Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

BUKIT JALIL: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is excited to pick up some pointers from China’s maestro Tang Hsien-hu at the China League which starts this weekend. The famed Hsien-hu, also known as The Thing, is the coach of Guangdong Century City Badminton Club which Chong Wei is joining. Hsien-hu, who coached Indonesia in the late 80s and can converse in Bahasa Indonesia, is also influential to China’s five-time world champion Lin Dan. He is credited with being the man behind Lin Dan’s success at winning the gold medal for the first time at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Chong Wei, who leaves for China on Friday, said he has crossed paths with Hsien-hu many times during his career but this will be the most exciting encounter. “I have met and spoken to Hsien-hu many times before but this is the first time that I will be working this closely with him. He will be my team coach during the league and I intend to treasure it,” said Chong Wei after a morning workout at

 Kuala Lumpur: Rashid Sidek (gambar) kembali menyertai pasukan kebangsaan esok. Teka-teki mengenai keputusan yang bakal diambil jurulatih kebangsaan Rashid Sidek yang meletak jawatan 10 hari lalu, sama ada kembali ke pangkuan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) atau sebaliknya, kini terjawab. Rashid mengesahkan beliau akan kembali menyertai barisan kejurulatihan BAM, namun selepas mengikut prosedur yang diminta Presiden, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff. “Esok (hari ini) saya akan ke pejabat BAM, menghantar surat yang diminta presiden, menulis saya mahu kembali melatih pemain kebangsaan, tapi saya tidak akan terus bekerja esok (hari ini),” kata Rashid ketika dihubungi. “Apapun saya akan memulakan kerja minggu ini, paling awal Selasa (esok).” Sambil mengakui apa yang berlaku sebelum ini perlu segera dilupakan, Rashid berkata, beliau amat menghormati keputusan Tengku Mahaleel yang sedia menerimanya semula. “Cukup-cukuplah bangkitkan isu ini, s

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 29 (Bernama) - Malaysia have to settle for second best after losing to India 0-3 in the Sultan of Johor Cup final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium here Sunday. India attacked as early as the 6th minute when Satbir Singh forced Malaysian goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman to make a save. The first goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Amon Mirash Tirkey scored after receiving a pass from Kothajit Singh. The goal made the Malaysian players to lose focus and this gave India the chance to launch several attacks forcing Muhammad Hafizuddin to make several saves. Malaysia had the opportunity to equalise in the 47th minute but Izad Hakimi was denied by the Indian goalkeeper. In their pursuit of goal, the Malaysians became careless and were punished when Affan Yousuf scored India's second goal in the 55th minute. Mampreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 64th minute to score India's third goal and win the Sultan of Johor Cup.

JOHOR BAHARU, 30 Sept (Bernama) -- India mengubati duka tahun lepas apabila mengalahkan Malaysia 3-0 untuk merangkul kejuaraan hoki Piala Sultan Johor 2013 pada perlawanan akhir di Stadium Hoki Taman Daya di sini Ahad malam. Malaysia terpaksa akur dengan kehebatan India mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah sepanjang kejohanan edisi ketiga kali ini selepas dikecewakan oleh Jerman 3-2 pada final tahun lepas. Skuad negara, yang turut mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah dalam saingan pusingan awal, bagaimanapun hilang arah tuju dalam final apabila India mula mengasak. Gol pembukaan Mirash Tirkey pada minit ke-22, hasil hantaran Kothajit Singh, mula menggugat persembahan anak buah Muhammad Dharma Raj Abdullah sehingga sering melakukan kesilapan dan memberi ruang keselesaan kepada penyerang India. India seolah-olah sudah mula melihat peluang dan kesempatan dengan melakukan serangan bertali arus namun terpaksa berpuas hati dengan gol tunggal sehingga separuh masa. Bagaimanapun

PALEMBANG, Sept 29 ( Bernama ) - Malaysia are in fourth place of the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG ) with 19 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 22 bronze medals. Indonesia are top with 29 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 23 bronze medals followed by Egypt in second with 25 gold medals, 23 silver medals and 28 bronze medals . Turkey are in third place with 20 gold medals, 24 silver medals and 40 bronze medals.

PALEMBANG, 30 Sept (Bernama) -- Kontinjen negara di Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam (ISG) ketiga menduduki tempat keempat carta kutipan pingat pada hari ketujuh kejohanan selepas mengutip 19 pingat emas, 13 perak dan 22 gangsa. Pasukan tuan rumah Indonesia terus mendominasi kutipan pingat setelah berjaya mengumpul 29 pingat emas, 28 perak dan 23 gangsa. Mesir terus utuh di tangga kedua dengan mengumpul 25 pingat emas, 23 perak dan 28 gangsa. Turki turut kekal di tempat ketiga selepas meraih 20 pingat emas, 24 perak dan 40 gangsa. Kontinjen Malaysia pada Ahad berjaya menambah koleksi lima butir pingat emas, dua perak dan tiga gangsa menerusi acara wushu, renang , memanah dan taekwondo. Wushu dan renang menjadi penyumbang utama pingat emas negara apabila masing-masing meraih dua pingat emas manakala baki satu lagi pingat emas negara dituai menerusi acara memanah. Pada Isnin, Malaysia mempertaruhkan sandaran pingat menerusi acara badminton, wushu, memanah dan taek

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia still failed to break the jinx against traditional rivals Thailand when they succumbed to a 0-3 defeat in the final of the Istaf Super Series in Bangkok Sunday. Made up of Norshahruddin Mad Ghani (striker), Mohd Syazreenqamar Salehan (feeder) and Sahidan Md Ali (tekong), they lost 12-15, 2-15 and 8-15 to Thailand's Siriwat Sakha (tekong), Yupadee Pattarapong (feeder) and Pornchai Kaokaew (striker). Earlier in the quarter-finals, Malaysia beat South Korea 3-2 while Thailand downed the United States 3-0. Malaysia's women squad lost 2-3 to Vietnam for the third and fourth placing, according to the championship website, www.sepaktakraw.org. Thailand also lifted the women's title in India last month when they beat South Korea 3-0 in the final. The third round of the series will be held in Kota Kinabalu from Oct 31 to Nov 3.

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Sept (Bernama) -- Pemain bukan pilihan Joao Sousa mengakhiri rentak kecemerlangannya dengan menjuarai Kejohanan Tenis Terbuka Malaysia 2013 di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, di sini Ahad. Pemain berusia 24 tahun dari Portugal itu bangkit daripada ketinggalan set pertama untuk mengalahkan naib juara dan pilihan kelima, Julien Benneteau dari Perancis 6-4, 7-5 dan 6-4 dalam pertarungan selama dua jam 18 minit itu. "Rasa macam saya masih bermimpi. Saya gembira kerana dapat membanggakan negara saya dan harap dapat kembali semula dan menang lagi tahun depan," kata Sousa yang menerima hadiah wang US$158,000 (RM509,708). Kejuaraan itu merupakan pertama buat pemain yang menduduki ranking ke-77 dunia sepanjang penyertaannya dalam siri Jelajah ATP Dunia. Hadiah kepada Sousa disampaikan oleh Menteri Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. Dalam pada itu, Benneteau, 31, ternyata kecewa apabila gagal memburu gelaran itu untuk

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Unseeded Joao Sousa sprang a surprise by winning the 2013 Malaysian Open title after defeating France's Julien Bennenetau in the final at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here Sunday. The Portuguese, who lost to Bennenetau in the first set 2-6, struggled to eliminate his formidable opponent 7-5 and 6-4 in highly-charged two hours and 18 minutes match. Sousa said he was happy with his performance today although his opponent gave him a tough fight in the first set. "Today's was an amazing match. I'm very happy to make my country proud. I feel like I'm still dreaming. "It was not an easy match, thanks a lot to all the supporters and hope will see all of you next year and win again," said Sousa who took home the winner's purse of US$158,000 (RM509,933), which was presented by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said. The 24-years-old Sousa had beaten world number four

KLANG, 29 Sept (Bernama) -- Kementerian Belia dan Sukan sedang mengumpul maklumat daripada sumber ketiga berhubung dilema kemerosotan prestasi skuad sukan sepak takraw negara di peringkat antarabangsa. Menterinya, Khairy Jamaluddin berkata maklumat berkenaan penting bagi mendapatkan gambaran lebih jelas berhubung masalah yang sedang melanda Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM). "Kita sedang kumpul maklumat daripada sumber-sumber ketiga untuk dapatkan gambaran lebih jelas berhubung isu ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyampaikan hadiah Kejohanan Sepak Takraw KFC/Utusan Malaysia 2013 di sini hari ini. Khairy dalam sidang media pada 13 Sept lepas, dilaporkan meminta Presiden PSM Datuk Ahmad Ismail supaya insaf melihat kemerosotan prestasi skuad negara di peringkat antarabangsa. Malah, beliau percaya peminat sendiri dapat menilai kelemahan PSM dalam menangani kemerosotan prestasi skuad kebangsaan. Sebelum ini, Khairy dilaporkan berkata kementeri

Kuala Lumpur: “ISN (Institut Sukan Negara) bukan klinik! Teguran itu disuarakan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar yang mahukan atlet menggunakan sepenuhnya kemudahan dan kepakaran sains sukan dimiliki ISN. Beliau berkata, segelintir atlet hanya menganggap ISN klinik yang diperlukan ketika mengalami kecederaan dan bukannya pusat untuk meningkatkan tahap prestasi mereka. “Saya tak mahu mereka menggunakan kepakaran sains sukan apabila cedera saja kerana ISN tidak boleh dipandang sebagai klinik sebaliknya ISN dijadikan pusat persiapan komprehensif dalam memantapkan fizikal dan mental. “Ada dalam kalangan mereka hanya pergi ke ISN bila sakit atau mahu bersenam menggunakan gimnasium. Kebanyakan atlet lebih cenderung untuk berlatih dan beraksi tapi tidak mahu meluangkan masa menggunakan sains sukan, jadi kami perlu sentiasa mengingatkan mereka mengenai kepentingan bidang itu,” kata Khairy pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Kongres Perseku

Khairy (third from left) addressing the media after launching the 13th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress as Dr. Ramlan (extreme right) watches on. Khairy (third from left) addressing the media after launching the 13th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress as Dr. Ramlan (extreme right) watches on.   NATIONAL athletes have been urged not to treat the National Sports Institute (ISN) as a ‘clinic’, they should instead be making more effort to learn sports science application to enhance their sporting career. Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said there is a tendency for athletes to merely seek treatment at the centre rather than spend some time there to understand the ways NSI can help them increase their sports science knowledge.  “I don’t want the athletes to refer to sports science only when it comes to injury,” said Khairy after launching the 13th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress. “They should not be going to ISN only when they are injured or

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (second from right) at an exhibition booth after opening the 13th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress at the Berjaya Times Square Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Khairy says BAM's coaching problems have been resolved. – Bernama Photo KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin hopes the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is back on track after resolving some problems with their national coaches. Khairy had a discussion with BAM’s president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff on Wednesday and was happy that all the issues had been resolved and hoped that Rashid Sidek would reconsider his resignation decision. Last week, national singles coach Rashid Sidek quit because he could not work under the new coaching environment set up up by BAM Talent Management Group (TMG) director Tan Aik Mong. On Tuesday, Aik Mong withdrew from the programme, a day after Tengku Mahaleel reverted to the

SPORTS Minister Khairy Jamaluddin hopes Rashid Sidek will reconsider his decision to quit as national singles coach and return to the BA of Malaysia (BAM). Rashid stepped down after failing to see eye-to-eye with BAM talent management group director Tan Aik Mong, whose attempt to change the coaching structure had unsettled a number of coaches. Aik Mong had relinquished his role after BAM president Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff reversed some of the changes he instituted. Khairy said he discussed the issues affecting BAM with Tengku Mahaleel on Wednesday and he hopes Aik Mong's exit will pave the way for Rashid's return. "I consider the matter involving Rashid and (Tey) Seu Bock closed," said Khairy after launching the 13th Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. "I was informed by Tengku Mahaleel that firstly, BAM has accepted the explanation from Rashid and Seu Bock (regarding their coaching stints in

  KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Sept (Bernama) -- Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar mahu pegawai dan pemain Liga Super Perak tidak bersikap prejudis berhubung tindakan Persatuan Bola Sepak Perak (PAFA) menggantung kesemua mereka selama dua minggu selepas mengesyaki berlaku rasuah dan sabotaj dalam skuad itu. Sambil menyokong tindakan yang dilakukan PAFA itu, Khairy meminta semua pihak terbabit termasuk pegawai dan petugas pasukan Liga Super negeri itu memberi kerjasama kepada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) dalam menjalankan siasatan terhadap isu berkenaan. "Saya sokong tindakan yang dibuat oleh PAFA. Kadang-kala mereka mesti tegas...Saya faham sesetengah pemain dan jurulatih berasa tidak puas hati sebab tindakan ini seolah-olah menunjukkan ada sangkaan buruk terhadap mereka. "Dipanggil oleh SPRM untuk memberi keterangan bukan bermaksud mereka bersalah, ia hanya prosedur siasatan. Saya harap pemain dan penyokong Perak tidak pre

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Sept (Bernama) -- Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin meminta Rashid Sidek menimbangkan keputusannya meletak jawatan sebagai jurulatih perseorangan negara dalam Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM). Menyifatkan isu itu sudah selesai, beliau berkata Presiden BAM Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff memaklumkan kepadanya bahawa badan induk itu menerima penjelasan Rashid dan seorang lagi jurulatih perseorangan negara, Tey Seuy Bock berhubung laporan kedua-dua mereka mengikat kontrak bersama Liga Badminton India (IBL). "Ini hanya salah faham...Rashid perlu masa untuk memikirkan dan saya harap Rashid akan kembali ke BAM kerana beliau sangat serasi dengan Datuk Lee Chong Wei (jaguh badminton negara)," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Kongres Persekutuan Perubatan Sukan Asia ke-13 di sini Khamis. Khamis lepas, Rashid membuat keputusan meletak jawatan dalam BAM gara-gara tidak berpuas hati dengan perubahan yang dibuat oleh Pengarah

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin urged former national singles coach Rashid Sidek who tendered his resignation last week, to reconsider his decision, and return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Khairy said BAM President Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff had informed him that the BAM had received clarification from Rashid and Datuk Lee Chong Wei's coach Tey Seuy Bock with regard to their contracts with the India Badminton League (IBL). "It's just a misunderstanding. Although Rashid needs time to think about it, I hope Rashid will come back to BAM because he has a good relationship and understanding with Datuk Lee Chong Wei," he told reporters after opening the 13th Asian Federation Sports Medicine Congress, here, Thursday. Rashid, the former National singles coach who quit last Thursday had said that coaches were treated like second-class citizens and that he did not enjoy the worki

SHAH ALAM, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The tragic road accident at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) last weekend which resulted in the death of a flag marshal and a teenage superbike rider was not due to lack of safety on the circuit, said SIC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Razlan Razali. Razlan said based on reports made to the Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM), the marshal had followed the flag waving protocol when the incident occurred. "According to race steward, it was just a race incident and not due to lack of safety (on the circuit) or the mistake on the part of the rider," he told reporters after attending the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd and SIC for the Shell Advance Malaysian MotoGP 2013, here Thursday. During the incident on Saturday, superbike rider Muhammad Izzat Mohd Abdul Hakim, 17, crashed into race marshal Satish Suppiah at about 12.30pm during a practice session. Satish died at the

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Super Series Motorcycle (MSS) Championship 2013 racer Muhammad Izzat Mohd Abdul Hakim called for his mother before he lapsed into unconsciousness when being treated at Putrajaya Hospital. The 17-year-old racer died at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) at 1pm on Wednesday, five days after he became unconscious due to serious head injuries sustained in an accident at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). According to his mother, Norhaida Mohd Noor, 44, she came to know about the accident at 2pm after she was given the news by her husband. She said when she arrived at Putrajaya Hospital, she felt her son's condition was critical after observing that the shirt and shoes worn by her husband were splattered with blood. "I could feel something bad befalling my son and my husband urged me to pray hard, but when I reached my son, he was already unconscious," she told reporters on Thursday at the Kampung Bukit Ke

PALEMBANG, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent taking part in the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) ended the fourth day of competition on a positive note by winning three gold medals. Two of the three gold medals won today came from badminton, namely the men's and women's team events while the other was fished out from the pool by swimmer Khoo Cai Lin. The first gold medal of the day came from the men shuttlers who beat Turkey 4-1 to capture the team event gold while their women counterparts white-washed Turkey 5-0 to clinch the women's team gold. Swimmer Khoo Cai Lin then splashed here way to the women's 400m Freestyle gold at the Jaka Baring Aquatic Centre and later added a silver medal from the 200m Butterfly. When the fourth day of competitions ended today, Malaysia with eight gold, four silver and six bronze medals remained in fifth spot behind leader Indonesia with 14 gold, 12 silver, 16 bronze; Egypt with 13 gold, 12 silver,

PALEMBANG, 26 Sept (Bernama) -- Kejayaan kontinjen negara meraih lima pingat emas pada hari keempat Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam Ketiga memberi keyakinan kepada Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) untuk menambah sasaran sekurang-kurangnya enam lagi pingat emas untuk Malaysia. Malaysia kini mengumpul lima pingat emas, tiga pingat perak dan tujuh pingat gangsa di temasya sukan yang disertai 46 buah negara Islam itu. Ketua Pengarah MSN Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong berkata sandaran pingat emas diletakkan pada acara renang dan badminton yang masih berlangsung di Kompleks Sukan Jakabaring Khamis. "Kami di MSN yakin mampu menambah sekurang-kurangnya enam lagi pingat emas sebelum ISG 2013 melabuh tirai pada 1 Okt dan atlet daripada acara sukan lain masih mempunyai masa untuk turut menyumbang pingat kepada negara," katanya kepada Bernama hari ini. Zolkples berkata kejayaan negara setakat ini amat membanggakan MSN dan ia diluar jangkaan awal. Beliau berkata dua fakto

PALEMBANG, 26 Sept (Bernama) -- Pencapaian cemerlang kontinjen Malaysia mengumpul lima pingat emas sehingga hari keempat Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam (ISG) ketiga membuktikan atlet negara berada dalam keadaan terbaik dan bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran seterusnya di Sukan SEA di Myanmar Disember ini. Malaysia kini mengumpul lima pingat emas, tiga pingat perak dan tujuh pingat gangsa. Ketua Kontinjen negara Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin berkata isyarat positif itu membuktikan atlet negara setanding dengan atlet dari negara-negara timur tengah, malah Malaysia dilihat lebih baik daripada mereka (negara Arab) dalam acara sukan tertentu seperti renang dan karate. "Tahniah kepada atlet negara yang telah berjaya membuktikan kemampuan mereka di temasya ini dan saya harap mereka (atlet) akan terus berusaha dengan bersungguh-sungguh untuk menambah koleksi pingat emas negara sebagai hadiah kepada rakyat Malaysia. "Saya yakin bahawa atlet negara mampu

  Tan Aik Mong KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has accepted Tan Aik Mong's resignation as BAM's Talent Management Group director. BAM President Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff said Aik Mong's resignation was effective as of Wednesday. Tengku Mahaleel said he and BAM vice president Dr Koay Bang Hin will take over the duties of Aik Mong with immediate effect while former doubles ace Razif Sidek and Tan Kim Her will remain in their capacity to oversee the performance of coaches and national team. "The case of Aik Mong is closed, all in the meeting have agreed...There's no more statement," said Tengku Mahaleel during a brief press conference at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, here, today. Aik Mong, 63, a former international who quit his job said on Tuesday that the job, which he had carried out voluntarily, had become untenable following BAM's decision to revert all his changes to

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Sept (Bernama) -- Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) memperketatkan kawalan keselamatan di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, berikutan kehilangan barangan persatuan itu. Berikutan langkah tersebut, pelawat kini perlu mendaftar sebelum masuk ke stadium berkenaan iaitu tempat pemain elit dan pelapis kebangsaan menjalani latihan, menurut pengurusan BAM dalam kenyataan di sini Rabu. "Baru-baru ini berlaku pelanggaran keselamatan di stadium di mana peralatan telah hilang. BAM perlu memperbetulkan insiden keselamatan yang serius ini," katanya. Peraturan baharu itu juga menghadkan media untuk menemubual jurulatih dan pemain di stadium berkenaan berbanding sebelum ini di mana wartawan bebas membuat liputan setiap hari. Media hanya dibenarkan membuat liputan pada Isnin, Rabu dan Jumaat iaitu bermula pada 9 pagi hingga 12 tengah hari.

JOHOR BAHARU, 25 Sept (Bernama) -- Malaysia semakin menghampiri slot ke final apabila menundukkan England 3-1 untuk kemenangan ketiga berturut-turut dalam Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Johor di Stadium Hoki Taman Daya di sini Rabu. Kejayaan mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah selepas tiga perlawanan itu melonjakkan Malaysia di kedudukan teratas carta enam pasukan dengan maksimum sembilan mata. India turut mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah apabila membenam musuh tradisi Pakistan 4-0 untuk berkongsi mata dengan Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, India menghuni tangga kedua dengan perbezaan jaringan. Dalam pertemuan dengan England, Malaysia memperoleh kesemua gol menerusi jaringan pukulan sudut penalti oleh Mohd Shahril Saabah pada minit kesembilan dan minit ke-56 dan Izad Hakimi pada minit ke-43. England, yang gagal mengutip sebarang mata selepas tiga perlawanan, merapatkan jurang jaringan pada minit ke-61 menerusi pukulan sudut penalti oleh Peter Bull. Jurulatih negara Muhammad Dha

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia maintained its winning momentum in the Sultan of Johor Cup by chalking up its third consecutive victory by beating England 3-1 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, here, Wednesday. Malaysia's top hit man Mohd Shahril Saabah was once again the toast of the team as he scored a brace from penalty corners in the 9th and 56th minutes while Izad Hakim accounted for the other in the 43rd minute, also from a penalty corner. Mohd Shahril had scored a hattrick in the 4-2 win over Argentina and again kept his scoring touch intact in the win against South Korea. "The pace of the match today was rather slow and we failed to covert a number of chances. We need to be more focused in the match against Pakistan tomorrow and India on Saturday," said head coach Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah. Dhaarma admitted that playing against two of the most feared teams in Asia, Pakistan and India, won't be easy but believes his char

PALEMBANG, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia fished out two more gold medals from the swimming pool to surpass the medal target set for the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG), here Wednesday. The two gold medals won raised the total number of gold medals won by the Malaysian contingent to five, well past the three-gold target set earlier. With five gold, three silver, seven bronze, Malaysia are currently in fifth spot behind overall leader Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran. After a slow start, host Indonesia took a giant step forward and disposed Egypt from top spot by winning 10 gold, 5 silver, 12 bronze while Egypt with a tally of 9-10-9 are in second while Turkey with (8-7-14) are third ahead of Iran with (6-6-2). In today's action, swimming has the biggest contributor with two gold and two bronze medals with gold medals coming from Daniel Bego in the men's 200m Freestyle and Khoo Chai Lin in the women's 400m medley. Daniel Bego clocked 1:51.36s to wi

PALEMBANG, 25 Sept (Bernama) -- Kontinjen negara terus cemerlang pada hari ketiga Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam Ketiga apabila berjaya menambah dua pingat emas dan empat pingat gangsa di sini Rabu. Malaysia terus mengekalkan kedudukan di tangga kelima carta kutipan pingat selepas mengumpul lima pingat emas, tiga pingat perak dan tujuh pingat gangsa. Negara tuan rumah, Indonesia berjaya merampas kedudukan teratas daripada Mesir selepas mengumpul 10 pingat emas, lima perak dan 12 pingat gangsa. Mesir menghuni tempat kedua dalam carta kutipan pingat dengan mengumpul sembilan pingat emas, 10 pingat perak dan sembilan pingat gangsa. Turki terus mengekalkan kedudukan di tangga ketiga selepas meraih lapan pingat emas, tujuh perak dan 14 pingat gangsa. Acara renang terus menjadi penyumbang besar kutipan pingat apabila dua pingat emas dan dua pingat gangsa negara hari ini dikutip dalam acara kolam renang menerusi Daniel Bego dalam acara 200 meter gaya bebas lelaki da

Tan Aik Mong KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Aik Mong has quit as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Talent Management Group (TMG) director after just 18 days in the job. The former international said on Tuesday that the job, which he had carried out voluntarily, had become untenable following the BAM’s decision to revert all his changes to their original structure. “I was called by BAM president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff to assist him in implementing changes and plans to revive Malaysia’s badminton. As all these changes and plans have now been reverted to the original structure, my involvement is no longer necessary,” said Aik Mong on Tuesday. The 63-year-old started his job earnestly on Sept 7. The whole of BAM was behind him. And he was given full mandate to hire and fire. But there were rumblings on the ground over the changes and former computer analyst Aik Mong’s approach did not go down well with some of the coaches. And his decision to break t

AIK MONG (kiri) bersama Tengku Mahaleel pada sidang media di pejabat BAM di Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur minggu lalu. BELUM reda isu peletakan jawatan Rashid Sidek, arena badminton negara terus dikejutkan dengan berita keputusan Pengarah Kumpulan Pengurusan Bakat (TMG) Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tan Aik Mong menarik diri daripada jawatan yang disandangnya itu semalam. Sebelum ini, bekas pemain perseorangan negara era 1960-an dan 1970-an yang dilantik pada 7 September lalu itu menawarkan diri untuk membantu BAM menaikkan lagi standard pemain-pemain badminton negara. Begitupun, selepas melihat perubahan baharu yang dilakukan Presiden BAM, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff yang menyusun kembali sistem kejurulatihan negara, Aik Mong mengundur diri kerana berasakan dirinya sudah tidak diperlukan. Terdahulu, Aik Mong yang dibantu Penilai Bebas TMG, Razif Sidek melakukan perubahan struktur jurulatih dengan menubuhkan dua pasukan - Kumpulan A untuk pemain-pem

Rashid Sidek (left) having a word with Lee Chong Wei at the World Championships in Guangzhou. PETALING JAYA: Coach Rashid Sidek is all set to make a quick comeback to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set-up. The former Thomas Cup champion tendered his resignation as national singles coach on Sept 19, citing the uncomfortable working environment in BAM. The situation turned even worse when BAM president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff claimed that Rashid had breached his contract by signing another contract with Delhi Smashers, an Indian Badminton League (IBL). It is learnt the BAM might take legal action against Rashid. But Tengku Mahaleel has since softened his stance after a six-hour meeting with the other national coaches on Monday. He also announced the launching of Project Win-Win. Under the programme, there is now only one national team with all the coaches back in their original positions. The 45-year-old Rashid, a bronze meda

RASHID mahu menilai dahulu perkembangan BAM sebelum membuat keputusan mengenai masa depannya. JURULATIH negara, Rashid Sidek bersedia untuk mempertimbangkan kembali keputusannya selepas menghantar surat peletakan jawatan kepada Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) Khamis lalu. Jurulatih berusia 45 tahun itu hadir ke Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara semalam untuk bertemu dengan barisan jurulatih negara yang lain selepas mendapat berita perubahan yang dilakukan Presiden BAM, Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff. Kelmarin, Tengku Mahaleel mengadakan pertemuan dengan jurulatih skuad elit dan Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil (SSBJ) bagi menerangkan pelan strategi BAM, sekali gus melakukan rombakan yang dilakukan oleh Pengarah Pengurusan Bakat (TMG), Tan Aik Mong dan Penilai Bebas yang juga abangnya, Razif. Rashid yang telah mendapat penjelasan daripada jurulatih-jurulatih skuad senior berkata, beliau percaya perubahan yang dilakukan itu tampak lebih positif. “Saya nampak ad

uala Lumpur: “Saya akan fikir dulu, tapi selagi Tan Aik Mong ada, mungkin saya tidak akan kembali,” kata jurulatih kebangsaan, Rashid Sidek mengenai kemungkinan menarik balik peletakan jawatannya dari Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM). Beliau yang hadir ke Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara semalam berkata, sekurang-kurangnya ada perubahan berlaku selepas tindakannya meletak jawatan Khamis lalu. “Saya datang berjumpa kawan-kawan jurulatih, mereka nampaknya sangat gembira kerana kembali memainkan peranan sebagai jurulatih. Perihal saya, tidak mengapa, saya boleh teruskan. Yang penting, jurulatih nampaknya sudah jelas dengan objektif disasarkan. “Saya meletak jawatan sebelum ini pun atas alasan tidak selesa dengan cara kerja yang diperkenalkan, bukannya mahu cari pasal. Malah saya tidak menyerang peribadi presiden (Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff). Untuk kembali, biarlah saya fikir dengan baik, niat saya selama ini pun ikhlas membantu skuad negara menaikkan sem

Kuala Lumpur: Juara Terbuka Jepun, Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan bertemu jurulatihnya, Rashid Sidek hari ini bagi membincangkan mengenai situasi terkini peletakan jawatan jurulatih itu. “Saya tahu Rashid tidak gembira dengan apa yang berlaku, begitu juga jurulatih lain, jadi esok atau lusa (hari ini atau esok) saya akan berbincang dengan jurulatih Rashid,” kata Chong Wei ketika kembali dari Jepun di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) awal pagi semalam. Sambil menyifatkan peletakan jawatan Rashid sukar diterimanya, dia berkata: “Beliau jurulatih yang bagus, terlalu banyak membantu saya sepanjang 10 tahun ini. “Rashid dan Tey Seu Bock bekerja keras membantu saya untuk kekal sebagai pemain nombor satu dunia sehingga kini.” Juara empat kali Terbuka Jepun itu mengakui merasai tekanan ketika beraksi di final kerana memikirkan situasi yang terpaksa dihadapi jurulatihnya itu. “Memang saya agak tertekan tapi mujur berjaya meraih kemenangan ke atas Keni

PALEMBANG, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin gave the thumbs up to the Malaysian contingent competing in the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) for accomplishing the country's three-gold medal on the second day of competition, here, today. Khairy said the achievement showed that the athletes had prepared well for the competition, especially to face a bigger challenge at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, in December. "Today we won two gold medals through swimmers Yap Siew Hui and Yap See Tuan because they produced a spirited performance," he told Bernama after witnessing the duo in action at the Jakabaring Aquatic Centre, here, today. Siew Hui clinched the gold medal from the women's 100m Butterfly with a time of 1:02.10s and See Tuan took the men's 200m Breastroke gold with a time of 2:18.16s. He said Karate had already contributed the country's first gold medal through Lim Chee Wei through the men's individ

PALEMBANG, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Despite nursing an injury suffered two weeks ago, national weightlifter Azizah Fadzil put up a gritty performance to win a bronze medal in the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG). Azizah who competed in the women's 52kg body weight category lifted a total weight of 155kg at the Jakabaring Multi Purpose Hall to win the bronze. Citra Febrianti from the host country cleared a total weight of 196kg to win the gold while Syarah Anggraini made a 1-2 finish for Indonesia by taking the silver with 181kg. Azizah, 22, said she was satisfied with the result although it was not her best overall performance. "I managed to forget the pain for a while to concentrate on my lift and thank god it was worth it," she told Bernama, here, today. Azizah hoped her success in the games here, would pave the way for her selection to the Myanmar SEA Games in December. "I was informed that the selection for the Myanmar SEA Games has not

PALEMBANG, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- National swimmers Yap See Tuan and Yap Siew Hui fulfilled Malaysia's three-gold medal target on the second day of the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) when they each contributed one gold medal at the Jakabaring Aquatics Centre today. Malaysia had set a three-gold medal target, two from swimming and one from karate at the games. Yap See Tuan won the men's 200m breastroke with a time of 2:18.16 seconds, one second ahead of silver medalist Mohamed Gadallh of Egypt who clocked 2:20.17's. The bronze medal for the event went to Turkish swimmer, Alpkan Ornek who finished in 2:20.89's. Yap, from Kuantan, Pahang said he was elated with today's victory and described it as a helpful stint before the SEA Games in Myanmar in mid-December. He hoped to add another medal irrespective of its colour in the men's 100m breastroke tomorrow. Yap said after the ISG outing he would continue training for SEA Games eve

PALEMBANG, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Kontinjen Malaysia ke Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam ketiga semakin 'garang' apabila berjaya mengumpul tiga pingat emas, tiga perak dan tiga gangsa pada hari ketiga kejohanan. Kutipan itu membolehkan Malaysia menduduki tangga kelima carta pingat dari 46 negara yang mengambil bahagian. Mesir terus mendahului di tangga teratas carta kutipan pingat selepas memungut tujuh emas, lima perak dan lima gangsa hari ini diikuti tuan rumah Indonesia di tempat kedua dengan enam emas, satu perak dan lapan gangsa. Turki kekal di tangga ketiga dengan mengumpul tiga emas, empat perak dan sebelas gangsa. Iran mendahului Malaysia di tempat keempat selepas mengutip tiga emas, empat perak dan dua gangsa. Skuad renang negara menjadi penyumbang terbesar pingat apabila meraih dua pingat emas dan dua perak pada hari pembukaan di Kompleks Renang Jakabaring hari ini. Dua emas acara renang disumbang Yap Siew Hui menerusi acara 100 meter kuak kupu

PALEMBANG, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin melahirkan rasa puas hati atas kejayaan kontinjen negara mencapai sasaran tiga pingat emas pada hari kedua Temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam Ketiga di sini. Khairy berkata kejayaan itu membuktikan atlet negara berada dalam keadaan terbaik dan bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran yang lebih penting pada Kejohanan Sukan SEA Myanmar Disember ini. "Hari ini sahaja kita berjaya meraih dua pingat emas menerusi Yap Siew Hui dan Yap See Tuan...mereka telah beraksi dalam keadaan yang cukup meyakinkan," katanya kepada Bernama selepas menyaksikan persembahan skuad renang negara di Pusat Akuatik Jakabaring dekat sini Selasa. Yap Siew Hui meraih pingat emas menerusi acara 100 meter kuak kupu-kupu wanita dengan catatan masa 1:02.10s dan Yap See Tuan pula menerusi acara 200 meter kuak dada lelaki dengan catatan masa 2:18.16s. Beliau berkata kejayaan skuad karate menyumbang pingat emas pertama nega

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Impian Malaysia untuk layak ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Piala Asia Wanita 2013 berkecai selepas tewas kepada India 0-2 pada saingan kumpulan A di Stadium Hoki Nasional, Bukit Jalil di sini Selasa. Pada perlawanan malam ini, kedua-dua pasukan mempamerkan saingan sengit selepas terikat 0-0 pada separuh masa pertama. Babak kedua perlawanan menyaksikan India meraih gol pertama menerusi gol padang yang dijaringkan Rani Poonam pada minit ke-38. Lily Chanu Mayengbam memberikan kedudukan selesa kepada India dengan jaringan kedua menerusi gol penalti pada minit ke-45. Jurulatih kebangsaan Mohd Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim berkata meskipun tewas beliau tetap berpuas hati dengan aksi pemain yang memberikan saingan sengit kepada pasukan ke-12 dunia, India pada perlawanan hari ini. "Bagi saya kali ini adalah aksi terbaik oleh pasukan, India satu pasukan berpengalaman. Kami berikan tentangan yang baik. "Kelemahan pasukan kita ialah kerana

PALEMBANG, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Atlet renang kebangsaan Yap See Tuan dan Yap Siew Hui melengkapkan sasaran tiga pingat emas negara pada hari kedua temasya Sukan Perpaduan Islam selepas masing-masing menyumbang satu pingat emas di Pusat Akuatik Jakabaring di sini Selasa. Malaysia sebelum ini meletakkan sasaran tiga pingat emas iaitu dua menerusi sukan renang dan satu daripada sukan karate. Pingat emas pertama negara disumbangkan atlet skuad karate negara Lim Chee Wei dalam acara Kata individu lelaki, semalam. Yap See Tuan menjuarai acara 200 meter kuak dada lelaki dengan catatan masa 2:18.16's dengan kelebihan satu saat di hadapan pemenang pingat perak, Mohamed Gadallh dari Mesir dengan catatan 2:20.17's. Pingat gangsa bagi acara tersebut menjadi milik perenang Turki, Alpkan Ornek dengan catatan masa 2:20.89's. Perenang kelahiran Kuantan, Pahang itu berkata beliau merasa gembira dengan kejayaan hari ini dan menyifatkanya sebagai pengalaman berguna

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today unveiled its new training structure dubbed 'Win-Win Project' aimed to achieve the best results in four main games, next year. The four main games are the Thomas Cup in India, World Championships in Denmark, Asian Games in South Korea and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. "This idea to form this project came out from the media forum that was held between sports journalists and BAM on Sept 7," said BAM President Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff after a closed-door meeting with national coaches which lasted for more than five hours, here, today. Tengku Mahaleel said under the project, the national training will be divided into five categories, namely men's singles and doubles, women's singles and doubles, mixed doubles pairs with their respective coaches. "The coaches in each category will rectify the strength and weakness of their players.

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) mengumumkan struktur latihan baharu yang dipanggil 'Projek Menang-Menang' bagi mencapai sasaran terbaik dalam empat kejohanan utama tahun depan. Empat kejohanan itu ialah Piala Thomas di India, Kejohanan Dunia di Denmark, Sukan Asia di Korea Selatan dan Sukan Komanwel di Scotland. "Idea bagi menubuhkan projek ini adalah hasil forum media yang diadakan di antara wartawan sukan dan BAM pada 7 Sept," kata Presiden BAM Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff selepas mesyuarat tertutup lebih lima jam dengan jurulatih kebangsaan di sini Isnin. Tengku Mahaleel berkata di bawah projek itu, latihan nasional akan dibahagikan kepada lima kategori iaitu perseorangan lelaki dan beregu, perseorangan wanita dan beregu di samping pasangan beregu campuran dengan jurulatih masing-masing. "Jurulatih bagi setiap kategori akan memperbaiki kelemahan dan kekuatan para pemain mereka. "Seb

JOHOR BAHARU, 24 Sept (Bernama) -- Malaysia sekali menunjukkan kelasnya tersendiri apabila memenangi saingan kedua Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Johor dengan menewaskan pasukan Korea Selatan 5-1 di Stadium Hoki Taman Daya di sini Isnin malam. Jaringan pertama diperoleh pasukan itu apabila pemain Korea Selatan Nam Yun Seon tertampan masuk pukulan ketua pasukan Mohd Fitri Saari pada minit ke-13. Pasukan bimbingan Kim Young Kyu yang tewas 0-3 kepada Pakistan pada perlawanan pembukaan semalam cuba memberikan saingan sebaik mungkin namun pertahanan Malaysia cemerlang mematahkan serangan. Berbekalkan kemenangan 4-2 ke atas juara Pan Amerika, Argentina, Malaysia tampak lebih berkeyakinan dan menguasai perlawanan sehingga tamat separuh masa pertama. Empat minit selepas separuh masa kedua dimulakan, Malaysia menambah jaringan melalui pukulan sudut penalti oleh Muhd Shahril Saabah. Dua minit selepas itu Korea Selatan gagal merapatkan jurang gol apabila tidak dapat mem

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia maintained its dazzling form in the Sultan of Johor Cup by whipping South Korea 5-1 to register their second consecutive win at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, here, tonight. Coach Mohd Dharma Raj Abdullah's boys who had beaten 2005 World Junior champions Argentina 4-2 yesterday, were again in splendid form today to overpower the hard working Koreans. Both teams set a furious pace right from the start but it was Malaysia who were looking the better side as the match progressed. It did not take long before the tremendous pressure applied by Dharma's boys paid off when Nam Yun Seon deflected the ball into his own goal from a fierce strike from skipper Mohd Fitri Saari in the 13th minute. The Koreans who lost 0-3 to Pakistan in their opening match yesterday, tried hard to cancel out the lead but the score remained intact until the first half. Malaysia's fortune changed for the better when the second half

PALEMBANG, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia kicked of the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) campaign in style by claiming a gold, a silver and a bronze medal in karate at the Sriwijaya Promotion Centre, here, today. With the three medals collected, Malaysia ended today's proceedings in fourth place behind Egypt, Iran and Turkey. Egypt picked up three gold, two silver, one bronze medal to lead the list of 46 Islamic nations although Iran who also have the same number of gold, silver and bronze are second in the list due to the alphabetical order practiced. Turkey are in third place with one gold, two silver and a bronze. Host Indonesia are in seventh place with four bronze medals. All three medals won by Malaysia today were from karate with Lim Chee Wei providing the loudest cheers of the day for the Malaysian contingent when he won the men's individual Kata gold. Another karate exponent, Nisha Alagasan won the silver in the women's Kumite U-55k