Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

KAPAR: Old-fashioned and outdated youth and sports programmes needed to be reviewed and improved, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said yesterday. The ministry was in the midst of reviewing all youth programmes as part of the ministry's strategic plan drafted until 2015, he said.   "Majority of the youths now stay in the city or at the fringes of town. So the ministry’s approaches via the state and district offices have to change according to times.   "We must scrap off the assumptions that our programmes are old-fashioned and outdated," he said during a working visit to the Klang Rakan Muda Complex here.   He stressed that the ministry must always be ahead of change and ensure that its programmes mirrored the contemporary changes.   "We also have to update the identity and branding of our programmes while bringing in new content," he said.   He cited leadership training modules and personality developm

 JOHOR BARU: National striker Mohd Safee Sali is confident that his partnership with Norshahrul Idlan Talaha will give Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) the edge when they face Kelantan in the FA Cup final tomorrow. Safee and Norsharul formed a deadly partnership up front, scoring seven goals between them to help Malaysia land their first AFF Suzuki Cup crown in 2010. The pair failed to click with JDT this season as Safee spent most of his time on the treatment table due to several niggling injuries. However, Safee’s return from injury won him a spot back in the national team earlier this month and it is a timely boost for JDT ahead of the final. “I’m finally injury free and it’s a big relief for me and the team,” said Safee, who is on a season-long loan from Indonesian side Arema FC. “I want to give something back to JDT … Johor football is going through a revolution and I want to be a part of it. “It’s up to the coach to pick the players for the final and I’m rea

PETALING JAYA, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Bidaan negara-negara Asean untuk menjadi tuan rumah Piala Dunia pada 2034 selain cadangan penganjuran Liga Super Asean (ASL) bakal menjadi dua cabaran awal kepada Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Bola Sepak Asean (AFF) yang baharu, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad. Bekas Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysian (FAM) itu yang akan memulakan tugas baharunya secara rasmi mulai 1 Julai ini berkata dua perkara berkenaan antara yang dibincangkan pada mesyuarat ahli gabungan AFF di Phnom Penh, Kemboja, baru-baru ini. "Saya percaya sudah sampai tahap sehingga 70 peratus mengenai penganjuran Liga Super Asean...kertas cadangan berkenaan perkara itu akan diajukan kepada Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) untuk mendapat kelulusan dan sokongan. "Ahli gabungan AFF juga mahu sukan bola sepak di peringkat akar umbi melibatkan negara Asean dipertingkatkan ke tahap lebih baik," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas

Kota Bharu: “Jaga nama baik anak Kelantan dan pastikan tidak meninggalkan kewajipan solat. Jadikan bola sepak sebagai sukan memupuk muhibah dan insya-Allah saya yakin, anak Kelantan dapat melakukannya,” kata Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Ahmad Yakob. Menurutnya, penyokong Kelantan yang akan menyaksikan perlawanan Kelantan menentang Johor Darul Takzim di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, malam esok diharap dapat menjaga tatasusila sepanjang berada di dalam dan luar stadium.  “Saya ucapkan selamat berjuang kepada pasukan Kelantan yang akan berentap menentang Johor DT di pentas akhir Piala FA, Sabtu ini (esok). Semoga kejayaan milik kita,” katanya di laman Facebook miliknya.

JURULATIH Kelantan, Bojan Hodak mula melancarkan perang psikologi menjelang aksi final menentang Johor Darul Takzim (Johor DT) di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil Sabtu ini. Secara terbuka, Hodak menganggap The Red Warriors lebih layak untuk diletakkan sebagai pasukan pilihan untuk menjuarai kempen Piala FA kali ini. “Banyak artikel yang disiarkan oleh pihak media menyebut Johor DT adalah pasukan pilihan yang akan menjuarai Piala FA musim ini. “Mungkin benar jika mereka melihat kepada status pemain yang dimiliki pasukan itu, tetapi saya mahu beritahu bahawa Kelantan juga memiliki ramai pemain yang hebat. “Sebahagian besar pemain Kelantan yang ada ketika ini mempunyai pengalaman bermain di pentas sebegitu besar, sama ada final Piala FA atau Piala Malaysia. “Bagaimanapun, saya fikir ini bukan aksi final yang mudah untuk orang ramai membuat jangkaan mengenai keputusannya,” kata Hodak ketika ditemui Kosmo! di Kota Bharu semalam. Pada masa sama, Hodak tidak menafi

KOTA BARU: Dickson Nwakaeme has urged the Kelantan fans not to be too hard on the players when they are cheering on the Red Warriors in the FA Cup final against Johor Darul Takzim at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. The Kelantan supporters are known to be a passionate lot, and will not hesitate to direct abuse on their own players who do not perform to expectations during matches. Nwakamae, who came on as a substitute in the 2-0 win against Pahang on Tuesday, was on the receiving end of brickbats at the Sultan Muhamad IV Stadium for his sluggish pace. To be fair to the Nigerian striker, he was just returning after an injury layoff and admitted to be still some way to regaining full fitness. “I have played in many countries with many teams, but the Kelantan fans are unique. They truly love the team and are great in spurring us on during matches. “But the fans have to realise that it is difficult for the players to be on top of the game for the ful

FANDI Ahmad has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup final. The Johor Darul Takzim coach, while annoyed with Hodak's assertion that Kelantan would successfully defend the Cup, said he preferred to see his side do the talking on the pitch. "I agree that Kelantan are the favourites and we, the underdogs but in saying so, this also means that Hodak's team will be the ones under more pressure to successfully defend the Cup," said Fandi in Johor Baru yesterday. The relationship between the two teams has been strained since Darul Takzim successfully lured Norshahrul Idlan Talaha from Kelantan in the pre-season, with the player even buying out his contract. Some have used this to 'motivate' the Kelantan players ahead of the final but Fandi said he is not worried. "Talk is cheap as football must be played on a field. Let Darul Takzim's play do the talking."

Australia’s Aaron Donnelly raises his arms in joy as he crosses the finish line in Stage Two of the Jelajah Malaysia in Batu Pahat yesterday.   BATU PAHAT: Australian Aaron Donnelly sprinted clear from a three-man breakaway group to win Stage Two of the Jelajah Malaysia from Rembau to Batu Pahat yesterday, but it was Malaysian Loh Sea Keong who was the biggest winner as he took over the leader’s yellow jersey. Donnelly, a Huon Salmon Genesys representative, launched into a powerful sprint to romp home in 4’44:53 to clinch the 197.6km stage. Dutchman Lex Nederlof of CNN was second, three seconds behind. Sea Keong of OCBC Singapore finished third, nine seconds off the pace. “I wasn’t confident at first to win the stage if it came to a three-up sprint. But it was a long stage and I probably had a little bit more in the tank to outsprint them,” said the 22-year-old Donnelly. “When the duo (Sea Keong and Nederlof) jumped, everybody else in the group just looked

Batu Pahat: Pelumba Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth, Aaron Donelly muncul juara Peringkat 2 Jelajah 1Malaysia dari Rembau ke Batu Pahat semalam ketika pelumba negara mewakili OCBC Singapore, Loh Sea Keong mengambil giliran meraih empat daripada lima jersi rebutan, termasuk jersi kuning selaku pendahulu keseluruhan. Donelly, pelumba kelahiran Sydney berusia 22 tahun, antara pelumba dalam kumpulan pengejar yang bijak menghidu ruang, sebelum meloloskan diri untuk meninggalkan naib juara dari CCN Cycling Team, Lex Nederlof dan Sea Keong pada baki 2 kilometer terakhir. Bekas pelumba Jayco AIS yang pernah beraksi di Le Tour de Langkawi 2010 itu, menamatkan kayuhan sejauh 197.6km dalam masa 4 jam 44 minit 53 saat, tiga saat di depan Nederlof dan 1:08s di depan peloton. Namun, tumpuan semalam menjurus kepada Sea Keong, pelumba 27 tahun kelahiran Kuala Kurau, Kelantan yang merampas jersi kuning daripada pemenang Peringkat 1 di Rembau semalam, Kiril Pozdnyakov. Sea Keong yan

SULTAN Ahmad Shah (kanan) pada sidang media di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) Subang, semalam. Kuala Lumpur: Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah membidas segelintir pihak yang melemparkan kritikan mempertikai tugas badan induk itu tanpa berfikir panjang. Menurutnya biarpun negara memiliki kebebasan bersuara, beliau berkata, ada masanya setiap komen yang ingin diberikan perlu difikirkan terlebih dulu sebelum memberikan pandangan masing-masing. “Sudah tentu anda boleh memberi komen kerana Malaysia negara bebas untuk bersuara tapi fikir dulu implikasinya, adakah ia memberi faedah kepada FAM atau persatuan bola sepak lain di Malaysia ini. “Sudah 28 tahun saya menjadi presiden dan saya yang memperkenalkan liga profesional di Malaysia, siapa yang memberi komen itu perlu tahu apa yang dia cakap, tidak kisah siapa anda dan jawatan yang anda pegang, anda perlu bersedia untuk menerima kritikan,” katanya. Sultan A

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Atlet lawan pedang Wilayah Persekutuan, Andrew Mok Vern-Han meraih pingat emas pertama Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) ke-16 apabila mengungguli acara foil individu lelaki di Gimnasium 3 Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Bukit Jalil di ibu negara, Khamis. Penyandang juara SUKMA 2011 itu beraksi cemerlang untuk mengenepikan rakan sepasukan, Syed Adil Emir Putra Syed Aidi yang meraih pingat perak dengan kemenangan 15-8. Pingat gangsa acara itu milik bersama atlet Johor, Muhammad Aqil Anuar dan Izzul Syawal Syamsuddin dari Perak. Andrew, 19, menyifatkan pencapaian itu adalah kejayaan yang perlu dikongsi bersama rakan sepasukan. "Kejayaan ini juga saya tujukan kepada kedua ibu bapa, rakan dan penyokong kontinjen Wilayah Persekutuan yang banyak memberi sokongan kepada saya selama ini," katanya. Beliau berkata fokusnya selepas SUKMA kali ini adalah untuk melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik 2016 di Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "Saya akan be

    KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur fencer Andrew Mok Vern-Han earned the distinction of becoming the first gold medal winner of the 16th SUKMA when he nailed the gold medal in the Men's Individual Foil at the National Sports Council (NSC) Gymnasium 3, in Bukit Jalil, here, Thursday. The 2011 SUKMA defending champion swept aside team mate Syed Adil Emir Putra Syed Aidi 15-8 for the gold while Johor's Muhammad Aqil Anuar and Izzul Syawal Syamsuddin from Perak were awarded bronze medals as losing semifinalists. Andrew, 19, who immediately paid tribute to his parents for providing support, said the joy of winning would be shared with his team mates. He added that after the SUKMA, his main focus would be to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and emulate his idol, Sheng Lei from China, winner of the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, Sabah's Laura Simon won the Women's Individual Epee gold

PETALING JAYA, June 27 (Bernama) -- Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin has been appointed to the post of FAM Secretary-general starting July 1. Hamidin will succeed Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad who will be joining the Asean Football Federation (AFF) as its Secretary-general, replacing Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel who has decided to step down due to health reasons. Hamidin's appointment was announced by FAM President Sultan Ahmad Shah during a press conference at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) base in Subang, near, here, Thursday. "I am confident Hamidin can carry out the task of managing the FAM while he will have to resign from all other posts, including as FAM Local Competitions Chairman and the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) Secretary-general, with immediate effect," he said. Meanwhile, Sultan Ahmad Shah who is also the AFF President said the government had approved a 3.24 hectare site in Putr

PETALING JAYA, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Naib Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin dilantik sebagai Setiausaha Agung badan induk bola sepak kebangsaan itu berkuatkuasa 1 Julai ini. Beliau akan menggantikan Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad yang dilantik menjadi Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Bola Sepak Asean (AFF) juga berkuatkuasa pada tarikh yang sama, menggantikan Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel yang bersara awal disebabkan masalah kesihatan. Pelantikan Hamidin ke jawatan berkenaan diumumkan oleh Presiden FAM Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah pada sidang media khas di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), Subang, dekat sini, Khamis. Baginda bertitah pelantikan Hamidin bagi menggantikan Azzudin yang memegang jawatan berkenaan selama enam tahun sejak 2007 dibuat selepas melakukan penelitian lanjut terhadap calon-calon yang sesuai. "Saya yakin dengan (kemampuan yang dimiliki) Hamidin untuk mengendalikan FAM dan beliau harus meletakkan se

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) ke-16 yang akan membuka tirai secara rasmi esok, bakal memberi nafas baharu kepada beberapa sukan bukan pilihan yang sebelum ini 'terpinggir' apabila tidak mendapat tempat dalam penganjuran temasya itu. Keghairahan tuan rumah mengejar pingat pada temasya peringkat kebangsaan itu menyebabkan mereka tidak berminat menyenarai acara-acara berkenaan yang dianggap kurang popular di negara ini berbanding sukan teras atau utama. Pada edisi kali ini, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) selaku pengelola temasya itu, menyenarai dua jenis sukan baharu yang dikategori sebagai sukan bukan pilihan iaitu Muay Thai dan woodball selain memperkenalkan acara baharu dalam bola sepak iaitu bola sepak pantai bagi mewujudkan 'demokrasi dalam sukan'. Selain itu, antara 20 acara sukan lain yang bakal dipertandingkan pada Sukma 2013 ialah akuatik (polo air dan renang berirama), bina badan, bola baling, bola jaring, bola kera

Aiming to do better: Pandelela Rinong will compete in the 10m platform individual and synchro as well as the 3m springboard synchro at the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona. —EPA    PETALING JAYA: Diver Pandelela Rinong will not raise her degree of difficulty – and instead stick with the basics – as she prepares for the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona from July 19-Aug 4. The Olympic bronze medallist will compete in three events – 10m platform individual and synchro as well as the 3m springboard synchro – in her third appearance at the world meet, which will see the world’s best converging for the first time since last year’s London Olympics. The 20-year-old Pandelela claimed a bronze in the individual platform in London but has not been consistent since. The Malaysian has only made the podium once in the six-leg Diving World Series season. Although she finished second overall in the series, it was because she competed in every leg. Besi

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Jun -- Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) hari ini membuat ketetapan untuk mengeluarkan garis panduan atau protokol bagi memastikan penganjuran kejohanan sukan dapat dijalankan tanpa menjejaskan kesihatan atlet dan orang ramai berikutan keadaan berjerebu sekarang. Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin berkata garis panduan serta protokol yang diputuskan itu ialah had maksimum Indeks Pencemaran Udara (IPU) bagi penganjuran acara atau aktiviti sukan ditetapkan pada paras bacaan 100. "Ini kerana, bacaan IPU melebihi paras 100 ditakrifkan sebagai tidak sihat oleh Kementerian Kesihatan serta Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, Selasa. Selain itu, beliau berkata acara sukan yang dipertandingkan di dalam dewan tertutup (indoor) boleh diteruskan seperti biasa dan ia termasuk beberapa acara pada Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) ke-16 yang akan bermula Jumaat ini. Khairy berkata sesuatu kejohanan atau acara s

Kuala Lumpur: Temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) akan dibatalkan jika keadaan jerebu semakin teruk, namun ia mungkin hanya membabitkan sembilan acara yang berlangsung di luar dewan. Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong (gambar) berkata, sekiranya SUKMA terpaksa ditangguhkan atau dibatalkan, beliau tetap yakin temasya itu berlangsung dengan meriah kerana 13 acara lain yang berlangsung dalam dewan tetap dianjurkan mengikut jadual.  Begitupun, pihaknya akan terus memantau secara terperinci keadaan jerebu terutama di Kuala Lumpur dengan sebarang keputusan akan dibuat berpandukan kepada nasihat Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) dan juga Kementerian Kesihatan. “SUKMA tetap berlangsung seperti dirancangkan. Sama ada kita tangguh atau tidak, ia hanya membabitkan sembilan acara itu saja. Semua 13 disiplin lain yang berlangsung dalam dewan mengikut jadual asal. Apapun saya tetap yakin kemeriahan temasya ini andai keputusan tangguh atau batal terpaksa di

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has urged national sports associations to postpone their events if the haze situation worsens. Its president, Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said sports associations should give priority to the health of athletes. "As you can see, the haze is getting worse and if it continues, I think the it is best to seriously think of postponing sports events organised. "They (national sports associations) should take precaution to ensure that athletes do not fall ill because of the haze." Tunku Imran, however, said it was up to sports associations whether to continue holding the events or not. The OCM had postponed the Olympic Day Run which should have been held at Padang Merbok here yesterday due to the unhealthy air quality. "If the haze situation becomes critical, the government should issue a directive that all outdoor sports activities be postponed or cancelled.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) - The National Sports Institute (NSI) prohibits athletes from training when the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches above 100 or unhealthy level. They are also prohibited from training if there are signs of shortness of breath, drowsiness and refrain from high intensity training in the afternoon or evening when pollution levels are highest. These are some of the ISN guidlines for athletes and coaches, especially those who will be take part in Malaysia Games (Sukma) from June 28-July 7, said ISN in a statement Friday. Other guidelines are to train in confined spaces as it is the most effective measure to pursue sports activities or by varying the physical exercise routine. For outdoor sports that require external training such as football and hockey, the team might consider training overseas to avoid the haze. Athletes are advised to drink lots of water to help prevent any probability of lung infection. ISN urged sports associations and event organise

Horsing around: MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (left) having fun watching physiotherapist Yeo In-seung do a Gangnam dance. Looking on are (from second left) national coach Paul Revington, NSC hockey liaison officer Nur Azlan Shah and strength and conditioning coach Behrad Honar.   KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants national coach Paul Revington and the players to stay focused on the World League semi-finals, which begins in Johor Baru next week. “I also want the national coaches and players to stay united to produce good results in Johor Baru,” said Tengku Abdullah yesterday. “I don’t want any more outside interferences. I also don’t want any quarters to make any comments that can jeopardise our team’s performances. “I also don’t want to talk about what transpired among the national coaches in the last few days. “I’m glad that the issue among the national coaches has been s

    Coach Paul Revington in a training session with the players on Wednesday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah met with his players for the World League Semi-finals and his advice to them was to make the World Cup for the sake of the sport in the country.    Refusing to dwell  on the controversy which had interrupted  the players' preparations  the past week, Tengku Abdullah  only wanted a concerted effort  from every quarter in order to qualify for the World Cup in the Netherlands next year.    "Today was supposed to be the day when I addressed all the issues which had cropped up over the month because I was really busy with other commitments.    "Then the coach (Paul Revington) resigned and urgent meetings were held by every quarter and I thank them for bringing the episode to a quick end," said Tengku Abdullah in his first comment on the controversy regarding 

AZZUDDIN SETIAUSAHA Agung Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad menegaskan bahawa Penasihat Persatuan Bola Sepak Kelantan (KAFA), Tan Sri Annuar Musa boleh mengusulkan sebarang perkara berbangkit mengikut saluran yang sah. Individu yang dimaksudkan Azzuddin ialah Naib Presiden FAM, Datuk Affandi Hamzah merangkap pemangku Presiden KAFA serta Naib Presiden KAFA, Datuk Rosmadi Ismail yang juga Exco FAM. Jelas beliau, Annuar seharusnya bersikap lebih profesional dengan menggunakan 'suaranya' melalui kedua-dua individu terbabit dan bukan menerusi kenyataan terbuka menerusi laman sosial Facebook milik bekas Timbalan Presiden FAM itu. "Annuar sepatutnya boleh menggunakan suaranya menerusi Exco mereka (KAFA) sendiri untuk menanyakan soalan berbangkit, bukan secara terbuka dengan memberikan tanggapan buruk kepada FAM. ''Beliau sepatutnya lebih bersikap profesional dan FAM boleh memberi maklum balas jika ada sebarang isu be

Kuala Lumpur: “Setiap tahun (kewangan) kami diaudit dan laporan dikeluarkan setiap tahun”. Itu reaksi Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ketika ditanya mengenai wang tajaan Liga Malaysia (Liga M) berjumlah RM30 juta semusim yang diterima badan induk negara itu. Tajaan RM30 juta itu ditimbulkan Ahli Parlimen Ketereh Tan Sri Annuar Musa susulan masalah kewangan yang menghimpit beberapa ahli gabungan FAM dengan beliau mempersoalkan ke mana perbelanjaan membabitkan dana berkenaan disalurkan. “Saya tidak terbabit dalam urusan kewangan FAM namun saya tahu terdapat penajaan yang diagihkan kepada semua seperti diputuskan. Kalau nak tanya lebih maklumat, anda perlu tanya Jawatankuasa Kewangan FAM,” katanya. Bagaimanapun beliau mengaku jumlah RM30 juta tidak mencukupi kerana Presiden FAM Sultan Ahmad Shah turut terpaksa mengeluarkan duit sendiri. “Kalau ada Tan Sri atau Datuk yang mahu menderma, kita boleh binca

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said he was ready to meet anyone, including Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to discuss the future of football in the country. "I am willing to meet anyone including Khairy at any time," he told reporters when asked to comment on Khairy's request to meet only decision makers in the FAM. Tengku Abdullah when asked to comment on Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) advisor Tan Sri Annuar Musa's statement on the Harimau Muda A team's playing tour in Slovakia, Tengku Abdullah said he does not want to speculate anything on the matter since he was not involved. "I am afraid to speculate...I myself was not involved (sending Harimau Muda A to Slovakia). We only draft policies...that is administration's part and I don't like to point fingers at any FAM staff," he said. Annuar in his Facebook yeste

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The worsening haze condition, especially in the southern states, would not affect the Tour of Malaysia (JIM) said the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF). "The conditions may change according to the wind conditions. I hope the race will go on as the situation is not very serious to affect the race. This is the first time we are facing such a situation. "In the past we have experienced bad weather (rain) and floods but managed to overcome such situations without disrupting the race. So, I am confident the haze situation will clear before the race and not disrupt the race," said MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad. Naim who is also the Chief Operating Officer for the JIM 2013, Commissar in Chief and technical delegate said at least 24 hours was needed to study the weather condition and recce an alternative route if needed. The JIM 2013 is scheduled from June 26 to 30, will pass through Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Mela

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Jun (Bernama) -- Larian Hari Olimpik yang dijadual berlangsung di Padang Merbok di sini, Ahad ini, ditunda berikutan keadaan jerebu dan kualiti udara yang semakin merosot. Majlis Olimpik Malaysia, selaku penganjur acara itu, Khamis ini berkata keputusan menangguhkan acara tahunan itu diputuskan selepas berunding dengan penganjur bersama, McDonald's Malaysia. "Kami kesal dengan sebarang kesulitan yang dihadapi peserta tetapi kami mengutamakan kesihatan dan kesejahteraan semua peserta termasuk keluarga dan kanak-kanak yang dijangka menyertai acara ini," kata MOM dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini. Bagaimanapun, MOM tidak menyebut tarikh baharu acara tersebut. Larian Hari Olimpik diperkenalkan pada 1987 untuk memperingati penubuhan Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) pada 23 Jun, 1894 oleh Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Populariti acara larian itu terus berkembang di peringkat antarabangsa daripada 45 anggota Jawatankuasa Olimpik Kebangsaan (NOC) dalam ed

  Mixed doubles Ong Jian Guo (right) and Lim Yin Loo beat Kang Ji Wook-Shin Seug Chan 21-11, 10-21, 21-13. MALAYSIA'S lack of depth in men's singles was cruelly exposed in the Singapore Open as Chong Wei Feng was the sole survivor after the first round at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday. Wei Feng was the last Malaysian to go into battle after the rest of his compatriots -- Liew Daren, Arif Latif, Tan Chun Seang and Zulfadli Zulkifli all fell like tenpins just three days after World No 1 Lee Chong Wei had defended his Indonesia Open crown in Jakarta. Wei Feng didn't have it easy against R.M.V. Gurusaidutt of India as he toiled for a 15-21, 21-18, 21-9 win in 56 minutes. He will play Sai Praneeth, also of India, who upset second seed Hu Yun of Hong Kong 21-9, 21-10, in the second round today. Daren had no answer to eighth seed Wang Zhengming of China, who had made Chong Wei struggle in the first round of the Indonesia Open,

PETALING JAYA: World No. 12 Chong Wei Feng spared Malaysia the blushes with a hard-fought win over India’s R.M.V Gurusaidutt in the first round of the Singapore Open. The 26-year-old Wei Feng had to dig deep into his reserves before notching a 15-21, 21-18, 21-9 win over world No. 23 Gurusaidutt. The Kedahan started the match poorly, handing his opponent the advantage. Wei Feng then recovered well to hold his nerves to take the second game 21-18 before stepping it up against the exhausted Gurusaidutt for victory and a place in the second round. The reward for his steely determination is a clash against another rising Indian shuttler – B. Sai Praneeth, who knocked out second seed Hu Yun in the first round – for a place in the last eight. But while Wei Feng was triumphant, the other Malaysian singles shuttlers were woeful and crashed out early. World No. 13 Daren failed to lift his game against eighth seed Wang Zhengming of China, losing 15-21, 18-21 while Moh

Financial support: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (sixth from left) posing with the sponsors for the Kuala Lumpur Sukma at his ministry in Putrajaya Wednesday. — MOHD SAHAR MISNI/The Star   PUTRAJAYA: It will cost RM9mil to organise the 16th edition of the Kuala Lumpur Sukma (Malaysia Games) from June 28-July 7 – and the Government will fork out RM8mil. That’s because only RM1mil was raised in sponsorships from the private sector. Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that while the private sector would sponsor sporting events in other countries, in Malaysia “the government has to fork out 90% of the cost for Sukma”. “There just aren’t enough private sponsors to organise sports in Malaysia. The money the government allocates for sports can be used for developments in other areas,” Khairy said after receiving mock cheques from private firms at his Ministry in Putrajaya yesterday. Khairy said that the government was facing challeng

SPORTS Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has stated he will support the hosting of the 2017 Sea Games in Malaysia but stressed that it is the government that will ultimately decide whether to hold the first Games in Kuala Lumpur since 2001. Khairy said he viewed the Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) enthusiasm in wanting to host the Games in a positive light but reminded that caution must be exercised when it involves taxpayers money. "It is our turn to host the Games in the Asean rotation and we will have to make a decision before the Myanmar Games this year," said Khairy after officiating the Malaysia Games sponsorship handover presentation in Putrajaya yesterday. "I have just asked the National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry to prepare a memorandum entailing the costs that will be required to host the Games. I will give them a month or two to prepare it and will then present it to the cabinet. "Ultimately it is the governmen

Kuala Lumpur: Perlumbaan tertua negara, Jelajah Malaysia bakal membabitkan penyertaan 20 pasukan yang mengibarkan cabaran bermula dari 26 hingga 30 Jun dengan pertempuran juara pecut pasti terarah kepada kepada dua wakil negara, Anuar Manan dan Mohd Harrif Saleh. Anuar bakal turun bersama pasukan berstatus benua, Synergy Baku Cycling Project manakala Harrif membawa nama TSG selepas kedua-dua pelumba ini berdepan kegagalan di Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) hujung Februari lalu. Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) Datuk Naim Mohamad dalam sidang media Majlis Penyerahan Tajaan Jersi Pecut daripada Milo mengesahkan penyertaan sembilan pasukan berstatus benua, tiga kebangsaan, tiga kelab dan lima ahli gabungan PKBM. Sembilan pasukan berstatus benua terdiri daripada TSG, OCBC Singapore Continental Cycling Team, Matrix Powertag (Jepun) dan Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling Team (Australia), CCN Cycling Team (Brunei), Polygon S

PUTRAJAYA, 19 Jun (Bernama) -- Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin berkata beliau bersikap terbuka untuk mengadakan pertemuan dengan Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) bagi membincangkan secara lebih serius mengenai masa depan bola sepak negara. Katanya beliau menyambut baik hasrat Naib Presiden FAM Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin yang bercadang mengaturkan perjumpaan antara badan induk bola sepak kebangsaan itu dengan beliau, namun menegaskan agar perbincangan itu akan membabitkan mereka yang mempunyai kuasa membuat keputusan bagi kedua-dua pihak. "Saya nak dengar daripada peringkat (pemimpin) yang tinggi (dalam FAM) seperti imbalan Presiden FAM Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah...pemimpin tertinggi FAM) yang mempunyai kuasa. "Kita nak bincang soal masa depan bola sepak negara, saya nak bersemuka dengan FAM dan tidak menerusi media...perjumpaan itu biarlah mereka yang ada kuasa untuk membuat keputusan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Jun (Bernama) -- Sebanyak 20 pasukan termasuk tiga pasukan kebangsaan dan sembilan pasukan benua akan bersaing pada perlumbaan berbasikal lebuh raya bertaraf antarabangsa, Jelajah 1Malaysia 2013 (J1M 2013), bermula Rabu depan. Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) Datuk Naim Mohamad berkata perlumbaan lima hari itu juga akan melibatkan penyertaan lima kelab serta tiga pasukan tempatan. "Tiga pasukan kebangsaan tersebut ialah Malaysia, Singapura dan Bahrain," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menerima penajaan daripada Nestle Products Sdn Bhd serta pengumuman Milo sebagai penaja jersi Hijau (Raja Pecut) di sini hari ini. Naim berkata sembilan pasukan benua ialah Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), OCBC Singapore (Singapura), Matrix Powertag (Jepun) dan Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling (Australia). Selain itu, Team LBC Cycling (Filipina), CCN Cycling Team (Brunei), Team Baku Cycling Projec

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Twenty teams, including three national teams, five clubs, nine continental teams plus three local teams will be vying for honours in the Tour of Malaysia (J1M 2013) from June 26 to 30. The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said the five-day race would involve five club teams, three of them from Malaysia and another three local teams, namely Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu and the National Sports Council. "The three National teams competing this year are Malaysia, Singapore and Bahrain," he told reporters after receiving a sponsorship pledge from Nestle Products Sdn Bhd and announcement that Milo would sponsor the Green Jersey for (Sprint King) in the JIM, here, Wednesday. Naim said the nine continental teams are Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), OCBC Singapore (Singapore), Matrix Powertag (Japan), Huon Salmon Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling (Australia), Team LBC Cyc

PUTRAJAYA, 19 Jun (Bernama) -- Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) akan mengemukakan memorandum kepada Kabinet berhubung status Malaysia sebagai tuan rumah Sukan SEA 2017, kata menterinya Khairy Jamaluddin. Katanya beliau akan meminta pegawai kementerian dan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) menyediakan butiran terperinci dalam tempoh dua bulan mengenai anggaran kos untuk penganjuran temasya dwitahunan itu. "Kita kena buat keputusan sebelum Sukan SEA 2013 di Myanmar, Disember ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penajaan Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) ke-16, di sini Rabu. Khairy berkata sebagai pihak yang mengeluarkan perbelanjaan menganjurkan temasya itu, hanya kerajaan yang akan membuat keputusan berhubung perkara itu kerana ia melibatkan wang rakyat. Mengulas kenyataan Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi bahawa menjadi tuan rumah Sukan SEA 2017 bukan lebih rumit berbanding SUKMA, Khairy berkata kedua-dua temasya tersebut a