something as critical as this would have been

KUANTAN, 29 Mac (Bernama) -- Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata timbalannya, Tan Sri Annuar Musa akan dihadapkan ke Jawatankuasa Disiplin badan induk bola sepak negara pada 4 April ini kerana didakwa secara terbuka mengkritik prestasi skuad kebangsaan di bawah kendalian Datuk K. Rajagobal di media. Baginda berkata Annuar perlu berdepan dengan jawatankuasa itu kerana tindakannya ternyata melanggar peraturan badan induk bola sepak negara kerana apa yang dilakukannya merupakan satu kesalahan yang amat besar. "Bila kita buat satu benda yang bodoh, yang menyalahi undang-undang, kita kena berhadapan dengan tindakan itu," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan bangunan pejabat Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) Pahang di Bandar Indera Mahkota di sini, Khamis. Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata Annuar sepatutnya lebih arif mengenai peraturan yang telah ditetapkan FAM kerana Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ketika

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Tigers are set for a rough ride as world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei will not play in the semi-final match of the Axiata Cup at Britma Mall Sports Arena in Jakarta tomorrow. National singles coach Tey Seu Bock said this was because Chong Wei was still undergoing treatment for his injured shoulder. However, he said, the national singles ace would probably play the return leg at Cheras Badminton Stadium here on Sunday. "We have decided that Chong Wei will not play in Jakarta as he was advised to undergo treatment for the injured shoulder for three to five weeks," he said when contacted here today. The Malaysia Tigers are in for a rough ride against Indonesia Garuda at the semi-finals of the Axiata Cup, which offers USD 1 million in prize money, after being defeated by Indonesia's youngsters, Indonesia Rajawali, 1-2 at the last Group K encounter last Sunday.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) has plans to stay over in Belgium before the national team trains for the London Olympic Games this August. MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said they are currently looking for a suitable location to set up training camp before leaving for London. "National cyclists who have qualified themselves to London will stay at the camp for six weeks and during that time they will take part in several championships," he told Bernama here today. Naim said they chose Belgium because of its close proximity to London as well as its ability to help athletes adapt to the weather in Europe. "We also find that many cyclists who qualified themselves for the Olympics will make this country (Belgium) their base before the championship, in addition to the narrow time difference between Belgium and London," he said.

Image © AFP Skuad hoki negara selepas majlis penyampaian pingat ketika meraih tempat ke-3 kejohanan Trofi Juara-Juara Asia 2011 yang berlangsung di Ordos, China pada 11 September 2011. (Gambar arkib). KUALA LUMPUR, (Arena.my) - Sukan hoki dilanda fenomena perletakan jawatan selepas setiausaha Agung Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (KHM) Maninderjit Singh mengambil keputusan mengundur dan jurulatih kebangsaan juga sah meletak jawatan. Beng Hai merasakan beliau bertanggungjawab selepas Malaysia gagal melepasi kempen Kelayakan Sukan Olimpik 2012 di Dublin, Ireland. Perkara ini disahkan naib Presiden KHM, Mohd Manjit Majid Abdullah sehari sebelum jawatankuasa kejurulatihan menentukan nasib Beng Hai, Khamis ini. "Beng Hai memang sudah meletakkan jawatan. Sekarang kita akan adakan perbincangan dengan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan Negeri-Negeri dan meminta pandanagan mereka terhadap jurulatih kebangsaan," katanya. Perletakan jawatan Beng Hai juga menyaksikan M

ON FIRE: World champion advances as other big names fall CIMB Group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak hands over the new championship logo to Nicol David yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali NICOL David avoided the cull of the seeds as the defending champion breezed into the quarter-finals of the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. As three top-10 players joined the scrap heap, the only difficulty Nicol faced was having to change her racquet twice in an 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 win over Australian qualifier Donna Urquhart. "I'm glad to win 3-0 as I made a few errors trying new things out," said Nicol, who made a couple of uncharacteristic volleying errors in the first round match. "I probably had an advantage as Donna was tired (after qualifying). She was pushing things and getting my shots back and the rallies were pretty intense." Nicol, who received a boost earlie

AXIATA CUP: Seu Bock to monitor Chong Wei in training before committing THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) has given the greenlight for Lee Chong Wei to play in the Axiata Cup semi-finals but his coach Tey Seu Bock wants to make a decision after a  training session today. BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said the association has no objections if Chong Wei wants to play for Malaysia Tigers in Jakarta and in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday against Indonesia Garuda. "BAM has no objections if Chong Wei wishes to play in the Axiata Cup semi-finals. He has already started training and Seu Bock and the player himself should make a decision on that," said Chin Chai. However, Seu Bock doesn't want to rush and he will have a discussion with Chong Wei, singles chief coach Rashid Sidek and physical trainer Roesdi Ghani before deciding whether the World No 1 should make the trip to Jakarta. "Off course, Chong Wei wants to contribute to Malaysia Tigers' victory. However, we have to

Maxis' partnership with Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) reflects Maxis' continued commitment in the area of national sports and talent development  Maxis is the exclusive Mobile Service Provider for the Malaysian Contingent participating at the London 2012 Olympic Games  The Malaysian contingent of the London 2012 Olympics will receive special mobile packages from Maxis worth RM1,500 each, enabling them to have the freedom to connect with family and friends anytime, anywhere, thus giving them peace of mind MEDIA RELEASE Kuching, 28 March 2012    Maxis Berhad ('Maxis'), Malaysia's leading integrated communications service provider, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) as their official mobile service provider f

BOOST: SportExcel to hold four meets this year AT a time when the Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) is consumed by drug scandals and politicking, it has fallen to third parties to ensure development is not ignored. Ever since Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim became MAU president in 2006, athletics has been missing from the SportExcel calendar but the sport makes its long-awaited comeback with three legs and a grand finals scheduled for later this year. The circuit will cater to the Under-16 age group and complement the annual Malaysian Schools Championships (MSSM) where the Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 categories are contested. SportExcel executive director C. Sivanandan said a number of obstacles had to be overcome before athletics was included along with taekwondo as the two new sports on the 2012 calendar. "We worked hard to get athletics back into the programme as we believe the sport is one which we cannot afford to ignore. "Working in cooperation with the Ed

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan chalked up the biggest win of his career when he stunned his compatriot and world No. 10 Mohd Azlan Iskandar to reach the quarter-finals of the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. The Kuala Terengganu-born Nafiizwan, ranked 34th in the world, bounced back from a set down to prevail 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-2 in the first-round match which lasted 66 minutes. It was his first victory over second seed Azlan in a Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament. National No. 3 Nafiizwan, who won the Hibiscus Garden Open in Brisbane last month, takes on another countryman, Ong Beng Hee, for a place in the semi-finals. Today’s quarter-final matches will be held in the glass court at the concourse area of the Berjaya Times Square from 2pm. While Nafiizwan dug deep into his reserves to edge Azlan, world No. 23 Beng Hee hardly raised a sweat against qualifier Matthew Karwalski. The A

RACIST REMARKS: National body ready to pursue abuse of Doe Terengganu’s Francis Doe was racially abused in the FA Cup quarter-final second leg match against LionsXII at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Tuesday THE FA of Malaysia (FAM) wants Terengganu to officially lodge a complain with the parent body on the alleged racial abuse directed at their Liberian striker Francis  Doe in Tuesday's FA Cup quarter-final second leg match against  LionsXII at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. "We are against all forms of racism and discrimination. We will wait for the Terengganu FA (TFA) to file an official complain," said FAM general-secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad yesterday. "If TFA does not take this initiative, we will then advise the Singapore FA (FAS) accordingly. We want to pursue this with them." The abuse directed at Doe started when the player was warming up. Some of it was also directed at a linesman during the matc

PETALING JAYA: National doubles coach Tan Kim Her has refused to blame Koo Kien Keat’s fancy style of play for the poor display in his partnership with Tan Boon Heong during the Axiata Cup preliminary round matches. The 27-year-old Kien Keat is known for his flamboyance on court. But all his tricks and fancy shots were all in vain as the Malaysian pair suffered a shock defeat to fourth ranked Indonesians Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra on Sunday. Kim Her, however, will not try to change what he believes is Kien Keat’s natural style of play. “That’s the kind of player Kien Keat is and we must accept it. We can’t force him to change his style of play to something he’s not comfortable with,” said Kim Her. “Kien Keat’s game is not really one of the reasons why he and Boon Heong played poorly against Indonesia. You also can’t blame it on their physical condition. “Physically, they are improving day by day and it won’t be long before they get back to their best. They j

“TIADA kaitan rasa kecewanya ke atas skuad negara, cuma mungkin dia mendapat tawaran kerja lain atau mahu menyambung pelajaran.” Demikian komen ringkas Naib Presiden Kanan Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC), Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad mengenai tindakan Maninderjit Singh meletak jawatan Setiausaha MHC, Isnin lalu yang dimaklumkan terus kepada Presiden, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Nur Azmi yang baru pulang dari luar negara semalam berkata, beliau belum mendapat maklumat terperinci mengenai keputusan Maninderjit itu tapi menegaskan ia tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan rasa kecewanya kegagalan skuad hoki negara ke Sukan Olimpik London selepas kandas pada pusingan kelayakan di Dublin, Ireland baru-baru ini. “Dia (Maninderjit) dilantik sebagai Setiausaha, bermaksud skop kerjanya adalah soal pengurusan. Bukannya dia berada dalam kumpulan perancang untuk program membabitkan skuad negara termasuk program Road To London. “Bagi saya, keputusannya itu adalah normal dan saya yakin dia

PASRAH...Annuar (kanan) tidak kisah untuk berhadapan dengan Jawatankuasa Disiplin FAM. “SAYA akan pergi bukan sebagai tertuduh, tapi untuk melaksanakan tanggungjawab sebagai Timbalan Presiden FAM,” jelas Tan Sri Annuar Musa mengulas kesediaannya untuk menghadiri perbicaraan kesnya Rabu ini. Katanya, beliau sedia untuk menghadap Jawatankuasa Disiplin Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) selepas permohonan menangguhkan perbicaraan dua pertuduhan ke atasnya kerana mengkritik secara terbuka prestasi skuad kebangsaan diterima jawatankuasa itu kelmarin. “Saya sudah dimaklumkan penangguhan itu, InsyaAllah saya akan hadir. Saya akan memberi kerja sama sepenuhnya. Saya juga sedia memberi penjelasan dan ingin tahu di mana salah saya. “Tanggungjawab saya sebagai Timbalan Presiden untuk mengetahui jika ada sebarang percanggahan mengenai tafsiran ini supaya boleh dibawa ke Kongres FAM untuk dibetulkan,” katanya ketika dihubungi Arena Metro semalam. Kenyataan yang dikeluarkan Annua

  TUNKU Imran (lima dari kiri) dan Arshad Uda (kanan) melakukan gimik nyalakan obor pada pelancaran perjanjian kerjasama antara Maxis dan MOM di Arena Sukan MOM, Jalan Hang Jebat, semalam.   PENYERTAAN kecil kontinjen negara di Sukan Olimpik, Julai ini tidak pernah membataskan peluang Malaysia merangkul lebih banyak pingat berbanding dua temasya terdahulu di Athens, Greece dan Beijing, China. Realiti itu disahkan Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar yang menyifatkan pembabitan atlit negara dalam lima jenis acara kali ini -berbasikal, terjun, menembak, memanah dan badminton - mampu mencipta kejayaan. “Chong Wei menduduki ranking pertama dunia dan pada kejohanan Seluruh England lalu, dia dilihat lebih baik daripada musuh ketatnya dari China, Lin Dan. “Selain sasaran diletakkan pada perseorangan lelaki dan beregu lelaki, saya lihat beregu campuran juga berpeluang menghadiahkan pingat,” katanya ketika ditemui pada Majlis Pen

SELEPAS tiada sebarang tindakan diambil Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) terhadap petisyen dihantar untuk tindakan Presiden KOM, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim bulan lalu, barisan atlet dan jurulatih mengambil satu lagi langkah baru dengan menyerahkan laporan kemelut KOM kepada Pesuruhjaya Sukan. Tindakan itu sebagai langkah susulan sebahagian atlet yang nyata tidak puas hati tiada sebarang tindakan dilaksana KOM hingga kini. Semalam, jurulatih acara 400 meter negara, Hamberi Mahat serta beberapa jurulatih olahraga seperti K Jayabalan serta S Muthiah turut hadir menyerahkan laporan setebal 23 muka kepada Pesuruhjaya Sukan, Datuk Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh di pejabatnya, untuk diambil tindakan. Katanya, tindakan itu dilakukan selepas meneliti akta pembangunan 1997 yang menyatakan Pesuruhjaya Sukan berhak mengambil tindakan terhadap individu yang boleh menjejaskan pembangunan sukan. “Kami amat berharap apa yang kami lakukan ini mendapat perhatian Pesuruhjaya Sukan. Sepatutnya

HAMBERI berkata sesuatu kepada Mohd. Yasin ketika menyampaikan petisyen di Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Sukan di Bukit Jalil semalam. SEDAR tiada tindakan diambil oleh Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) berhubung petisyen yang diserahkan pada 13 Februari lalu, beberapa jurulatih olahraga negara bersemuka dengan Pesuruhjaya Sukan di Bukit Jalil semalam. Kumpulan itu yang diketuai jurulatih pecut, Hamberi Mahat sekali lagi mengambil langkah yang sama untuk menghantar petisyen setebal 23 muka surat yang bertajuk Laporan Jurulatih dan Atlet Olahraga Kebangsaan kepada Pesuruhjaya Sukan, Datuk Mohd. Yasin Mohd. Salleh. Hamberi berkata, kandungan yang terdapat dalam laporan itu mengenai kemelut dalaman yang telah berlaku dalam KOM serta isu doping melibatkan atlet negara sebelum ini. "Kami mendapat maklumat ada Akta Pembangunan Sukan 1997 dikuatkuasakan oleh Pesuruhjaya Sukan yang berhak mengambil tindakan kepada individu atau persatuan yang boleh menjejaskan pembangunan suka

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemain skuasy wanita nombor satu dunia Datuk Nicol Ann David memulakan langkah untuk memburu gelaran juara kali kelapan Kejohanan Skuasy Terbuka KL Nicol David CIMB dengan mengalahkan Donna Urquhart dari Australia di Pusat Skuasy Nasional, Bukit Jalil di sini, malam Rabu. Selain Nicol, pemain Malaysia yang berjaya melangkah ke pusingan akhir ialah Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan dan Ong Beng Hee. Pada perlawanan pusingan pertama, Nicol hanya mengambil masa 35 minit untuk menyingkirkan lawannya dengan mata 11- 5, 11-5 dan 11-6. "Saya gembira menang 3-0 hari ini walaupun melakukan kesilapan ketika cuba melakukan beberapa perkara dan untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan gelanggang. "Mungkin Donna (Urquhart) letih setelah bermain pada pusingan kelayakan dan saya mendapat kelebihan daripada itu. Dia membuat asakan dan berjaya membalas beberapa pukulan saya. Ralinya juga sungguh sengit," kata Nicol.

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Mac (Bernama) -- Penerjun elit negara Pandelela Rinong yakin kecederaan belakangnya akan pulih sebelum Sukan Olimpik London, dan bertekad memberi persembahan terbaik bagi meraih pingat untuk negara. Gadis berketurunan Bidayuh berusia 19 tahun itu, yang mengalami kecederaan belakang ketika menyertai Kejohanan Terjun Siri Dunia di Beijing baru-baru ini, berkata beliau turut mendapatkan rawatan di Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) bagi mempercepatkan proses pemulihan. Ini kali kedua Pandelela mengambil bahagian pada temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu, dan berjaya melayakkan diri dalam tiga acara iaitu 3 meter papan anjal seirama bersama Cheong Jun Hoong, 10 meter platform individu dan seirama bersama Leong Mun Yee. Kali pertama pemenang pingat emas Sukan Komanwel New Delhi 2010 itu beraksi pada temasya sukan tersebut ialah di Beijing 2008. "Jurulatih (Yang Zhuliang) mencadangkan saya menyertai ketiga-tiga acara tersebut memandangkan tiada atlet yang boleh

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Mac (Bernama) -- Selepas tujuh tahun menaja ratu skuasy Malaysia dan pemain nombor satu dunia, Datuk Nicol Ann David, CIMB kini melihat kemungkinan untuk menaja seorang lagi pemain skuasy lain dalam masa terdekat ini. "Kami kini melihat kedudukan ranking dunia dan pemain muda yang berbakat. Ia boleh jadi pemain lelaki atau wanita," kata Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan CIMB Datuk Seri Nazir Razak pada sidang akhbar selepas menyaksikan pembaharuan penajaan antara Nicol dan CIMB di Auditorium, Bangunan CIMB di sini hari ini. Nazir berkata pengumuman nama pemain yang bakal ditaja CIMB itu akan diumum apabila tiba masanya nanti. Terdahulu dalam ucapannya, Nazir berkata penamaan semula Terbuka KL CIMB kepada Terbuka KL Nicol David CIMB adalah penghargaan mereka terhadap pencapaian cemerlang Nicol. "Beliau (Nicol) merupakan duta yang hebat untuk kami. Saya kagum dengan pencapaian Nicol. Beliau adalah atlet Malaysia yang paling berjaya," kata

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The country's leading women diver Pandelela Rinong believes she can recover from her back injury before the 2012 London Olympics. The 19-year-old Bidayuh lass who suffered the back injury when competing in the World Cup Diving Series in Beijing recently said she was receiving treatment at the National Sports Institute. The 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medallist said London would be her second Olympics (first in Beijing 2008) and would be competing in the 3m Synchronized Springboard with Cheong Jun Hoong, 10m platform individual and 10m synchronized with Leong Mun Yee.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- World women's number one Datuk Nicol David opened her campaign for her eighth title at the CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championships by crushing qualifier, Donna Urquhart of Australia, at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, here Wednesday night. Besides Nicol, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and Ong Beng Hee also advanced to the last eight. In the first round match, Nicol took only 35 minutes to beat her opponent in straight sets 11-5, 11-5 and 11-6.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) remain confident that more athletes will qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games in August. OCM President Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said apart from placing high hopes on world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei to deliver the country's first ever gold medal in badminton, other athletes should also contribute medals during the world's biggest and most prestigious summer games. "Although Chong Wei is the favourite to win a gold medal, we must not forget other athletes like our men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong.

PUTRAJAYA, March 28 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry gives equal emphasis in providing facilities for people with disabilities in the effort to create a sporting society, its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said. Through the ministry's "Sports for All" initiative, paralympic athletes had been enjoying facilities and programmes like those enjoyed by "normal" athletes, he said. "As national athletes, they are equally eligible to receive assistance like other normal athletes because they too are fighting for the country's honour in sports," he told Bernama in a recent interview. He added that sports development for people with disabilities was not only focused on high-performing athletes but covered the whole differently-abled people in the country. "We are committed to creating more paralympians to ensure there will be a constant pool of athletes in the future," he said. He pointed out that the govern

KUALA LUMPUR: Nicol David is arguably the best woman squash player the world has ever seen. She has, after all, ruled supreme since 2005 – when she won her first major title, the prestigious British Open. So, what is the secret to her longevity and supremacy? The six-time world champion revealed yesterday that it is all down to staying injury-free, being physically fit and mentally strong. The Penangite is glad that she is one of the very few squash players who never suffered any injuries since turning pro in 2000. “And touch wood I can continue to stay free of injuries and play my best in tournaments,” said Nicol, who will turn 29 on Aug 26. “I am also in good shape physically because of the tough training I undergo. “I am mentally strong thanks to the psychologist and support team that the National Sports Institute (NSI) provide for me during tournaments.” But is that all there is to it? According to Nicol, she also owes her rise in the game to moving to A

FA of Malaysia (FAM) general-secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad will not face disciplinary action for criticising the national Olympic team in an interview on television. Datuk Azzuddin According to FAM disciplinary board chairman Datuk Taufik Abdul Razak, Azzuddin, as the general-secretary, is allowed to make press statements on local football.   "Article 88 of FAM's statute (2010/14) states that only the president and secretary-general can make statements," said Taufik after chairing a disciplinary meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.   "We viewed the videos and after deliberating on the evidence, we found that Azzuddin was not painting a bad image of FAM but merely making a general statement.    "We will not take action against Azzuddin and as far as we are concerned, this matter is closed."      The board also agreed to a request from FAM deputy president Tan Sri Annuar Musa to postpone his hearing f

RARING: World No 1 keen to be in thick of action despite shoulder injury Lee Chong Wei WORLD No 1 Lee Chong Wei is raring to play for the Malaysian Tigers in the Axiata Cup despite a shoulder injury in Friday's semi-final first leg tie against Indonesia Garuda in Jakarta.    Chong Wei's services are   needed following his team's unexpected defeat to Garuda, comprising Indonesia's back-up players, in a group match last weekend.    Hafiz Hashim replaced Chong Wei in the first singles but the former All England champion    failed to make an   impact,  losing the first point to a lower-ranked Indonesian.    Chong Wei is determined to play on Friday, provided he gets clearance from the BA of Malaysia (BAM).    "I would like to play on Friday but it is not for me to decide," said Chong Wei at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.    "My condition is better as I've started training without feeling any pain in

STUART Ramalingam has resigned as chief executive officer of MSL Sdn Bhd, the commercial arm of the FA of Malaysia (FAM). Stuart Ramalingam Stuart was hired to spearhead the FAM initiatives to take local football to greater heights by helping M-League teams make more money through enhanced marketing and promotional efforts under MSL chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa.    MSL, under Stuart, was also supposed to work towards meeting the requirements of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to assist local teams qualify for the Asian Champions League. However, state FAs were non-receptive to the idea.    Annuar had stated that re-branding was needed to raise the bar of the M-League and also produce better quality players but his ideas were turned down by unhappy officials.    For the record, the M-League is ranked among the lowest by AFC.    In order to qualify for the Asian Champions League, the M-League must first be managed by an independent bo

LONG REIGN: Nicol believes she can go on for another five to seven years Nicol David at the press conference with SportExcel chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar (right) and executive director C. Sivanandan at the Royal Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara yesterday. Pic by Supian Ahmad ANYONE wishing to knock Nicol David off her throne  may have to wait seven more years as the six-time world champion warned her best years lie ahead of her.  Nicol, who begins the hunt for an eighth CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open title today, has never previously given a timescale as to when she might one day call it quits but yesterday said she is good for another five to seven years at the top.     After reigning as the World No 1 uninterrupted since August 2006 and winning a record sixth world title last year, Nicol's appetite for success and improvement remains as insatiable as ever.     "Many people find it funny when I tell the