All Eyes On Koo-Tan
By Dan Guen Chin
JOHOR BAHARU, May 28 (Bernama)-- Koo Kim Keat and Tan Boon Heong carry the hopes of the nation at the Beijing Olympics in three months time but until then there are other obstacles to clear.
Like the US$200,000 (RM650,000) Aviva Singapore Open starting at the city-state's Indoor Stadium on June 10 where the Malaysian pair are the No 3 seeds.
There is no denying that Malaysian Badminton Association (BAM) coaching staff are looking at them to provide a heartwarming performance before the big one in Beijing.
And the luck of the draw, which was conducted at the Badminton World Federation office in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening, has given them the opening to do so.
The duo will play Singapore's Mohd Azlan Latib and Terry Yeo in the opening round and a possible showdown against China's Guo Zhangdong and Xie Xongbo the No 6 seeds in the quarter-finals.
And all eyes will be on the Koo and Tan combination as they look forward to their revival of fortunes in their bid to recapture the form which has seen them win the gold in the Doha Asian Games and the All-England in 2006.
The Malaysian pair have come under fire lately for their indifferent form but Singapore, as Koo acknowledges, has been a happy hunting ground.
"I have always felt comfortable playing in Singapore. I just don't know why but at the same time I am not putting myself and my partner under any pressure to win the Aviva Singapore Open.
"For me and my partner, we just want to have a couple more competitions before we head to Beijing," said Koo.
But even as the Olympics looms large, the defending men's singles champion Boonsak Ponsana is hoping to make it twice in a row.
The Thai ace is down to play Singapore's Ronald Susilo in the opening round and in the absence of the big three from China- Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin - the field has been left quite open.
Which is probably good news for Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei who is the No 1 seed in the tournament.
Chong Wei is down to play Japan's Sho Sazaki in the opening round and could come up against team mate Wong Choon Hann in the second before taking on Denmark's Joachim Pearsson in the quarter-finals.
And if the 26-year old Chong Wei, losing finalist in the 2004 series, survives, a meeting against 2006 champion Peter Gade of Denmark, seeded No 4, looks possible.
"But the draw doesn't mean anything. I know I will have a tough time in Singapore because there are no easy opponents in the Super series these days," said Chong Wei.
Jonassen the 2004 winner, opens his campaign against England's Andrew Smith and there is a possible showdown with Boonsak in the quarter-finals.
The men's doubles, even without the Koreans and the top Chinese pair of Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, still pack enough big names to provide the fans value for money.
The Danish have former All-England champions Jens Eriksen and Martin Lungaard and the No 4 seeds Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen; Malaysia of course have Tan and Koo and the old hands, Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah plus the rising pair of Mohd Zakry Latiff and Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari.
But the two pairs face an early exit as they are down to play each other in the opening round.
Indonesia have got their world champion Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan and also Luluk Hadiyanto and Alvin Yulianto, the No 5 seed in the fray.
Malaysia's No 1 women shuttler Wong Mew Choo is seeded at No 4 and is being looked as a potential winner in the absence of the big two from China, Xie Xinfang and Zhang Ning.
The No 1 seed is France's Pi Hongyan, the 2006 champion, and at No 2 is Tine Rasmussen, the 2006 All-England champion.
-- BERNAMA
NSC Confident Terengganu Can Rise To Occasion
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 28 (Bernama) -- Time is indeed running short but everything will definitely be in order by the time the 12th edition of Sukma (Malaysia Games) kicks off officially on Saturday, says National Sports Councils director of event management Abdul Jalil Abdullah.
While admitting that there are some teething problems, Jalil who was satisfied with Terengganu's preparations for the biennial games from May 31 to June 9 said when hosting an event of such magnitude, there will surely be some issues of such nature.
"An event of this magnitude requires the cooperation and understanding of all parties to help the host.
"It is not easy to manage 15,000 people... made up of 6,000 athletes, 4,000 officials and 5,000 volunteers. An event of this nature with 31 sports to be contested is the biggest sporting carnival in the country," said Jalil while watching the opening football matches at the Gong Badak Sports Complex here Wednesday. "They say the first cut is the deepest and it is heartening to see football get underway. This is a good sign."
Jalil said the expectations are high, both on the NSC side and also from the participating contingents, but he was confident the host can rise to the occasion.
He said only some finishing touches needed to be done at the main stadium and the swimming venue.
“I expect everything to be in order by the time these venues are utilised for their respective events. I urge all the teams and technical officials to be patient and be more helpful.
“As first-time host, Terengganu have done a wonderful job and hopefully they will pass the test. The Terengganu government has given their best. Previous hosts had also faced similar problems, especially the aspect of venues not being completed on time.
“But when the Games began everything was in order,” said Jalil, adding that "the Games will not be disrupted just because of some teething problems here and there.”
As a parting shot, Jalil called on all parties to “give their full cooperation and support” to the organisers and the 23 sub-committees involved in the Games.
-- BERNAMA
First-Timer Low Wee Wern Expects Tough Fight For Squash Gold
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 28 (Bernama) -- National number four women's squash player Low Wern Wee is expecting a tough fight for the gold medal in the individual event of the sport at the 12th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Terengganu, despite being seeded second.
The 17-year-old Low Wee Wern, who is representing Penang in her first-ever Sukma appearance, is currently ranked 61st in the world after turning professional in 2006.
"It will be tough as my other national team-mates are also taking part," she told Bernama Wednesday.
The other national players are first seeded Delia Arnold of the Federal Terrority, Terengganu's Siti Munirah Jusoh and Perak's Lim Yoke Wai (WISPA 46th), who are seeded third and fourth respectively.
On paper, Low Wee Wern and Delia Arnold are expected to meet in the final at at this biennial Games.
Squash is one of 19 compulsory sports in the Games and is divided into individual and team events. Squash will be held the newly-completed Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium at the Gong Badak State Sports Complex near here from June 1 to 6.
-- BERNAMA
Cai Lin Eyeing Golden Outing In Terengganu
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 28 (Bernama) -- Beijing-bound Khoo Cai Lin is hoping for a golden outing in the 12th edition of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Terengganu after foregoing the first leg of the Mare Nostrum Grand Prix Series in Monaco that will be held on June 7 and 8.
The Selangor swimming sensation was called up to do state duty and will see action at the newly-completed Batu Burok Aquatics Complex. The swimming events are scheduled to begin on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Bukit Jalil-based swimmer said she would compete in the 400m and 800m freestyle as well as two relay events.
"I hope to improve my times to win the events," she said, adding that she would be going to Europe to enter the second and third legs of the European Series, which will be held in Barcelona (June 10-11) and Canet, France (June 14-15).
The double national record holder -- 200m and 800m freestyle -- is expected to compete in two of the three relays - 4x100m freestyle, 4x200 freestyle and 4x100m Individual medley.
Besides Cai Lin, this year's Sukma will also see three other Beijing-bound swimmers competing - Sarawak's Daniel Bego (200m Freestyle, 100m and 200m Butterfly), Negri Sembilan's Lew Yih Wei (400m Individual Medley) and Sabah's Leung Chii Lin (50m Freestyle).
Yih Wei, 17, was one of the success stories of the 2006 Sukma. She made a clean sweep of all the gold medals in the middle and long distance races (200m backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly; the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyles; and 200m and 400m individual medley).
She also set Sukma records in seven of the nine events she won, including a national record for the 200m backstroke.
With 38 gold medals up for grabs in swimming, the Olympic-bound swimmers' presence will be a boost to the swimmers of the other teams in the Sukma.
The Games this time will have a change in format in deciding the overall champions. Instead of total points collected, the gold medal count will decide the champions.
-- BERNAMA
Iran To Host 2nd Edition Of Islamic Solidarity Games
By Zulhilmi Supaat
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- Following the success of the inaugural Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia in 2005, the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) will hold its second edition in Iran from Oct 15 to 29 next year.
National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said the decision to hold it in Iran was taken at the ISSF's meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
The Games will be held in three venues - Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad - and will involve 20 stadiums and halls for the 20 sporting events that will be competed, he told Bernama here today.
Among them are athletics, aquatics, water polo, volleyball, netball, weightlifting, table-tennis, shooting, taekwondo, karate, wrestling, judo as well as four events for disabled athletes, namely five-a-side football, table- tennis, shooting and wheelchair volleyball.
Zolkples said the ISSF meeting also decided that the third edition of the Games would be held in Indonesia in 2013 as only the country made a bid to host the quadriennial games that year.
He said Indonesia planned to host it in Pekan Baru, Sumatera.
The first edition held for 15 days in April 2005 in the cities of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif succeeded in drawing some 7,000 athletes from 57 countries including Malaysia.
Non-Muslim citizens in the member countries are also allowed to take part in the Games.
Malaysia sent a 128-strong contingent for the inaugural Games and succeeded in capturing five gold, five silver and six bronze from 16 events competed. Malaysia also finished seventh overall.
Saudi Arabia emerged champions after hauling 23 gold, 17 silver and 19 bronze leaving in their wake Egypt who took second place with 14 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze while Kazakhstan finished third (13-8-6).
The idea to have the Games was mooted at the Oganisation of Islamic Conference summit meeting in Putrajaya in 2003.
-- BERNAMA
Iran tuan rumah Sukan Negara Islam kedua
SELEPAS berjaya menganjurkan Sukan Perpaduan Islam yang pertama di Arab Saudi pada 2005, Persekutuan Sukan Perpaduan Islam (ISSF) akan menganjurkan edisi kedua di Iran, dari 15 hingga 29 Oktober, tahun depan.
Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolkples Embong berkata keputusan itu dibuat semasa mesyuarat ISSF yang berlangsung di Riyadh, Arab Saudi awal bulan ini.
Iran akan menganjurkan temasya itu di tiga gelanggang iaitu di Tehran, Isfahan dan Mashhad membabitkan 20 stadium dan dewan bagi 20 acara yang dipertandingkan.
Antara acara berkenaan ialah olahraga, akuatik, polo air, bola tampar, bola jaring, angkat berat, ping-pong, menembak, taekwondo, karate, gusti, judo serta lima acara bagi atlit kurang upaya iaitu bola sepak lima-sebelah, ping-pong, menembak dan bola tampar berkerusi roda.
Zolkples berkata mesyuarat ISSF itu juga memutuskan edisi ketiga Sukan Perpaduan Islam diadakan di Indonesia pada 2013 memandangkan hanya negara berkenaan yang membida bagi temasya empat tahun sekali itu.
Indonesia, katanya, difahamkan berminat menganjurkan temasya itu di Pekan Baru, Sumatera.
Temasya sulung di Arab Saudi yang berlangsung selama 15 hari, pada April 2005 diadakan di empat bandar utamanya iaitu Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah dan Taif. Ia mengumpulkan kira-kira 7,000 atlit dari 57 negara termasuk Malaysia.
Semua negara itu adalah negara Islam yang menganggotai ISSF tetapi atlit dari negara berkenaan yang bukan beragama Islam dibenarkan menyertai temasya itu.
Malaysia menghantar 128 atlit dan pegawai untuk bertanding dalam lapan daripada 16 acara dan mereka pulang dengan lima emas, lima perak dan enam gangsa untuk menduduki tempat ketujuh.
Arab Saudi muncul juara selepas mengumpul 23 emas, 17 perak dan 19 gangsa, meninggalkan Mesir di tempat kedua yang mengumpul 14 emas, 15 perak dan 13 gangsa. Kazakhstan di tempat ketiga dengan 13 emas, lapan perak dan enam gangsa.
Idea penganjuran sukan ini tercetus semasa Sidang Kemuncak Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) di Putrajaya pada 2003 yang dipersetujui semua negara anggota dan dijadikan temasya empat tahun sekali. - Bernama
Gunalan pilih letak jawatan
Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa
Kemelut dalaman BWF berakhir tanpa tunggu pengesahan CAS atas undi tak percaya
KEMELUT dalaman Persekutuan Badminton Dunia (BWF) akhirnya sah dinoktahkan apabila timbalan presiden badan induk itu, Datuk Punch Gunalan, secara rasmi menyerahkan surat peletakan jawatannya, semalam.
Tindakan itu adalah susulan undi tidak percaya dan tindakan pemecatan terhadapnya yang diluluskan Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan (AGM) BWF bersempena pusingan akhir Kejohanan Piala Thomas dan Piala Uber di Jakarta, 17 Mei lalu
Pengesahan peletakan jawatan itu diberikan BWF dalam kenyataan akhbar yang disiarkan di laman web rasmi badan induk berkenaan, petang semalam.
"BWF hari ini mengumumkan peletakan jawatan timbalan presiden dan ahli majlis, Datuk Punch Gunalan, selepas undi tidak percaya oleh anggota persekutuan ketika AGM pada 17 Mei 2008 di Jakarta.
"Peletakan jawatan itu, berkuatkuasa serta merta, membuka laluan untuk suasana lebih tenang dalam pentadbiran sukan badminton pada waktu kritikal menjelang temasya Sukan Olimpik 2008 di Beijing.
"Presiden BWF, Dr Kang Young-joong menyifatkan tindakan timbalan presiden itu sebagai 'keputusan tepat demi menghormati sukan badminton selain menghormati kehendak keanggotaan dalam BWF," kata kenyataan itu.
Undi tidak percaya itu belum disahkan ekoran daripada perintah sementara yang diberikan Mahkamah Timbangtara Sukan (CAS) untuk memasukkan usul undi tidak percaya itu sehari sebelum AGM berlangsung.
Kes berkenaan dirujuk kepada CAS selepas Majlis BWF sebelumnya enggan memasukkan usul undi tidak percaya untuk AGM itu. Dengan tindakan pengunduran Gunalan, BWF diramal bakal menarik kembali kes daripada CAS nanti.
Gunalan sendiri tampak enggan memanjangkan lagi episod pertelingkahan yang bermula ekoran penggantungan Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Ganga Rao daripada jawatan Ketua Pegawai Operasi BWF.
"Ketika keputusan kes masih di pihak CAS, Gunalan mengakui dan menghormati keputusan ahli-ahli gabungan dan memutuskan untuk meletak jawatan sebelum keputusan akhir diputuskan CAS," menurut kenyataan itu.
Usaha mendapatkan penjelasan lanjut daripada Gunalan bagaimanapun tidak berhasil.
Koo-Tan belum tentu ke Terbuka Singapura
DALAM langkah terbaru untuk menunjukkan rasa 'sayangnya', Rexy Mainaky semalam mendedahkan betapa kombinasi Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong mungkin digugurkan daripada Terbuka Singapura, bermula 10 Jun nanti.
Alasannya mudah - kedua-dua pemain itu masih belum mampu mempamerkan prestasi konsisten sepanjang latihan di sebalik segala usaha yang diarahkan buat mereka.
"Semalam mereka mempamer prestasi baik. Hari ini, biasa-biasa sahaja. Kerana itu saya belum putuskan sama ada mahu menghantar mereka ke Terbuka Singapura ataupun tidak," katanya ketika ditemui selepas sesi latihan, pagi semalam.
Kata putus untuk kejohanan bakal disaingi mereka selaku pilihan ketiga akan hanya ditentukan Rexy hujung minggu ini.
"Jika mereka mempamer peningkatan dan prestasinya lebih bagus, mereka akan dihantar. Kita tahu ketika ini mereka dalam keadaan kombinasi yang kurang baik. Terutamanya Tan yang masih belum menemui sentuhannya. Mereka juga nampak belum selesa," katanya.
Andainya diketepikan, Kien Keat-Boon Heong bakal jadi satu-satunya beregu utama diketepikan ketika Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah dan Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif sudah sah beraksi.
Sementara itu, Rexy mengakui betapa di sebalik rasa tekanan yang turut dirasainya buat persiapan ke Sukan Olimpik, dia tetap berjaya menjumpai faktor yang mampu menggembirakannya.
"Situasi tidak tentu di antara tiga beregu, mengenai siapa dua beregu akan dipilih ke Sukan Olimpik nanti, adalah keadaan yang sebenarnya saya terima dengan baik.
"Ianya memaksa ketiga-tiga pasangan itu untuk sentiasa bekerja keras sepanjang latihan dan mengekalkan fokus mereka sepanjang masa. Kerana mereka tahu, jika tidak berbuat demikian, mereka mungkin terlepas peluang ke Olimpik.
"Alangkah bagusnya jika tempoh untuk pemilihan akhir itu berlanjutan hingga selepas Terbuka Indonesia, bulan depan. Ia bermakna mereka akan sentiasa berusaha bersungguh-sungguh," selorohnya.
Tarikh akhir untuk menentukan dua beregu bakal memikul cabaran negara ke temasya Olimpik nanti ialah pada Sabtu ini. BAM dijangka mengumumkan pilihan mereka selepas mesyuarat dengan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), esok.
Badminton: Gunalan relinquishes all ties with BWF
THE Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced yesterday the resignation of its deputy president and council member Datuk Punch Gunalan (pic) after a "provisional" vote of no confidence by the membership at its annual general meeting (AGM) on May 17 in Jakarta.
The timing of the AGM and subsequent outcomes are important given the Olympic Games in August and the timing of the resignation was not lost on BWF president, Dr Kang Young Joong, who described the move by Punch as a "well placed decision that respects the sport that we all love and which respects the wishes of the membership of the BWF".
The provisional nature of the vote at the AGM related to a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling the day before the AGM in Jakarta.
Whilst the results of the CAS case are still pending, Punch acknowledged the will of the membership and resigned before waiting for the final rule of CAS.
As the sport looks towards Beijing 2008, the BWF Council and management are focused on showcasing the sport to the world, and presenting badminton as a dynamic, powerful and hard-hitting sport at the very top level and a sport which is enjoyed by an estimated 200 million players worldwide.
Badminton: Wan Wah fit to compete
Lee Wan Wah who injured his right shoulder is now relieved that his injury is not as been declared as not serious by the doctors have certified that his injury is not serious.
LEE Wan Wah declared himself fully fit and focused on making his third Olympic appearance with partner Choong Tan Fook at the Beijing Games.
"Doctors have certified that my shoulder injury is not serious. It's just an inflammation of the nerve," said the 33-year-old Wan Wah at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Wan Wah injured his shoulder in training a day before the semi-final encounter against China in the recent Thomas Cup in Jakarta.
According to the player, the injury was not serious even then but since he felt a little discomfort, the coaches decided to rest him.
"Now that I have passed the tests, I leave it to BAM to make a right decision," said Wan Wah, who added that the BAM has always been fair to him and Tan Fook.
"They (BAM) said earlier, that selection will be based on ranking and performance, and we have been doing better than the other two pairs of late.
"I believe they will be fair. There won't be any hidden agenda when they make the decision on Friday (tomorrow)."
The other two pairs in the running for Olympic berths are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari.
Wan Wah-Tan Fook's best result this year was reaching the semi-finals of the All-England and Swiss Open in March.
However, they failed to make an impact at the Asian Badminton Championship a month later.
For the record, Tan Fook-Wan Wah made their Olympic debut in the 2000 Sydney Games where they finished fourth, but four years later in Athens, they were ousted in the quarter-finals.
The pair's next major assignment will be the Singapore Open on June 10-15.
Meanwhile, national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said Wan Wah needs to shape up quickly as he found him to be slightly overweight.
"He needs to push harder on court. I will be evaluating their performance in the Singapore Open," said Rexy.
Bowling: Esther to follow in Shalin's footsteps
ESTHER Cheah (pic) will soon follow in the footsteps of teammate Shalin Zulkifli and turn professional in the United States.
"We (MTBC) have given her the green light to compete on the professional tour," said Ban Cheng yesterday.
Esther's decision to turn pro comes in the light of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) refusal to allow her to compete in college tournaments in the US.
She has not been competing actively in the US since starting her degree course in psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August last year.
The 22-year-old, a triple gold medallist in last year's Korat Sea Games, is currently on a three-month semester break, and is preparing for the Asian Championships in Hong Kong (June 2-12) and also the World Youth event.
Meanwhile at the Singapore Open, Zulmazran Zulkifli sizzled with a four-game total of 967 pins to occupy second spot in overseas pool of the Men's qualifiers.
Together with Adrian Ang (954), Alex Liew (943), Daniel Lim (940), Mohd Noer Said (919) and Mohd Nur Aiman (888), Zulmazran has virtually qualified for the Masters event on Saturday.
In the women's section, Zandra Aziela continues to lead on 902 followed by teammate Sharon Koh (896) and Choy Poh Lai (852).
The others who have virtually made the cut for the Masters round are World Ranking Masters champion Wendy Chai (843) and Esther (806).
Hockey: Sanjilatheeban forced to quit MHF
TREASURER S. Sanjilatheeban quit the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) yesterday citing a lack of support from his employers, Royal Malaysian Customs, for his official duties with hockey's controlling body.
Sanjilatheeban has been the MHF treasurer since 2004 and is in his second term.
"He has rendered excellent services to MHF and hockey in Malaysia," said Hashim.
"MHF will write to the director general of Customs and also to the Public Service Department to appeal. It is very sad to see a government department not supporting a Malaysian government programme like the Malaysia Games."
"The MHF may seek the help of the Sports Minister to look into this."
MHF vice president, Datuk Dr S.S. Cheema also expressed shock over Sanjilatheeban's resignation.
"Government departments should be supportive of sports and encourage their staff to take part. In fact, the Customs Department should be proud to have its officer in the MHF," said Cheema.
"We need a good administrator like Sanjilatheeban, so we will talk to the relevant government authority to sort out this matter soon."
Koh gets it right in final
PETALING JAYA: Koh Dengshan made it two consecutive Malaysian Open amateur golf championship victories on the trot for Singapore by outlasting Filipino Dante Becierra in the final showdown of the match play competition at Kelab Golf Negara Subang yesterday.
Singaporean Goh Kun Yang had prevailed in the final round at Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai in Sabah last year in what was the last edition played in only the stroke play format.
Illustrious win: Singapore’s Koh Dengshan kissing the trophy after his match play victory in the Malaysian Open amateur title yesterday. After a pedestrian display in the stroke play competition where he only tied for 13th place – six strokes behind the winner, Muhammad Arie Irawan of Malaysia, Dengshan made full use of the match play lifeline.
“It was awesome today. I led all the way against such a tough opponent and I’m happy to win,” said Dengshan, who dedicated his victory to his parents.
“In the afternoon session, I putted brilliantly and stayed calm and patient even when Becierra tried to make a comeback.”
The 20-year-old Dengshan was hardly troubled in the final round and raced to a 3-up lead at the conclusion of the morning session. He maintained his form in the afternoon to keep Becierra at bay.
Armed with a hot putter, the Singaporean took the first three holes of the afternoon session to double his advantage to 6-up. Becierra staged a fightback late in the afternoon, making three straight birdies from the 13th to the 15th holes to go two-down.
It was, however, too little too late as both players squared the 17th hole, leaving Dengshan with a 2 and 1 triumph.
“My putting was very poor today. I missed six putts from inside four feet,” said a disappointed Becierra.
“I tried to fight on but in the end it was too much. This tournament is not meant for me, may be next year, I’ll win it.”
In the consolation match for third place, Malaysia's Alex Tiong overcame Australian Paul Mews 1-up.
The 20-year-old from Sibu, Sarawak came up with his best all-around game, taking control on the front nine and letting Mews do the chasing on the back nine.
“I’m happy with third place. It was a surprise, really, as I only expected to go as far as quarter-finals,” said Alex.
Third-place playoff: Alex Tiong (Mas) bt Paul Mews (Aus) 1-up.
Final: Koh Dengshan (Sin) bt Dante Becierra (Phi) 2 and 1.
Punch calls it quits from BWF
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Punch Gunalan resigned as the deputy president and council member of Badminton World Federation (BWF) with immediate effect yesterday.
He had tendered his resignation as the BWF chief operating officer after a “provisional” vote of no confidence by the members of the world governing body during their annual general meeting (AGM) in Jakarta on May 17.
The provisional nature of the vote at the AGM related to a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling the previous day.
While the results of the CAS case are still pending, Gunalan acknowledged in a statement the will of the membership and hence decided to resign before the final outcome.
He also thanked the council for their support in what has been a long distinguished and at times controversial career.
However, he still remains as the vice-president of Badminton Association of Malaysia and the president of Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association.
Controversy has surrounded the top leadership of the BWF for a year now, beginning with Gangga Rao's dismissal and continuing with the announcement by president Kang Young-joong last August that the deputy had usurped the president's role.
Leave woe forces MHF treasurer to quit
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) treasurer S. Sanjilatheeban has quit the post with immediate effect because he no longer gets unrecorded leave from the Royal Malaysian Customs in Penang.
The MHF secretary, Hashim Mohamed Yusoff, said that they would write to the director general of Customs and also Public Service Department to make an appeal on the matter.
“The MHF will also seek the help of the Sports Minister to look into Sanjilatheeban's leave problem,” he said.
Hashim added that for the recent Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, Sanjilatheeban, who held the post since 2004, had to take his own leave to be in Ipoh.
Rexy having second thoughts about Koo-Tan taking part in Open
KUALA LUMPUR: The draw for the Singapore Open from June 10-15 has been made but a question mark remains on the participation of doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
The road to winning the title is smoother for the duo in absence of China's world number two Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun and All-England champions Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung of South Korea. But national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky (pic) is having second thoughts on having them in the fray.
He is not pleased with what he has seen from the pair since they resumed training last week.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong are now ranked fifth in the world behind Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah but Rexy still feels that they are the better bets to get among the medallists at the Beijing Olympics in August and has promised to give his best to guide them towards the goal.
“I feel that their combination is not ready to get back into competition again. Tan is still not comfortable with his game after returning from the Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta,” he said yesterday.
“There is no reason to send them to play if they are not good yet. I will wait until this weekend and see how they fare first in training.”
He added that as of now, only Tan Fook-Wan Wah and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif were confirmed for participation in the Singapore Open.
Withdrawal of an entry is liable to a fine but the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will back a decision by Rexy to leave out any of the doubles pair.
The president, Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, who chaired the coaching and training committee meeting last Saturday, said that they would leave it to the coaches to decide on limiting the participation of the shuttlers ahead of the Olympics.
Besides the Singapore Open, the other main tournaments before the Beijing Games are the Indonesian Open (June 17-22) and Thailand Open (June 24-29).
Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been seeded third in the Singapore Open and they are tipped to play against the Chinese second ranked pair of Guo Zhendong-Xie Xhongbo in the quarter-finals. Also in the same half of the draw are Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and Alvent Yulianto-Luluk Hadiyanto, who are the first and fifth seeds respectively.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah have an opening round match against Fairuzizuan-Zakry and the winners will have Danish veterans Jens Eriksen-Martin Lindgaard Hansen as their probable opponents in the second round.
Malaysian Open champion Lee Chong Wei has a good chance to win his second Super Series title for the year. None of the top Chinese or South Koreans will feature in Singapore.
Chong Wei is the top seed and will play against Japan's Sho Sasaki in the first round. He has in his half of the draw team-mate Wong Choong Hann, Poland's Wacha Przemyslaw, Denmark's Joachim Persson and Peter Gade-Christensen and China's Chen Yu.
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