Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has suggested that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) sells tickets for football matches online too beginning next year to avoid the issue of the tickets being sold off quickly. Its minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said the sophistication of the information communication technology currently could ensure that enthusiasts could purchase the tickets in comfort via the internet, using the smart phone and laptop computers, without having to wait in a long queue at the stadium. "The time has come for the FAM to think of a more efficient and systematic method of selling tickets which, I am certain, would be welcomed by local football fans," he said. He said this to reporters after visiting the project site for the synthetic football field at the Gong Badak Sports Complex, here today. A total of 75,000 tickets for the Malaysia Cup final match between Kelantan and Pahang at the Sha

KOTA KINABALU, 31 Okt (Bernama) -- Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Musa Aman menyifatkan penganjuran kejohanan Siri Super Ketiga Persekutuan Sepaktakraw Antarabangsa (ISTAF) yang julung kalinya dianjurkan di negeri ini sebagai satu sejarah buat Sabah. Justeru itu, katanya penganjuran kejohanan berprestij dan kehadiran pemain sepak takraw bertaraf dunia seharusnya dijadikan sebagai satu peluang kepada peminat dan persatuan sukan sepak takraw di Sabah mempelajari sesuatu daripada kejohanan berkenaan. "Sehubungan itu saya menyarankan kepada pegawai, pengurus, jurulatih dan pemain-pemain sukan sepak takraw di negeri ini supaya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk belajar dan mengkaji bukan sahaja dalam konteks pelaksanaan program ini bahkan teknik permainan yang ditunjukkan oleh pemain-pemain antarabangsa yang berkampung di negeri ini selama empat hari," katanya. Musa berkata demikian dalam teks ucapannya sempena perasmian Kejohanan Siri Super ISTAF di Kompleks Suka

Malaysia's Azizulhasni Awang (right) and Josiah Ng celebrate after winning the gold and silver respectively in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games men's keirin final in this filepic. They are part of a six-member national team that will compete in the World Cup in Manchester this weekend. PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian track cycling squad do not have fond memories of Manchester as this was the venue where Azizulhasni Awang’s calf was pierced by a 20cm shard of Siberian pine that came off the velodrome track two years ago. Azizulhasni was then competing in the final round of the World Cup in the keirin final. Four out of the six riders crashed but Azizul showed courageous spirit to remount his bike and cross the finish line in third. Now, Manchester is about to kick off the 2013-2014 season of the World Cup and cycling coach John Beasley is aiming for the cyclists to make a roaring start to what is an important year

Malaysia football coach, K. Rajagopal's contract ends 31 Dec and FAM feel it is time to look for his replacement even before the Asian Cup qualifying campaign is over. - BERNAMA Photo KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have shown total disrespect to national coach Datuk K. Rajagopal by planning to interview shortlisted candidates for the hot seat – right smack in the midst of the ongoing Asian Cup qualifying campaign. And this is despite Malaysia still having a fighting chance of qualifying for the 2015 Finals in Australia on merit. It is totally unprofessional of the national body to even think of a new coach when there is neither a real urgency nor any major international assignments in the near future. Next year, there’s only the Asian Games in Incheon, which is an Under-23 event. The only other notable competition for the senior team is the regional AFF Suzuki Cup. So, why the rush? FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah announce

S. Navinraj qualified on merit to represent the country at the Myanmar SEA Games. However, the National Sports Council want to send Lee Hup Wei instead, reasoning that he should be given another chance because of his back injury. OUTSIDE interference is an ugly word. And, sadly, it has reared its ugly head again – this time in the selection of athletes to the Myanmar SEA Games in December. The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) have already selected their athletes for the Games and there was no place for two veterans with a glorious past – 400m hurdler Noraseela Khalid and high jumper Lee Hup Wei. As the parent body governing athletics in the country, the MAF have the right to decide who gets to go and who doesn’t. However, the National Sports Council (NSC) have seen it fit to meddle in the MAF’s selection process. The MAF had done things the proper way – there was no favouritism and selection was based on current form. Credit to the MAF for

Kuala Lumpur: Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) tetap berpegang pada prinsip tidak menyenaraikan Noraseela Khalid dan Lee Hup Wei yang dicadangkan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) ke temasya Sukan SEA Myanmar hujung tahun ini. Perkara itu ditegaskan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemilihan KOM Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh yang mengulas kenyataan Noraseela, atlet 400m lari berpagar negara yang memutuskan untuk tidak menyertai temasya dwitahunan itu. Bagaimanapun KOM memaklumkan akan menambah dua nama baru ke Sukan SEA selepas bersetuju menghantar kuartet 4x100m wanita negara yang kini berada dalam kedudukan ranking ketiga terbaik Asia Tenggara. Mereka adalah pasangan kembar dari Pulau Pinang Zaidatul Husna dan Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli bergandingan bersama Komalam Sally dan Noor Amira Mohamad Nafiah yang sebelum ini sudah disenaraikan dalam acara 4x100m. “Kami tetap berpegang pada prinsip sebelum ini berhubung penyenaraian atlet ke Sukan SEA. Saya harap perkara ini tidak dipanj

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to clarify how 15,000 tickets were sold out just 15 minutes after the counters opened at the Shah Alam Stadium. "The FAM need to explain whether the tickets were snapped up by fans due to the high demand for tickets or whether the tickets were bought in 'bulk' by ticket touts," he told reporters after opening the Asean Conference on Sports For All (ACOS 2013), here, Wednesday. The FAM must keep tab on ticket touts who pounce on big occasions like the Malaysia Cup final to purchase tickets in 'bulk' and sell them off for a profit. "I do not want those allocated tickets in big quantity, selling it to ticket touts later," he said when commenting on reports that the 15,000 tickets for the Malaysia Cup final between Kelantan and Pahang on Sunday were sold out just 15 minutes after the counters had opened at t

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Okt (Bernama) -- Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) sudah menghantar surat penjelasan kepada Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) mengenai insiden pembakaran suar pada aksi kelayakan Piala Asia 2015 antara skuad Harimau Malaya dan Bahrain di Stadium Shah Alam, 15 Okt lepas. Setiausaha Agung FAM Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin berkata menerusi surat itu, badan induk bola sepak kebangsaan itu turut memberikan penjelasan mengenai perkataan Allah yang tertera pada kemeja-t penyerang skuad Harimau Malaya, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha ketika beliau meraikan gol penyamaan. Malaysia dan Bahrain terikat 1-1 pada perlawanan berkenaan. "Kita hanya menunggu surat maklum balas daripada AFC dan Norshahrul juga telah membuat penjelasan mengenai insiden berkenaan kepada kita," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Teknikal dan Belia yang dipengerusikan Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah d

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Okt (Bernama) -- Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) telah menerima 42 permohonan daripada jurulatih tempatan dan luar negara untuk mengisi jawatan ketua jurulatih skuad kebangsaan, Harimau Malaya. Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata panel pemilihan FAM sedang menyenarai pendek pemohon untuk mengisi kerusi 'panas' yang disandang oleh Datuk K. Rajagobal. Kontrak Rajagobal bersama skuad Harimau Malaya akan berakhir Disember ini. Tengku Abdullah berkata keputusan calon pengganti Rajagobal hanya akan diumumkan selepas kempen skuad Harimau Malaya dalam pusingan pusingan kelayakan Piala Asia 2015 berakhir Mac tahun depan. "Pemilihan calon bergantung kepada beberapa kriteria seperti petunjuk prestasi utama, kemampuan (pasukan kebangsaan) dan apa yang terbaik untuk pasukan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Antarabangsa serta Teknikal dan Belia FAM di sini, hari ini.

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Okt (Bernama) -- Pahang kekal sebagai penganjur Pestabola Merdeka 2014 manakala tawaran dibuka kepada negeri lain untuk edisi 2015 dan 2016, menurut Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM). Timbalan Presiden FAM Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata badan induk sukan itu mahu memberi peluang kepada persatuan negeri menganjurkan kejohanan tertua dan berprestij itu di luar Kuala Lumpur. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Teknikal dan Belia FAM di Shahzan House, di sini. Pestabola Merdeka buat pertama kali diadakan di luar ibu negara apabila Pahang diberi penghormatan menganjurkannya pada September lepas dengan skuad Harimau Muda A (skuad kebangsaan bawah 23 tahun) muncul juara. Skuad kendalian Datuk Ong Kim Swee mengalahkan Myanmar 2-0 pada final di Stadium Darul Makmur, Kuantan. Dalam perkembangan lain, Tengku Abdullah menyeru akademi bola sepak swasta di negara ini supaya berdaftar dengan FAM

One of the machines at the National Sports Institute used for rehabilitation. NATIONAL Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz believes that athletes should know about sports science from a young age. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Hence, he has taken on the challenge to educate and empower athletes about sports science. Here, he tells StarsSport’s RAJES PAUL just how he intends to do that. Q: One of the main challenges faced by the NSI is the athletes’ lack of knowledge about sports science. Why? A: NSI offer services to national athletes. We attend to them when they come to us – usually they are in their 20s. Most of the time, we have to re-educate them. We spend a lot of time instilling the right attitude in embracing sports science approaches. Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz : 'We have to explain to them about fitness testing, conditioning, fitness development, correct mental approaches and training, and different aspects

Kuala Lumpur: Satu emas dan satu gangsa di Piala Asia Bangkok baru-baru ini menjadi pembakar semangat buat pelumba negara Josiah Ng sebagai bekalannya menghadapi Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Manchester bermula Jumaat ini. Kemenangan yang diraih ketika belum berada di prestasi kemuncak itu memberikannya suntikan semangat terutama ketika diberi tentangan sengit daripada rakan senegara Azizulhasni Awang dan pelumba dari Jepun. Dia yang berada dalam keadaan terbaik dan bebas kecederaan itu mempunyai misi tersendiri di Manchester untuk mencatatkan keputusan terbaik dan membawa pulang pingat. Josiah yang pernah bergelar pelumba terbaik dunia pada 2004 itu berkata, dua Siri Piala Dunia di Manchester dan Mexico menjadi persaingan sengit semua peserta untuk melayakkan diri ke Kejohanan Dunia. “Ketika ini hanya dua Siri Piala Dunia dan satu lagi akan dimaklumkan kemudian jadi saya pasti setiap pelumba akan bersaing merebut mata dan pingat. “Dengan prest

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) wants the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) to build an alternative Velodrome if the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome in Cheras was demolished to make way for commercial development. MNCF Deputy President Datuk Naim Mohamad said the presence of a Velodrome, not necessarily a Class One Velodrome, in the city was vital for national track cyclists to continue training in Kuala Lumpur. "If it is true that the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome in Cheras will be demolished to make way for development, I urge DBKL to build a new Velodrome," he told Bernama when contacted, Tuesday. Naim said the Rawamangun Velodrome in Jakarta that was used during the 2011 SEA Games does not involve a big allocation and can be completed in a short period of time. A media report had quoted a source as saying that the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome which was the venue for cycling events during the Kuala Lumpur 1998 Co

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Okt (Bernama) -- Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) berkata Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) perlu membina sekurang-kurangnya velodrom latihan jika benar dakwaan bahawa Velodrom Kuala Lumpur, Cheras akan dirobohkan hujung tahun ini. Timbalan Presiden PKBM Datuk Naim Mohamad berkata ini bagi membolehkan acara berbasikal trek terus diadakan di ibu negara. "Jika benar dakwaan itu, saya minta pihak DBKL menggantikannya dengan velodrom baharu, tidak semestinya velodrom kategori satu," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama. Menyentuh velodrom gantian itu, Naim merujuk kepada Velodrom Rawamangun di Jakarta yang menurutnya tidak melibatkan kos yang tinggi selain dapat disiapkan dalam tempoh singkat. Terletak di Jakarta Timur, velodrom terbuka konkrit itu digunakan sebagai venue acara berbasikal trek pada temasya Sukan SEA 2011. Laporan sebuah akhbar yang memetik sumber hari ini berkata Velodrom Kuala Lumpur yang pernah menjadi v

TIME'S UP: Chong Wei has to accept best days are behind him, no hope for Kien Keat-Boon Heong LEE Chong Wei's playing career is fast approaching its twilight but men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, despite making the final of the French Open, can forget about reviving theirs. Chong Wei has been given a stern reminder -- first by Chen Long of China in the Denmark Open and then by Kenichi Tago of Japan in the French Open -- that age has caught up with the World No 1 and it will be hard for him to dominate any longer. At 31, Chong Wei will be involved in a losing battle against Chen Long and Kenichi, both aged 25, whose physical fitness is expected to make the Malaysian struggle on the international scene from now on. Over the last two years, Chong Wei had occasionally lost to the likes of Chen Long and other China players when he was not prepared for an event but Kenichi's victory over the Malaysian in the French Open semi-finals brutal

KUALA LUMPUR - Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) tetap berpegang teguh dengan pendirian berhubung atlet kategori A ke Sukan SEA 2013 biarpun tidak sependapat dengan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin dan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN). Malah, mesyuarat antara MSN dan KOM yang dijadual akan diadakan dalam masa terdekat ini seakan telah membayangkan bahawa tidak akan membawa perubahan terhadap keputusan badan induk olahraga tersebut. Presiden KOM, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad berkata, persatuan perlu berpegang dengan pendirian asal mereka iaitu hanya akan menghantar atlet yang melepasi kelayakan ke Sukan SEA 2013 di Myanmar hujung tahun ini. Tambah Zainal, sekiranya KOM akur dengan cadangan untuk menghantar atlet dalam kategori B maka imej persatuan mungkin terjejas berikutan tidak mengotakan apa yang telah dikatakan sebelum ini. "Saya harap semua pihak faham dengan pendirian kami dan kami juga tidak mahu menimbulkan masalah cuma saya perlu menyuarakan kata put

JOSIAH Ng (kiri) dan Azizulhasni Awang tidak diletakkan sebarang sasaran tinggi oleh PKBM untuk membawa pulang kejuaraan pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik yang bermula di Manchester, Jumaat ini. KUALA LUMPUR - Tidak ada permintaan luar biasa daripada Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dalam aksi pertama skuad trek di Siri Piala Dunia Klasik musim 2013/14 di Manchester yang bermula Jumaat ini kecuali mengharapkan pelumba senior, Josiah Ng mengekalkan prestasi terbaiknya dan Azizulhasni Awang pula kembali mendapat sentuhan cemerlang. Menurut Timbalan Presiden PKBM, Datuk Naim Mohamad, secara keseluruhannya bukan dua pelumba tersebut sahaja harus mempamerkan prestasi yang mantap malah pelumba lain seperti Fatehah Mustapa, Muhammad Edrus Md. Yunos dan Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom (pecut berpasukan), Ju Pha Som Net juga harus mengambil peluang terbaik menunjukkan kemampuan terbaik mereka di Velodrom Manchester. "Mereka yang beraksi di sini (Siri Pi

Johor Bahru: Pemburuan emas hatrik pada temasya Sukan SEA Myanmar, Disember ini tetap menjadi misi utama skuad Harimau Muda A biarpun sedar tuan rumah bakal memberi ancaman. Malah kapten Mohd Irfan Fazail tetap optimis kilauan emas mampu dijelmakan walaupun bakal berdepan provokasi dari pasukan tuan rumah. Dia yang ditemui selepas menandatangani kontrak dua tahun bersama pemain pertahanan, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas untuk beraksi dengan Johor Darul Takzim (DT) pada saingan Liga M musim depan bakal mengambil sikap berwaspada dengan apa jua helah skuad Myanmar. “Buat masa ini skuad Sukan SEA negara menjalani latihan seperti biasa dan pemain yang baru tamat kempen saingan Piala Malaysia akan melaporkan diri dalam kem latihan. “Kita sudah bersedia dan sememangnya sasaran utama adalah mengekalkan emas untuk kali ketiga. Semestinya saya mahu menamatkan karier bersama Harimau Muda dengan kejayaan sebelum memulakan langkah selaku pemain profesional bersama Johor DT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Seven newcomers were among 26 players named by Harimau Muda A (National Under-23 squad) coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee to undergo centralised national training. The seven who joined the squad were Mohammad Nasir Basharuddin from Perak, S. Sivanesan (Negeri Sembilan), Mohd Zubir Mohd Azmi (Terengganu), Muhammad Safwan Hashim (Armed Forces), Ashri Chuchu (Sarawak), Wan Ahmad Amir Zafran Wan Nadris and Muhammad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula (both from National Under-21 squad). The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said in a statement that the 26 players would have to report for training at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, Tuesday. The Harimau Muda A squad will be taking part in the Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia Cup (BIDC Cup) from Oct 31 to Nov 10 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia before heading to Amman, Jordan for two friendly matches on Nov 12 and 14 and tune up for the Myanmar SEA Games in December. The BIDC Cup will see participation

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Okt (Bernama) -- Tujuh pemain luar merupakan antara 26 pemain yang disenaraikan oleh ketua jurulatih skuad Harimau Muda A, Datuk Ong Kim Swee untuk menjalani latihan pusat sebagai persediaan menghadapi kejohanan jemputan dan perlawanan antarabangsa. Tujuh pemain berkenaan ialah Mohammad Nasir Basharuddin yang beraksi bersama Perak, S.Sivanesan (Negeri Sembilan), Mohd Zubir Mohd Azmi (Terengganu), Muhammad Safwan Hashim (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia), Ashri Chuchu (Sarawak) serta dua pemain Harimau Muda B (bawah 21 tahun), Wan Ahmad Amir Zafran Wan Nadris dan Muhammad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula. Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) dalam kenyataan Isnin berkata kesemua 26 pemain berkenaan perlu melaporkan diri kepada Kim Swee di Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, Selasa. Skuad kebangsaan bawah 23 tahun itu bakal menyertai kejohanan jemputan Piala Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia dari 31 Okt hingga 10 Nov ini di Phnom Penh, Kemboja. Kejohanan berke

SEREMBAN, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been urged to ensure that the sale of tickets for the Malaysia Cup final be made in an orderly manner. Youth and Sport Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this is necessary to avoid untoward incidents from taking place. He did want to see a repeat of cases where people could not buy tickets, long queues and non-distribution of tickets. "We want to ensure that the distribution of tickets is fair and those who buy tickets get them and the tickets are valid at the stadium. "We also do not want to see incidents of supporters not being able to enter the stadium because the stadium is too full and what not...this is important. "I have asked the FAM to come up with a clear guideline on ticket sale. The state football associations involved must rein in their supporters. "We must also eradicate ticket touts," he told reporters after presenting prizes at a rugby competitio

PETALING JAYA, 28 Okt (Bernama) -- Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) menyediakan 75,000 tiket perlawanan akhir Piala Malaysia 2013 antara Kelantan dan Pahang yang mula dijual kepada orang ramai, Rabu ini. Tiket perlawanan akhir pukul 8.45 malam di Stadium Shah Alam, Ahad ini, ditetapkan pada RM40 untuk dewasa dan RM5 untuk kanak-kanak. Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pertandingan Tempatan FAM Datuk Afandi Hamzah berkata badan induk itu memperuntukkan masing-masing 30,000 tiket kepada Persatuan Bola Sepak Kelantan (KAFA) dan Persatuan Bola Sepak Pahang (PBNP). Katanya, baki 15,000 tiket akan dijual di kaunter Pintu A dan C di Stadium Shah Alam mulai 9 pagi, Rabu ini. "Orang ramai boleh membeli tiket di negeri masing-masing mulai masa yang sama," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mesyuarat pengelola final Piala Malaysia 2013 di Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, Isnin. Afandi berkata pintu masuk stadium akan dibuka mulai 3 petang pada hari perlawanan dengan Pintu B da

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash queen and world number one player, Datuk Nicol David claimed her fourth Women's Squash Association (WSA) World Tour title after winning the China Open on Sunday. The 30-year old Penangite went down in the first two sets before clawing back to win 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 and 11-8 against second seed and world number three, Raneem El Weleily of Egypt. The final was held at the Lujiazui Central Park in Shanghai, according to the tournament website; www.squashsite.co.uk. On her victory, Nicol who has three titles under her belt this season (Malaysian Open, Carol Weymuller and the United States Open) said she was happy to have won the tournament for the first time. "I had a really good run in the China Open. The game went into a decider today and I was really glad to pull it off 3-2. Thank you all for your support! Shanghai is gorgeous!," she was quoted as saying in her twitter. The win saw seven-ti

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Okt (Bernama) -- Ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol David merangkul gelaran keempat dalam siri Jelajah Dunia Persatuan Skuasy Wanita (WSA) musim ini selepas menjuarai Kejohanan Terbuka China di Shanghai, Ahad. Pemain nombor satu dunia itu, bagaimanapun, terpaksa memerah keringat sebelum menyingkirkan bintang muda Mesir, Raneem El Weleily dalam pertarungan lima set dengan keputusan 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 dan 11-8. Dalam 14 pertemuan dengan Raneem, 24, selaku pemain nombor tiga dunia, Nicol David hanya kalah dua kali. Sepanjang musim ini, Nicol, 30, menjuarai Terbuka Malaysia, Carol Weymuller, Terbuka Amerika Syarikat dan kini Terbuka China buat kali pertama. "Semua perlawanan pada Terbuka China berjalan lancar dan hari ini sangat bangga kerana mengatasi lawan dalam set penentuan," kata Nicol dalam Twitternya. Sebelum ini, Raneem menyingkirkan juara bertahan dan pemain nombor dua negara Low Wee Wern dalam saingan suku akhir, Jumaat lepas

BANGI, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Badminton Association of Malaysia should address the deteriorating performance of national shuttlers before the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year, said National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zoklples Embong. He said national coaches Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock should improve national ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei's performance. "It's worrying as other players also failed to shine as we are approaching the end of the year. "As the badminton squad lifted five gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2010, we expect the shuttlers to match the medal tally," he told reporters at the Sekolah Alam Shah Rugby Alumni Championship at the German Malaysian Institute mini stadium here Sunday. Malaysia fared badly in the France Open and Denmark Open recently with Chong Wei and Liew Daren failed to live up to expectations. Chong Wei lost went down to China's Chen Long in the Denmark Open final 22-24, 19-

BANGI, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Badminton Association of Malaysia should address the deteriorating performance of national shuttlers before the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year, said National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zoklples Embong. He said national coaches Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock should improve national ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei's performance. "It's worrying as other players also failed to shine as we are approaching the end of the year. "As the badminton squad lifted five gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2010, we expect the shuttlers to match the medal tally," he told reporters at the Sekolah Alam Shah Rugby Alumni Championship at the German Malaysian Institute mini stadium here Sunday. Malaysia fared badly in the France Open and Denmark Open recently with Chong Wei and Liew Daren failed to live up to expectations. Chong Wei lost went down to China's Chen Long in the Denmark Open final 22-24, 19-

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Okt (Bernama) -- Kemerosotan prestasi pemain badminton negara perlu diberi perhatian serius oleh Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) bagi menghadapi Sukan Komanwel di Glasgow, Scotland dan Sukan Asia di Incheon, Korea Selatan, tahun depan. Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong berkata beliau bimbang dengan prestasi pemain negara yang tidak menyerlah dalam beberapa kejohanan antarabangsa sejak kebelakangan ini. Beliau berkata jurulatih perseorangan Rashid Sidek dan Tey Seu Bock perlu menilai semula serta memperbaiki prestasi jaguh negara Datuk Lee Chong Wei. "Pada Sukan Komanwel 2010, skuad badminton menyumbang lima emas, semestinya kita mahu mereka mengulangi pencapaian itu di Glasgow," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui pada Kejohanan Ragbi Alumni Sekolah Alam Shah (ASAS RC) di Stadium Mini, German Malaysia Institute (GMI), Bangi, dekat sini, Ahad. Pada kejohanan Terbuka Denmark (15-20 Okt) dan d

Filepic shows Mohd Rizal Tisin in the 1km time trial event at the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal. He's training to get back into track cycling form with an eye on the 2016 Olympics in Rio.  KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Rizal Tisin will have a mountain to climb to regain the form that saw him land the bronze medal at the World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland, in 2009. After spending time off the track since 2011 to focus on BMX, Rizal made a full return to the velodrome in June with an eye on the Rio Olympics in 2016. However, the 29-year-old will have a lot of catching up to do judging by his performance in the Track Asia Cup in Bangkok on Oct 4-6 where he finished sixth in the 1km time trial in 1:08.645. His best time – 1:01.658, which is still the national record – was clocked in Pruszkow. “I know there are still tons to be done but I’m slowly gaining momentum. But I need to go back to Melbour

  AZIZULHASNI (kiri) dan Fatehah sedia bawa cabaran. Kuala Lumpur: Tiada tekanan buat pelumba negara Azizulhasni Awang untuk mempamerkan aksi terbaik walaupun meramalkan pelumba Eropah bakal menghadirkan saingan sengit pada siri Piala Dunia pertama di Manchester dari 1 hingga 3 November ini. Menurut pelumba trek negara yang berpangkalan di Australia itu, dia kini sudah bersedia sepenuhnya menghadapi kejohanan itu yang bakal menghimpunkan barisan pelumba terbaik dunia. “Tiada sebarang tekanan bagi saya, cuma sudah tidak sabar kembali berlumba. Rentak kayuhan akan datang dengan sendiri selepas kita berulang kali berlumba dan saya harap menjelang Kejohanan Dunia untuk mengulang sejarah berada di podium (memenangi pingat perak edisi 2010). “Cuma pada kejohanan di Manchester ini, pelumba Eropah sudah berada di depan kerana musim baru mereka bermula lebih awal dan sudah menyertai banyak perlumbaan sebagai persiapan ke Piala Dunia. Kejohanan ini pasti sangat sengit,

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The Kabaddi Association of Malaysia (KAM) has chosen Datuk Dr G. Krishnan to replace Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as the President of the association. The decision was made at its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held at the Olympic Sports Hotel, here, according to a statement issued by KAM today.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysian squash queen and world number one Datuk Nicol David got off to a perfect start in the 2013 China Open after cruising into the quarter-finals of the tournament. In the first round, Nicol defeated Li Donglin from the host country 11-6, 11-4, 11-2, according to the tournament website www.squashsite.co.uk. The 30-year old Penangite will meet Indian qualifier Dipika Pallikal in the quarter-final on Friday after the unseeded player pulled off a major upset by defeating seventh seed, Madeline Perry of Ireland 11-8, 11-7, 11-4. National women's number two and defending champion Low Wee Wern however, was stretched to a five-setter before emerging victorious against Australian qualifier Rachel Grinham 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5. Wee Wern will have a tricky second round match as she is scheduled to face second seed and world number three Raneem El Weleily of Egypt as the 24-year-old Egyptian marched into the next round

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei led two men's doubles pairs and a mixed doubles pair into the quarterfinals of the French Open at the Pierre De Coubertin Stadium in Paris. According to the tournament website www.yonexifb.com, in the second round played today, Chong Wei beat Ajay Jayaram from India 21-18, 21-18 in just 45 minutes and set up a date with Boonsak Ponsana from Thailand who had to work hard to overcome K. Srikanth from India 15-21, 21-18, 21-15 in three sets. He was joined by men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who easily disposed Micheal Funchs/Johannes Schoettler from Germany 21-19, 21-19 in straight sets. Kien Keat/Boon Heong who are the fourth seed in the tournament will next face Chris Adcock/Andrew Ellis from England after the duo edged South Korean pair Kim Ki Jung/Kim Sa Rang, 22-20, 19-21, 21-18 in a three-set thriller. Another Malaysian pair, Hoon Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong who advan

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Okt (Bernama) -- Ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol David memulakan cabaran Terbuka China 2013 dengan langkah kanan apabila mengalahkan pemain tuan rumah Li Donglin untuk mara ke peringkat suku akhir. Pada perlawanan pusingan pertama, Nicol, selaku pemain nombor satu dunia, tidak menghadapi masalah untuk mengetepikan pemain China itu dengan keputusan 11-6, 11-4 dan 11-2. Pada peringkat suku akhir esok, Nicol akan berdepan dengan pemain daripada pusingan kelayakan, Dipika Pallikal dari India yang sebelum itu melakukan kejutan besar dengan mengalahkan pemain pilihan ketujuh Madeline Perry. Dipika menyingkirkan pemain Ireland itu dengan keputusan 11-8, 11-7 dan 11-4. Sementara itu, pemain nombor dua negara yang juga juara bertahan Low Wee Wern terpaksa bertarung dalam lima set sebelum menempah slot suku akhir dengan menundukkan pemain Australia, Rachel Grinham dengan 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 7-11 dan 11-5. Bagaimanapun, Wee Wern, yang juga pemain ranking

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Okt (Bernama) -- Jaguh badminton negara Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan menggalas cabaran negara bersama dua beregu lelaki dan beregu campuran negara pada suku akhir Kejohanan Terbuka Perancis di Stadium Pierre De Coubertin, Paris. Pada saingan pusingan kedua Khamis , Chong Wei, tidak menghadapi masalah untuk mengatasi Ajay Jayaram dari India dengan keputusan 21-18 dan 21-18 dalam masa 45 minit. Chong Wei, selaku pilihan utama kejohanan, akan berjumpa dengan pemain veteran Thailand, Boonsak Ponsana, yang terpaksa berkerja keras untuk mengalahkan K. Srikanth dari India dengan keputusan 15-21, 21-18 dan 21-15 untuk mara ke suku akhir, demikian menurut laman web kejohanan www.yonexifb.com . Beregu utama negara Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong mudah mengatasi beregu Jerman, Micheal Funchs/Johannes Schoettler dalam straight set 21-19 dan 21-19 dalam masa 43 minit untuk mara ke pusingan suku akhir. Kien Keat/Boon Heong, yang juga beregu pilihan keempat, dijadualka

KUALA LUMPUR - Rakyat Malaysia perlu mengubah jangkaan mereka terhadap jaguh badminton No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei agar harapan yang diletakkan di bahu pemain itu bersesuaian dengan faktor usianya sekarang. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), Dato' Dr. Ramlan Abd. Aziz berkata, perubahan tersebut perlulah seiring dengan usia pemain perseorangan utama negara itu yang telah pun memasuki angka 31 tahun. "Rakyat Malaysia perlu mengubah jangkaan mereka terhadap Chong Wei, supaya sesuai dengan keadaan semasa dan juga faktor usia pemain itu sekarang," katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia , semalam Beliau diminta mengulas luahan Chong Wei selepas mendengar pelbagai kritikan dilempar terhadap pemain itu gara-gara kekalahan terbaharu kepada jaguh No. 2 dunia dari China, Chen Long pada perlawanan akhir kejohanan Siri Super Terbuka Denmark, Ahad lalu. Dalam luahannya, kelmarin Chong Wei berkata: "Bila saya kalah, semua orang

JOSELINE Cheah will lead a 14-member squad to the Myanmar Sea Games but the shooting team are not aiming high as only six events offer gold medals. A national record holder in pistol events, Joseline, a silver medallist in the women's 10-metre air pistol in the World Cup leg in Munich in May, is Malaysia's best bet for a gold in Yangon. Joseline, a three-time Southeast Asean (Seasa) Championships gold medallist, will compete in the air pistol (individual and team) and the 25m sport pistol (individual and team) events. The other events are men's and women's 50m rifle prone; men's 50 free pistol and air pistol. Despite shooting being an Olympic event, the hosts have reduced the number of events to favour their athletes. National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong said it always happens with the Sea Games. "We should be thankful that shooting is part of their calendar. The hosts have scrapped several

NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong showing the national shooters how it's done at the launch of the NSC Cup Air Gun Shooting Championships at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex Gymnasium 3. KUALA LUMPUR: National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong wants to see Malaysian shooters on the winners’ podium every time they compete. And that’s why the NSC, he said, aims to support national athletes “as much as we can with high level facilities”. Zolkples said this at the launch of the NSC Cup Air Gun Shooting Championships at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex Gymnasium 3 shooting range on Wednesday. This is the first competitive tournament to be held at the venue and 86 local shooters – both men and women – will be taking part. The three-day meet begins Thursday. “The championships will help the Malaysian shooters to compete constantly and continue to improve,”

Kuala Lumpur: Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong akur dengan keputusan Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) yang tidak berganjak dengan pendirian hanya akan menghantar atlet berdasarkan merit ke Sukan SEA Myanmar. Begitupun, beliau masih menyimpan sedikit harapan, badan induk itu menyenaraikan dua atlet senior Noraseela Khalid dan Lee Hup Wei pada pertemuan dengan KOM, Selasa depan. “Saya tak nak paksa mereka. Kalau KOM kekal dengan keputusan mereka, saya tidak ada masalah,” katanya. Zoklpes menerusi laporan akhbar semalam meminta KOM mempertimbangkan untuk melakukan rombakan terhadap senarai 39 atlet yang sudah dipilih ke Sukan SEA Myanmar dengan menyenaraikan ratu lari berpagar serta atlet lompat tinggi itu. Kedua-duanya tiada dalam senarai 39 atlet ke Myanmar kerana gagal layak secara merit selepas beraksi hambar pada Kejohanan Olahraga Kebangsaan yang berakhir Ahad lalu. Menerusi reaksi segera semalam, Presiden KOM Datuk Zain

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah Wednesday participated in the Pro-Am CIMB Classic Golf 2013 competition at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) here. She was received upon arrival at 6.50am by CIMB Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Tun Razak. Tuanku Hajah Haminah later had breakfast with the championship participants before the event began. The tournament was held in conjunction with the CIMB Classic 2013, which starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday. The tournament today attracted 156 players including dignitaries, CIMB clients as well as competition sponsors such as BMW and Maxis. Her Majesty later presented prizes to winners after lunch. Also present at the ceremony was CIMB Group chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof.

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Okt (Bernama) -- Pencapaian beberapa penembak elit negara dalam temasya Sukan SEA masih di bawah kemampuan sebenar masing-masing, kata Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong. Katanya, kutipan pingat emas yang mengecewakan dalam beberapa edisi yang lepas nyata tidak menggambarkan kemampuan sebenar mereka yang berpengalaman luas bersaing di pentas antarabangsa. "Sesetengah daripada penembak kita mempunyai berpengalaman luas seperti Nur Ayuni Farhana (Abdul Halim) dan Bibiana Ng (Pei Chin) namun pencapaian mereka di Sukan SEA masih di bawah kemampuan sebenar. "Justeru itu, saya harap skuad menembak kali ini mampu mengatasi pencapaian dua pingat emas yang diraih pada edisi 2011 di Palembang, Indonesia," kata Zolkples kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Kejohanan Menembak Air Gun Piala Ketua Pengarah MSN 2013 di Lapang Sasar Menembak Gimnasium Tiga MSN, di sini, Rabu. Setiausaha Eksekutif Persatuan Menemb