penganugerahan DSPN di Seri Mutiara semalam.
MAAU To Hold Emergency Meeting On Alleged Sexual Harassment
JOHOR BAHARU, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) will hold an emergency executive board meeting in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow on the alleged sexual harassment of a female liaison official in May during the Taiwan Athletic Open.
Karim Ibrahim, the MAAU deputy president, has informed all board members that MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim will chair the meeting.
"The president wants to get to the bottom of the allegations of sexual harassment against a woman official.
"He is very concerned about the whole thing (sexual harassment) because it affects the image of the MAAU," said Karim.
In a complaint letter to the MAAU dated 23 June, six of the Malaysian athletes on a trip to the Taiwan Open had alleged that an official accompanying the team had invited the female liaison official attached to the Malaysian team to his room, presumably to talk about team matters.
Instead, it was alleged in the letter, the MAAU official then tried to hug her.
Karim also said that the board meeting will also discuss the performances of the three Malaysian athletes - high jumper Ng Hup Wei, pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and walker Yang Yufang - at the recently concluded Beijing Olympics.
Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaking to Bernama at the Parliament House lobby had urged Karim to get to the bottom of the matter.
Ismail Sabri had earlier met the female athletes from MAAU who had made a complaint to the National Sports Council on the alleged incident.
He said his ministry left it to MAAU to resolve the matter as it was confident that Shahidan could resolve it in an appropriate manner.
"This will be resolved by MAAU itself and is now at the investigation stage. I hope they can resolve it by taking appropriate action against any MAAU official found responsible," he said.
A newspaper report today said the complaint letter on the official was signed by Roslinda Samsu, Norjannah Hafiszah Jamaluddin, Tan Song Hwa, Yap Jen Tzan, Nurul Sarah Abdul Kadir dan Siti Fatimah Mohamad.
-- BERNAMA
Jeanne Asks Malaysians To Give Full Support To Beijing-bound Paralympians
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah today asked Malaysians to give their full support to Malaysia's Beijing-bound paralympians.
The Prime Minister's wife said she was proud of their participation in the Olympiad and hoped they would bring glory for the country.
"I believe there is nothing impossible in this world and we are just as capable as others to win at the Games," she told reporters after handing over the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) to the national contingent to the Games represented by chef-de-mission Ng Kong Chuah, at Seri Perdana here.
Jeanne also handed over incentives of RM5,000 each to the nine paralympians who qualified on merit for the Beijing Paralympics, which will be held from Sept 6 to 17.
"I hope Malaysians will spend time watching the Paralympic Games because it is worth watching our own athletes in action," she added.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Malaysian Paralympics Council president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin.
Malaysia's contingent to the Beijing Paralympics;
1. Mohd Raduan Emeari (Athletics)
2. Cheok Kon Fatt (Powerlifting)
3. Mariappan Perumal (Powerlifting)
4. Sharifah Raudzah Syed Akil (Powerlifting)
5. Siow Lee Chan (Powerlifting)
6. Al Mustakim Matrin (Sailing)
7. Loke Sin Ying (Sailing)
8. Muhammad Salam Sidek (Archery)
9. Zulkifli Mat Zin (Archery)
10. Zul Amirul Sidi Abdullah (Swimming)
11. Yusup Dewa (Swimming)
-- BERNAMA
Thailand And Laos Through To Semis
JOHOR BAHARU, Aug 28 (Bernama)-- Thailand scored their third consecutive win and with it a place in the semi-finals of the Desaru Invitational Beach Soccer championship.
A thumping 8-4 victory over the Philippines in their Group B preliminary round match today has assured the Thais of a top two spot in the five-team group, which will give them a berth into the last four, regardless of the outcome of their final group match against Laos tomorrow.
The Thais had beaten Myanmar 8-2 in their opening match and scored a 10-3 win over Brunei in their second match.
Laos are also through to the semi-finals after coming from a goal behind to beat Myanmar 3-1 in a closely contested match for their third consecutive win too.
The Thais will play Laos tomorrow to decide the Group B winner and runner-up.
Thailand, the tournament's favourites, took an early lead through Prata Mansiri but the Philippines equalised through Ricardo Becite and then went ahead through skipper Roel Jimena Gener.
But the Filipinos' joy was shortlived as Pitipong Kuldillok found the net and went on to score three more goals while 24-year-old captain Saneh Lungkaew, Sarif Sainui and Pongsak Khongkeaw, all contributed one goal each.
Philippines' other goals came through Ronel Gener and Meliton Pelayo.
RESULTS:
Group A: Myanmar 6 Brunei 2, Thailand 8 Philippines 4.
Group B: Vietnam 10 Timor Leste 0, Laos 3 Myanmar 1.
TOMORROW'S (FRIDAY) FIXTURES: Vietnam vs Malaysia (10am), Philippines vs Brunei (2pm), Thailand vs Laos (3.15pm), Malaysia vs Indonesia (4.30pm).
-- BERNAMA
Mew Choo menang anugerah atlit terbaik SAM-100PLUS
Oleh Harris Rajahdin
harajah@bharian.com.my
 ATLIT TERBAIK: Ismail Sabri (dua dari kanan) menyampaikan hadiah kepada Mew Choo (dua dari kiri) sambil diperhatikan Pengurus Hal Ehwal Korporat Nasional F&N Coca Cola, Datuk Kamal Harun (kanan) dan Presiden SAM, Abu Bakar Atan pada majlis Anugerah SAM-100Plus 2007 di MSN, Bukit Jalil, malam tadi. |
Kejayaannya pada Terbuka China jadi faktor pemilihan sebagai pemenang
KEJUTAN dicipta pemain badminton wanita utama, Wong Mew Choo, ketika menjuarai Terbuka China, tahun lalu, menyaksikan dia dijulang selaku pemenang Anugerah Kecemerlangan Persatuan Penulis-penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS 2007, malam tadi.
Pemilihan Mew Choo, 25, dilakukan kerana dianggap sebagai wakil generasi baru badminton selepas negara sekian lama ketandusan pemain wanita berwibawa di pentas antarabangsa.
"Saya amat terkejut dengan pemilihan memenangi anugerah kali ini. Ini menjadi satu inspirasi kepada saya untuk terus berjaya mengharumkan nama negara," kata jaguh perseorangan itu yang layak ke suku akhir Sukan Olimpik di Beijing, baru-baru ini.
Selain memenangi Terbuka China, Mew Choo turut menyerlah selaku pemain wanita negara pertama layak ke final Terbuka Malaysia serta mara ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Asia, suku akhir Kejohanan Dunia dan Seluruh England, tahun lalu.
Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pemilihan, Khalid Saad berkata kejayaan pemain berkenaan jelas membuktikan bahawa dia adalah wakil generasi baru selepas satu penantian sekian lama.
"Ia jadi faktor pemilihannya sebagai pemenang anugerah in," kata Khalid.
"Antara faktor lain turut diambil kira ialah personaliti, kesan kejayaan, disiplin serta aksi konsisten persembahan. Jawatankuasa berpuas hati Mew Choo mempamerkan semuanya sepanjang tahun lalu."
Empat calon lain yang diatasi Mew Choo dalam perebutan anugerah itu ialah gandingan Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, ratu skuasy, Datuk Nicol David, atlit lompat bergalah, Roslinda Samsu dan pelompat tinggi, Lee Hup Wei.
Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakub, menyampaikan anugerah kepada Mew Choo dalam majlis gilang gemilang di Bukit Jalil, malam tadi.
Chong Wei rasmi bergelar Datuk
Oleh Fazallah Pit
fazallah@bharian@com.my
 Lee Chong Wei bersama ayahnya, Lee Ah Chai (kiri) dan ibunya, Khor Kim Choi meneliti sijil penganugerahan darjah kebesaran, semalam. |
JAGUH badminton negara yang menang pingat perak di Sukan Olimpik Beijing, Lee Chong Wei, dikurniakan Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) yang membawa gelaran Datuk, semalam.
Kurniaan daripada kerajaan Pulau Pinang itu disempurnakan Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas di Seri Mutiara, Georgetown.
Pemain badminton negara yang berada di kedudukan kedua ranking dunia pada masa ini adalah pemain badminton pertama yang masih aktif menerima darjah kebesaran yang membawa gelaran Datuk.
Turut hadir di majlis itu ialah Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng dan ibu bapa kepada pemain badminton itu, Lee Ah Chai, 55, serta Khor Kim Choi, 54.
Selepas majlis berkenaan, Chong Wei yang akan genap berusia 26 tahun pada 21 Oktober ini menyuarakan dia lebih selesa dipanggil namanya sahaja berbanding gelaran berkenaan.
Sambil berterima kasih kepada kerajaan negeri atas kurniaan itu, dia akui keberatan untuk menerimanya pada peringkat awal, tetapi bersetuju bagi menaikkan semangatnya.
“Malah, pengurniaan ini menguatkan azam saya untuk mempertahankan kejuaraan di kejohanan Terbuka Jepun pada 14 September ini. Kurniaan itu diharap memberi inspirasi kepada pemain badminton lain,” kata pemain itu yang bakatnya terserlah seawal usia 13 tahun di Sekolah Kebangsaan Berapit, Bukit Mertajam, apabila menang pingat emas acara beregu dalam Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Pulau Pinang (MSSPP).
Chong Wei dethrones Lin Dan
Lee Chong Wei (left) received some consolation for his defeat to Lin Dan at the Olympics when he dethroned the gold medallist as the World No 1 in the latest ranking released on Aug 21.
HE may have fallen at the final hurdle in the Beijing Olympics but there was yet another consolation for silver medallist Lee Chong Wei yesterday.
It was a position the China star had held since Sept 28, 2006 but he drops to second in the latest ranking, released on Aug 21, due to his limited appearances on the international circuit this year.
For Chong Wei, now a Datuk, his rise is due to his consistency over the last 12 months.
Chong Wei won four titles and was runner-up in another four over the last 12 months while Lin Dan won five titles and finished runner-up twice over the same period.
However, that lasted for only a month as Chong Wei regained the top ranking on Aug 24, 2006 and held it until Sept 24 before Lin Dan made the top position his own until last week.
The progress of Chong Wei will also be rewarded handsomely by the BA of Malaysia (BAM) as players ranked in the top two receive a quarterly incentive of RM45,000.
Chong Wei, going by his current form, is likely to maintain his position in the top two bracket until the end of the year and earn RM180,000 on ranking bonuses alone this year.
Rashid Sidek was the first Malaysian to hold the top position, albeit for less than a month, in 1996 while Roslin Hashim held it for a similar period in 2001.
It was Wong Choong Hann's turn to become World No 1 a year later and his reign also didn't last for more than a month.
For Chong Wei to avoid a similar fate, he will have to retain the Japan Open next month.
Should Lin Dan win the Japan Open, which will be held on Sept 16-22, he will be the World No 1 again as Chong Wei has 85,579 points to the Olympic champion's 84,080.
A win is normally worth 9,200 points.
Awards: Mew Choo honoured
Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob presents the SAM-100PLUS Excellence Award 2007 to Wong Mew Choo (left) watched by SAM president Abu Bakar Atan and Datuk Kamal Harun (right) of F&N. Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIM.
SHUTTLER Wong Mew Choo was named the winner of the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia's SAM-100PLUS Excellence Award 2007 yesterday.
She defeated former All England men's doubles champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, squash queen Nicol David, woman pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and men's high jumper Lee Hup Wei.
Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave away the award at the National Sports Council's Commonwealth Hall in Bukit Jalil.
SAM deputy president Khalid Saad, who chaired the selection committee, said several factors were taken into consideration in picking the winner.
"It was not an easy choice in picking the winner but she suited our selection criteria," said Khalid.
Mew Choo's success in winning the China Open was a first for Malaysian women.
Mew Choo also finished runner-up in the Malaysian Open last year.
Athletes receive incentive boost
Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah (centre) and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob with the Malaysian contingent for the 13th Paralympic Games in Beijing. Pic by: RAMDZAN MASIAM
A GOLD medallist at the 13th Paralympic Games on Sept 6-18 in Beijing will receive RM300,000 under the Sports Ministry's incentive scheme.
"The 11 athletes have been training hard and I am sure they will do Malaysia proud," said Ismail Sabri after witnessing the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah handing over the Jalur Gemilang to the contingent.
Jeanne, who is a Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) patron, said she was proud of the achievements of the athletes.
"The fiery spirit and drive to succeed in the country's disabled athletes have never failed to amaze me. I believe normal athletes should emulate this trait," she said.
The athletes were also presented with RM5,000 each as incentive for qualifying for the Games.
Malaysia won a silver through powerlifter Cheok Kon Fatt and two bronze medals through powerlifter P. Mariappan and high jumper Mohamed Khasseri Othman in Barcelona in 1992 for their only medals in the history of the Paralympic Games.
The contingent: Yusup Dewa, Zul Amirul Sidi Adullah (swimming), P. Mariappan, Cheok Kon Fatt, Siow Lee Chan, Sharifah Raudzah Syed Akil (powerlifting), Muhammad Salam Sidik, Zulkifli Mat Zin (archery), Mohd Raduan Emeari (athletics), Al-Mustakim Matin, Loke Sin Ying (sailing).
Boost for Malaysian Mount Everest climbers
UFL managing director Datuk Radha Krishnan (third from left) handing over the equipment to National Adventure Association president Datuk Khalid Yunus (left) while Coleman Regional chief Justin Perry (second from left) and UFL executive director Malek Noor (fifth from right) look on. — Pic: HAIRUL ANUAR ABD RAHIM
A TEAM of Malaysian climbers attempting to scale Mount Everest from the north side of the world's highest peak received a boost in the form of sponsorship of climbing gear yesterday.
UFL managing director Datuk Radha Krishnan said his company is pleased to be able to support the team in their bid to reach the summit of the 8,848-metre mountain from the more difficult north side in Tibet, China.
"We have agreed to support the team's effort by providing them with the necessary equipment required for their adventure," he said after the launch of Coleman's Sunrise range of products yesterday.
National Adventure Association president Datuk Khalid Yunus said the association will also include a woman in the team.
Five-year ban for Rohizan
THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) disciplinary board has slapped Selangor Razak Cup player Rohizan Ramli with a five-year ban after finding him guilty of hitting an umpire.
"The DB, chaired by Datuk G. Vijayanathan, felt that the player went overboard when he slapped an umpire, and then tried to hit him with a hockey stick. That is why he was slapped with a lengthy ban," said MHF secretary Sgt Hashim Yusoff.
The incident happened in the last minute of regulation time, when Selangor's Rohizan Ramli harassed umpire Syed Harun after he blew for a penalty corner.
Syed flashed a yellow card to Rohizan, who then slapped the umpire, and swung his stick which narrowly missed hitting the umpire again.
Malaysia crash to Britain
SHOCKS defeats suffered by Nafiizwan Adnan and Lim Yoke Wah saw second seeds Malaysia crash 3-0 to Britain in the semi-finals of the mixed team event at the World University Squash Championships in Cairo on Wednesday.
Worse was to follow in the next tie when individual men's semi-finalist Nafiizwan, ranked 63rd in the world, blew five match points in the third game as he caved in to Alan Clyne.
Nafiizwan was up two games and leading 10-6 in the third but a determined Clyne made a mockery of his world ranking of 128th to save four match points and another at 10-11 to keep himself in the match.
With momentum on his side, Clyne easily took the next two games for a 13-15, 10-12, 13-11, 11-7, 11-2 win and earn Britain an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Malaysia only have the consolation of a third and fourth placing playoff against Canada, who lost 3-0 to favourites Egypt in the other semi-final, left late yesterday.
Mew Choo wins sportswriters’ top award
By RAJES PAUL
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Wong Mew Choo was taken by surprise when she was named as the 2007 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100Plus Excellence Award winner at the Dewan Komanwel in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The 25-year-old Mew Choo was chosen ahead of squash's world number one Nicol David, men's badminton doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, women's pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and men's high jumper Lee Hup Wei.
Mew Choo received a trophy and RM10,000 from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
It was her first major award after the 2006 Selangor Sportswoman Award. She was beaten by Nicol to the 2006 national and Olympian awards.
Mew Choo said the award would spur her on to achieve more glory for the country.
“This is really a big surprise for me. All the other nominees have good achievements. This is a great honour for me,” said a delighted Mew Choo, who became the first Malaysian female shuttler to reach the quarter-finals of an Olympics in Beijing recently.
“This will drive me on to work even harder to achieve more excellence in my badminton career.”
Mew Choo landed the award for winning the China Open last year. The success made her the first Malaysian woman in three decades to win a top-flight international title.
It was an amazing achievement indeed for her to get past a barricade of Chinese players on their home turf. She was the second non-China woman to win the China Open since its inception in 1986.
Last year, she also became the first Malaysian woman in three decades to reach the final of the Malaysian Open. She also became the first Malaysian woman to reach the quarter-finals of the All-England and the World Championships.
SAM deputy president Khalid Saad, who also chaired the selection committee, said that several factors were taken into consideration in naming the winner.
“Mew Choo represents the new generation of badminton players after a long absence of female shuttlers of calibre. It was not an easy choice in picking the winner but she suited our selection criteria,” he said.
Khalid added that since the era of Sylvia Ng and Katherine Teh in the seventies, Malaysia had only produced top male shuttlers and Mew Choo was the rare breed to put Malaysian women's badminton on the forefront in the world.
Boon Heong: We gave our best in loss to Indonesians
By LOGANATH VELLOO
GEORGE TOWN: The men's doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are ready to face off with the National Sports Council (NSC) to give a full explanation on their performance in the Beijing Olympics.
This followed a statement by the NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong on Wednesday that he was unhappy with the way the duo lost their quarter-final match against eventual champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia.
Zolkples also said that they would haul up the duo to give an explanation and if it was not satisfactory, they would recommend to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) for the removal of the pair from the elite programme.
“It was our first defeat by the Indonesians. But as far as we are concerned, we can tell ourselves, without feeling guilty, that we gave our best,” said Boon Heong at the Penang Open yesterday.
“In a highly competitive tournament, no one always wins and no one always lose. Winning or losing is part and parcel of the game.''
Zolkples also commented on a possibility to splitting the Boon Heong-Kien Keat partnership or turn them into mixed doubles players.
“We are prepared to answer to the NSC and are ready to accept whatever decision made by them or the BAM,” said Boon Heong.
But for the moment, Kien Keat-Boon Heong are focused on adding the Penang Open crown to the national title they won in March.
The second seeds began their campaign in the second round by blowing away Kuala Lumpur's Chew Han Lim-Kok Kah Chung 21-13, 21-6 in just 15 minutes. In the quarter-finals this morning, they will play against Mohd Razif Latif-Tan Wee Kiong.
The semi-final matches will be played in the evening and Kien Keat-Boon Heong are tipped to play against third seeds Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif, who have a quarter-final match against Khoo Chung Chiat-Tan Bin Shen.
International meet to mark Maba’s 50th anniversary
KUALA LUMPUR: A six-team international championship is part of the programme of the Malaysia Basketball Association's (Maba) 50th anniversary celebrations.
In the tournament from Sept 3-7 at the Maba Stadium here, Malaysia will be up against the national teams from Hong Kong and India and clubs sides from Taiwan (Pure Youth and Construction), Singapore (Slingers) and South Korea (Kyung-hee University).
Organising committee deputy chairman Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng said: “Maba have not organise an international tournament for some time now and it is appropriate to host one during our 50th anniversary.
“It will generate interest in the game. We hope that it will allow us to double our efforts in developing the sport at the grassroots levels.”
The Malaysian team, sponsored by Petronas, are under the charge of newly-appointed coach Goh Cheng Huat. There will be two American players in the team – Jamal Brown and Brad Bridgewater.
“We started training on Aug 25 and will select the 10 local players for the tournament after this weekend,” said Cheng Huat.
Three matches will be played on each day of the five-day tournament. Tickets have been priced at RM15 (adults) and RM10 (children).
Sept 3: S. Korea vs India (4pm), Singapore vs Hong Kong (6pm), Malaysia vs Taiwan (9pm).
Sept 4: Taiwan vs Hong Kong (5pm), India vs Malaysia (7pm), Singapore vs S. Korea (9pm).
Sept 5: India vs Taiwan (5pm), Hong Kong vs S. Korea (7pm), Malaysia vs Singapore (9pm).
Sept 6: Singapore vs India (5pm), Hong Kong vs Malaysia (7pm), S. Korea vs Taiwan (9pm).
Sept 7: Hong Kong vs Singapore (5pm), Taiwan vs India (7pm), Malaysia vs S. Korea (9pm).
Violent Rohizan gets five-year ban
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor’s Razak Cup player Mohamed Rohizan Mohamed Ramli was slapped with a five-year suspension for violent behaviour by the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) disciplinary board yesterday.
Rohizan was red carded in the Division Two final match against Penang at the Tun Razak Stadium on Aug 10.
The incident happened after Singapore umpire Syed Harun had awarded Penang a penalty corner and also flashed the yellow card at Rohizan. The Selangor player immediately landed a punch on the umpire’s head.
MHF secretary Hashim Mohamed Yusof said: “The player can appeal against the disciplinary board's decision to the MHF executive council, who will meet on Sept 20.”
The board meeting yesterday was chaired by Datuk G. Vijiyanathan and the other members were Ow Soon Kooi and Prof R. Rajeswaren.
Kok Chi: Set achievable targets for athletes
By S. RAMAGURU
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no lack of funding for sports in the country, only a distinct lack of proper identification programme and efforts made by national sports associations.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said yesterday that national associations needed to realise the potential of their athletes and set reasonable targets for them to achieve.
“Many associations go to great length to get their athletes to qualify for the Olympics but in reality they have no chance of winning a medal,” he said yesterday after the sponsorship ceremony to launch the Malaysia International Basketball Championships from Sept 3-7.
“That does not mean they should not make attempts to qualify. But the funding after qualification should not be increased if they are not medal prospects.
“No matter how much money you pour into these sports, they will not be able to win at this level. I believe we need to set reasonable targets for athletes to aim for.”
Kok Chi, who was in Beijing for the Olympics earlier this month, said that the Malaysian contingent fared reasonably well but there were still disappointments in some sports where the performances were well below expectations.
“We (the OCM) will leave the review of the performances to the respective associations and the National Sports Council (NSC). But we will go through the chef-de-mission’s report and act on his recommendations.”
Olympics: Cyclists may train in London to prepare for 2012 Games
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: National cyclists can look forward to a new training base overseas in their programme for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) are looking at using London as the gateway to more competitive races in Europe.
Previously, the cyclists were based in Melbourne under the charge of Australian John Beasley.
MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohd said that the switch of venue and exposure to competitions in Europe were needed to strengthen Malaysia’s preparation for the London Games.
Track riders Azizul Hasni Awang, Josiah Ng, Mohd Edrus Yunus and Mohd Rizal Tisin raised hopes of a first Olympic cycling medal at the recently concluded Beijing Olympics. But they came up short.
Despite the disappointment, Naim said that the team had done well to raise the profile of Malaysia in world cycling and the immediate plan was to raise the bar higher.
“We plan to review our training base in Melbourne. There are many races in Europe and we may look at having a base somewhere in London or another venue in the region,” he said.
“It will be good to keep the cyclists on their toes throughout the year. In Melbourne, there are no races during winter. We will discuss this with the NSC (National Sports Council).”
Naim added that Malaysia would continue to focus on track events.
“Our track cyclists showed that they are at par with riders from some countries, among them Australia and Germany. But England and France are still one class above,” he said.
“We are not surprised with Britain’s achievement in cycling at the Beijing Olympics. They spent about £22mil and justified it by winning nine medals.
“With continuous funding and support, I am sure that our cyclists will be on the right track for the London Olympics.
“Azizul is still young and did quite well in his first Olympics. He will be better with more exposure. We are happy that Josiah wants to have another shot at the Olympics. We are also very pleased with his contributions in helping groom talent for our country. We hope to see more new faces.”
The national cyclists will begin their Olympic qualifying process in the World Cup series, beginning in November.
New coin to mark Games
LONDON: Britain's Royal Mint unveiled a coin on Wednesday created to mark the Olympic handover from Beijing to London.
The £2 coin features one hand passing the Olympic flag to another, as well as the logo of the London 2012 Olympics.
It echoes the scene when London Mayor Boris Johnson received the flag from his Beijing counterpart Guo Jinlong during the handover segment of the closing ceremony on Sunday. Johnson gave Jinlong one of the coins to mark the occasion.
The limited edition coin, which features Queen Elizabeth II on the other side, is the first of a series of commemorative coins being minted in the run-up to the 2012 Games. – AFP
Mew Choo raih anugerah SAM
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| MEW CHOO menunjukkan replika cek yang diterimanya pada majlis penganugerahan di Bukit Jalil semalam. |
RATU badminton negara, Wong Mew Choo ditabalkan selaku penerima anugerah kecemerlangan Penulis-Penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS bagi tahun 2007.
Dengan kejayaan itu, Mew Choo mengetepikan empat calon yang turut disenaraikan iaitu ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol Ann David, beregu emas, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (badminton), Lee Hup Wei (lompat tinggi) dan Roslinda Samsu (lompat bergalah).
"Saya tidak jangka dengan kemenangan ini kerana atlet lain seperti Datuk Nicol Ann David adalah pilihan utama.
"Apa pun saya cukup berpuas hati dan sangat gembira dengan kemenangan ini.
"Saya dapat menebus kekecewaan pada Sukan Olimpik di Beijing selepas gagal meraih sebarang pingat dengan menerima anugerah berprestij ini," katanya ketika ditemui selepas majlis anugerah tersebut di Bukit Jalil semalam.
Mew Choo berkata, kejayaan tersebut juga akan memberi semangat kepadanya untuk mencipta lebih banyak kejayaan pada kejohanan akan datang.
"Saya akan lebih fokus pada kejohanan akan datang dan anugerah ini menyuntik semangat saya untuk terus maju sebagai pemain badminton," ujarnya.
Turut hadir pada majlis itu ialah Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Presiden Persatuan Penulis-Penulis Sukan Malaysia, Abu Bakar Atan, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penganjur Anugerah SAM 2007 yang juga Timbalan Presiden SAM, Khalid Mohamed Saad dan Pengurus Kebangsaan Hal Ehwal Korporat F&N Coca Cola (M) Sdn. Bhd., Datuk Kamal Harun.
Tahniah Datuk Chong Wei
penganugerahan DSPN di Seri Mutiara semalam.
SELEPAS merangkul pingat perak acara badminton perseorangan lelaki Sukan Olimpik XXIX, semalam Lee Chong Wei dianugerahkan Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) yang membawa gelaran Datuk oleh Yang Dipertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas dalam satu majlis ringkas di Seri Mutiara.
Pemain badminton berusia 26 tahun itu adalah atlet kedua menerima anugerah DSPN selepas ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol Ann David menerimanya sempena ulang tahun ke-70 Yang Dipertua Negeri Pulau Pinang Julai lalu.
Chong Wei berkata, beliau amat terharu dengan pengiktirafan yang diberikan kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang dan ia lebih menaikkan semangatnya untuk mencipta lebih banyak kejayaan.
"Saya akan berusaha untuk bermain dengan lebih baik dan melupakan kekecewaan di Beijing.
"Anugerah yang saya terima ini sama sekali tidak akan melekakan saya dan saya tidak mahu terlalu berbangga dengan pangkat Datuk ini," katanya yang turut diiringi bapanya, Lee Ah Chai, 55, dan ibunya, Kor Kim Chooi, 54.
Ditanya adakah beliau ingin dipanggil Datuk selepas ini, Chong Wei berkata: "Saya tak mahu ada jurang antara saya dengan rakan-rakan lain dalam skuad badminton negara dengan pangkat yang saya miliki ini kerana saya dan mereka sama-sama berjuang untuk menaikkan nama negara."
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