Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Jun (Bernama) -- Tempoh dua minggu sebelum Datuk Lee Chong Wei beraksi di Olimpik London adalah masa paling kritikal yang bakal menentukan prestasi semasa atlet itu, kata ketua pegawai eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz. Beliau berkata dalam tempoh itu, pemain perseorangan badminton negara itu perlu memastikan dirinya bebas sepenuhnya daripada kecederaan selain tidak dibelenggu sebarang masalah peribadi untuk fokus kepada temasya tersebut. "Tempoh Chong Wei mengalami kecederaan pada kejohanan Piala Thomas pada Mei sehingga beraksi di Olimpik pada Julai, lebih kurang 64 hari. Proses pemulihan kecederaannya adalah enam minggu atau 42 hari. "Secara matematik sains sukan, dari hari pertama beliau mengalami kecederaan, ditolak tempoh pemulihannya sebelum beraksi di London, Chong Wei mempunyai 22 hari untuk kembali ke tahap permainan sebenarnya. "Masa sebenar yang diperlukan hanya 14 hari. Ja

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Jun (Bernama) -- Persatuan Angkat Berat Malaysia (PABM) akan membuat aduan rasmi kepada Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) berhubung penarikan kuota atlet angkat berat wanita negara, Azizah Fadzil untuk beraksi di Sukan Olimpik London, bulan depan. Presiden PABM Zafarul Akhbar Kassim berkata beliau perlu membawa perkara tersebut kepada badan induk sukan dunia itu minggu depan kerana Persekutuan Angkat Berat Antarabangsa (IWF) gagal memberikan jawapan munasabah mengenai status Azizah sehingga kini. "Kita tidak mendapat penjelasan yang munasabah daripada IWF mengenai penarikan kuota Azizah ke Sukan Olimpik sehingga kini. "Saya akan berbincang dengan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) mengenai perkara tersebut sebelum dibawa ke pengetahuan IOC minggu depan," katanya kepada Bernama, pada Jumaat. Berdasarkan senarai terbaru yang dikeluarkan dalam laman sesawang IWF pada Jumaat, tiada nama atlet angkat berat negara yang tersenarai ke

MELBOURNE, June 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysian superstar Datuk Nicol David will defend her Australian Open crown when the country's premier squash tournament is held in Canberra from August 13 to 19. Nicol, the undisputed queen of women's squash, won her first Australian Open title when she beat England's Jenny Duncalf in the 2011 final. By winning the title, she added her name to the famous trophy, alongside sporting greats such as Heather McKay, Vicki Cardwell, Michelle Martin and Sarah Fitz-Gerald. Nicol will travel to Canberra with her coach, Australian Liz Irving, who was thwarted three times by Martin in her bid to win the Open during the early 1990s. Tournament director Gary Hampson was delighted that Nicol had elected to play at Canberra's Royal Theatre again this year. "Nicol is an absolute star of the game and we are so pleased she has decided to defend her crown. The women's field is incredibly strong this year, with eight of

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Jun (Bernama) -- Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) akan meminta bantuan Suruhanjaya Tinggi Malaysia di London bagi menyediakan kemudahan sewajarnya jika penembak negara Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi bersalin ketika beraksi di Sukan Olimpik London bulan depan. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ISN Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz berkata persiapan itu perlu dilakukan secara teliti bagi memastikan Nur Suryani tidak menghadapi masalah jika melahirkan anak di sana nanti. "ISN telah meminta Suruhanjaya Tinggi Malaysia mencari hospital yang sesuai, berdekatan dengan venue menembak untuk Nur Suryani mendapat rawatan yang sewajarnya," katanya dalam satu temu bual dengan Bernama. Beliau berkata apa menjadi keutamaan bagi ISN ialah memastikan Nur Suryani dan bayinya selamat, dan beliau sendiri akan membuat pemantauan terhadap perkembangan kesihatan Nur Suryani dari semasa ke semasa. Dr Ramlan berkata sebelum Nur Suryani berlepas ke London pada 22 Julai, penemb

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Institute (ISN) will the Malaysian High Commission's assistance in London to make the necessary arrangements for shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi's delivery, in the event she gives birth during the London Olympics. ISN Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said the preparations was necessary to ensure Nur Suryani would not encounter any complications during her delivery. "ISN has sought the help of the Malaysian High Commissioner to identify a suitable hospital that is close to the venue of the shooting competition," he told Bernama during an interview. Dr Ramlan said ISN's priority was to ensure the safety of Nur Suryani and her child (if born during the Olympics), adding that that before her departure to London on July 22, she would be referred to two gynecologist.

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei let out a hearty laugh when asked whether he would try for the next Olympic Games in 2016 if he fails to fulfil his ambition of winning a gold in London. “No, please, no more Olympics. London is my last,” said the 29-year-old in between chuckles. “I may stay around until the next Asian Games (2014) at the most. There could be one more Thomas Cup Finals and the World Championships. I don’t know whether I can handle it if I get injured again.” It was the first time in weeks that Chong Wei was in such a jovial mood after limping out with an ankle injury at the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan last month. The injury has hampered his chances of gold in London but Chong Wei has obviously come to terms with it. Driving force: World No. 2 and National Champion Lee Chong Wei (fourth from the left) showing the 1Malaysia sign to the pixmen after hosting lunch for the members of the media yesterday. Also present (from left) men’s singles

IT has been seven years since Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad retired as National Sports Council (NSC) director-general but he continues to be the voice of Malaysian sport. Mazlan is currently advisor of the Education Ministry’s schools sports division and, yesterday, he touched base with Starsports’ RAJES PAUL on the BJSS controversy and other issues. Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad   Q: What is the objective of Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS)? A: It was set up so that we can produce brainy athletes. The focus is both on sports and education excellence. To me, a minimum qualification for an athlete in the school should be a pass mark in the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia). This is the basic passport for a child’s future here. A student in this school must be diligent in studies and follow the school rules. In the Unites States, the NCAA learnt their lesson. They allowed athletes without any basic education requirement to graduate from their college but they all struggled l

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles duo Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are focusing on their service and service returns to kick-start their stalling hopes ahead of the London Olympics badminton tournament from July 27-Aug 5. Yesterday, national coach Pang Cheh Chang said that their poor grip in this area had resulted in Kien Keat-Boon Heong being easy targets for their higher ranked opponents in recent tournaments. In the Indonesia Open, the duo were sent packing 15-21, 11-21 by the towering Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in the semi-finals and their lack of sting – especially at the front court – was evident. Cheh Chang gave a positive review of Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s preparations, expressing confidence in their medal prospects in London. “We can’t rule them out. They did play badly at one point but are making a comeback now. They still have a chance and we are looking at ways to strengthen their game,” said Cheh Chang. “The quality of their service

KUALA LUMPUR: National cyclist Mohd Adiq Husainie Othman will face the biggest test of his life when he rides in the 250km road race at the London Olympics on July 28. This will be the longest distance Adiq has ever attempted and he is hoping to be mentally strong to complete the course. The Champion System professional rider will fly to Belgium on July 2 to take part in several road races with team-mate Amir Mustafa Rusli as preparation for the Games. Good workout: Mohd Adiq Husainie Othman on a static bicycle to mark the launching of the Eurosport coverage of the Tour de France yesterday. — Bernama   “The distance itself is a big challenge and my priority is to finish the race. For that, I have to be strong enough to face up to all eventualities,” said Adiq at the launch of Eurosport channel’s live coverage of the Tour de France yesterday. Also present was cycling team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad. Together with former Olympian M. Kumaresan, Adiq has been

BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ng Chin Chai has confirmed that the association's one gold target in the Olympics remains but has assured Lee Chong Wei that the pressure is not on him alone to work towards the objective in London. Mixed pair Chan Peng Soon (left) and Goh Liu Ying have the potential to go for Olympic gold, according to BA of Malaysia secretary Ng Chin Chai. Chin Chai said BAM's target was set two years ago and nothing has changed despite Chong Wei's ankle injury as he feels that men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong or mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have what it takes to battle for gold in London. The only player who could be out of her depth is women's singles Tee Jing Yi who is unlikely to get past the group stage. "The target is still one gold. BAM is not going to change that because it was set two years ago and every player, not Chong Wei alone, must try hard to achieve it

AFC UNDER-22: His brace helps Malaysia beat Taiwan MALAYSIA edged closer to the AFC Under-22 Championships finals after a 4-2 win over Taiwan in a Group G qualifier at the Aung San Stadium in Yangon yesterday as striker Rozaimi Abdul Rahman continued his rich-vein of form by scoring twice. The win was the perfect morale-booster as Malaysia prepare to take on Vietnam in a crucial game tomorrow before finishing the qualifying fixtures against Myanmar on Tuesday. Malaysia, now on six points from three matches, raced to a 3-0 lead at the break with Rozaimi scoring in the eighth and 41st minutes to take his tournament tally to six, either side of an own goal by Taiwan defender Chen Yen-Jui in the 33rd. Lack of concentration allowed Taiwan's Lin Chang-Lun to pull one back six minutes into the second half before D. Saarvindran scored his second goal of the tournament in the 78th minute, only for Malaysia to concede another goal in stoppage time to Wen Chih-Hao

IN three years' time, Adiq Husainie Othman hopes he will be lining up at the start of the Tour de France but for now he has nothing but next month's Olympics to focus on. Adiq Husainie's initial aim will be to complete the 250-kilometre race run over nine laps on a 15.5km circuit on July 28 in London. The route includes a tough climb up Box Hill which the peloton will have to pass nine times. "That's the focus firstly. I have to stay with the front of the group and safely finish the race. Once I'm in that position, then I can look at my next target which is to do something special in the race," said Adiq Husainie. The 21-year-old from Champion System Pro Cycling Team will be joined by Amir Mustafa Rusli in the race, where they already envision a tough time just getting to the finish line. Thus Adiq Husainie hopes to put the finishing touches to his Olympic preparations when he heads to Belgium on Monday for a month-long traini

KUALA LUMPUR - Biar apa pun keputusan yang bakal dicatat pada Sukan Olimpik London bulan depan, Datuk Lee Chong Wei menegaskan, ia akan menjadi penampilannya yang terakhir pada temasya sukan terbesar di dunia itu dan dia tidak akan kembali di Rio de Janeiro 2016.  Chong Wei, yang bakal membuat penampilan ketiga Sukan Olimpik menegaskan, dia tidak pernah berhasrat untuk menjadi seperti bekas jaguh Denmark, Peter Hoeg Gade atau bintang Indonesia, Taufik Hidayat yang berada begitu lama di lapangan, sebaliknya menetapkan Kejohanan Dunia (2013, 2014), Sukan Asia 2014 serta Sukan Komanwel 2014 sebagai misi besar terakhir. "Pada Sukan Olimpik akan datang, saya sudah bersara. Tidak kira apa berlaku di London (berjaya atau gagal), ia tidak akan merubah keputusan saya. Bila fikirkan tentang semua kecederaan yang dialami, saya hampir berputus asa. Tidak mungkin saya boleh bermain lebih lama lagi, biarpun keadaan fizikal saya masih bagus ketika itu. "Saya tidak

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Jun - Malaysia mencatatkan kemenangan kedua pada Kejohanan Pusingan Kelayakan Piala AFC Bawah 22 Tahun (B-22) apabila menumpaskan Taiwan 4-2 di Stadium Aung San, Myanmar hari ini. Ia merupakan perlawanan ketiga pasukan negara apabila sebelum ini Malaysia kalah 2-3 kepada Korea Selatan, Sabtu lepas sebelum bangkit mencatatkan kemenangan pertama membelasah Filipina 7-0 pada Isnin. Skuad bimbingan Ong Kim Swee itu bermula garang apabila membuka tirai jaringan seawal minit ketujuh menerusi pemain Sabah, Rozaimi Abdul Rahman sebelum pemain Taiwan Chen Yen-Jui menjaringkan gol sendiri pada minit ke-32 untuk memastikan skuad negara selesa dengan kelebihan dua gol. Rozaimi sekali lagi menampilkan aksi cemerlang apabila menjaringkan gol kedua peribadi dan ketiga buat skuad negara pada minit ke-40 sebelum Taiwan berjaya menembusi gawang negara menerusi Lin Chang-Lun pada minit ke-50. Pemain tengah D. Saarvindran menambah derita pasukan Taiwan apabila m

Ong Kim Swee    KUALA LUMPUR - Pasukan Bawah 22 tahun negara meneruskan rentak kemenangan apabila menewaskan Taiwan 4-2 dalam perlawanan ketiga Kumpulan G Kelayakan Piala AFC di Stadium Aung San, semalam. Jurulatih, Ong Kim Swee melakukan percaturan menggandingkan Rozaimi Abdul Rahman dan Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim di barisan serangan selain merehatkan Ashri Chuchu yang digantikan oleh D. Saarvindran. Bermain di atas padang yang basah, Rozaimi Abdul Rahman yang cemerlang menjaringkan empat gol pada perlawanan menentang Filipina tempoh hari meneruskan kecemerlangan apabila menjaringkan dua gol. Penyerang Sabah itu meledak seawal minit kelapan, sebelum gol kedua Malaysia hadir pada minit ke-32 hasil gol sendiri Chen Yen-Jui. Lapan minit sebelum separuh masa pertama berakhir, Rozaimi mengukuhkan kedudukan Malaysia dengan gol ketiga yang juga jaringan peribadinya yang keenam sepanjang kejohanan. Namun, suasana itu berubah pada babak kedua apabila Taiwan secar

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- National men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong are capable of getting a medal at the Olympic Games in London if they play an aggressive game, said their coach Pang Cheh Chang. He said the performance of the duo showed an improvement at the Indonesian Open Super Series Premier Championship recently, proving they had the confidence to deal with the matches next month. "They were on the attack at the Indonesia Open and were able to get to the semi-final. We see changes in their game but not as much as we expect. "Currently, we stress more on attacking during training. We have a big chance of winning, if we do a lot of attacking," he said during a lunch function with the media at Bukit Juara Stadium, here, Thursday.

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Jun (Bernama) -- Beregu utama negara, Koo Kien Keat dan Tan Boon Heong, mampu meraih pingat pada temasya Sukan Olimpik di London dengan syarat mereka bermain secara agresif dan bukannya defensif, kata jurulatih Pang Cheh Chang. Beliau berkata prestasi beregu itu, yang kini menduduki ranking keenam dunia, menunjukkan peningkatan baru-baru ini ketika beraksi pada Kejohanan Premier Siri Super Terbuka Indonesia dan membuktikan mereka sudah menemukan keyakinan diri untuk menempuh perlawanan bulan depan. "Semasa di Terbuka Indonesia mereka banyak menyerang dan akhirnya mereka berjaya lepasi sehingga ke peringkat separuh akhir...nampak banyak perubahan permainan mereka tetapi tidak cukup dengan kita harapkan. "Sekarang ini, dalam latihan kita lebih tekankan kepada 'serangan'. Di Olimpik, jika kita banyak menyerang, peluang untuk menang itu besar," katanya dalam majlis makan tengahari bersama media di Stadium Bukit Juara, di sini

 KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) are well known for making decisions which defy logic. And they have done it again by naming national woman sprinter Siti Zubaidah Adabi, who is under probe for a doping offence, for the Hong Kong Open this weekend. Siti Zubaidah, 26, from Johor will compete in both the 100m and 200m in Hong Kong. Under probe: National sprinter Siti Zubaidah Adabi will be competing in the 100m and 200m sprints in Hong Kong.   She is one of the six national sprinters facing lengthy bans for failing to provide urine samples for a routine doping test conducted by the National Sports Institute (NSI) on May 24 last year. Siti Zubaidah, Siti Fatima Mohamed, Yee Yi Ling, Norjannah Hafiszah Jamaludin, Nurul Sarah Kadir and Noor Imran Hadi skipped the test on the orders of former national coach Harun Rasheed. MAU banned Harun, who had already retired, for a year but only gave stern warnings to the six athletes. The World Anti-D

MIXED DOUBLES: Coach believes Peng Soon-Liu Ying can deliver Olympics medal NATIONAL coach Jeremy Gan reckons Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Malaysia's sole representatives in the mixed doubles, have everything to fight for as there are no clear favourites in the event in the London Olympics. Peng Soon-Liu Ying have also broken the deadlock by becoming the first Malaysian pair to qualify for the mixed doubles, achieved on merit as they are ranked World No 7 with a string of consistent results this year. The pair won the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold last month but their performance in the super series, where they have reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open, All England and Singapore Open, have given them hope in the London Games. World No 1 Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei of China -- who have won two titles -- and Indonesia's Ahmad Tantowi-Liliyana Natsir, winners of the All England, Swiss Open and India Open, are the main contenders but Jeremy said ther

KUALA LUMPUR: Penalty corner specialist Mohd Amin Rahim has quit the national hockey team on a sad note. The 32-year-old Kuala Lumpur-born defender said age has caught up with him and his services are no longer required. “I was criticised for my performance in the Olympic qualifiers in Dublin in March. “Failing to qualify for the London Olympics was the main reason for me to quit the national team. “Expectations were high on us in Dublin and we let everyone down. We were heavily criticised for the failure,” said Amin, who had featured 237 times for the national team since 1999. Malaysia finished a disappointing third in the qualifier behind champions South Korea and hosts Ireland. It was the third consecutive time that Malaysia had failed to qualify for the Olympics since Sydney 2000. Amin said the Dublin debacle was the saddest moment of his hockey career. “We have failed to qualify for the Olympics too many times. Some even blamed

CAI LIN antara enam perenang negara yang masih menunggu keputusan FINA untuk beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik di London bulan depan. "SAYA tidak bimbang tetapi kecewa jika tiada slot untuk perenang negara." Itu reaksi jurulatih renang negara, Paul Birmingham ketika ditanya mengenai peluang anak- anak buahnya untuk beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London bulan depan. Ketika ini, Birmingham dihimpit dilema apabila Persekutuan Akuatik Antarabangsa (FINA) masih belum mengesahkan dua slot jemputan ( wildcard ) kepada perenang negara yang sepatutnya dilakukan pada 22 Jun lalu. "Seperti yang kita sedia maklum, peraturan baharu yang diperkenalkan FINA bagi kelayakan renang Olimpik kali ini memang cukup merumitkan. "Ini kerana mereka (FINA) seolah-olah memberi perhatian yang lebih kepada 16 negara terbaik sahaja. "Bagi negara kerdil seperti Malaysia yang berada di tengah-tengah kelompok negara besar tersebut, laluan kita memang susah walaupun me

KOTA KINABALU, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Sabah menyasarkan 31 pingat emas pada kejohanan Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) di Pahang pada 7 hingga 16 Julai ini. Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai berkata kerajaan optimis sasaran itu mampu dicapai berikutan kejayaan kontinjen negeri membawa pulang 21 pingat emas pada Sukma lepas di Melaka. "Saya percaya sukan seperti renang, angkat berat, karate dan sukan-sukan lain dapat mengulangi dan meningkatkan prestasi pencapaian masing-masing. "Oleh itu, para atlet hendaklah sentiasa berusaha melakukan yang terbaik agar Sukma pada tahun ini bakal melahirkan atlet-atlet muda negeri yang berpotensi ditonjolkan di peringkat antarabangsa," katanya pada Majlis Penyerahan Bendera kepada Kontinjen Sabah ke Sukma ke-15 di sini pada Rabu. Seramai 299 atlet dan 80 pegawai menyertai kejohanan tersebut membabitkan 19 acara sukan.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's number one men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong have vowed to regain their status as the world number one pair and revive their glory days. Denying that their performance had dropped due to a lack of understanding with his partner, Kien Keat said they were currently training to regain their confidence before going to the London Olympics next month. "To say we are not compatible, we have been together for more than five years and we are still among the best doubles pairs in the world. "We used to be the world number one doubles pair and if possible, we want to regain that status," he told reporters when met at the Juara Stadium, here, on Wednesday. Kien Keat and Boon Heong were the number one pair in the world for six months from 2009 to 2010, winning numerous titles, including the prestigious All England men's doubles.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Australia's Ryan Bulloch regained the lead and edged closer towards winning his first career title after shooting a flawless three-under 68 in the third round of the Professional Golf of Malaysia Terengganu Masters at Awana Kijal Golf and Spa Resort in Terengganu, Wednesday. The competition, an Asian Development Tour (ADT) event, offers total prize money of RM220,000. With the score, Bulloch, a former greens keeper in Perth, took a one-shot lead over joint overnight leader, Derek McKenzie of Scotland, after accumulating a three-day total of 10-under 203. According to the Asian Tour official website, Bulloch, 34, who turned professional this year, was upbeat of securing his first ADT victory despite being in an unfamiliar position where he had not led going into the final round before. "I need to stay calm like how I've been in the last three days. I'm going to calm myself down after this and get some food

PORT DICKSON, June 27 (Bernama) -- More than 1,500 local and foreign participants are expected to take part in the 11th edition of the Port Dickson International Triathlon at Avillion Admiral Cove, here on July 7 and 8. Negri Sembilan Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Razi Kail participants from 37 countries have confirmed their participation, including from Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, United Kingdom and Macau. "For the first time Croatia, Columbia, Iran, Myanmar and Turkey are sending their participants. Singapore will have the highest number of participants with 416, followed by United Kingdom (63), Australia (42) and Japan (26). "Since participation has increased significantly from last year, we are expecting a more challenging race this year. This year the event has also created history with a six year-old participating while the oldest participant will be a 74 year-old," he to

KUALA LUMPUR (June 26, 2012) : Former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman decided there was no need to copyright the tiger-striped design of the national sports jersey unveiled seven years ago, the Intellectual Property High Court heard today. Former national sports institute chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz told the court he had raised the idea to protect the design as it was the right thing to do. “Datuk Seri (Azalina) wanted to have the design available for everybody, so it was not pursued. It was not my responsibility to take steps, it was up to the Youth and Sports Ministry to do this,” he said under cross-examination by National Sports Council (NSC) lawyer Datuk Mohamad Bustaman Abdullah. Ramlan said he felt it was important for the NSC management to take steps to protect the design. He was testifying at the trademark dispute hearing between the NSC and sports apparel company Mesuma Sports Sdn Bhd over the striped design

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) have failed to persuade the states to release their athletes to compete in the World Junior championships in Barcelona from July 10-15. Seven athletes from five states have qualified on merit for the Under-19 meet but none of the states want them to feature in Barcelona as the dates clash with Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Kuantan from July 7-16. The athletes who have qualified for the world junior meet are 110m hurdlers Mohd Ajmal Aiman Mat Hassan of Terengganu and Alif Ashraf Mohd Razali of Selangor, 400m hurdler Mohd Firdaus Mazalan of Kedah, triple jumper Noor Shahidatun Nadia Mohd Zuki of Kedah, high jumper S. Navinraj of Negri Sembilan and Penang twin sisters Zaidatun Husna and Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, who are both sprinters. Navinraj narrowly missed out on the gold medal despite doing a personal best of 2.16m in the Asian junior championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka, two weeks ago. He bagged the bronze on coun

THREE open frames in the girls' singles final denied Hee Kar Yen the title on her debut at the World Youth Championships in Bangkok yesterday. Hee Kar Yen Kar Yen started the day on a high by thrashing Puerto Rico's Cristina Rodriguez 225-151 in the semi-finals but the 19-year-old failed to control her nerves in the final against South Korea's Kim Seon Jeong. The Malaysian youngster started badly with a seven-split open frame but bounced back with back-to-back strikes. However, open frames in the fourth and ninth ended her hopes of getting the better of Seon Jeong. She lost 228-169. Cristina and Colombia's Juliana France, both losing semi-finalists, took bronze. "I tried to reproduce my shots from the semi-finals but the lane was too tough in the final," said Kar Yen in Bangkok yesterday. "My strategy was to play the outside line but my ball was not reacting well enough. I am disappoint

CONFIDENT: Under-20 team's success in Johor Baru raises hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2016 A Malaysia player brings down his Hong Kong opponent in the Asian Under-20 Sevens final on Sunday in Johor Baru. MALAYSIA'S bid to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil looks on track with the Under-20 rugby side's successful defence of their Asian Under-20 Sevens title in Johor Baru recently. National Under-20 coach Saizul Hafifi Mohd Noor, who was assistant to Wan Ibrahim Wan Chik last year, said the team showed maturity at the tournament this year despite the squad featuring mostly new players. "The tournament was really a lot tougher this year with a lot of new teams who were all top quality sides and not second-stringers," said Saizul Hafifi, himself a former national player. "When we first saw the draw, it was quite daunting for me as we were in a very tough group with China, Japan, Philippines and

PASTI masih ramai masih mengingati ekspresi wajah pelumba basikal negara, Azizulhasni Awang yang menahan kesakitan akibat tertusuk serpihan kayu ketika menyertai Kejohanan Trek Piala Dunia di Manchester, Februari tahun lalu. Meskipun kayu sepanjang 20 sentimeter itu menembusi betis kirinya, pelumba yang kini berusia 24 tahun itu enggan menunjukkan sikap menyerah kalah sebaliknya bangkit meneruskan perjuangan, menamatkan perlumbaan acara keirin di tangga ketiga sedang juara menjadi milik Chris Hoy. Kisah penuh inspirasi itu dihayati peminat sukan seluruh dunia dan ia juga menarik minat Visa untuk meletakkan Azizulhasni sebaris dengan atlet ternama luar negara sebagai duta, atau lebih tepat sebagai sebagai Team Visa. Ia juga membawa penulis bersama rakan dari The Star dan Astro Arena menyaksikan detik bersejarah itu, apabila pelumba yang turut dikenali sebagai ‘The Pocket Rocketman’ dinobat atlet pertama negara menyertai Team Visa di Dunc Gray Velodrome, Sydney h

KOTA BHARU - Malaysia berada pada kedudukan terbaik untuk meraih lebih daripada sebutir pingat termasuk emas pada Sukan Olimpik buat pertama kali dalam sejarah penyertaan negara sejak 1956. Bekas atlet olahraga negara, Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan berkata, jika sebelum ini harapan hanya disandarkan dalam acara badminton, tetapi kini cabaran turut meliputi sukan berbasikal, terjun dan memanah. Beliau yang juga Pro- Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) berkata: "Kita ada empat jenis sukan yang boleh diletak harapan untuk pingat, tidak kira apa warna. Ini kali pertama kita ada peluang dalam empat jenis sukan. "Kita harap di London nanti, atlet menunjukkan kehandalan. Jika ada peluang kita mungkin memenangi emas, mungkin juga dapat lebih daripada sebutir pingat," katanya di sini, semalam.

MENTERI Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek menyifatkan kemenangan besar Harimau Muda ke atas Filipina merupakan satu kemenangan sangat 'istimewa'. Kelmarin, skuad kendalian Ong Kim Swee itu membelasah The Azkals 7-0 pada aksi kedua kelayakan Piala Asia bawah 22 tahun di Stadium Aung San Yangon, Myanmar. "Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada semua anak-anak buah Ong Kim Swee. "Kemenangan 7-0 merupakan satu kemenangan yang begitu manis. "Semalam (kelmarin), keputusan yang diraih oleh skuad negara begitu memberangsangkan selepas kita berjaya mengalahkan Filipina 7-0. "Ini menguatkan kepercayaan kita bahawa dalam sukan seperti bola sepak ini, kita tidak boleh bergantung kepada pemain-pemain yang diimport. "Kebiasaannya pemain-pemain seperti ini hanya datang ke negara kita selepas tidak mampu memberikan aksi terbaik di liga negara mereka sendiri yang mana terdiri daripada golongan pemain yang telah berusia," katanya p

PUTRAJAYA, 26 Jun (Bernama) -- Kejayaan skuad negara membelasah Filipina 7-0 dalam perlawanan kedua Kumpulan G Kelayakan Piala Asia B-22 di Stadium Aung San, Yangon, semalam membuktikan bahawa Malaysia berupaya membangunkan pemain bola sepak tempatan yang baik, kata Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Beliau berkata kejayaan itu menguatkan kepercayaan bahawa dalam sukan bola sepak, negara tidak boleh bergantung kepada pemain import atau pemain luar yang diberi taraf kerakyatan untuk mewakilinya. Menurutnya ini kerana kebanyakan pemain dari luar datang ke Malaysia hanya selepas mereka tidak dapat bermain di kelab-kelab profesional di tempat masing-masing atas pelbagai sebab dan ada yang sudah lanjut usia. Katanya kejayaan membelasah Filipina itu cukup manis kerana pasukan bola sepak senior kebangsaan sebelum ini diberi cabaran hebat oleh pasukan senior Filipina, namun pasukan muda negara mudah menewaskan lawan mereka itu, semalam. "Bagai

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- High flying Kelantan were held to a 2-2 draw by Terengganu in their Super League clash at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu Tuesday night. However, the result did not affect their second place in the table standings. They now have collected 48 points overall, two adrift of league leaders Lions XII of Singapore who did not play today. The Red Warriors midfielder Mohd Nor Farhan Muhammad drew first blood as early as the 5th minute followed by team captain Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi making them two up in the 20th minute. However, the Turtles did not cave in but instead went home with a point after Abdul Hadi Yahya and Mohd Muslim Ahmad levelled matters in the 40th and 5oth minutes respectively.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The 38th edition of the National Open Softball Championships from June 28 to July 1 at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) will feature 20 men's team and 12 women's team said Softball Association of Malaysia (SAM) president Datuk Low Beng Choo. The championships would be restricted to 20 men's teams and 12 women's teams. "The decision was made in order to have a better quality of matches played so as to take the competition to a higher level," she told reporters after receiving a sponsorship pledge for RM25,000 from ING Insurance Berhad (ING) chief marketing officer Joos Louwerier here, Tuesday. ING became the first corporate to be the title sponsor for the national championships.

PUTRAJAYA, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports has taken a number of initiative to unearth talented young golfers and develop the golf industry in the country. Its Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said among efforts in the pipeline is to offer scholarship to potential young golfers to pursue their higher education and their golf game. "I want to explore the possibility of setting up a special fund that can be sustainable and not depend on the government alone for funds," he said after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and Golf House Academy (GHA) here Tuesday. For example, in the United States, if a student is offered to become a golf professional, the player would be given USD2.5 million (RM7.75 million) from a special fund and the player would contribute to the fund in the future when he starts earning from the game, he said. Ahmad Shabery said discussions would be held with Per

SYDNEY: Through one voice, fans all over the world can show their support for cyclist Azizulhasni Awang ahead of the London Olympics via Visa’s “Go World” initiative. Simple and encouraging words like “Azizul, you can do it”, will surely inspire Azizul to defy the odds in his second Olympic outing. The “global cheer” campaign is the core of Visa’s Olympic Games marketing approach and the largest effort in its 25-year involvement in the world’s biggest sporting event. Using the popular social media platforms together with television and digital advertising, fans can create and submit a “cheer” in the form of a one-click cheer or a photo or video on Visa’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/visa). Followers of Azizul can also contribute by submitting a one-click cheer on Visa’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/visabrand), and through integration with partner websites including NBCOlympics.com, Yahoo! and Sports Illustrated. Azizul is being featured in Visa’s

THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) will again send official letters to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) today demanding the reason for the revocation of the nation's sole spot at the London Olympics. Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Zafarul Akbar Kassim (left) with OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi after a meeting yesterday. Pic by Owee Ah Chun Both parties have yet to receive any form of justification (for the omission) from the IWF despite numerous enquiries via letters and phone calls to the world governing body. The MWF had learnt of the matter after Malaysia were removed from the list of qualifiers for the Olympics on the IWF website earlier this month with the nation's sole spot being given to Vietnam. Despite having already received a congratulatory letter confirming their qualification in the women's event at the Games o

DONE DEAL: Pregnant shooter's husband leaves for London on July 25 Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (left) shares a light moment with Malaysian Olympic contingent chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid at the National Sports Complex yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe OLYMPIC-bound pregnant shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi can rest assured that her wish to see her husband Mazhasli Mhotar accompany her to the London Games will be realised. Nur Suryani, when met after chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid visited her at the National Sports Complex yesterday, said the National Sports Council (NSC) had already booked tickets for the duo, giving her a big pre-Games boost. "From what I understand, the NSC has already booked tickets for both of us, with me leaving on July 22 and my husband on the 25th," said Nur Suryani, who is seven-month pregnant. "We will both be returning on July 31. I am very happy that he wil

KUALA LUMPUR: It is all systems go for national shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi with just about a month to go before competing in her first Olympic Games in London. But the 30-year-old mother-to-be is hoping to have a smooth run up to the Games as she will be eight months pregnant when she shoots in the women’s 10m air rifle preliminaries on July 28 - the first day of competition. “Preparations going fine and all I’m hoping is that everything goes well for me and the baby,” said Suryani. Yesterday, chef-de-mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid paid a visit to Suryani at the National Sports Council (NSC) shooting range in Bukit Jalil. “She has been training well and is in the right frame of mind to compete in the Olympics despite her condition. “I hope this will not be her only participation in the Olympics as she still has time on her side,” said Ahmad Sarji. Suryani is expected to deliver a baby girl in early September and will be the subject of media attentio

AHMAD SARJI bertanyakan sesuatu kepada Suryani ketika meninjau latihan penembak negara itu di Bukit Jalil semalam. KANDUNGANNYA kini yang mencecah usia tujuh bulan bukan halangan buat ratu menembak negara, Nur Suryani Mohd. Taibi mempamerkan pretasi memberangsangkan pada setiap sesi latihan yang diharunginya. Malah, penembak kelahiran Ipoh, Perak ini nyata lebih bersemangat untuk meneruskan misinya memburu sebutir pingat pada Sukan Olimpik London yang bermula Julai nanti. “Segalanya berjalan dengan lancar. Tiada masalah terutama daripada aspek kesihatan. Malah, kandungan saya langsung tidak menganggu kelancaran saya menjalani latihan sebanyak lima kali seminggu,” ujar Nur Suryani. Hanya menunggu detik berlepas ke kota London pada 22 Julai nanti, Nur Suryani kini dalam fasa menguatkan aspek mental bagi menghadapi temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu. “Fizikal dan teknikal, saya tidak mempunyai masalah besar kecuali mencari masa untuk menyesuaikan diri sebelum

Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid mendengar penjelasan Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi ketika beliau meninjau latihan persediaan penembak negara itu di Majlis Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil semalam.    KUALA LUMPUR - Pemeriksaan dua pakar perubatan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) minggu ini dan pemeriksaan rutin bulanan kandungan pada 2 Julai, mungkin menjadi penentu muktamad sama ada Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi layak ke Sukan Olimpik London atau tidak, bulan depan. Penembak raifal wanita negara kelahiran Ipoh, Perak yang kini sarat mengandung tujuh bulan itu, masih perlu melalui kedua-dua sesi berkenaan walaupun dia menunjukkan kemajuan prestasi semasa dan didapati berkeadaan cukup baik dari segi emosi serta fizikal. Ketua kontinjen negara ke Olimpik, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid berkata: "Dia berkeadaan positif dan bersemangat untuk menyertai Sukan Olimpik di London malah prestasinya dalam latihan memang mendadak ketika ini. "Namun disebabkan sarat mengandung dan mahu b

ROZAIMI (kiri) membuka jaringan skuad Harimau Muda pada aksi menentang Filipina semalam yang menyaksikan mereka menang 7-0. SKUAD Harimau Muda 'bermaharajalela' di bumi Myanmar.Petang semalam, pasukan Filipina teruk 'dikerjakan' anak-anak buah Ong Kim Swee yang berjaya melakar kemenangan besar 7-0 dalam aksi kedua Kumpulan G kelayakan Piala AFC Bawah 22 Tahun (B-22) di Stadium Aung San, Yangon. Peledak berbisa, Mohd. Rozaimi Abdul Rahman ternyata berada dalam kelas tersendiri apabila melakar empat gol dalam perlawanan itu sekali gus menghidupkan semula misi Harimau Muda yang tewas tipis 2-3 kepada Korea Selatan dalam aksi pembuka tirai Sabtu lepas. Dalam perlawanan semalam, Malaysia terlebih dahulu di depan apabila Mohd. Rozaimi mudah menyempurnakan hantaran Wan Zaharulnizam Wan Zakaria seawal minit kedua. Mohd. Fandi Othman kemudiannya berjaya menggandakan kelebihan skuad muda negara pada minit ke-32 sebelum Mohd. Rozaimi menjaringka