Yao Ming's Bed, Olympic Items Go Under Hammer
BEIJING, June 26 (Bernama) -- Basketball star Yao Ming's extra size bed, electronic equipment and furniture for the Beijing Olympic Games are already up for grabs even before they have been used.
About 200 million items from the Olympics and ensuing Paralympics Games would be auctioned, and online bidding started yesterday, the China Daily said.
The auction, by China Beijing Equity Exchange (CBEX), is expected to fetch one billion yuan (RM1 = 2.10 yuan) which will go to the Games organisers.
"Obviously, the bidding will be hot. People will be looking for memorabilia," CBEX president Xiong Yan was quoted as saying.
"This is not the first time Olympic organisers are auctioning memorabilia. But as far as I know, this will be the biggest," he said.
About 200 types of furniture, including closets and coffee tables in the Olympic Village, have been listed online and more items including electronic and sports equipment would be added.
China Daily said even some pieces of land used for the Games could be auctioned but boats for the sailing events in Qingdao would be returned to the manufacturers or rented out.
-- BERNAMA
Amirul Jalani Latihan Persiapan Olimpik Di China
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Jun (Bernama) -- Atlet angkat berat negara Amirul Hamizam Ibrahim, kini menjalani latihan intensif di Pulau Hainan, China sebagai persiapan terakhir sebelum menggalas cabaran negara pada Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Ogos ini.
Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan Angkat Berat Malaysia (PABM) Lt Komander Suhaimi Khamis berkata Pulau Hainan adalah lokasi yang sesuai kerana ramai atlet angkat berat terkemuka dunia termasuk skuad angkat berat Olimpik Thailand, Taiwan dan China turut menjalani latihan akhir di sana.
"Saya percaya dengan latihan ini, Amirul mampu memperbaiki rekod angkatannya sebelum ini.
"Berdasarkan rekod kedudukan semasa, Amirul kini berada di tangga ke-12 terbaik dunia. Saya percaya bahawa di Beijing nanti Amirul mampu berada di kedudukan kelompok tujuh terbaik," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama, hari Khamis.
Suhaimi berkata mereka perlu bersikap realistik bahawa adalah agak sukar untuk memperoleh sebarang pingat di Sukan Olimpik Beijing, namun sekiranya Amirul dapat meraih sebarang pingat, ia adalah satu bonus.
Amirul akan bertanding dalam kategori 56 kilogram pada temasya Sukan Olimpik Beijing nanti.
Turut menjalani latihan intensif di Pulau Hainan ialah lima orang atlet elit angkat berat negara termasuk tiga atlet wanita iaitu Naharuddin Mahayuddin (62kg), Mohd Fairol Talib (69kg), Raihan Yusof (53kg), Zairah Zakaria (48kg) dan Farhanah Johari (63kg).
Kelima-lima atlit elit ini ke Pulau Hainan sebagai persiapan untuk menghadapi Sukan Remaja Komanwel yang akan berlangsung di Penu, India bermula pada 12 Okt depan.
-- BERNAMA
Kompleks Sukan Negara Rai Ulang Tahun Ke-10 Bulan Depan
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Jun (Bernama) -- Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka, badan yang bertanggungjawab mentabdir urus dan menyelenggara Kompleks Sukan Negara (KSN) di Bukit Jalil akan merayakan ulang tahunnya yang ke-10 dari 11 hingga 13 Julai depan dengan mengatur pelbagai acara menarik.
Pengurus Besarnya Wan Nor Azinah Zaniby Wan Hashim berkata semenjak memulakan operasi pada 11 Julai 1998, perbadanan itu telah mencapai pelbagai kejayaan menjulang nama KSN di persada dunia sebagai venue pilihan utama penganjur tempatan dan antarabangsa.
"Ulang tahun ini secara tidak langsung mempromosikan KSN di kalangan orang ramai yang berkunjung serta cuba mengubah persepsi orang ramai berhubung kadar sewa yang dikatakan agak mahal," katanya kepada pemberita pada sidang media di sini, hari Khamis.
Beliau juga berkata orang ramai dijemput mengambil bahagian dalam pelbagai acara yang akan diadakan.
Antara acara-acara menarik adalah pameran automobil dan drifting di Padang Letak Kereta A, B & C (11-13 Julai), Larian 6km Jelajah KSN (12 Julai), klinik skuasy di Pusat Skuasy Nasional (12 Julai), pertandingan bola keranjang "3 lawan 3", "Water Carnival" di Pusat Akuatik Nasional (13 Julai), pertandingan karaoke dan "Battle of The Band" di Amphitheatre (12-13 Julai) dan Paintball di Padang Letak Kereta A (12-13 Julai).
-- BERNAMA
Hafiz crashes, raising questions over future
Lin Woon Fui (left) and Gan Teik Chai.
HAFIZ Hashim took a step closer to the end of his career when he was toppled by unheralded Japanese Yuichi Ikeda in the third round of the Thailand Open in Bangkok yesterday.
Hafiz was bundled out by rising Japanese player Kenichi Tago in the first round of the Indonesia Open last week.
However, Malaysia had plenty to look forward to from the doubles events where four pairs advanced to the quarter-finals.
New combination Hoon Thien How-Ong Soon Hock defeated Keishi Kawaguchi-Naoki Kawamae 21-12, 18-21, 21-11 in the first round and later beat Thailand’s Patipat Chalardchaleam-Nuttaphon Narkthong 21-11, 13-21, 21-13. They face a tough battle in the last eight against top seeds Cai Yun-Cai Yun today.
However, Singapore Open runners-up Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui fell 21-19, 17-21, 17-21 to Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen.
In the women’s singles, there were positive signs from Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui who reached the quarter-finals after going through a lean spell throughout the year.
Pei Tty-Eei Hui, the fourth seeds, defeated Japan’s Yui Nakahara-Megumi Sato 21-9, 21-10 in 20 minutes before securing an easy 21-10, 21-7 win over Chang Yun Ju-Liu Shu Chih of Taiwan.
Pei Tty-Eei Hui will meet Denmark’s Helle Nielsen-Marie Roepke of Denmark .
Pei Tty also made it to the last eight of the mixed doubles with Lim Khim Wah. The pair beat compatriots Thien How-Amelia Anscelly 21-17, 21-18 and will meet Denmark’s Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen today.
Results — Men’s Singles 3rd Rd: Yuichi Ikeda (Jpn) bt Hafiz Hashim 19-21, 21-16, 21-10.
Doubles 1st rd: Hoon Thien How-Ong Soon Hock bt Keishi Kawaguchi-Naoki Kawamae (Jpn) 21-12, 18-21, 21-11; Chang Hun Pin-Khoo Chung Chiat bt Lo Lok Kei-Albertus Susanto (HK) 24-22, 21-13; Muhammad Ahsan-Bona Septano (Ina) bt Lim Khim Wah-Tan Bin Shen 21-19, 19-21, 21-19; Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui bt Hendra Wijaya-Yoga Ukikasah (Sin) 21-15, 21-19; Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng bt Jurgen Koch-Peter Zauner (Aut) 21-14, 21-14; Goh Wei Shem-Ong Jian Guo bt Leung Chun Yu-Johan Hadi Kusuma (HK) 21-18, 21-17; Guo Zhendong-Xie Zhongbo (Chn) bt Chan Peng Soon-Tan Wee Kiong 21-11, 21-8.
2nd Rd: Hoon Thien How-Ong Soon Hock bt Patipat Chalardchaleam-Nuttaphon Narkthong (Tha) 21-11, 13-21, 21-13; Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng bt Chris Adcock-Robert Balir (Eng) 21-15, 21-13; Anders Kristiansen-Simon Mollyhus (Den) bt Chang Hun Pin-Khoo Chung Chiat 21-14, 21-16; Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen (Den) bt Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui 19-21, 21-17, 21-17; Guo Zhendong-Xie Zhongbo (Chn) bt Goh Wei Shem-Ong Jian Guo 21-13, 21-12.
Women’s Doubles 1st Rd: Fong Chew Yen-Mooi Hing Yau bt Chiang Kai Hsin-Tien Ching Yung 21-15, 21-17; Nadya Melati-Devi Tika Permatasari (Ina) bt Lim Yin Loo-Ng Poau Leng 21-15, 21-13; Vivian Hoo-Ng Hui Lin bt Nathalia Poluakan-Yulianti (Ina) 21-16, 14-21, 21-18; Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui bt Yui Nakahara-Megumi Sato (Jpn) 21-9, 21-10; Helle Nielsen-Marie Roepke (Den) bt Amelia Anscelly-Ooi Yu Hang 21-17, 21-8; Du Jing-Yu Yang (Chn) bt Chong Sook Chin-Woon Khe Wei 21-8, 21-19.
2nd Rd: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui bt Chang Yun Ju-Liu Shu Chih 21-10, 21-7; Shendy Puspa Irawati-Meiliana Jauhari (Ina) bt Vivian Hoo-Ng Hui Lin 20-22, 21-13, 21-18; Cheng Wen Hsing-Chien Yu Chin (Tai) bt Fong Chew Yen-Mooi Hing Yau 21-14, 21-13.
Mixed Doubles 2nd Rd: Lim Khim Wah-Wong Pei Tty bt Hoon Thien How-Amelia Anscelly 21-17, 21-18; Robert Blair (Eng)-Imogen Bankier bt Razif Latif-Chong Sook Chin 21-16, 21-15.
Malaysians may have opportunity to train with Aussies
THE Malaysian aquatic team that were to be denied training at the national aquatic centre in Bukit Jalil from July 27 to Aug 3, may now have a golden chance to train with Australia's world class swimmers.
The Australian Swimming Federation signed a contract with the National Sports Complex in 2005-2006 which permitted them to use the aquatic centre before departing for the Beijing Olympics on Aug 4.
"They (the Australians) had signed a contract with the National Sports Complex two years ago and have made all the arrangements for the training camp in advance.
"I have requested the officer who is handling this matter to send an e-mail to Alan Thomson to seek permission for our swimmers to train with them, maybe occupy two or three lanes," said National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong yesterday.
"We will do our very best to resolve this issue," added Zolkples.
"We are very concerned about this especially as it takes place so close to our team's departure for Beijing. We should be able to work things out by the end of next week." -- By CHRISTOPHER RAJ
Sarjit believes players are honest
NATIONAL hockey coach Sarjit Singh believes his players are not involved in match-fixing as alleged by some quarters.
And in New Delhi, AFP reports that India's hockey coach Ajay Bansal has played down reports that Malaysia deliberately lost in the Azlan Shah Cup, saying his team had won fair and square.
Allegations have been leveled that India's 2-1 win during the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh last month was fixed following online betting by some members of the Malaysian team.
Bansal, whose young Indian team went on to play the final, said he was surprised at the allegations and refused to believe hockey matches could be fixed.
"It was an evenly-contested match and I never felt then that some of their players were under-performing.
"I don't think anybody would play to lose a hockey match for the sake of money," he added.
Meanwhile, Sarjit said the allegations of match-fixing, bribery, betting in the English Premier League and money-lending activities that have been hurled at his players via anonymous e-mails, prompted him to lodge the police report.
"First of all, I believe in my players and I'm confident that they are not involved in illegal activities. That is why I have lodged a report (on Tuesday) to find out who sent the damaging e-mails," said Sarjit yesterday.
Until yesterday, the police had yet to call Sarjit or any of the players for questioning.
"My players and I are open to investigation, and we will co-operate with the police when they need our help. There is nothing to hide, and nothing to fear.
"My only concern is to clear MHF's and the players' name, and bring to book those who have thrown these wild allegations to tarnish the good name of the sport," said Sarjit.
"Three-quarter of this team has been training with me since before the (2004 Rotterdam) Junior World Cup, which means they practically grew from boys to men under me.
"I know all of them like the back of my hand, and that is why it saddens me when some quarters have cast aspersions on them.
"They (players) are family, and are equally disturbed with the allegations, and eagerly await for the police investigation to reveal names of those who are out to tarnish their reputation."
Money and gold in Milo contest
Malaysia’s Beijing Olympics Chef-de-Mission Datuk Ho Koh Chye (right) and Don Howat of Nestle Products launching the Milo One Voice for Gold contest on Tuesday.
A GOLD bar and RM1.8 million in cash awaits the winner of Milo's Olympic Games promotion contest which will run from July 1 to Aug 31 in conjunction with Malaysia's participation in Beijing.
"The grand prize winner stands to win RM1,888,888 cash and a 1kg gold bar in the contest. This is the biggest prize being offered in any contest held so far," he said after Milo's 2008 Beijing Olympic Games promotion launch on Tuesday.
There will also be weekly winners during the nine-week duration of the "Milo One Voice for Gold" contest with 18 winners taking home RM500 jewellery vouchers each week.
Each contestant is eligible to be picked as one of 20 people to proceed to the final round, where they will compete for one of three main prizes.
"This is Milo's way of repaying our customers' loyalty. More importantly we hope that this contest will bring Malaysians together to cheer on our contingent in Beijing to Malaysia's first ever gold medal," said Don.
BAM to discuss fate of under-performing shuttler Hafiz
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: The future of national men's singles shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim will be on the agenda when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training committee and exco meet today in Bukit Kiara here.
Yesterday, the fourth seeded Hafiz was eliminated in the third round off the Thailand Open, losing 21-19, 16-21, 10-21 to unheralded Yuichi Ikeda of Japan. It was the second consecutive crushing blow for Hafiz after a first-round defeat by another Japanese, Kenichi Tago, in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta last week.
The BAM general manager, Kenny Goh, admitted that the Hafiz's slide in performance again was a major concern for them.
“We (the BAM) will take into consideration his results in recent tournaments and discuss his position in the national team in either the coaching and training committee or exco meetings. Our decision will be in the best interest of both parties,” he said.
Hafiz, who sounded his intention to leave his club, Nusa Mahsuri, a couple of months ago is currently enjoying the benefits of a national player under the BAM banner, which includes monthly allowances given by the National Sports Council (NSC).
With Hafiz's defeat in Bangkok yesterday, the Malaysian interest in the Thailand Open is only in the doubles events.
In the women's doubles, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty reached the quarter-finals with a 21-10, 21-7 win over Chang Jun-ju-Liu Shu-chih. They will take on Denmark's Helle Nielsen-Marie Ropke today.
Pei Tty will also play in the mixed doubles quarter-finals, partnering Lim Khim Wah. The duo will take on Denmark's Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen.
Malaysia have two pairs in the men's doubles quarter-finals – Hoon Thien How-Ong Soon Hock and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng. Both pairs will take on Chinese opponents today. Thien How-Soon Hock will be up against top seeds Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng while Chong Ming-Choon Eng will play against Guo Zhengdong-Xie Zhongbo.
BAM to discuss fate of under-performing shuttler Hafiz
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: The future of national men's singles shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim will be on the agenda when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training committee and exco meet today in Bukit Kiara here.
Yesterday, the fourth seeded Hafiz was eliminated in the third round off the Thailand Open, losing 21-19, 16-21, 10-21 to unheralded Yuichi Ikeda of Japan. It was the second consecutive crushing blow for Hafiz after a first-round defeat by another Japanese, Kenichi Tago, in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta last week.
The BAM general manager, Kenny Goh, admitted that the Hafiz's slide in performance again was a major concern for them.
“We (the BAM) will take into consideration his results in recent tournaments and discuss his position in the national team in either the coaching and training committee or exco meetings. Our decision will be in the best interest of both parties,” he said.
Hafiz, who sounded his intention to leave his club, Nusa Mahsuri, a couple of months ago is currently enjoying the benefits of a national player under the BAM banner, which includes monthly allowances given by the National Sports Council (NSC).
With Hafiz's defeat in Bangkok yesterday, the Malaysian interest in the Thailand Open is only in the doubles events.
In the women's doubles, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty reached the quarter-finals with a 21-10, 21-7 win over Chang Jun-ju-Liu Shu-chih. They will take on Denmark's Helle Nielsen-Marie Ropke today.
Pei Tty will also play in the mixed doubles quarter-finals, partnering Lim Khim Wah. The duo will take on Denmark's Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen.
Malaysia have two pairs in the men's doubles quarter-finals – Hoon Thien How-Ong Soon Hock and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng. Both pairs will take on Chinese opponents today. Thien How-Soon Hock will be up against top seeds Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng while Chong Ming-Choon Eng will play against Guo Zhengdong-Xie ZhongboShockley teams up with Holloway to chart Malaysia’s success
KUALA LUMPUR: Two heads are better than one.
And Malaysia are banking on the combination of national chief coach Holloway Cheah and American consultant Richard Shockley to get the men's bowling team to stand up against the professionals in the World Championships in Bangkok from Aug 21-31.
Shockley, who has coached many professional bowlers at his Kegel Training Centre in Florida, is in Malaysia on a three-month contract to provide Holloway with the technical expertise to add more depth to the team.
The duo have been working with the bowlers for almost three weeks now and Malaysia will get early indication on what could be expected from the team when they defend the Asian Championships title in Hong Kong from July 4-11.
The team of Alex Liew, Daniel Lim, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Aaron Kong, Adrian Ang and Mohd Nur Aiman will leave for Hong Kong on Monday together with the women's side comprising Esther Cheah, Shalin Zulkifli, Wendy Chai, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman.
Shockley believes that the Malaysian men will be able to give the star-studded Americans a run for their money in the World Championships.
“Holloway had done a great job to prepare the team. They are physically and mentally ready. And their sparring game is wonderful. Team unity is the Malaysian strength,” he said during a training session at Endah Parade in Sri Petaling yesterday.
“My responsibility is to be the technical adviser. I will assist Holloway to help the bowlers make the right decision on the lanes with the right equipment.
“It is better to have two sets of eyes to help the team.”
The door has been open for the professionals to compete in the World Championships this year and the United States have their top bowlers in their ranks, among them Chris Barnes, Walter Ray William Jr and Tommy Jones.
“The US are certainly the favourites but I do not think that they will dominate the championships. I have the experience of having coached some of them. Malaysia can give them a fight, especially in the team event,” said Shockley.
Holloway is now putting more pressure on the bowlers to perform.
“I used to be quite relaxed with the boys but I am now more demanding,” he said.
“They are going to face the professionals in the world meet and they cannot take it easy, even in training.”
“I hope that the team will succeed in the defence of the Asian Championships to put them in good stead for the world meet.”
At the last World Championships in South Korea two years ago, Malaysia were the runners-up to the US.
Bronze for debutant Rayzam
KUALA LUMPUR: Hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian made an inspiring debut in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix athletics meet in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old Sabahan clocked 13.95 to win the men's 110m hurdles bronze medal. His efforts was just 0.04 seconds slower than his SEA Games record of 13.91, set in Korat last December.
China's Yin Jing and Xie Wenjun clocked 13.70 and 13.91 respectively to bag the gold and silver.
The other Malaysian athletes who took part in meet were Robani Hassan (110m hurdles), Mohd Zaiful Zainal Abidin (400m), M. Vadivellan (1,500m), the men's 4x100m and 4x400m teams and Noraseela Khalid (400m hurdles). All of them finished out of the medals.
The second leg of the circuit will be held in Korat today and Hanoi will host the final leg on Monday.
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