Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Apabila keadaan memerlukan, Datuk Nicol David (gambar) tahu bagaimana melakukannya. Itulah yang dapat diperkatakan mengenai reputasi pemain nombor satu dunia itu apabila hanya selangkah lagi untuk mara ke final Kejohanan Kejohanan Skuasy Terbuka CIMB Kuala Lumpur 2013 selepas menewaskan pilihan kelapan dari England, Jenny Duncalf. Nicol mengatasi Jenny dalam saingan tiga set dengan keputusan 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 pada saingan suku akhir di Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur malam tadi. Kini Nicol bakal berdepan Laura Massaro pada separuh akhir, hari ini selepas pemain England itu menundukkan Madeline Perry dari Ireland, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5 dalam perlawanan yang mengambil masa 53 minit. “Pertemuan ini kelihatan mudah serta dirasakan singkat tapi sebenarnya perlawanan tiga set itu sebenarnya agak panjang. “Saya agak kurang mantap set pertama tapi dapat bangkit dan memanfaatkan setiap peluang sepanjang perlawanan tiga set itu. “Saya mendapat suntikan semangat apabila a

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Mac (Bernama) -- Malaysia mengalahkan Singapura 3-1 pada perlawanan awal pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Piala Axiata 2013 di Stadium Badminton Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, di sini Jumaat. Bagaimanapun, Malaysia menerima kejutan awal apabila pemain perseorangan wanita Sonia Cheah gagal mengutip mata pembukaan setelah kalah kepada Gu Juan 19-21, 21-15, 15-21. Ketua jurulatih perseorangan negara Rashid Sidek menyifatkan prestasi keseluruhan Malaysia sebagai memuaskan meskipun Cheah kecundang. "Cheah telah bermain dengan sedaya upaya dan memang kita tahu bahawa pemain lawannya mempunyai lebih banyak pengalaman termasuk juga dari segi ranking dunia. "Kehadiran Chong Wei Feng menggantikan Liew Darren yang tidak sihat berjaya meraih mata walaupun pada set kedua dia kalah kerana beria-ria untuk menang namun Wei Feng berjaya bangkit semula," katanya selepas perlawanan itu. Namun Wei Feng, pemain ranking ke-16 dunia berusia 26 tahun itu berjay

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemain nombor satu dunia, Datuk Nicol David semakin menghampiri gelaran kesembilan Kejohanan Skuasy CIMB Terbuka Kuala Lumpur 2013 setelah layak ke separuh akhir. Pada saingan suku akhir di Berjaya Times Square di sini, Jumaat malam, Nicol hanya mengambil masa 43 minit untuk menyingkirkan dengan mudah Jenny Duncaf dari England dengan keputusan 11-8, 11-7 dan 11-2. "Perlawanan ini nampak mudah tetapi lama. Saya hanya mendapat semula rentak mulai dari pertengahan set kedua," kata Nicol yang akan menentang pemain England, Laura Massaro pada separuh akhir Sabtu. Massaro melangkah ke separuh akhir dengan menumpaskan pemain Ireland, Madeline Perry, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 dan 11-5 dalam masa 53 minit. Pada perlawanan suku akhir lain, Joelle King dari England menghadapi laluan getir sebelum mara ke separuh akhir dengan mengalahkan pemain Belanda Natalie Grinham. King terpaksa berhempas pulas selama 63 minit untuk melakarkan kemena

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's world no. 1 women's squash player Datuk Nicol David advanced to the semi-finals of the 2013 CIMB Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championships after outclassing Jenny Duncalf of England at Berjaya Times Square here, Friday night. It was an easy passage for the 29-year-old Nicol in her quarterfinals, winning the match in straight sets, 11-8, 11-7 and 11-2 in a 43-minute match. "It seemed like an easy match but it was a very long match. She was playing the game well. "I think I felt my rhythm a lot more in the middle of the second match and in the third as well," she said. In tomorrow's semifinals, she will be meeting England's Laura Massaro who defeated Madeline Perry of Ireland, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 and 11-5 in a match that lasted 53 minutes. In the other women's quarterfinal matches, Joelle King of New Zealand encountered a tough passage to book her berth in tomorrow's semifinal by defeat

What do you think of FAM's Article 88 which was invoked to haul up national football coach Datuk K.Rajagopal?     Mohd Wazir Barmawi, 33, bank executive, Selangor and Malaysian supporter “I think the gag order imposed under FAM’s Article 88 deprives a person of his freedom of speech. If we look at Datuk K. Rajagopal’s statement, he was pointing out a problem. It seems that FAM prefers to discuss problems instead of finding solutions. The national coach is definitely the right person to comment on his team and the M-League.” Fazal Azwandi Abu Bakar, 30, executive “Article 88 is a draconian law and is not relevant anymore. FAM should be open to criticism. If they can’t handle the heat they should leave the kitchen. FAM needs a revamp and it should be from top to bottom. The bigwigs who have been on the job have not done anything to improve our football standards.” Elroi Yee, 30, TV director “I personally feel that FAM is run by an incompetent bunch of

NATIONAL singles chief coach Rashid Sidek believes Malaysia have a fighting chance of not only reaching the Sudirman Cup semi-finals but beyond that if they can avoid being drawn in the same half of the draw as defending champions China in the knockout stage of the mixed team event in Kuala Lumpur on May 19-26. Malaysia, the third seeds,  received a favourable draw in the preliminary stage yesterday where they have Germany and Taiwan for company in Group C and the initial objective, said Rashid, is to finish as group winners and advance to the quarter-finals. China, who should win Group A, also consisting Indonesia and India, should be in the top half of the knockout draw and Rashid's bold prediction will face a stern test if Malaysia are drawn in the bottom half. "It is a good draw and  our immediate target is to win Group C and advance to the last eight as one of the top four teams. I still believe that Malaysia have a chance of making it to the final

Kelana Jaya: Ketua jurulatih negara Datuk K Rajagobal tetap fokus memperkasakan skuad kebangsaan walaupun bakal berdepan tuduhan melanggar Artikel 88. Menurut pengendali berusia 56 tahun itu, tiada apa yang hendak diperkatakan dan fokusnya kini hanya untuk skuad negara yang mempunyai jadual padat sepanjang tahun ini. “Saya belum terima surat, tiada apa untuk komen. Hanya laporan di media, itu saja,” katanya di Wisma FAM, petang semalam. Jawatankuasa Tatatertib FAM kelmarin memutuskan untuk menghantar surat pertuduhan terhadap Rajagobal susulan kenyataannya mengenai kekurangan penyerang berkualiti di jentera serangan skuad kebangsaan menyebabkan kekalahan 1-4 kepada Arab Saudi. Pengendali yang pernah memenangi pingat emas Sukan SEA dan Piala AFF itu turut menyentuh kedudukan penyerang beberapa pasukan tempatan seperti Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, Selangor dan Kelantan dengan ketiga-tiganya diketuai penyerang import iaitu Marlon Alex James, Francis Forkey Doe dan Keita

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Mac (Bernama) -- Malaysia dijangka menghadapi laluan mudah ke peringkat suku akhir Piala Sudirman LI NING 2013 di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil di sini dari 19 hingga 26 Mei ini. Dalam undian yang diadakan di sebuah hotel terkemuka di ibu negara yang turut dihadiri Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Badminton Dunia (BWF) Thomas Lund Khamis, skuad badminton negara diundi dalam Kumpulan C bersama juara Eropah, Jerman dan Taiwan. Kumpulan A dianggap kumpulan 'maut' apabila juara lapan kali, China bakal menghadapi tentangan sengit juara 1989, Indonesia dan India pada kejohanan berpasukan campuran berprestij dunia itu. Juara tiga kali, Korea Selatan pula mengetuai cabaran Kumpulan B bersama Thailand dan Hong Kong manakala Denmark, Jepun dan Singapura diundi dalam Kumpulan D pada kejohanan dwitahunan itu. Selain 12 negara berkenaan yang diletakkan dalam Kumpulan 1, kejohanan itu turut disertai 19 pasukan lain dalam tiga lagi kumpulan di mana mere

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) must stop acting like police to find fault on individuals and punishing them for violating Article 88, said sports critic Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim. The FAM are being overzealous to punish individuals, and seem to have forgotten their main priority and objective - that is to develop football. "Stop acting like the police and return to the main objective of being an administrator who is entrusted with the development of football in the country. "As long as the FAM fails to revive the glory days of the 60s and 70s era, the FAM are continuing to betray the people, especially football lovers in the country, for failing to fulfill that objective. "If FAM is not able to take the National team to the World Cup, try to at least qualify for the Olympics, not go backwards," he told Bernama Thursday. Khoo also questioned the performance of the National squad

Kelana Jaya: Kritikan pengendali skuad kebangsaan Datuk K Rajagobal mengenai kehadiran pemain import dalam Liga Malaysia (Liga-M) akhirnya menjerat dirinya sendiri apabila beliau bakal didakwa atas kesalahan melanggar Artikel 88 Statut Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM). Dengan kedudukannya mula goyah berikutan aksi kurang memberangsangkan Harimau Malaya sejak akhir-akhir ini, jurulatih berusia 56 tahun itu berdepan satu lagi tekanan apabila surat pertuduhan ke atasnya akan dihantar minggu depan sebelum beliau menghadap Jawatankuasa Tatatertib. Keputusan untuk membuat pendakwaan itu diumum Datuk Taufek Abd Razak selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tatatertib yang berlangsung lebih empat jam semalam. “Kita sudah berbincang dengan panjang lebar untuk menentukan sama ada ia ada merit atau tiada merit. Merit bukan bermakna Rajagobal bersalah tapi kita buat keputusan kertas pertuduhan akan dihantar kepada Rajagobal. “Ini bermakna kami mempunyai kes untuk mendakwa Rajagobal di

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Mac (Bernama) -- Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Malaya selepas mengalami kekalahan 2-0 di tangan Palestin pada perlawanan amal antarabangsa Selasa. Setiausaha Agungnya Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, yang kecewa dengan keputusan itu, berkata masalah utama yang sentiasa membelenggu skuad negara adalah tahap prestasi mereka yang tidak konsisten dan perkara itu perlu diatasi. "Kita tidak boleh mengekalkan tahap prestasi yang konsisten sepanjang perlawanan dan ini satu cabaran besar kepada FAM," katanya Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan, Pahang. Dalam pada itu, Azzuddin memuji tindakan jurulatih Datuk K. Rajagobal menurunkan beberapa pemain muda dan muka baharu pada perlawanan itu berikutan ketiadaantonggak utama. "Ini satu perkara yang baik dengan memberi kepada pemain muda dan adalah tidak adil untuk peminat bola sepak negara menilai mereka dalam perlawanan pertama. "Kita patut beri peluang kepada pemain muda ini dalam tiga atau empat perlawanan sebelu

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will send a 244-member contingent to the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games in Riau, Indonesia. The National Sports Council's (NSC) head of Islamic Games elite sports support services unit Shaari Shamsudin said it was a marked increase when compared with the 128 who competed in the first edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2005. "The number of contingent members was decided after a meeting between NSC and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) on Feb 27," he told Bernama when contacted today. Shaari said Malaysia will compete in 13 of the 17 sports contested and that the number of contestants may change when the final list is submitted to the organisers. He said Malaysia will not be competing in football, basketball, sport climbing and traditional boat race after failing to meet the qualifying mark. "Despite not competing in the four sports, we are however, confident of winning more medals from

Association of Malaysia (FAM) is expected to haul up National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal next week for allegedly violating Article 88 of the FAM constitution. According to Article 88, only the President and the Secretary-general can issue press statements on issue and policies related to FAM. FAM Disciplinary Committee chairman Datuk Taufik Abdul Razak said the committee had concrete evidence to charge the 56-year-old coach for criticising the policy of the governing body for football in the country. "We have the evidence to charge (Rajagobal) because he has breached Article 88 and we are also looking at reports in the media, allegedly issued by him," he told reporters after chairing a four-hour Disciplinary committee meeting at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, Wednesday. Taufik said just like how the others who breached Article 88 were charged in the past, the same procedure would be applied in the case of Rajagobal, to be fair to everyone. Rajagobal was reported to have blamed th

On a roll: Malaysia’s Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in action against compatriot Sanjay Singh (left) during the qualifying round of the CIMB KL Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.   KUALA LUMPUR: Former national player Elvinn Keo made the most of his chances to score a stunning win over Hong Kong’s Leo Au in the first qualifying round of the CIMB KL Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday. The 25-year-old Elvinn was dropped from the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia’s (SRAM) elite programme last year due to a lack of progress. The Penangite, who is currently ranked 127th in the world, had to train on his own after being axed. But that did not stop Elvinn from dishing out one of his finest performances to beat world No. 40 Au 13-11, 3-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6. Elvinn, the 2007 SEA Games champion, had received a wildcard to compete in the qualifiers. It was only his second win against a top 50 player, after beating Cze

NICOL SATU demi satu pemain skuasy wanita negara ditunjuk jalan keluar seawal pusingan kelayakan pada Kejohanan Skuasy Terbuka Kuala Lumpur CIMB 2013 yang bermula di Pusat Skuasy Nasional, Bukit Jalil semalam. Penyingkiran bermula dengan kekalahan Vanessa Raj yang gagal menyekat kemaraan pemain Scotland, Lisa Aitken untuk menempah slot ke undian utama selepas tewas 11-6, 11-4 11-3. Selepas itu, giliran Celine Yeap pula ditunjuk jalan keluar oleh pemain New Zealand, Kylie Lindsay apabila tewas 11-5, 11-3, 11-7. Siti Munirah Jusoh pula tewas kepada pemain Rusia, Siyoli Waters sementara Rachel Arnorld tunduk kepada pemain Republik Czech, Lucie Fialova. Sandaran skuad wanita negara kini diletakkan di bahu pemain No. 1 dunia, Datuk Nicol David, Low Wee Wern dan Zuhijjah Azan yang meneruskan saingan pusingan pertama hari ini.

Kuala Lumpur: Persekutuan Boling Padang Malaysia (PLBM) bakal mendapat presiden baru apabila Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid memutuskan tidak mempertahankan jawatan yang disandangnya sejak 17 tahun lalu itu pada pemilihan jawatankuasa PLBM, Sabtu ini. Setiausaha Kehormat PLBM Ramble Dallan Rice-Oxley berkata Ahmad Sarji menyatakan hasratnya itu pada mesyuarat majlis PLBM yang diadakan Februari lalu. Pemilihan jawatankuasa PLBM akan diadakan semasa mesyuarat agung tahunan badan induk boling padang di Pusat Boling Padang Nasional, Bukit Kiara. Tun Ahmad Sarji membuat keputusan mengundur diri pada pemilihan jawatankuasa PLBM tahun ini selepas berpuas hati berjaya melonjakkan pembangunan sukan boling padang negara," kata Ramble. Beliau berkata beberapa individu sudah menyatakan hasrat bertanding jawatan Presiden PLBM itu. Mengenai sumbangan Ahmad Sarji terhadap pembangunan boling padang negara, Ramble berkata bekas Ketua Setiausaha Negara itu berjaya menaikkan na

Salam pertemuan buat peminat sukan tanah air. Kali ini saya ingin berkongsi dengan pembaca Arena Metro bagaimana saya sebagai seorang atlet, perlu memandang jauh di masa depan jika tidak lagi bergelar pemain badminton. Saya pasti ramai atlet yang melakukan persiapan sebelum tiba detik kejatuhan, namun ada juga atlet yang tidak bersedia. Dalam keghairahan saya mencari kejayaan di pentas antarabangsa, saya tidak terlepas daripada memikirkan apa akan jadi kepada saya jika tidak lagi ‘cari makan’ dalam bidang ini. Melihat kepada pengalaman atlet senior, saya berazam untuk menghadapi situasi zaman kejatuhan dengan persiapan yang rapi dan saya bersyukur apabila berjaya membina satu syarikat pembinaan, Chong Wei Bina Jaya. Saya pasti tidak ramai yang tahu mengapa saya tiba-tiba membuka syarikat pembinaan ini. Niat membuka Chong Wei Bina Jaya timbul disebabkan impian saya sendiri untuk memiliki rumah dan saya pasti setiap orang mahukan kediaman sendiri ker

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Paralympic archery team who competed in the Para-Archery World Ranking Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, returned home with an impressive haul of medals. National archers hauled in three silver medals in the championships that ended on Saturday, through Zulkifli Mat Zin (men’s Recurve W2), Hasihin Sanawi (pic) , Zulkifli, T. Suresh (men’s Recurve team) and Nor Saadah Abdul Wahab, Nor Suhaili Yusof, Rosnane Ibrahim (women’s Recurve open team). Hasihin, winner of a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, also picked up two bronze medals from the men’s Recurve W2 and mixed Recurve event partnering Nor Saadah. The accomplishment, however, failed to match the two-gold medal feat, achieved through Zulkifli Mat Zin and Nor Saadah Abd Wahab in the previous edition that was also held in Bangkok, last year. Coach Mohamad Noor Affizzan Khairulzaim said the National archers started off well by giving their more illustrious opponents from Thai

   Malaysia’s Mohd Amri Yahyah (right) and Palestine’s Khaled A.K. Mahdi tussle for the ball at the Darulmakmur Stadium yesterday. Pic by Luqman Hakim Zubir A SUPERB goal in each half earned Palestine a 2-0 win over Malaysia in a charity international match at Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan yesterday.   The match, organised by the Sports Ministry, raised RM910,000 and the proceeds channeled to the "Palestine Fund" and "Lahad Datu Patriot Fund".    In the absence of several regulars, national coach K. Rajagobal made five changes to his side, who edged Yemen 2-1 in an Asian Cup Qualifying match last week.    He fielded goalkeeper Farizal Marlias, Faizal Muhammad, Fadhli Shas, K. Reuben, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Safiq Rahim, K. Gurusamy, Azamuddin Akil, K. Gopinathan, Amri Yahyah and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri.   "I had a good look at some of the players, who did not play against Yemen and it has given me more options for future r

Kuantan: Rentak kemenangan yang mahu dikekalkan skuad kebangsaan kendalian Datuk K Rajagobal tidak menjadi seperti diharapkan apabila tumpas 0-2 di tangan Palestin dalam perlawanan persahabatan amal di Stadium Darulmakmur malam tadi. Satu gol pada setiap babak menerusi Khaled Saleem dan Ashraf Alfawaghra menceritakan betapa rapuhnya permainan Harimau Malaya yang baru mendapat suntikan semangat hasil kemenangan 2-1 ke atas Yaman dalam aksi kelayakan Piala Asia 2015, Jumaat lalu. Palestin bermula garang apabila mengancam kubu skuad negara seawal minit ke-2 menerusi gerakan Khaled dari sebelah kiri yang melintangkan bola ke dalam kotak penalti namun gagal disambar kapten Imad Zatara ketika penjaga gol Mohd Farizal Marlias sudah tergamam. Skuad kendalian Rajagobal tanpa enam tonggak utama termasuk penyerang Norshahrul Idlan Talaha dan pemain sayap Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor turut mengatur gerakan namun buntu untuk menembusi benteng pertahanan pasukan pelawat.

KUANTAN, 27 Mac (Bernama) -- Skuad Harimau Malaya terpaksa menelan pahit setelah diaibkan oleh Palestin 2-0 pada perlawanan amal antarabangsa di Stadium Darul Makmur di sini, Selasa malam. Skuad bimbingan Datuk K. Rajagobal, yang sebelum ini dikritik kerana persembahan hambar, bagaimanapun bertindak agresif sebaik sahaja perlawanan bermula dengan melancarkan beberapa serangan ke kubu lawan. Namun, Palestin membalas serangan dan hampir membuka tirai jaringan pada minit ke-27 apabila rembatan kencang Iyad A.S.Gharoud berjaya diselamatkan oleh penjaga gawang tuan rumah, Mohd Farizal Marlias. Tiga minit kemudian, Mohd Amri Yahyah hampir memberikan gol pendahuluan apabila gagal melakukan penyudah semasa berdepan dengan penjaga gol Palestin Tawfiq A.Y.Abuhammad. Kelekaan benteng pertahanan negara dihukum oleh Palestin menerusi jaringan pertama Khaled J.A.Salem pada minit ke-39. Percaturan Rajagobal pada separuh masa kedua dengan menukar penjaga gol pada saat-saat ak

KUANTAN, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Harimau Malaya squad lost to Palestine 0-2 in an international charity match at Darul Makmur Stadium, here, Tuesday night. In the first half, both teams were on the offensive and eager to score goals but the Palestinians scuppered their best chance in the 27th minute when Iyad A.S. Gharoud's powerful shot was saved by the hosts' goalkeeper, Mohd Farizal Marlias. Coach Datuk K. Rajagobal's charges almost equalised in the 30th minute but Mohd Amri Yahyah failed to capitalise on the one-to-one encounter with Palestinian keeper Tawfiq A.Y. Abuhammad. The Harimau Malaya defence then failed to stop the Palestinians from scoring their first goal in the 39th minute through Khaled J.A. Salem from the penalty box. Coach Rajagobal's decision to change the keeper much later in the second half also made it worse for the Malaysians when Ashraf N.O. Alfawaghra scored for the visitors in the 90th minute. Palestine almost

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Long serving Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) President Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid has decided to make way for others to helm the federation after 17 years. Ahmad Sarji who had helmed MLBF for the past 17 years has decided not to seek re-election during the federation's election of office bearers on Saturday. MLBF honorary secretary Ramble Dallan Rice-Oxley said Ahmad Sarji had expressed his intention (not to contest) during MLBF's council meeting, last month. The election for office bearers would be held during the MLBF Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Lawn Bowls Centre in Bukit Kiara, here, on Saturday. "Tun Ahmad Sarji was satisfied with the progress of the federation which has achieved much success in local and international competitions under his stewardship," said Ramble when contacted by Bernama, today. He added that a number of individuals had expressed interest to take over

KUALA TERENGGANU, March 26 (Bernama) -- Pro Asia Cycling Team (TSG) rider Saufi Mat Senan relished his dream of emerging as the Best Asian Rider in the Tour De Taiwan which ended on Sunday. The young rider from Kuala Ibai also finished sixth overall in the general classification of the prestigious cycling event. Saufi said the win was a concerted effort from his team mates who helped him grab the Best Asian Rider jersey from Hong Kong rider Choi Ki Ho who had dominated the first four stages. The 22-year-old rider who is fast becoming an accomplished climber, had hoped to prove his ability by winning the Yellow jersey that is awarded to the overall individual winner or the Best Asian Rider jersey at the tour, especially after failing to make an impact in the Le Tour de Langkawi, on home soil. "In the Le Tour De Langkawi, I did not perform well and failed to finish on the podium at any stage. So, I was determined to make up for that disappointment.

NATIONAL coach Yang Zhuliang believes Pandelela Rinong will return to her best for the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona following a promising performance in the recent Diving World Series. On her return from an ankle injury since the London Olympics, Pandelela earned a bronze in the women's 10-metre platform in the opening leg in Beijing but failed to finish on the podium in Dubai. Pandelela posted a 353.50 points in Dubai for fifth place compared to her bronze score of 337.75 in Beijing. Zhuliang said the other competitors performed better and scored higher in Dubai but Pandelela should not be disheartened. "It should serve as an eye-opener and hopefully, Pandelela will use this as motivation to achieve greater heights. Pandelela did fine in Dubai but her second dive on the arm stand position did not impress the judges," said Zhuliang yesterday. "She must also work on her entries. It is not as perfect as before but I believe

LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED: Nicol gets CIMB's help for 2020 inclusion CIMB group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak and Nicol David with the ‘Back The Bid 2020’ campaign poster. Bernama pic  NICOL David would gladly see the back of the World Games if it meant squash secures a spot on the Olympic Games programme as the seven-time world champion greatly desires. Though Nicol has two World Games gold medals in her collection, they hardly compare to what an Olympic medal would mean to the World No 1. The World Games is held every four years in the year after the Olympics for sports not part of the formal Olympic programme. Nicol, however, is not yet ready to consign the World Games to history, not until September when the International Olympic Committee meets in Buenos Aires to decide which sport, squash among them, fills a vacancy on the 2020 Games roster. Even with her busy playing and campaign

Happy partnership: Datuk Sri Nazir Razak, Group Chief Executive of CIMB Group with squash star Nicol David during the press conference on the CIMB KL Open Monday.   KUALA LUMPUR: The World Squash Federation (WSF) received a massive boost yesterday when CIMB announced their support for squash to be included in the 2020 Olympic Games. CIMB Group’s Group Chief Executive Datuk Sri Nazir Razak said that CIMB will be WSF’s Olympic Bid Partner and will support their bid presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in St Petersburg, Russia on May 29. The announcement was made in conjunction with CIMB’s eighth consecutive title sponsorship of the CIMB KL Open Squash Championship which will be held from today to March 31. CIMB’s sponsorship will support the cost of making the presentation, including expenses for bid films, management and the bid group’s attendance at the board meeting. “CIMB have long been a supporter of squash, so we wouldn’t want

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei’s participation in next week’s Australian Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Sydney from April 2-7, is hanging in balance. Since returning from the All-England in Birmingham, Chong Wei had been sick for the last 10 days. Chong Wei, who will turn 30 in October, had been battling flu and fever. He turned up for training yesterday at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara but only did a quick work-out to ensure that he does not lose his momentum. “Since I got back home from Birmingham, I have been sick. This is one of the longest stretch that I have been ill,” said Chong Wei in a hoarse voice. At Birmingham, Chong Wei was denied his third All-England title and third Super Series crown after crashing to China’s Chen Long in the final of the oldest tournament. The two-time Olympic Games silver medallist had started the year with a bang after winning the Korean and Malaysian Opens. Chong Wei admitted that lethargy had set i

Sumbangan CIMB untuk pembangunan skuasy negara cukup besar hingga berjaya melahirkan ramai pemain remaja berkaliber di pentas dunia dan kini syarikat perbankan tempatan itu meneruskan sokongan dengan menyokong penuh badan induk skuasy dunia mempromosi sukan itu untuk disenaraikan sebagai salah satu acara Olimpik 2020. Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan CIMB Datuk Seri Nazir Razak berkata, pihaknya teruja untuk melihat skuasy tersenarai di Olimpik kerana sukan itu sememangnya layak berada sebaris sukan lain, begitu juga dengan atlet skuasy seluruh dunia yang bekerja keras meletakkan sukan itu di tahap tertinggi. “Kami menyokong bidaan skuasy ‘Back The Bid 2020’ dari segi kewangan, menyediakan video persembahan yang akan dipersembahkan di depan Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) di St Petersburg, Mei ini selain promosi lain,” kata Nazir pada sidang media di pejabatnya di Jalan Semantan, Kuala Lumpur semalam. Begitupun jumlah wang yang dibelanjakan untuk urusan ‘Back Th

Kuala Lumpur: Ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol David tidak berani menjanjikan gelaran kesembilan Skuasy Terbuka Kuala Lumpur akan memulakan aksi kelayakan esok, manakala Low Wee Wern menaruh harapan untuk membuang badi gagal melepasi pusingan pertama sepanjang beraksi dalam kejohanan yang memasuki edisi ke-15. Nicol menganggap kehadiran 16 daripada 20 pemain ranking teratas dunia menambah saingan getir untuknya. “Saya anggap kejohanan ini sebagai kejohanan besar pertama tahun ini. Pada awal tahun kurang kejohanan utama dan saya masih segar. Saya harap dapat menampilkan aksi bertenaga,” katanya pada sidang media menjelang kejohanan yang akan berlangsung di Pusat Skuasy Negara, Bukit Jalil pada peringkat kelayakan dan kedua, sebelum berpindah ke gelanggang kaca di Berjaya Times Square di suku akhir. Kejohanan terakhir disertai Nicol tahun ini, Terbuka Cleveland pada Februari lalu yang menyaksikannya tewas di tangan Raneem El Weleily dari Mesir di final. Wee Wern pula yan

Kelana Jaya: Prospek untuk dua pemain muda negara Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor dan Nazirul Naim Che Hashim mengembangkan karier ke peringkat lebih tinggi kini terbuka luas biarpun mereka hanya dipikat kelab Liga Divisyen Tiga Jepun, FC Ryukyu. Kedua-dua pemain Harimau Muda A itu sudah menandatangani kontrak bersama kelab yang berpangkalan di Okinawa itu dan berpeluang mempamerkan kemampuan untuk memikat pencari bakat kelab ternama di Jepun selepas ini. Namun ini terpulang kepada Wan Zack, 22, dan Nazirul, 19, untuk mengambil peluang dan apa yang perlu dilakukan terlebih dulu, merebut tempat dalam kesebelasan utama FC Ryukyu. Naib Presiden Eksekutif FC Ryukyu Sotaro Shinoda yakin dengan potensi dimiliki kedua-dua pemain negara ini dan kelabnya boleh menjadi platform terbaik untuk mereka melangkah lebih jauh. “Jika mereka bermain dengan baik, tidak mustahil ada kelab besar Liga Jepun mahu mengambil mereka selepas ini. Kami tidak akan menyekat jika mereka mendapat taw

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Mac (Bernama) -- Ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol David menjangka berdepan saingan sengit dalam misinya memburu kejuaraan kesembilan pada Kejohanan CIMB David Nicol Terbuka Kuala Lumpur yang membuka tirainya esok. Pemain nombor satu dunia itu berkata dengan penyertaan kelompok 15 pemain terbaik dunia serta kehadiran ramai muka baharu pada kejohanan itu, ia bukan satu tugas mudah untuk meraih pengiktirafan tersebut. "Saya lihat kejohanan kali ini berbeza daripada sebelumnya kerana disertai lebih ramai pemain ternama dan saya jangkakan saingan kali ini lebih kompetitif," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penajaan kejohanan itu oleh CIMB di sini, hari ini. Mengenai peluangnya pada acara yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai RM310,000 itu, Nicol berharap dapat mempamerkan aksi terbaik sekali gus dapat mempertahan kejuaraannya. Selain Nicol, kejohanan di Pusat Skuasy Nasional di Bukit Jalil dan Berjaya Times Square yang berlangsung sehi

KOTA BAHARU, March 26 (Bernama) -- Kelantan stormed into the quarterfinals of the FA CUP after defeating Selangor PKNS 4-2 in the second round at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium here Monday night. Playing before a crowd of more than 20,000 home fans, the Red Warriors who are coached by Bojan Hodak went for the jugualr right from the starting whistle and took just four minutes to score their first goal when Mohd Faiz Subri found the net. Three minutes later, Mohd Badhri Radzi put them two up. In the 22nd minute, they were awarded a penalty after Mohd Faiz was brought down in the box and Obinna Nwaneiri made no mistake. However, PKNS would not go down without a fight and narrowed the deficit when Mohd Nizad Ayub's 22nd minute header found its mark. But in their haste to take the game to the opponents, Helmi Remeli gifted an own goal in the 31st minute when his attempt to clear Indra Putra Mahyuddin's shot deflected into his own goal. In the second half,

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- National squash queen and women's world number one Datuk Nicol David expects stiff competition in her quest to win her ninth CIMB Nicol David Kuala Lumpur Open squash title, when the tournament starts, Tuesday. The multiple world champion said with the presence of the top 15 players in the world and a number talented new faces, it would not be an easy task to defend the title. "The tournament this time around is different due to the presence of so many top class players. It is certainly going to be very competitive," she told reporters at a function to announce CIMB's sponsorship pledge, here, Monday. Apart from Nicol, the championship to be held at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil and Berjaya Times Square, would also feature world number two and Nicol's arch rival Raneem El Weleily from Egypt. Also on the list are world number three Laura Massaro, Jenny Duncalf from England and Omneya Abdel Ka

RAJAGOBAL tetap mengendalikan sesi latihan meskipun kecewa dengan ketumpulan jentera serangan skuad kebangsaan negara ketika tewas 1-4 kepada Arab Saudi, Ahad lalu. LEBIH baik berterus-terang daripada menyembunyikan krisis yang berlaku dalam skuad Harimau Malaya. Itu pandangan pengurus pasukan negara, Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal berhubung kenyataan pengendali skuad kebangsaan, Datuk K. Rajagobal yang didakwa mengkritik lambakan pemain import dalam saingan Liga Malaysia sehingga menyebabkan kekurangan penyerang tempatan yang berwibawa. Beliau yang juga Naib Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) berkata, kenyataan seperti itu bukannya mengkritik, sebaliknya satu pendapat membina yang wajar diterima semua pihak. Menurutnya, kenyataan Rajagobal tidak melanggar Artikel 88 Statut FAM yang memperuntukkan hanya Presiden dan Setiausaha Agung badan induk itu sahaja yang boleh mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan sebelum ini. “Sebagai jurulatih, beliau (Rajagoba

Kelana Jaya: “Sebagai jurulatih, beliau (Datuk K Rajagobal) berhak untuk beri pandangan. Saya rasa beliau tidak melanggar Artikel 88. Beliau kena lebih berterus-terang supaya jurulatih di peringkat negeri boleh sama-sama membantu memberikan yang terbaik.” Itu kenyataan diberikan pengurus skuad kebangsaan Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal mengenai kedudukan Rajagobal yang kini dilihat dalam bahaya berikutan kenyataannya mengenai ketandusan penyerang tempatan kerana kehadiran pemain import dalam Liga Malaysia (Liga-M) baru-baru ini. Menurut Subahan, beliau menyokong sepenuhnya kenyataan pengendali Harimau Malaya itu kerana ia menceritakan situasi sebenar yang berlaku dalam kancah bola sepak negara ketika ini. “Sebagai Naib Presiden (FAM), saya rasa kenyataannya itu tidak ada kena mengena langsung (Artikel 88). Sebagai jurulatih beliau berhak memberikan pandangan. Kalau tak boleh komen macam mana beliau nak menguruskan pasukan kebangsaan. Memang benar kita perlu mencari pe

Kelana Jaya: Pihak sekretariat Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) mahu Jawatankuasa Tatatertib FAM mengkaji kenyataan terbaru pengendali Datuk K Rajagobal yang didakwa mengkritik polisi penggunaan pemain import dalam Liga Malaysia (Liga-M) yang memberi kesan kepada prestasi skuad kebangsaan ketika ini. Penolong Setiausaha Agung FAM Datuk Ahmad Fuad Daud berkata, berikutan kesuntukan masa, Jawatankuasa Tatatertib yang bersidang semalam tidak sempat membincangkan kes itu secara mendalam dan akan dibawa pada mesyuarat seterusnya. “Kita tengok (kenyataan Rajagobal) sepintas lalu saja, kita akan bawa kes ini ke mesyuarat selepas ini. Ia bergantung kepada Jawatankuasa Tatatertib, jika ada kes kita akan buat,” katanya semalam. Ahmad Fuad yang ditemui pemberita diminta mengulas kenyataan Rajagobal yang dibuat pada sidang media selepas perlawanan persahabatan menentang Arab Saudi, Ahad lalu. Rajagobal yang tidak puas hati selepas melihat anak buahnya tewas 1-4 pad

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is among six countries making a bid to host the 2018 hockey World Cup. The others are Australia, India, New Zealand, England and Belgium. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed the bids from the six countries after their Executive Board meeting on Saturday. New Zealand, Australia and Belgium are bidding for both the men’s and women’s World Cup while England is only seeking to host the women’s event. Aside from interest in the World Cups, there were also enthusiastic responses for a number of other events, like the Junior World Cup in 2017 and a new type of “Champions Event” and in particular for the hockey World League semi-final events which will serve as the main Olympic qualifying event in 2015 and the World Cup qualifiers in 2017. FIH President Leandro Negre said: “The high interest to be hosts by our member associations, especially for the World Cup, is extremely encouraging.” Both the men’s and women’s Hockey World

K. RAJAGOBAL could feel the brunt of the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) Article 88 if its disciplinary committee decides to pursue the matter. The national coach, upset with the 4-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Sunday, bluntly stated after the final whistle that the lack of strikers in the M-League was the cause behind his team's struggles of late. Article 88 forbids football officials, coaches and players from speaking on policy matters without leave from FAM. The committee, headed by Taufik Abdul Razak, had a meeting at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya to discuss  other pending issues and had intentions to touch on Rajagobal's issue. FAM assistant secretary Datuk Ahmad Fuad Daud said the committee wanted to discuss about it but decided not to due to time constraint. "The committee may discuss about it in its   meeting either on March 27 or 28. They will decide whether there is a case," said Ahmad Fuad in Kelana Jaya. FAM vice pre

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Mac (Bernama) -- Kejohanan Petanque Terbuka di Miri, Sarawak, awal bulan depan akan menjadi medan Persatuan Petanque Malaysia (PPM), menilai prestasi atlet sedia ada untuk dipilih mewakili negara ke Sukan SEA Myanmar pada 11 hingga 22 Dis depan. "Kebanyakan atlet daripada mereka yang berkerja dan bukanya atlet sepenuh masa. Setakat ini PPM sudah mengenal pasti 30 atlet, 15 lelaki dan 15 wanita. "Bagaimanapun, kesemua mereka bukanlah senarai mutakhir atlet yang akan kita bawa ke Myanmar," kata Setiausaha Kehormat PPM, Shaari Shamsudin kepada Bernama. Shaari berkata kebanyakan atlet yang sudah dikenal pasti itu dipilih berdasarkan prestasi mereka di Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Pahang tahun lepas. Menurutnya, PPM akan menggunakan Kejohanan Petanque Terbuka Miri untuk terus menilai kemampuan dan prestasi mereka. "Selepas kejohanan itu, kita akan memanggil semula mereka untuk menjalani latihan pusat di Kompleks Sukan MSN Keramat. B

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Mac (Bernama) -- Kejohanan Petanque Terbuka di Miri, Sarawak, awal bulan depan akan menjadi medan Persatuan Petanque Malaysia (PPM), menilai prestasi atlet sedia ada untuk dipilih mewakili negara ke Sukan SEA Myanmar pada 11 hingga 22 Dis depan. "Kebanyakan atlet daripada mereka yang berkerja dan bukanya atlet sepenuh masa. Setakat ini PPM sudah mengenal pasti 30 atlet, 15 lelaki dan 15 wanita. "Bagaimanapun, kesemua mereka bukanlah senarai mutakhir atlet yang akan kita bawa ke Myanmar," kata Setiausaha Kehormat PPM, Shaari Shamsudin kepada Bernama. Shaari berkata kebanyakan atlet yang sudah dikenal pasti itu dipilih berdasarkan prestasi mereka di Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Pahang tahun lepas. Menurutnya, PPM akan menggunakan Kejohanan Petanque Terbuka Miri untuk terus menilai kemampuan dan prestasi mereka. "Selepas kejohanan itu, kita akan memanggil semula mereka untuk menjalani latihan pusat di Kompleks Sukan MSN Keramat. B