Aziz Ready To Meet Elyas In Court
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Professional Golfers' Association (MPGA) vice president Aziz Ismail who lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar, is willing to be taken to court, if it benefitted MPGA and its members.
"I stand by my action (going to the ACA) as it was done in the interest of the MPGA and the members.
"If anybody wants to take me to court, I am willing to face them in court if that benefits the members," he told Bernama here day.
On Monday, Aziz who refuted claims that he was expelled by MPGA, lodged the ACA report against Elyas for allegedly not taking any action against MPGA president Datuk Ithnin Yacob and secretary S. Selvakumar.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no question of my legitimacy as MPGA vice president.
"If I am not the legitimate vice president, they can take me to court," he said.
Aziz was elected vice president at the MPGA annual general meeting in Bukit Beruntung on April 2, last year.
He blamed Elyas for failing to take action on numerous complaints against Ithnin and Selvakumar, which were submitted to the Sports Commissioner's office.
He claimed that it could be because Elyas received favours from Ithnin.
Yesterday, Elyas, in response to Aziz's accusation, wanted the latter to prove his allegation with evidence or face possible legal action.
"Due to the severity of his accusation, I want him to provide concrete evidence or face the possibility of going to jail for making a false report," he said when contacted.
Ithnin has also issued a similar ultimatum to Aziz, claiming that MPGA had expelled him (Aziz) on Jan 28, upon the recommendation of the MPGA disciplinary committee for not submitting the expenditure accounts of the Terengganu Masters in June last year.
-- BERNAMA
Hafiz belum buat keputusan sertai BAM
Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa
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'Saya perlu dapatkan pandangan penaja dulu'
'PENGALAMAN manis' dinikmati ketika pusingan kelayakan Piala Thomas di Ho Chi Minh, minggu lalu, belum menjelmakan kata putus dalam diri Hafiz mengenai tawaran Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) untuknya kembali bersama skuad negara.
Sebaliknya Hafiz - statusnya kini belum pasti ketika ikatan bersama kelab Nusa Mahsuri juga belum terlerai sepenuhnya -enggan terburu-buru dan mahu teliti dalam menguruskan isu berkenaan.
“Saya belum buat keputusan ketika ini. Saya mahu terlebih dahulu berjumpa dengan penaja, Yonex, untuk mendapatkan penjelasan dan keadaan sebenar. Selepas itu mungkin keputusan akan dibuat,” katanya ketika dihubungi, semalam.
Pertemuan itu bertujuan meleraikan kekusutan membelenggunya kerana kontrak penajaan Yonex bersama Nusa Mahsuri berkait rapat dengan syarat kehadirannya bersama kelab itu.
Hafiz sebelumnya pernah menyuarakan keputusan untuk meninggalkan Nusa Mahsuri, dengan alasan mencari sumber kewangan lebih kukuh selaku agenda utama, sekali gus menjelmakan perkhabaran dia akan menyertai Kelab Raket Kuala Lumpur (KLRC).
Namun ketika isu itu sebelumnya berlarutan, BAM tampil dengan tawaran mahu menyerapnya kembali dalam skuad kebangsaan - langkah dilihat bukan sahaja mampu meredakan gelisah mengenai isu kewangan, tetapi turut memastikan potensinya mampu terus dipupuk sebaik mungkin.
Petanda positif terjelma apabila Hafiz langsung tidak bermasalah menyesuaikan diri bersama pemain skuad negara ketika di Ho Chi Minh yang menyaksikannya memenangi semua empat perlawanan disainginya.
Cuma ketika ini, Hafiz berpendapat isu itu mampu dipinggirkan, ketika dia memburu sasaran peribadi untuk melangkah sejauh mungkin pada Kejohanan Seluruh England, bermula minggu depan.
“Saya puas hati dengan persembahan ketika kelayakan Piala Thomas, biarpun masih ada ruang untuk peningkatan. Kini, saya berusaha keras untuk memperbaiki kelemahan sebelum bermulanya Seluruh England nanti.
“Matlamat saya ialah mara sejauh mungkin dalam kejohanan itu. Mungkin peluang untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik kini sudah tipis, tetapi saya mahu hasilkan prestasi baik kerana Seluruh England adalah kejohanan yang istimewa,” katanya.
Ianya mudah difahami kerana Seluruh England menjelmakan detik paling manis dalam kerjaya Hafiz yang muncul mengungguli gelaran saingan berprestij itu pada 2003 lalu.
Untuk kali ini, Hafiz diundi menentang pilihan ketiga, Bao Chunlai pada pusingan pertama dan andainya mampu menjelmakan kejutan, juara Terbuka Korea Selatan, Lee Hyun-il menantinya.
“Saya yakin peluang untuk mara jauh masih ada. Situasi bagaimanapun berbeza untuk Terbuka Switzerland, seminggu kemudiannya, kerana Lin Dan menanti pada pusingan pertama nanti,” katanya.
MPGA mahu selesaikan isu 23 Mac ini
Oleh Harris Rajahdin
TARIKH 23 Mac ini ditetapkan sebagai tarikh mesyuarat agung tahunan (AGM) Persatuan Pemain Profesional Golf Malaysia (MPGA) yang diharapkan dapat menamatkan kemelut berpanjangan yang membelenggu persatuan itu.
Keputusan untuk mengadakan AGM itu adalah hasil pertemuan Pesuruhjaya Sukan, Tan Sri Elyas Omar dan lima ahli majlis MPGA termasuk presiden MPGA, Datuk Ithnin Yacob, petang semalam.
“Datuk Ithnin bersetuju mengadakan mesyuarat agung tahunan pada 23 Mac ini untuk selesaikan isu ini. Semua ahli dijemput termasuk ahli yang disingkirkan. Ahli itu perlu membuat permohonan untuk menjadi ahli semula,” kata Elyas.
Pertemuan itu yang diadakan di pejabat Elyas tidak dihadiri kelompok penentang yang diketuai Naib Presiden, Abdul Aziz Ismail yang mengemukakan tuduhan rasuah terhadap Elyas kepada Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR), Isnin lalu.
Mengulas tuduhan dirinya terbabit dalam rasuah dan seterusnya menjejaskan kredibilitinya sebagai badan penghakiman antara Ithnin dan Abdul Aziz, Elyas menyifatkan ia sebagai tidak berasas.
“Takkan kerana saya tak jawab suratnya pada Februari, dia katakan saya rasuah. Pegawai saya, keluarga saya tak terima wang. Ini adalah tuduhan melampau,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu, Abdul Aziz menjelaskan ketiadaannya dalam pertemuan itu adalah kerana dia ingin menunggu kesudahan hasil siasatan BPR.
Abdul Aziz juga menyangkal dakwaan Ithnin kelmarin bahawa dia terbabit dalam kegiatan salahguna tabung persatuan itu ketika Kejohanan Masters Terengganu pada Jun tahun lalu yang seterusnya membawa kepada penyingkirannya pada 28 Januari lalu selepas mendapat nasihat Jawatankuasa Disiplin MPGA.
“Untuk pengetahuan umum, duit tabung persatuan ini dikutip dan dijaga setiausaha dan pengurus besar. Sehingga ke hari ini, saya tidak pernah menyalahgunakan tabung persatuan.
“Saya mengalu-alukan pihak terbabit untuk membuat laporan polis dan BPR, silakan jika ada bukti,” katanya.
Azzuddin: Persatuan perlu profesional
Oleh Mohd Fadzrie Hazis
AMALAN sesetengah Persatuan Bola Sepak Negeri yang sehingga kini terlalu bergantung kepada geran tahunan Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), mengundang rasa kecewa Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.
Bagi Azzuddin, sebagai pasukan yang sudah beraksi di peringkat profesional, setiap negeri seharusnya mempunyai sikap berdikari dalam pengurusan kewangan dan tidak terlalu bergantung kepada geran tahunan FAM.
“Budaya mengharapkan geran daripada FAM harus dihentikan, ia ibarat seorang ahli perniagaan yang mengharapkan subsidi daripada kerajaan sebelum memulakan perniagaan dan budaya ini harus dihentikan segera.
“Sepatutnya mereka berdiri di atas kaki sendiri, tidak hanya mengharapkan FAM untuk membantu menyelesaikan masalah pembayaran gaji pemain, ” kata Azzuddin merujuk kepada dakwaan kegagalan pembayaran gaji tertunggak pemain terhadap Persatuan Bola Sepak Kuala Lumpur (KLFA).
Azzuddin turut mengingatkan setiap persatuan negeri bahawa geran tahunan yang diberi FAM adalah bertujuan untuk pembangunan belia, bukannya untuk menyelesaikan perkara lain.
Sementara itu, Azzuddin mengesahkan setakat ini masih belum menerima sebarang laporan daripada pemain dan bekas pemain Kuala Lumpur mengenai baki gaji dua bulan yang didakwa masih belum dibayar KLFA.
Menurutnya lagi, hanya selepas laporan lengkap dengan segala butiran dan bukti dikemukakan, baru tindakan susulan boleh diambil FAM bagi menyelesaikan masalah itu dengan membayar gaji tertunggak pemain menerusi potongan geran tahunan kepada KLFA.
“Pemain-pemain harus berani menampilkan diri kepada FAM, kami tidak dapat membuat tindakan sekiranya hanya berdasarkan laporan kosong tanpa butiran lengkap kerana FAM memerlukan butiran lengkap bagi membolehkan kami mengambil tindakan sewajarnya.
“Butiran lengkap seperti nama pemain dan jurulatih yang masih belum menerima bayaran gaji adalah penting kerana kami tetap harus merujuk semula kepada KLFA untuk pengesahan.
“Pemain tidak harus berasa takut kerana mereka menuntut hak mereka dan kerana itu mereka harus berani menampilkan diri dan tindakan boleh diambil walaupun gaji tertunggak hanya dua bulan, ” kata Azzuddin.
Tembelang Halim terbongkar
Charouck kesal Setiausaha Agung buat kenyataan tanpa merujuk kepada Istaf
GELAGAT sebenar Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Sepak Takraw Antarabangsa (Istaf), Abdul Halim Kader tampak bakal terbongkar andai berpandu kepada kenyataan terbaru daripada Presiden Istaf, Charouck Arirachakaran yang menyuarakan rasa hairan mengapa pegawainya itu boleh membuat keputusan secara bersendirian.
Sambil berikrar akan tetap membela Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM), Charouck kesal Halim membuat kenyataan tanpa merujuk kepada jawatankuasa eksekutif atau Kongres Istaf berhubung isu PSM yang bermula cuma membabitkan perbalahan berkaitan dengan bantahan bola bersalut getah baru.
Dalam dua pertemuan, iaitu kelmarin dan semalam Presiden Istaf itu turut menyuarakan sokongan kepada Presiden PSM, Datuk Ahmad Ismail apabila menegaskan beliau sendiri akan menggunakan segala kuasa yang ada padanya selaku presiden untuk memastikan PSM tidak digantung daripada Istaf.
“Jelas ini seperti permainan politik Halim memburukkan PSM selepas dia berasa terancam andai segala penyelewengan yang dilakukan dibongkar oleh PSM, lebih-lebih lagi semasa tribunal Istaf bersidang pada 13 Mac ini bagi membicarakan PSM,” kata Ahmad ketika dihubungi Harian Sukan di Bangkok.
Ini bukan kali pertama Halim, Presiden Persatuan Sepak Takraw Singapura dan juga Presiden Persekutuan Sepak Takraw Asia (Astaf) membuat kenyataan kepada media Malaysia berhubung perkara ini.
Pada 26 Januari lalu, Halim membuat kenyataan menyatakan PSM digantung selepas mesyuarat eksekutif Istaf di Bangkok, namun selepas Harian Sukan menghubungi Naib Presiden Istaf, Prof Dr Chalerm Chaiwatcharapon, pegawai berkenaan menegaskan perkara itu tidak pernah dibincangkan.
Di Korat, Thailand, Disember tahun lalu, Halim menafikan ada negara lain mengikut jejak langkah Malaysia membantah penggunaan bola baru bersalut getah, namun pada sidang media yang sama Presiden Persatuan Sepak Takraw Vietnam mengakui mereka turut membantah bola berkenaan dan keesokannya Myanmar turut mengemukakan surat bantahan.
Isu bola baru itu yang dikeluarkan oleh syarikat Marathon milik Bendahari Istaf, Boonchai Lorhpipat dan Halim selaku pengedar bola itu di Singapura menerusi syarikat Ben Helm Pte Ltd, akhirnya dianggap sebagai ancaman kepada kedua-dua pemimpin itu selepas PSM mengemukakan bukti saintifik bola berkenaan boleh menyebabkan kecederaan otak.
Malah, PSM berikrar akan terus membuktikan bola itu mendatangkan bahaya menerusi kajian makmal bertaraf dunia, langkah yang pasti mengundang rasa marah golongan yang ‘mencari makan’ dalam Istaf.
Namun, kenyataan Charouck kepada Ahmad, semalam jelas membuktikan sebaliknya dan Presiden Istaf itu sendiri mengarahkan PSM supaya membongkarkan kepincangan Halim bersama segala bukti yang berkaitan sewaktu tribunal itu kelak.
Bekas pimpinan MTA serah keputusan kepada Elyas
Oleh Hasnira Hassan
BARISAN pimpinan Persatuan Taekwondo Malaysia (MTA) yang 'tersingkir', yakin persiapan Sukan Olimpik dua atlit negara - Elaine Teoh dan Che Chew Chan tidak terjejas berikutan masih ada masa untuk menyelesaikan kemelut dalaman persatuan.
Kumpulan mewakili sembilan barisan exco yang disingkirkan dalam mesyuarat 8 Disember lalu dengan diterajui Presidennya, Ho Kam Paw, yakin masalah sedia ada dapat diselesaikan dengan adil oleh Pesuruhjaya Sukan, Tan Sri Elyas Omar serta Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.
“Selama ini, kami hanya mendiamkan diri tetapi apabila terlalu banyak kenyataan ‘pihak sana’ yang disiarkan akhbar, kami memutuskan tampil menjelaskan keadaan sebenar.
“Kami tidak mahu berdebat dalam media dan kami menyerahkan keputusan ini sepenuhnya kepada Elyas untuk diselesaikan,” kata Pengerusinya, Rosli Ismail.
Hadir sama, Ho, Presiden Taekwondo Selangor, C K Karan dan Bendahari MTA, Wajdi Muhammad.
Bekas pimpinan MTA itu mengulangi jaminan yang sama dilontarkan Elyas sebelum ini - masalah yang berlaku adalah kemelut dalaman dan tiada kaitan dengan atlit.
Malah, menurut mereka, Elaine dan Chew Chan tidak bermasalah mewakili negara di Beijing sekalipun masalah yang berlaku masih belum menampakkan jalan penyelesaian.
“Dalam hal ini, atlit tiada kaitan dan mereka bukan persoalannya.
“Mereka boleh pergi (Olimpik) kerana pihak berkuasa kerajaan mengambil berat. Maka, atlit tiada masalah,” kata Ho.
Pimpinan sedia ada MTA yang diterajui Raja Taharudin Raja Nong Chik, melalui Setiausaha Agungnya, T Kumar sebelum ini berpendapat berbeza dengan menyuarakan rasa bimbang andai tragedi Sukan Asia di Doha pada 2006 berulang kembali di Beijing selepas status MTA masih terumbang ambing kini.
Apa lagi, tindakan Raja Taharudin yang berkeras enggan menghadiri mesyuarat jawatankuasa `ad-hoc’ yang ditubuhkan Elyas dalam usaha menyelesaikan kemelut MTA menyebabkan jawatankuasa itu gagal berperanan.
“Kami sedar jawatankuasa ad-hoc gagal tetapi kami yakin Elyas akan menghadirkan penyelesaian. Mungkin, beliau akan memanggil semua pihak dalam MTA untuk duduk semeja sekali lagi bagi mendapatkan kata putus akhir,” kata Rosli.
Bowling: Bowlers strike fear in Indianapolis
Zulmazran displayed a sterling performance in Indianapolis.
THE men's national bowlers, after their impressive outing in the recent PBA Tour-Denny's World Championships in Indianapolis, the United States, are now being looked upon as one of the world's most feared.
"Many professionals thought lowly of them (the men) before the start of the tournament. They were actually astonished when the national bowlers, especially Zulmazran Zulkifli, gave them a tough time in the event," said Holloway yesterday.
"Now the Americans have realised that they are not the only ones who can play the game. They believe Malaysian bowlers will be one of their main rivals for the gold medal in the Men's World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand (on Aug 21-31)."
In the Denny's event, Zulmazran was the only Malaysian bowler to make the last 16. The others -- Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Daniel Lim, Mohd Noer Said and Aaron Kong -- failed to make the second stage although they bowled good scores in the opening stage. Norm Duke of the US won the event.
"I believe that all six have the talent to make an impact in professional tournaments if exposed accordingly," Holloway added.
"I could sense the fear among my bowlers when competing in the Denny's event. Some of them had too much respect for these professionals at the start and could not play up to expectations.
"When they realised that there was only a small gap between them and the Americans, it was too late to catch up for the second stage."
Holloway, however, admitted that the Americans were more technically sound and could adapt to any lane conditions almost immediately.
"The national bowlers will need to work hard to improve their game qualities," Holloway said before adding that the men will resume training on Monday.
Meanwhile, four women bowlers -- Shalin Zulkifli, Sharon Koh, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Zandra Aziela -- will compete in the Japanese professional tour's DHC Cup Women's Bowling International Championships in Tokyo on March 7-9.
In last year's event, Shalin finished runner-up.
Sportcheck: Olympics NSC's main priority
Bryan Nickson Lomas, who is among the national athletes to have qualified for the Olympics, will be the NSC’s focus.
THE National Sports Council's (NSC) 2008 budget has been reduced and this, in turn, has affected its ability to fund national sports associations as much as they would like.
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| Zolkples Embong |
"Yes, there is a reduction in funding but this is mainly because our budget has been reduced this year," said NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong yesterday.
"The Beijing Olympics are also our main priority this year. Not only are we concentrating on those who have qualified but also those who are still trying to qualify.
"For those who have qualified, we have to send them for training and competitions abroad while it is also costing quite a bit for those who are still in with a chance of making the Olympics."
"When the programme was first launched, there was a decision made that it would be evaluated after two years.
"We have reached that stage and we are evaluating which aspects should be done away with and what needs to be fine-tuned.
"And I must also stress that while there is a budget cut, the Core Sports programme has also been divided into several divisions -- coaching, events, high performance among them. Each division has its own allocation.
"The associations must understand that we have to prioritise to ensure that we achieve what all Malaysians want -- a good showing in the Olympics this year."
All England: Coach Kim Hock promises the best
National chief coach Yap Kim Hock.
NATIONAL chief coach Yap Kim Hock was tight-lipped on the national shuttlers' title hopes in the All England Championships in Birmingham which begins on Tuesday, but said Malaysia will be treating the tournament very seriously.
Kim Hock said it would be nice if Kien Keat-Boon Heong could retain the title, but also urged the others to put their best foot forward in the Super Series event.
"I'm not setting targets for the players but this doesn't make the All England any less important. We are very serious about the tournament," said Kim Hock yesterday.
"Of course it will be nice to see Kien Keat-Boon Heong win again but they are not the only ones who have to do well. In fact, I want to see an overall improvement from the other players especially with the Olympics in mind.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong and women's doubles Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui were Malaysia's only representatives in the All England semi-final stage last year but this is expected to improve this year.
World No 2 singles Lee Chong Wei's recent form suggests he can make it to the final even if he comes up against Indonesia's Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in the last eight.
Veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, runners-up in 2004 and 2006, are the other pair vying for a place in the semi-finals.
Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong leave for England today and will be involved in an exhibition match at Milton Keynes on Saturday before proceeding to Birmingham.
The second batch of players, who are involved in the qualifying rounds on Tuesday, will leave on Saturday while the rest leave on Sunday.
Taekwondo: Elaine, Chew Chan safe
Elaine Teoh will be competing in the Olympics
THE World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) will not bar national exponents Elaine Teoh and Che Chew Chan from competing in the Beijing Olympics despite the internal squabbles engulfing the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA).
"This is an internal dispute between office bearers which the athletes have nothing to do with. They have no reason to fear victimisation.
"I give my assurance that as far as the athletes are concerned, they will not be affected as the WTF has no issue with the participation of Malaysian taekwondo exponents in international competitions," Kham Paw said at a press conference at Balai Berita yesterday.
The new MTA office bearers, led by current president Raja Taharuddin Raja Nong Chik, had claimed last week that Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar's failure to resolve the MTA's issues could have negative repercussions on Elaine's and Chew Chan's involvement in the Olympics.
"There is no provision in the MTA constitution to pass a motion of no confidence or to remove the duly elected office bearers an hour after the vote.
"This was pointed out during the EGC yet they went ahead with a General Council (GC) meeting two hours later to appoint new office bearers when there was insufficient quorum to do so," he said, while presenting minutes of the Dec 8 meeting which listed 10 members in attendance when a quorum of 14 was needed.
"There was also defective notice given to the affiliates when calling for the GC meeting, which was two days short of the required 14 days. The notice was dated Nov 24, 2007 but only sent out two days later," Kham Paw claimed.
Kham Paw added that the ad hoc committee mooted by Elyas to resolve the roles of rival taekwondo governing bodies in Malaysia is now on hold due to the internal bickering afflicting MTA.
"The ad hoc committee cannot proceed until this matter is resolved first after the rival group declined to be involved. We now await the ruling of the Sports Commissioner, who now has to decide after hearing the two different points of view, and we believe it will not be long before the matter is settled."
Four Malaysian role models selected for Olympic Torch Relay
KUALA LUMPUR: They are the current icons of their respective sports and were not even born when the Olympic Torch Relay last passed through Malaysia in 1964.
That was when Japan became the first Asian country to host the Olympics and Malaysia had the honour of sharing in the historic occasion.
And now, 44 years later, current top men’s shuttler Lee Chong Wei and Malaysian squash sensation Nicol David have been included in the list of four Malaysians chosen to participate in the Malaysian leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.
The other Malaysian role models selected yesterday to carry the torch when it arrives in Kuala Lumpur on April 21 are former television newscaster Ras Adiba Radzi and Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir, who is the first Asian woman to conquer the North and South Poles.
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Proud day: (From left) Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir, Ras Adiba Radzi and Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Min Yong Ho posing with a replica of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay on Wednesday. |
The event on April 11 will mark only the second time that the Olympic torch will pass through Malaysia, giving Malaysians the chance to witness the most prestigious sporting symbol up close.
The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will have the longest route in its history, involving 21,880 torch-bearers who will cover a total distance of 137,000km in 130 days.
Chong Wei and Nicol were unable to attend yesterday’s function to announce the Malaysian torch-bearers due to their training commitments.
Chong Wei is in the midst of preparing for the Super Series meets in Europe – the All-England and Swiss Open – next month.
Nicol, the Asian Sportswoman of the Year, is training in Amsterdam and will be returning home to seek for a fourth Kuala Lumpur Open title next week.
Ras Adiba considered it an honour to represent the disabled community after being named as one of the four Malaysians to take part in the Malaysian leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.
Ras Adiba, a sports enthusiast, was once one of television’s top anchorwoman but her career suffered a severe jolt when she became a paraplegic in 2002 after a series of ill-fated accidents.
The 43-year-old Ras Adiba, who is now wheelchair-bound, is the president of Perwira K-9, who help accident victims who are disabled to re-enter society.
She is also vying to become the first Malaysian to participate in the shooting competition at the Beijing Paralympics, which will be held after the Olympics.
“I am truly surprised to be named as one of the torchbearers for the Malaysian leg of the relay. It is a notch up for us (the disabled community) and will inspire me to excel in what I do despite the odds I face in life,” said Ras Adiba, who is hoping to earn a wildcard to enable her take part in the Paralympics.
The 43-year-old Sharifah Mazlina was also delighted to be a part of the historic event.
“I have to thank Samsung for selecting me to be part of this exciting event. I hope to be a source of inspiration not only to Asian women but to all women in general,” said Sharifah Mazlina.
Hockey: No joy for Amin KUALA LUMPUR: Defender Mohd Amin Rahim (pic) returned from a playing tour of Australia last week disappointed with his penalty conversion rate. He was specifically recalled to the national hockey team in December to add variation to the team’s penalty corner conversion. And his first assignment was the three-week tour of Australia, where the 28-year-old scored four goals in the 10 matches played Down Under. And that, to him, is simply not good enough. “I took 10 penalty corners and only managed to score four goals, which is not good by my standards. “I need to work more on my accuracy and power if I am to win a place in the Olympic qualifiers in Japan in April (from 5-13),” said Amin, who scored six goals to guide Malaysia to a bronze medal in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Amin was recalled together with former skipper and penalty corner flicker S. Kuhan into the national team after the team’s poor penalty conversion rate in the Champions Trophy at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil in December. Malaysia, who finished last in the eight-nation tournament, only scored one penalty corner. Besides Amin and Kuhan, the other penalty corner flickers in the national team are Baljit Singh Sarjab and Mohd Soffian Mohd. Amin, who has scored 40 goals in 109 international matches, hopes to improve his conversion rate in the six friendly matches against the South Korean national team, which will start today in Bukit Jalil. “I am also not too happy with my fitness level and I need to train harder to be in top shape for the Olympic qualifiers. “I definitely want to earn a place in the qualifiers to help Malaysia make the cut for the Beijing Olympics,” said Amin, whose wife gave birth to their first child recently. The other teams in the qualifiers are two-time world champions Germany, Japan, Poland, Switzerland and Italy. Only the winners of the qualifiers will win a place in the Olympics. Badminton: Chong Wei focusing on Super Series meets PETALING JAYA: Top Malaysian singles player Lee Chong Wei has a good reason for skipping the limelight yesterday despite being named as the four Malaysians chosen to carry the Olympic Torch Relay when it passes through Malaysia on April 21. The others named were Nicol David (squash), Ras Adiba Radzi (former newscaster) and Datin Paduka Sharifah Maszlina Syed Abdul Kadir (the first woman to conquer the North and South Poles). Chong Wei would rather focus on his preparations for next month’s Super Series meets in Europe, where he intends to collect ranking points to at least maintain his status as the world No. 2. Chong Wei has been seeded second for both the All-England, starting next week, and also Swiss Open, which will be held from March 11-16. “I would have love to attend the function but I felt it was more important for me to be together with my team-mates in a team-building camp in Ipoh. “The camp was a chance for me to brush up a bit on training after returning from the Thomas Cup qualifiers in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday,” said Chong Wei, who also expressed his delight at being given the honour of carrying the torch for the first time. “I’m very happy to be part of this as it is adds to my experience of representing Malaysia in the Olympics.” Chong Wei and the top doubles top pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will be Malaysia’s best hopes of a first-ever Olympic gold medallist in Beijing in August. But first Chong Wei, who is leaving for England today, is hoping to live up to his billing as the number two seed in the All-England. The Penang-born shuttler’s best outing in the All-England was when he reached the semi-finals in 2004 and 2005. Chong Wei bowed out in the quarter-finals last year after going down to Chen Yu of China. Chong Wei plays KLRC shuttler and compatriot Sairul Amar Ayub in the first round and, if he wins, should face England’s Andrew Smith next. But the world No. 2 has tricky hurdles to clear after that as he is slated to meet Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat in the quarter-finals. Taufik, the current Olympic champion, has never won the All-England title and that is why Chong Wei is wary of being over-confident although he is the favourite based on current form. “I’m taking a cautious approach and I want to take each match as it comes. “I hope to achieve my best results here but it won’t be plain sailing, given the opponents expected to line up against me,” added Chong Wei, who also can expect to face either fourth seed Chen Jin of China or Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in the last four. Also leaving early for England today is Kien Keat-Boon Heong and the singles and doubles coaches – Misbun Sidek and Rexy Mainaky – respectively.
Selesaikan segera – MSN -- Isu Persatuan Taekwondo Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR – Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) mengingatkan bahawa isu melibatkan Persatuan Taekwondo Malaysia (MTA) perlu diselesaikan segera agar dua atletnya, Elaine Teoh dan Che Chew Chan ‘rasa terjamin’ untuk ke Beijing, Ogos ini.
Ketua Pengarah MSN, Datuk Zolkples Embong menegaskan, kedua-duanya telah berusaha bersungguh-sungguh untuk layak ke Beijing tetapi sekarang ‘terganggu’ gara-gara isu berkenaan.
‘‘Kemelut MTA tidak sepatutnya berlaku lagi kerana saya sendiri telah berusaha menyelesaikan masalah MTA yang dibatalkan penyertaan di pertandingan antarabangsa akibat digantung pendaftaran.
‘‘Selepas menang pingat di Sukan SEA dan layak ke Olimpik, mengapa pula tiba-tiba timbul isu MTA ini?
‘‘Cuma satu yang saya ingatkan, jangan sampai isu ini menyebabkan Elaine dan Chew Chan tidak dibenarkan beraksi di Olimpik,’’ katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia, sejurus tiba dari Beijing, semalam.
Lebih membimbangkan, kata Zolkples, kemelut itu dikhuatiri menyebabkan Persekutuan Taekwondo Dunia (WTF) sekali lagi menggantung MTA.
‘‘Saya ada bertemu dengan beberapa pegawai WTF di Beijing, kelmarin dan mereka mula memberi maklum balas dengan menyatakan kebimbangan terhadap isu MTA ini.
‘‘Kita bimbang WTF akan menggantung keanggotaan MTA. MTA pernah digantung sejak sekian lama dan kita tidak mahu ia berulang.
‘‘Dalam hal ini (penyelesaian), hanya MTA yang boleh memberi penjelasan kepada WTF tentang apa sebenarnya yang berlaku.
‘‘Dan dalam hal ini juga saya melihat jalan penyelesaiannya hanya ada di tangan Pesuruhjaya Sukan.
‘‘Lagipun saya dimaklumkan mereka (Pesuruhjaya Sukan) sudah mempunyai formula untuk menyelesaikan masalah ini,’’ katanya.
Zolkples memberitahu, dalam pertemuannya dengan Elaine dan Chew Chan (kini berada di Beijing) untuk menguji gelanggang pertandingan, kedua-duanya masih bimbang dengan penyertaan mereka pada Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Ogos ini.
‘‘Mereka ada memberitahu tidak dapat fokus dalam latihan kerana bimbang jika penyertaan mereka ke Sukan Olimpik itu tidak dibenarkan di saat akhir.
‘‘Jadi kemelut ini perlu segera diselesaikan dengan apa cara sekali pun demi memastikan atlet kita beraksi di Olimpik,’’ katanya.
Badang Malaysia baiki angkatan
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| Muhammad Hidayat Hamidon. |
KUALA LUMPUR – Berbekalkan semangat ketika memenangi emas acara angkat berat pada Sukan Komanwel 1998, Muhammad Hidayat Hamidon berazam mengulanginya dengan keyakinan tinggi untuk layak ke Olimpik Beijing, Ogos ini.
‘Badang Malaysia’ itu berpeluang layak ke Olimpik jika mampu melakukan angkatan terbaik pada Kejohanan Asia di Kanagawa Jepun, April ini.
Menurut atlet berusia 33 tahun itu, Kejohanan Asia merupakan pentas terakhir untuk dia mencari tempat ke Olimpik Beijing 2008.
Untuk itu, katanya, latihan pada tahap sekarang lebih tertumpu memperbaiki teknik angkatan.
Muhammad Hidayat akan menyertai kategori berat badan 69 kilogram.
‘‘Angkatan jerk saya agak lemah sehingga saya gagal menyumbang pingat pada Sukan SEA di Korat, Disember lalu.
‘‘Kelemahan itu sedang saya perbaiki dan saya berpeluang cerah layak ke Olimpik jika mencatat jumlah angkatan yang baik di Jepun,’’ katanya ketika ditemui Utusan Malaysia di sini, semalam.
Pemenang pingat emas Sukan SEA 1997 di Jakarta itu mengakhiri cabaran dalam kategori 69kg di tempat terakhir daripada empat peserta pada Sukan SEA Korat, baru-baru ini.
Selepas berjaya mengangkat bebanan 125kg untuk snatch, dia gagal dalam ketiga-tiga percubaan pertamanya untuk clean & jerk pada bebanan 160kg.
Menurut Muhammad Hidayat, seorang lagi atlet angkat berat negara, Naharudin Mahayudin menerusi kategori 62 kilogram akan menyertai kejohanan di Jepun.
Katanya, saingan Malaysia pada kejohanan tersebut adalah dari Thailand, Filipina dan Indonesia.
‘‘Saingan saya di Jepun nanti bukanlah asing dan saya tahu sejauh mana kemampuan mereka.
‘‘Saya tidak mahu memikirkan soal saingan sebaliknya giat berusaha memperbaiki kelemahan dalam angkatan jerk kerana ia merupakan antara sebab saya gagal di Korat tempoh hari walaupun cemerlang untuk angkatan snatch,’’ katanya.
Nicol ketuai larian obor Olimpik
KUALA LUMPUR – Ratu skuasy dunia, Nicol David dan pemain badminton nombor dua dunia, Lee Chong Wei merupakan antara dua atlet negara yang dipilih sebagai peserta Larian Obor Sukan Olimpik Beijing 2008 Pusingan Malaysia di ibu kota pada 21 April ini.
Dalam larian terpanjang dalam sejarah acara ini, mereka akan disertai oleh wanita pertama Asia yang berjaya menakluki Kutub Utara dan Selatan, Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir dan bekas personaliti TV, Ras Adiba Radzi.
Mereka dipilih oleh pengeluar barangan elektrik yang juga penaja Olimpik 2008, Samsung kerana menjadi sumber inspirasi rakyat Malaysia atas sumbangan besar dan kesungguhan dalam karier masing-masing.
Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Samsung Malaysia Electronics, Min Yong Ho berkata: ‘‘Masing-masing mempunyai kisah luar biasa yang penuh inspirasi untuk disampaikan kepada umum malah mencerminkan nilai dan matlamat Sukan Olimpik.’’
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