Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Selain menderma... anda juga turut berpeluang bersantai bersama @AtletMalaysia ! #AtletPrihatin #Banjir2014 #Bah2014 pic.twitter.com/SvHzSArtUH — Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) December 30, 2014 KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry will organise a donation drive on Thursday to help the flood victims in the country. The ministry has asked the public to donate items such as diapers, infant milk, milk powder, mattresses, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap), sanitary pad, rice, cooking oil, mineral water, detergent, dried food items (sardines, biscuits etc), blankets, towels, Milo, tea, coffee, clothing as well as torch-lights with batteries and fully-charged power banks. The public can drop the items at Gym 2 of the National Sports Council (NSC) premises in Bukit Jalil from 9am-2pm on Thursday. National athletes, including shuttler Lee Chong Wei and squash star Low Wee Wern, will be joining hands with the ministry officials to receive the donated goods.

Mulakan 2015 dgn amal.. sertai #AtletPrihatin dgn menderma kepada mangsa2 banjir.. @AtletMalaysia prihatin.. Anda? pic.twitter.com/yBMD0cdjeK — Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) December 30, 2014 KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Dis (Bernama) -- Prihatin dengan kesusahan yang dialami mangsa banjir, atlet negara turut terpanggil menghulur keringat bagi membantu mangsa menerusi program kesukarelawan anjuran Premier Youth Association (PYA) dengan kerjasama Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS). Pemanah negara, Khairul Anuar Mohamad, seorang atlet yang terlibat dalam program tersebut berkata beliau berasa gembira dapat menyumbang keringat membantu petugas bantuan menyusun, mengasing dan mengangkut barang bantuan banjir di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) Subang. "Sebelum ini, saya dan rakan-rakan ada bercadang turun menghulurkan bantuan kepada mangsa banjir di Kemaman, Terengganu namun dengan adanya program kesukarelawan ini saya rasa ini sudah cukup memadai," katan

EDWIN Chong will relinquish his post as honorary secretary of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February or March due to health reasons. The 65-year-old was appointed in 1999 before he stepped down for one year and reassumed the post, replacing Bang Toh Hoo after the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games. Edwin is best remembered for hiring some of the best diving coaches, including Yang Zhuliang, who has turned Malaysia into one of the bests in the world. He is also behind the success of the national swimming team in the past. Edwin has already stepped down as the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Swimming Association secretary. He is, however, still the assistant secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). “I was diagnosed with a terminal illness after the Asian Games in Incheon in October. I have been taking a combination of painkillers. I have also lost a lot of weight,” said the soft-spoken Edw

Long-serving ASUM secretary Edwin Chong will not seek re-election in February due to his cancer treatment. KUALA LUMPUR: Edwin Chong, the driving force behind Malaysia’s rise in world diving, is calling it a day as the secretary of the Malaysian Amateur Swimming Union (ASUM).  Edwin, who is one of the longest-serving secretaries of a national sports body in the country, is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer. Mae Chen, who has served as an assistant secretary to Edwin, is now tipped to take over after ASUM’s annual general meeting in February. The 65-year-old Edwin first became ASUM secretary in 1997, but he was replaced by Bang Toh Hoo in 2000. Edwin, however, made a comeback after the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and has been serving in the position since then. Edwin recently relinquished his position as secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Swimming Association. He is also expected to give up his seat in the FINA technical

AUSTRALIAN Neil Hawgood has emerged as the foreign candidate singled out by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) to coach the national team next year. Hawgood, 52, announced his desire to coach a senior men’s team in Asia following his decision not to renew his contract with India’s women’s team last month. He is best remembered for guiding India to the bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games in October and the Junior World Cup in 2013. It is learnt that the offer from Malaysia was the reason he decided not to continue coaching India. The agreement to hire Hawgood, however, has hit a snag as the understanding to hire him was reached when Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong was still the director-general of the National Sports Council (NSC) before Ahmad Shapawi Ismail replaced him recently. MHC officials met Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin recently over the hiring of Hawgood but it is learnt that the minister did not give his go-ahead due to out

BAM deputy president Datuk Norza Zakaria (right) during a press conference on Lee Chong Wei's doping case in November. - Filepic KUALA LUMPUR: Please be patient – that’s the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) message to the national shuttlers. Deputy president Datuk Norza Zakaria on Monday assured that the situation at the national training centre would be improved and the BAM would look into the players’ welfare. On Sunday, top women’s doubles shuttler Ng Hui Lin quit the national team in a huff over the BAM’s poor running of the sport in the country. The 25-year-old did not mince her words, blasting the BAM for poor planning and the officials’ lackadaisical attitude. Norza admitted that the BAM were experiencing one of their lowest ebb but promised the situation would improve. “It has not been a good year for us but we hope the players will stay patient and work together with us. We understand what Hui Lin had gone through, but ju

Kuala Lumpur: Teka-teki siapakah ketua jurulatih tetap skuad hoki negara dijangka akan terjawab selewat-lewatnya menjelang tirai Tahun Baru ini. Ini kerana, difahamkan Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) akan membuat pengumuman menerusi satu sidang media, sekali gus merungkai pelbagai pertanyaan sebelum ini. Menurut sumber, mengikut perancangan asal, pengumuman itu sepatutnya dilakukan Sabtu lalu oleh Presiden MHC Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Namun, ia terpaksa ditangguhkan ke satu tarikh yang belum ditetapkan, tetapi kemungkinan besar selewat-lewatnya Khamis ini. “Belum mendapat pengesahan daripada pejabat Tengku (untuk mengadakan sidang media). Jika ada, ia pasti akan dimaklumkan kepada media,” kata sumber itu semalam. Antara nama yang disebut-sebut akan menggalas tugas itu adalah Neil Hagwood, bekas jurulatih skuad kebangsaan wanita India. Sejak pengunduran pengendali dari Afrika Selatan Paul Revington, senario barisan kejurulatihan skuad negara dilih

KUALA LUMPUR: A comprehensive and interruption-free programme has been lined up for the National Juniors in their build-up to next year’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament. The tournament, to be held in Kuantan from Nov 12-22, is a qualifier for the 2016 Junior World Cup. There are now 27 players in the training squad. However, three of them – Meor Mohd Azuan, Mohamed Shahril Saabah and Mohd Haziq Shamsul – are with the senior national team. Juniors chief coach A. Arulselvaraj said on Sunday most of the Juniors would be available for training and competition from next month until the Junior Asia Cup. “Only eight of them will be involved in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (which starts on Jan 16) this time. Previously, the majority of the juniors had club commitments. “The programme will start next month. We will have the players tested by the National Sports Institute (ISN) before going full steam with the preparations,” he said. Under the programme, the

Malaysian cycling could have gone places if only the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) had put its house in order. The federation, which has the responsibility to develop, promote and protect the sport, collapsed this year following a suspension by the Sports Commissioner over allegations of MNCF's management of government funds. But firstly, some positive notes to take into 2015 and beyond. Mainly, that is the promise Malaysian cycling has built over the past decade. What must be left behind is the malaise that has caused the MNCF to go backwards. The bright side to 2014 was provided mainly by the feats of Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis and Fatehah Mustapa. Firdaus, 18, twice created history. He was the first Malaysian to complete the treble of sprint, keirin and 1km time trial gold medals twice at the Asian Junior Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in May. He hit the headlines again at the Juniors Track World Championships in Gwangmyeong,

THE Education Ministry is planning to have the Asean University Games (AUG) and the World University Games (WUG) added to the annual national sports calendar recognised by the National Sports Council (NSC). This will help to improve Malaysia's performances in both the competitions. Prof Datuk Dr Abdullah Mohamad Said, who headed the national contingent at the recent Palembang AUG, said the move would help improve planning and preparation for both competitions for all the parties involved. Malaysia’s athletes finished third overall in Palembang with a 40 gold, 43 silver and 49 bronze haul, substantially lower than the 60 gold, 47 silver and 72 bronze in Laos in 2012 that gave Malaysia their first ever win abroad in the biennial competition. “We understand that there is a number of parties that have vested interest when it comes to athletes," said Abdullah. “First comes the National Sports Associations, then the NSC followed by the athletes them

PALEMBANG, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Shuttlers Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (men's singles) and Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abd Khalid-Chow Mei Kuan (mixed doubles), helped push Malaysia gold medal tally to 40 in the 17th ASEAN University Games, here, after winning their respective finals. The 40 gold, 43 silver and 49 bronze medals won thus far saw the Malaysian contingent achieve the target set for the AUG that draws down its curtain, Sunday. Malaysian contingent chef-de-mission Datuk Prof Dr Abdullah Mohd Said said though he was relieved to have achieved the 40-gold medal target, he personally was not satisfied with the performance of some sports that were expected to deliver the goods, especially sepak takraw, taekwondo and silat. "I am happy that the Malaysian contingent achieved to target set for the AUG but some sports did not live up to expectations. "There were sports that we had expected to deliver the goods but they failed but fortunately some sports that

Daripada Nursyabiha Sukri PALEMBANG, 21 Dis (Bernama) -- Kontinjen Malaysia boleh menarik nafas lega apabila berjaya mencapai sasaran 40 pingat emas pada temasya Sukan Universiti Asean (AUG) ke-17 yang melabuhkan tirai Ahad. Sasaran itu dicapai hasil kejayaan skuad badminton menyumbang dua pingat emas Ahad menerusi pemain perseorangan lelaki, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin dan beregu campuran, Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abd Khalid-Chow Mei Kuan. Ketua Kontinjen Malaysia Datuk Prof Dr Abdullah Mohd Said berkata walaupun gagal mempertahankan kejuaraan, beliau berpuas hati dengan pencapaian atlet negara yang meraih 40 pingat emas, 43 perak dan 49 gangsa. Namun, katanya secara peribadi beliau masih tidak berpuas hati dengan prestasi beberapa jenis sukan yang merupakan prospek emas negara pada temasya dwitahunan itu seperti sepak takraw, taekwondo dan silat. "Saya gembira kontinjen Malaysia berjaya mencapai sasaran 40 pingat emas tetapi masih banyak yang perlu dipert

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Dis (Bernama) -- Ratu skuasy Malaysia, Datuk Nicol David melabuhkan tirai musim 2014 dengan bergaya selepas menjuarai Kejohanan Skuasy Wanita Dunia 2014 menewaskan peserta tuan rumah Mesir, Raneem El Weleily, semalam. Ia merupakan kemenangan kelapan buat pemain skuasy wanita nombor satu dunia itu, menjulang gelaran mahkota dunia pada usia 30 tahun. Kejohanan itu yang berlangsung di Wadi Degla Club di Kaherah, Mesir, menyaksikan Nicol terpaksa berhempas pulas selama 66 minit dalam pertarungan yang berlarutan sehingga lima set. Anak kelahiran Pulau Pinang ini tewas kepada Raneem dalam set pertama 5-11, tetapi berjaya menyamakan kedudukan pada set berikutnya, 11-8. Pada set ketiga, Nicol banyak melakukan kesilapan, membolehkan Raneem menundukkannya pada set ketiga, 7-11. Set keempat adalah titik perubahan bagi Nicol selepas pemain nombor tiga dunia, Raneem berjaya mengawal permainan dan mengatasi Nicol pada kedudukan 10-6. Nicol kembali tenang d

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's squash queen Datuk Nicol David closed her 2014 season in style by reclaiming the Women's World Championship title after defeating the host nation's favourite, Raneem El Weleily, Saturday. With the win, the 31-year-old top ranking women's squash player lifted the coveted trophy for the eighth time. The competition which was held at Wadi Delga Squash Club in Egypt, saw Nicol having to encounter a gruelling and tense five-set match which lasted for an hour and six minutes. The Penangite was down to Raneem 5-11 in the first set but managed to level the score in the next set on 11-8. In the third set, Nicol started making mistakes which allowed Raneem winning the third set, 11-7. The fourth set was the turning point for Nicol as the match seemed to be on the world number three's side, as Raneem controlled the game and had the match ball at 10-6. Nicol regained composure and fought hard to level the tie on

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Dis (Bernama) -- Kegagalan pemain untuk bertahan sepanjang 90 minit perlawanan menjadi punca skuad Harimau Malaya gagal meraih kejuaraan Piala AFF Suzuki 2014 yang melabuhkan tirainya di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, Sabtu malam, kata Ketua Jurulatihnya Dollah Salleh. Thailand kalah 2-3 kepada Malaysia pada aksi timbal balik di sini namun muncul juara susulan kemenangan 2-0 pada aksi final pertama di Stadium Nasional Rajamangala, Rabu lepas untuk muncul juara dengan keputusan agregat 4-3. "Seperti yang saya katakan sebelum ini, pemain hanya mampu bertahan selama 70 minit dan kemudian hilang punca sehingga menyebabkan Thailand mengambil kesempatan,"katanya kepada pemberita selepas aksi final kedua. Dollah menjelaskan, keputusan mengeluarkan pemain sayap, Indra Putra Mahayuddin dan pemain pertahanan, Mohd Afif Amiruddin yang memainkan peranan besar pada perlawanan itu ekoran masalah kecederaan, turut menjadi punca kepada kekalahan itu.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- Thailand lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014, winning by a 4-3 aggregate against Malaysia after the final second leg match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Saturday night. Thailand lost the second leg 2-3 to Malaysia but were winners by virtue of their 2-0 victory in the first leg of the two-leg final at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday. Malaysia were leading 2-0 at half-time. Scorers: MALAYSIA: Safiq Rahim (6th minute penalty, 58th min), Indra Putra Mahayuddin (45+2'). THAILAND: Charyl Yannic Chappuis (81st min), Chanathip Songkrasin (88th min) Teams: MALAYSIA: Mohd Farizal Marlias, Muhammad Zubir Mohd Azmi, Mohd Afif Amiruddin (Mohamad Muslim Ahmad), Muhammad Shukor Adan (Captain), Safiq Rahim, S. Kunanlan, Indra Putra Mahayuddin (Gary Steven Robbat), Mohd Badhri Mohd Radzi, Azamuddin Mohd Akil (Mohd Safee Mohd Sali), Mohd Amri Yahyah, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha. THAILAND: Kawin Thamsatchanan

Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein dan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Dis (Bernama) -- Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak melahirkan rasa bangga beliau dengan persembahan hebat yang dipamer skuad Harimau Malaya pada perlawanan akhir Piala AFF Suzuki 2014 di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil di sini, Sabtu malam. "Walaupun kalah saya bangga dengan persembahan Harimau Malaya. "Insya-Allah akan lebih cemerlang di masa akan datang," kata Najib dalam catatan terbaharu beliau di Facebook dan Twitter. Malaysia terlepas peluang untuk menjulang Piala AFF Suzuki selepas kalah kepada Thailand dengan agregrat 3-4 setelah final kedua kejohanan di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil. Walaupun kalah 2-3 kepada Malaysia pada aksi timbal balik malam ini, skuad kendalian Kiatisuk Senamuang muncul juara susulan kemenangan 2-0 yang diraih pada final pertama di Stadium Nasional Rajamangala, Bangkok, Rabu lepas. Sementara itu, Menteri Belia

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Dis (Bernama) -- Jurulatih Harimau Muda A, Datuk Ong Kim Swee diberi tempoh sebulan bermula Mei depan, untuk menyediakan sebuah pasukan mantap bagi menghadapi Sukan SEA 2015 di Singapura. Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah berkata Kim Swee perlu memulakan tugasnya mencari pemain berpotensi untuk diserapkan dalam pasukan berkenaan, sebaik sahaja Liga Malaysia (Liga M) bermula Januari depan. "Pasukan bawah 23 tahun itu dijangka memulakan latihan pusat bermula 1 Mei tahun depan kerana Sukan SEA dijadual berlangsung pada Jun. "Kim Swee hanya ada sebulan untuk membentuk sebuah pasukan mantap," katanya selepas menghadiri mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Khas FAM kali kedua penggal 2014-2018, di sini Jumaat. Beliau juga menjelaskan bahawa pasukan bawah 22 tahun (Harimau Muda B) di bawah kendalian jurulatih, Razip Ismail diberi tugas dalam saingan kelayakan Piala Asia Bawah 22 tahun. Afa

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Harimau Muda A coach, Datuk Ong Kim Swee has been asked to prepare a solid team for the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore. FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president, Datuk Seri Afandi Hamzah said Kim Swee must get cracking as soon as the next season of the M-League begins on Jan 31. "Harima Muda A (Under-23 squad) are expected to commence centralised training from May 1 because the Singapore SEA Games is scheduled to be held in June," he told reporters after attending a special meeting of FAM's Executive Committee here Friday. Afandi also said the coach Razip Ismail would be responsible for Harimau Muda B (National Under-22 squad) which will be competing in the Asian Under-22 Cup. He said after the Asian Under-22 Cup, the Harimau Muda B will be in action in the Singapore League (S-League). "So Kim Swee will not be burdened with two teams (Harimau Muda A and Harimau Muda B). This will free him to prepare the squad n

Ahmad Shapawi Ismail replaced Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong (inset) as the new National Sports Council (NSC) director general. Pic by Mohamad Shahril Badri Saali THE National Sports Council (NSC) will be headed by new director general Ahmad Shapawi Ismail effective today.   Shapawi, 51, will become the first administrator to have headed all three main sporting arms under the sports ministry, having also served as National Sports Institute (NSI) chief excutive officer, before being appointed Sports Commissioner, the post which he held until yesterday.   Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, in making the announcement yesterday, also confirmed that outgoing NSC director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong has been appointed as chief executive officer of the 2017 Sea Games organising committee.   Khairy said Shapawi’s vision and future plans for programmes under the NSC was what

KUALA LUMPUR , Dec 18 -- Sports Commissioner Ahmad Shapawi Ismail has been appointed as the National Sports Council (NSC) director-general effective Friday (Dec 19). The appointment of Ahmad Shapawi on a two-year term contract was announced by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar after the NSC board meeting, Thursday. Ahmad Shapawi is no stranger to the NSC as he had joined the council in 1988 as an officer in the NSC's Athletes Training Unit and involved in the Jaya 98, Gemilang 2001 and Doha 2006 programmes before moving up the ladder to become the director of the unit in 2007. Prior to his appointment as the Sports Commissioner in 2013, replacing Datuk Yassin Salleh, he was appointed the chief executive officer of the National Sports Institute (ISN). Ahmad Shapawi will replace Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong who had held the post since 2007. According to Khairy, eight candidates were shortlisted from 40 applicants and the eight were fu

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dis (Bernama) -- Pesuruhjaya Sukan Malaysia, Ahmad Shapawi Ismail dilantik sebagai Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) yang baharu berkuat kuasa Jumaat. Pengumuman dibuat Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin selepas mesyuarat Lembaga Pengurus MSN pada Khamis. Pelantikan bagi tempoh dua tahun itu adalah seperti yang diperuntukkan dalam Akta MSN 1971. Ahmad Shapawi mempunyai pengalaman luas di MSN sebelum menjadi Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Sukan Negara dan seterusnya dilantik sebagai Pesuruhjaya Sukan. Beliau memulakan kerjaya sebagai Pegawai Bahagian Latihan Atlet di MSN pada 1988 dengan jawatan tertinggi selaku pengarah bahagian atlet pada 2007 yang membolehkannya terbabit secara langsung dalam Program Jaya '98, Gemilang 2001 dan Doha 2006. Jawatan Ketua Pengarah MSN sebelum ini disandang Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong selama tujuh tahun sejak 2007 dan beliau kini dilantik sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Sukan Sea 2017. Seban

NATIONAL coach Peter Genever has tipped Low Wee Wern to see off a host of young Egyptian challengers in the battle to succeed Nicol David as the World No 1.   In a survey by Squash Player Magazine , Genever was the only expert out of four interviewed to predict Wee Wern as a future World No 1.   Three of the four thought Nicol will reign at the top at least until 2017 with Egypt national coach Omar El Borolossy the only one thinking that Nicol would not even figure in the top-10 by then.   Wee Wern, 24, rose to a high of fifth in the world rankings this year before slipping back two rungs but played a pivotal role in helping Malaysia make the final of the Women’s World Team Championship for the first time last week.   National No 2 Wee Wern defeated World Championship runner-up Nour El Sherbini in a crucial semi-final tie with Egypt to make that possible.   Genever expects Wee Wern to make it to the top of the world in five years’ time when the Penang-born pl

Sazali Samad (centre) won his 10th title in the men's 75kg at the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Physique championships in Mumbai on Tuesday. PETALING JAYA: Sazali Samad and Lilian Tan capped a wonderful evening for Malaysia when they emerged triumphant on the final day of the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Physique (WBFP) championships in Mumbai. Sazali won the below 75kg men’s weight class on Tuesday to make it an unprecedented 10th success at the world meet. Sazali, who beat a field of finalists including Indian hope Boby Aramban Singh, was delighted to add the world title to the Asian crown he won in Macau in August. Sazali won his first world title in 1996 and went on to add to his illustrious collection with successful attempts in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. “This is my 10th world title and no words can describe how I feel to bring home this gold medal. It gets harder each time and especially this year as I have mo

PALEMBANG, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The unique South Sumatra culture was the highlight of the opening of the 17th Asean Universities Games (AUG) at Stadium Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring here tonight. The 12-day games themed 'Body and Soul for One Heart One Asean" was officially opened by Indonesia's Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla. Among the honoured guests were South Sumatra Governor, Alex Noerdin and Asean Universities Sports Council president, Prof Dr Anuar Hassan. Some 20,000 spectators witnessed the opening ceremony which showcased various dances performed by 600 university students from throughout Palembang and performances by the Gigi band, Dewi Gita and Andi Rif. In the march past, the Malaysian contingent was led by chef-de-mission Datuk Dr Abdullah Muhamad Said while national karate exponent Lim Chee Wei was the flag bearer. The Malaysian contingent comprising 322 athletes and 77 officials is vying for medals in 20 events.

LABUAN, 10 Dis (Bernama) -- Kontinjen Sabah muncul juara temasya Sukan Persahabatan BIMP-EAGA 2014 yang berakhir hari ini, dengan mengumpul sejumlah 42 pingat iaitu 14 emas, 13 perak dan 15 gangsa. Sulawesi Selatan di tempat kedua dengan meraih 10 pingat emas, empat perak dan empat gangsa; ketiga Sarawak dengan lapan emas, sepuluh perak dan lapan gangsa. Papua pula melonjak di kedudukan keempat dengan membawa pulang tujuh emas, dua perak dan tiga gangsa; Kalimantan Timur di tempat kelima dengan enam emas, lima perak dan empat gangsa. Tuan rumah Labuan di tangga keenam setelah meraih lima emas, sepuluh perak dan 20 gangsa; meninggalkan Kalimantan Barat dan Kalimantan Selatan masing-masing mengumpul 11 serta enam pingat. Brunei dan Mindanao masing-masing di kedudukan kesembilan dan sepuluh dengan tiga pingat emas; Maluku memperoleh dua emas manakala Palawan hanya mengutip dua pingat gangsa. Sejumlah 67 pingat emas ditandingi dalam 10 acara. Menteri Belia d

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Dis (Bernama) -- Kerajaan Vietnam memberi jaminan keselamatan penyokong Malaysia pada perlawanan separuh akhir kedua Piala AFF Suzuki 2014 di Stadium My Dinh, Hanoi, pada Rabu. Duta Besar Vietnam ke Malaysia Pham Cao Phong berkata penyokong Malaysia tidak harus bimbang hadir menyaksikan pertandingan walaupun insiden kekacauan berlaku pada perlawanan separuh akhir pertama di Stadium Shah Alam pada 7 Dis, dikesalkan. "Apa yang berlaku di Stadium Shah Alam dikesalkan dan kami amat sedih melihat rakyat Vietnam diserang...Tetapi kami ada menerima panggilan telefon daripada Khairy Jamaluddin (Menteri Belia dan Sukan)...Kami bercakap mengenai hal itu. "Kami jamin bahawa bila penyokong Malaysia datang ke Vietnam, mereka dialu-alukan. "Vietnam adalah negara ramah mesra dan Malaysia amat rapat dengan kami...jiran dan 'saudara' dalam keluarga Asean," katanya kepada Bernama pada majlis meraikan permulaan tugas Duta Vietnam ke Mal

All cannons are now aimed at a little town on the outskirts of Paris, where Azizulhasni Awang vows to take his third UCI Track World Championships medal in February.   A fourth place in the keirin at Round Two of the UCI World Cup in London on Sunday boosted the two-time World Championships silver medallist’s confidence enough to announce an all-out assault in the 2015 World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.   “It is now full focus on the World Championships. “I head back to Melbourne to work solely on that target,” said Azizulhasni, 26.   The three-time UCI World Cup overall keirin champion has not tasted World Championships success since his keirin silver medal in Ballerup, Denmark in 2010 which followed a silver in the sprint in Pruszkow, Poland a year earlier.   But the hunt was marred by a career-threatening calf injury sustained via a horrific crash at the Manchester Velodrome in 2011 where an 11-inch wood splinter pierced

For the first time ever, Malaysia will not have any representatives at the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals in Dubai from Dec 17-21. So, the immediate task for Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen will be to make sure that Malaysia are not put in such a situation next year. Former great Frost, who will only start work as BAM’s technical director in March, is scheduled to arrive earlier to discuss and plan his programmes with all the coaches in the set-up. BAM deputy president Datuk Norza Zakaria said that the absence of a local shuttler in the finale of the Superseries tour showed up three weaknesses of Malaysian badminton: over-reliance on world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei; poor planning; and the lack of successors coming through. Chong Wei has qualified as the top-ranked shuttler for the Finals but had to forgo the tournament – for the first time since its inception in

FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has endorsed the idea to ban unruly fans from stadiums for life. This comes following the fracas in Sunday’’s AFF Cup semi-final, first leg match in Kuala Lumpur, where a small group of Malaysian fans assaulted Vietnamese supporters. “Tengku Abdullah wants the proposal to be handed to FAM’’s security committee for deliberation and implementation. “We want to ban those charged for the altercation from stadiums for life,” said FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin in Hanoi yesterday. “”We are working closely with the police as this incident has embarrassed FAM. Our president is upset with the incident and he hopes those involved will be punished accordingly.”” Many are expecting a commotion between the supporters of both teams in tomorrow’’s return leg in Hanoi but the Vietnam Fan Club (VFC) has promised to ‘keep calm’ at My Dinh Stadium. “”The president of VFC will advise h

THE “12th man” is a term affectionately used to refer to football fans of any club or country. These fans are like the 12th player as they can inspire the team to greater heights or to turn around a seemingly hopeless situation with their fanatical support. But once they cross the line – by turning violent – then, they are no longer fans ... but plain hooligans! And that’s what the small but unruly group of fans were after what they did during the AFF Suzuki Cup match between Malaysia and Vietnam at the Shah Alam Stadium on Sunday. But this is not a new problem. It has been brewing for some time now. The ugly fiasco on Sunday has certainly tarnished the image of Malaysia. Indeed, it’s a black day in Malaysian football. So, what happened on Sunday? It all flared up after Vietnam scored the second goal to lead 2-1 at the hour mark (which happens to be the final score as well). The 3,000-odd Vietnam supporters celebrated on the stands. The next thing you kn

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Former Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Assistant Secretary-General, Datuk Peter Velappan has suggested that the national body should follow the European Football Association's (UEFA) approach in tackling football hooliganism in the country. Expressing his concern on the matter, he said FAM must play a more proactive role to curb violent acts as was being done by UEFA which handed severe punishment to its affiliates if their fans caused commotions either at home or away matches. "We should learn from them (UEFA) on their method of handling the hooliganism issue. I'm quite sad with the commotion that happened at the Shah Alam Stadium last Sunday where a few Vietnamese fans were injured after being attacked by our supporters, which indirectly has tarnished the image of Malaysian football fans who are known for their good conduct. "This situation never happened during my days in FAM before. So, I hope th

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The national netball team kept up their their winning momentum after defeating Papua New Guinea 52-43 in their third match of the 2014 Nations Cup at the OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub, Tuesday. Malaysia who registered a 40-36 win in the second match against Ireland, yesterday, however, trailed 10-15 in the first quarter before finding their rhythm back and took the second period to tie at 25 points. The national side then dominated the third quarter 37-29 before securing a comfortable 52-43 victory in the final period. On the victory, Malaysian captain, Yap Suo Kuen praised her teammates for displaying an energetic performance despite a poor start in the early period. "We knew we had to improve on the other games, even though we won yesterday. We had some great passing and our shooters played very well.It was a whole team effort," she said in a statement issued by the organiser, Netball Singapore. Hosts Singapo

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Dis (Bernama) -- Bekas Penolong Setiausaha Agung Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Datuk Peter Velappan mencadangkan badan induk kebangsaan itu mengikut langkah Kesatuan Bola Sepak Negara-Negara Eropah (Uefa) dalam menangani isu samseng bola sepak yang semakin menjadi-jadi di negara ini. Sambil melahirkan kebimbangan terhadap masalah itu, beliau berkata FAM perlu memainkan peranan lebih proaktif dalam membendung keganasan itu, seperti yang dilakukan Uefa dengan mengenakan hukuman berat kepada anggota gabungannya jika berlaku kekecohan sama ada semasa perlawanan di tempat sendiri atau lawan. "Kita harus belajar daripada mereka (Uefa), kaedah menangani isu samseng bola sepak ini. Saya sedih dengan kekecohan di Stadium Shah Alam, Ahad lepas, di mana beberapa penyokong Vietnam cedera selepas diserang penyokong negara dan ia secara tidak langsung mencemarkan imej penyokong bola sepak Malaysia yang terkenal berkelakuan baik. "Situasi in

PALEMBANG, 9 Dis (Bernama) -- Misi memburu pingat pertama Malaysia di Sukan Universiti Asean (AUG) ke-17 di sini, bermula Rabu menerusi acara taekwondo di Pusat Promosi Sriwijaya. Lima acara yang bakal dipertandingkan ialah poomsae individu lelaki, poomsae individu wanita, poomsae berpasangan, kategori 58kg lelaki dan bawah 68kg lelaki. Jurulatih taekwondo negara, Moi Chee Keong berharap atlet kebangsaan dapat memperbaiki rekod dua tahun lepas di Vientiane, Laos dengan meraih sekurang-kurangnya satu pingat emas pada edisi kali ini. Moi juga yakin kejayaan meraih sembilan pingat emas pada Piala Jogjakarta 2014 baru-baru ini, menjadi suntikan semangat kepada mereka untuk beraksi lebih cemerlang di sini. Sebelas atlet taekwondo negara disenaraikan pada AUG kali ini. Di Laos, skuad negara sekadar meraih lima pingat gangsa.

National Sports Institute chief operating officer Datuk Dr. Ramlan Aziz. - Filepic The National Sports Institute (NSI) unveiled their 10-year blueprint recently with the hope of playing a more prominent role as the agent of change in Malaysian sport. Starsports’ RAJES PAUL spoke to NSI chief operating officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz on the points that are set to transform the sports science unit. Starsport: How different will this new 10-year blueprint be? Dr Ramlan: NSI will move into a new time frame focusing on the Olympic Games cycle. Under this 2015-2025 cycle, we will cover three Olympic Games – in 2016, 2020 and 2024. It changes our focus completely. It’s not too long a time frame but one that will clearly chart the progress of our sports development in the next 10 years. Starsport: What are the core areas of focus? Dr Ramlan: We will focus on seven strategic areas: peak performances; grassroots talent development; research and innovation in

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Dis (Bernama) -- Atlet pelapis kebangsaan sepatutnya mencuba dahulu bidang atau kategori yang disyorkan jurulatih mereka dan bukannya menunjukkan 'protes' dengan menarik diri daripada skuad kebangsaan. Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Naim Mohamad berkata jurulatih selalunya mempunyai penilaian dan pandangan tertentu terhadap kebolehan atlet di bawah seliaan mereka. Malah, katanya keputusan atau pilihan yang dibuat oleh jurulatih itu juga adalah demi kepentingan atlet dan sukan berbasikal. "Hanya jurulatih yang tahu kebolehan, kemampuan, taraf dan kedudukan seseorang atlet itu. "Mungkin di peringkat kebangsaan dan negeri, dia cemerlang tapi di peringkat antarabangsa tidak mempunyai keputusan yang baik dan lebih baik dalam acara lain," katanya kepada Bernama. Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas majlis penyerahan basikal tandem sempena acara 'Pagi Bebas Kenderaan Kua

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- National back up squad athletes must first try out events or categories recommended by their coaches instead of protesting by withdrawing from the National squad said Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) Deputy President Datuk Naim Mohamad. Naim said coaches normally have their own assessment and evaluation of athletes under their guidance and the decisions or selection made by the coach for a specific competition would be for the benefit of the riders and cycling. "Only the coaches know the ability, competency and status of their riders. Maybe some riders excel at state and national levels but fail to make an impact in international competitions. Therefore, the coach might recommend them for other events," he told Bernama when commenting on the action of a rider who decided to withdraw from the National back up squad after his name was omitted from the list of riders for training In Melbourne, Australia. The ri

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today stressed that he would not interfere in the “feud” between Datuk Lee Chong Wei, former national doubles player Razif Sidek and a Malay daily. Khairy said the issue between Chong Wei and Razif was a private matter and up to each individual player to decide on any legal action. “I have told Chong Wei that he can take whatever action if he wants… I too did not encourage or discourage Chong Wei to take any action against Razif because this is a personal matter. Chong Wei has a reputation to safeguard,” he said after presenting a talk titled “Malaysia’s Human Capital Towards High Income Economy” at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here today. Yesterday, Chong Wei, 32, had said he would take legal action against Razif and a local Malay daily for alleging that the world number one had been using banned substances for a long time. Razif was quoted in a local daily on Nov 11, claiming that Chong Wei had been