Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

THE six national sprinters who skipped anti-drug tests last year will have to accept whatever punishment recommended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (wada).   Citing financial constraints, the Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) will not contest Wada's appeal at the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for four-year bans be imposed on the six and a lifetime suspension on former national coach Harun Rasheed.   MAU suspended Harun for a year and only gave the six athletes "stern warnings" which Wada deemed insufficient following the May 24, 2011 incident.   "Wada says that the punishment meted out by MAU does not match the offence and have requested the maximum ban of four years for the athletes and lifetime for the coach.   "We have written (on May 21) to CAS saying that we want to reach an out-of-court settlement with Wada and agree to any sanctions which Wada wants to impose on the athletes and coach," said MAU president...

LATEST GAMBLE: Mixed doubles training for Koo-Tan Koo Kien Keat (left) and Tan Boon Heong need to improve their court coverage.  MEN'S doubles coach Pang Cheh Chang has come up with another unusual method to turn around Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong's form by asking them to undergo mixed doubles training as part of their preparation for the London Olympics in July. Cheh Chang's reason behind the questionable idea is to help Kien Keat and Boon Heong improve their court coverage and it has received the backing of the coaching and training committee chairman Ng Chin Chai. National doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said Cheh Chang, who has been in charge of the top duo since September, will continue with the revised programme until the Olympics. "Cheh Chang wants to include mixed doubles training for Kien Keat and Boon Heong so that they can improve on their court coverage. Cheh Chang is in charge of Kien Keat-B...

MOHD. Harrif Salleh yakin dia sudah mencatat keputusan terbaik untuk membolehkannya tersenarai ke Sukan Olimpik.    KUALA LUMPUR - Pilihan kedua pelumba lebuh raya negara yang berada dalam senarai pendek ke Olimpik, Mohd. Harrif Salleh sudah bersedia jika dipilih Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) beraksi di London. Menurutnya, beraksi di Olimpik memang menjadi impiannya. Katanya, dia semakin berdebar menunggu pengumuman PKBM walaupun diletakan calon terbaik ke London selepas Muhammad Adiq Hussainie Othman. "Saya rasa sudah mencatat keputusan yang baik dalam perlumbaan sebelum ini dan berharap PKBM menilai dari segi keputusan," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia melalui laman sosial Facebook semalam. Harrif menduduki tangga kesembilan dalam kedudukan keseluruhan perlumbaan Jelajah Asia UCI dengan 97 mata manakala Adiq tempat ketujuh (114 mata). Jelas pelumba Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG), jurulatih Sebastien Duclos sudah merang...

TENGKU Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil (kiri) cuba menyekat gerakan pemain Pakistan, Rashid Mehmood pada kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah di Ipoh malam tadi. - UTUSAN/Roy Azis Abd. Aziz IPOH - Malaysia mencatat kemenangan pertama pada kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah dengan menjadikan Pakistan sebagai mangsa kebangkitan apabila menang 3-2 di Stadium Hoki Azlan Shah, malam tadi. Kemenangan pertama itu meletakkan Malaysia pada tangga kelima dengan lima mata selepas empat perlawanan. Sebelum ini, skuad Tai Beng Hai hanya mampu mencatat dua keputusan seri dengan Korea (1-1) dan Britain (3-3) dan kalah 2-3 kepada India. Mengulas kemenangan pertama pada kejohanan kali ini, Beng Hai berkata, kejayaan meraih tiga mata pertama semalam atas komitmen tinggi para pemain. "Kita turun dengan misi mencari kemenangan yang mana setiap pemain bekerja keras menghalang asakan Pakistan dan perlu berusaha bagi mendapatkan gol. "Walaupun kita tertinggal 0 - 2...

IGHTING PERFORMANCE: Malaysia overturn two-goal deficit for first triumph Razie Rahim was Malaysia’s hero yesterday. RAZIE Rahim's final minute penalty corner earned Malaysia a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Pakistan for their first victory in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh yesterday. Razie sent a powerful low flick past Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah with 55 seconds left to play. Pakistan had initially disputed the call by umpire Richmond Attipoe to award Malaysia a penalty corner for a foul on Faizal Saari but he stood by his decision. It was a memorable display from Malaysia as they rallied from 2-0 down to edge their rivals, who defeated them in the final of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games to clinch an Olympic spot. Umar Bhutta, who captained Pakistan's Junior Asia Cup side, scored the opening goal in the fourth minute before Shafqat Rasool's reverse stick attempt sounded the board for the second time eight ...

IPOH: Malaysia staged a stunning fightback from two goals down to beat last year’s runners-up Pakistan 3-2 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday. Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim was the hero, scoring the winning goal off a penalty corner in the 69th minute. It was Malaysia’s first win in four matches after draws against South Korea (1-1) and Britain (3-3) and a 3-2 loss to India. It was Pakistan’s third defeat in four matches. Pakistan stormed to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Muhammad Umar Bhutta in the fourth and Shafqat Rasool in the 12th minute. That hurts: Malaysia’s Abdullah Shahrun Nabil falls during their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match against Pakistan yesterday. — RONNIE CHIN / The Star   But Malaysia battled back through Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi (35th), Faizal Saari (47th) and Razie a minute from time. The national team made silly errors in defence in the first 12 minutes just like they did against India on Monday and were dul...

PETALING JAYA: Gutsy youngster Heidi Gan has her mind firmly set on making another big statement for Malaysia when she steps foot on Setubal Bay in Portugal for the Olympic open water swimming qua­li­fying meet from June 9-10. The 23-year-old Heidi stamped her mark at the Indonesia SEA Games last November by sweeping the two gold medals at stake in open water swimming – 5km and 10km. Heidi will head to Portugal to be among the 35 swimmers from 21 countries chasing the remaining 15 spots in the 10km event for the London Olympics. Ten spots had been decided earlier – at last year’s World Champion­ships in Shanghai – and a country can only qualify one swimmer. Heidi, who is based in Perth, said competing at the Olympic qualifying meet has been her aim since switching focus from pool to open water swimming two years ago. “I have been training with Portugal in mind for a long time now ... even before the SEA Games in November last year,” she said via e...

PEMAIN-PEMAIN negara meraikan kemenangan 3-2 ke atas Pakistan pada Kejohanan Hoki PSAS di Stadium Azlan Shah, Ipoh malam tadi. MALAYSIA mencatat kemenangan pertama setelah mengalahkan juara Sukan Asia 2010, Pakistan 3-2 pada Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Azlan Shah (PSAS) ke-21 di Stadium Azlan Shah, Ipoh malam tadi. Kemenangan pertama itu mele- takkan Malaysia di tangga kelima dengan mengumpul lima mata daripada empat perlawanan. Sebelum ini, skuad yang dibimbing oleh Tai Beng Hai itu hanya mampu mencatat dua keputusan seri dengan Korea (1-1) dan Britain (3-3). Pakistan hanya mengambil masa empat minit untuk menumpas- kan penjaga gol Malaysia, S. Kumar bagi gol pertama melalui rembatan kencang, Muhammad Umat Bhutta. Selepas itu, pintu gol Malaysia bolos lagi melalui rembatan kencang Shafqat Rasool pada minit ke-12 bagi gol kedua. Tolakan kencang Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi pada minit terakhir separuh masa pertama berjaya merapatkan jurang perbezaan gol den...

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Mei (Bernama) -- Skuad angkat berat negara berpeluang menambah satu slot dalam kategori lelaki pada Sukan Olimpik London Julai ini, jika salah seorang daripada dua peserta yang bertanding pada Kejohanan Angkat Berat Kelayakan Asia di Pyeongtaek, Korea Selatan bulan lepas gagal dalam ujian doping. Presiden Persatuan Angkat Berat Malaysia (PABM) Zafarul Akhbar Kassim berkata beliau sedang menunggu keputusan ujian doping itu membabitkan atlet Uzbekistan dan Kazakhstan daripada Persekutuan Angkat Berat Dunia (IWF). "Sekiranya salah seorang daripada mereka gagal dalam ujian tersebut, kita berpeluang cerah menghantar satu wakil lelaki ke Olimpik bagi menggantikan tempat salah seorang peserta itu," katanya kepada Bernama. Zafarul berkata beliau juga akan berusaha mendapatkan satu tiket 'wildcard' daripada IWF sekiranya ujian doping tersebut membuktikan bahawa dua atlet terbabit tidak mengambil bahan terlarang. Skuad angkat berat wa...

IPOH, 30 Mei (Bernama) -- Jaringan dramatik oleh Muhammad Razie Abdul Rahim pada saat-saat akhir perlawanan membantu Malaysia mencipta kemenangan pertama pada Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Azlan Shah 2012 apabila menumpaskan Pakistan 3-2 di sini, Rabu malam. Walaupun ketinggalan dua gol, Malaysia tidak berpatah semangat malah bangkit pada separuh masa kedua untuk mengatasi Pakistan selepas lima tahun. Jurulatih negara Tai Beng Hai berkata hasil persefahaman dan komitmen tinggi pemain membuahkan hasil dan berharap anak buahnya akan lebih berwaspada apabila menentang New Zealand esok. Dalam perlawanan lain, Argentina mencatatkan kemenangan ketiga berturut-turut apabila mengalahkan India 3-2 sementara, Great Britain meleburkan rekod tanpa kalah New Zealand dengan kemenangan 2-1. Walaupun berkongsi sembilan mata dengan Argentina, New Zealand masih mendahului carta dengan perbezaan jaringan.

IPOH, May 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia pulled off a memorable 3-2 come from behind victory over Pakistan to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup competition at the Azlan Shah Stadium here Wednesday night. Malaysia who had last beaten Pakistan in 2007, trailed the former world hockey powerhouse 0-2, but staged a spirited second half fight back to ensure all three points, with the winning goal coming in the final minute. Pakistan, fielding an experienced side, took the lead in the 4th minute through Muhammad Umar Bhutta while Imran Butt made it 2-0 in the 12th minute to take a comfortable first half lead. Malaysia however, came back from the break with renewed confidence and scored in the very first minute of the second half through Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi while Faizal Saari equalised in the 48th minute to make it 2-2. Just as the match was heading to a draw, Malaysia earned a penalty corner and Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim's well played ...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) may get an extra slot for the London Olympics in the men's category if one of the two weightlifters tested for drugs at the Asian Qualifiers in Pyeongtaek, South Korea last month, tested positive. MWF President Zafarul Akhbar Kassim said the federation was still waiting for the result of a doping test on two weightlifters - one from Uzbekistan and another from Kazakstan - conducted by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). "If one of them tested positive we will have an opportunity to send an extra weightlifter," he told Bernama Wednesday. Zafarul said if both weightlifters tested negative he would try to get a wildcard entry from IWF.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) must reduce its dependence on elite players if badminton in the country was to develop further said National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong. He said BAM were overly depending on world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei in every international tournament participated by the Malaysian team and does not expose back up players in international competitions. "I had always stated that we should not be depending on elite players and to me the only elite player in the country is only Datuk Lee Chong Wei. I had many times urged BAM to give youngsters Zulfadli Zulkifli, Misbun Ramdan Misbun and Muhd Syawal Mohd Ismail the necessary exposure and even send them to the Thomas Cup but BAM are the experts," he said. Zolkples when met at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sportsman and Sportswoman awards ceremony today said he was disappointed with the inconsisten...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Archer Mohd Kaharuddin Ashah and squash player Siti Munirah Jusoh were crowned Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sportsman and Sportswoman respectively for 2011/2012. Mohd Kaharuddin, 25, a final year Bachelor Degree of Human Development student in UPM was a member of the men's Compound team that won a silver medal in the SEA Games hosted by Indonesia last year. "I did not expect to win the title because there were other nominees who had participated in international competitions," he told reporters at UPM today. Siti Munirah, a second year student pursuing a Bachelor of Communication in Broadcasting won a gold medal in the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (MASUM) games in Sarawak in April. Siti Munirah has also participated in a number of international squash tournaments like the Australian Open, South Australia Open, India Challenger and won a silver medal in the Indian Squash Professional (ISP) India Open ...

TANJUNG MALIM, May 29 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek remains optimistic that world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei can still win the country's first ever gold medal at the London Olympics despite his ankle injury. Ahmad Shabery said since Chong Wei's injury was not serious, it would not hamper his preparations because the world number remained mentally strong. "Chong Wei's injury is not serious and he will give us the opportunity to win a gold medal in the Olympics. "Luckily the injury occurred early in the Thomas Cup because injury at the later stage would have taken a longer time to heal instead of the expected four weeks," he told reporters when asked whether the gold medal momentum had shifted to cyclist Azizulhasni Awang. Ahmad Shabery hoped Chong Wei's injury would heal fast so that he can resume training and preparations for the Olympics.

PETALING JAYA: Cyclist Mohd Harrif Salleh is optimistic of fulfilling his dream of featuring in the London Olympics. The Terengganu Cycling team rider, who has come of age since he took over the mantle as the team’s lead sprinter after the departure of Anuar Manan, is confident of getting one of the two spots to London for the road event. Malaysia secured two spots for the Olympic road cycling race on merit, a feat last achieved in the 1992 Games in Barcelona by M. Kumaresan. “It is a big year for me, not only for taking over as the lead sprinter for my team but also the chance of an Olympic debut. “I started out well by winning the opening leg of the National Cycling Grand Prix in Perlis in January before putting up a strong challenge in the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL),” said Harrif. In the LTdL, Harrif scored two podium finishes (second and third place) in a tight battle with Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini), who recently won a stage in the Giro d’Italia by b...

THE Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) will have to wait until June 16 to finalise its selection of the two road cyclists for the Olympics, though it seems like its mind is already made up. Champion Systems' Adiq Husainie Othman and Terengganu Cycling Team's Harrif Salleh are the front runners, but MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said the federation is still awaiting reports on three others -- Drapac Pro Cycling's Amir Mustafa Rusli, who is currently in Europe with the Australian team, Terengganu Cycling Team's Zamri Salleh and Champion Systems' Anuar Manan. But indications are that the trio's chances are, at best, slim. The reason for the delay, despite the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) seeking confirmation before its final selection committee meeting on Monday, was due to both the MNCF council being in a stalemate over the matter and the federation's own selection committee was yet to meet. "Our cou...

IPOH: A porous defence was the cause of Malaysia’s defeat to India on Monday. The national team conceded two goals in the first 11 minutes of the match in their 3-2 loss. Skipper and defender Mohd Shukri Abdul Mutalib admitted that they lost the match because of poor defending. “We gave away the first goal in the ninth minute because junior player Norhizzat (Sumantri), who is making his debut with the national team, failed to clear the ball quickly. “India scored their second goal two minutes later because none of the defenders ran to stop a direct hit from India’s Shivendra Singh off a penalty corner,” said the Sungkai-born Shukri, who has 153 international caps. Besides Shukri and Norhizzat, the other defenders are Mohd Amin Rahim, Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim, Baljit Singh Charun and Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim. The 26-year-old Shukri, who was named the national team captain for the first time, said they also failed to score from the chances they created in the fir...

NATIONAL coach Boon Hoon Chee is optimistic his young charges have what it takes to help the country regain its Division One status in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division Two tournament which starts tomorrow at the Petaling Jaya Stadium. The team, who will face a formidable China side in their opening semi-final, feature a younger, less experienced lineup with former national captain Nik Ismade Safuan Nik Man moving into an assistant coach role for the championships and stalwart brothers Khairul Azhar, Saizul Hafifi and Saizul Hafiz Md Noor either unavailable or doubtful for the tournament. The team, who were relegated from Division One last year, are also down to three naturalised players with Asas RFC's Atunaisa Lacadamu out injured. "Initially, I did have some doubts with the boys being slightly inexperienced at international level. However, after two weeks of centralised training I am confident this team have what it takes," said Hoon Chee, ...

COMING GOOD: Hosts looking to upset big names to prove they are still world class Fitri Saari is showing signs that he will be the next Malaysian player to watch. MALAYSIA'S world ranking does not reflect their true strength, as the unlucky 13th came about after a string of misfortunes and near-misses on the world stage. Defeats in the Invercargill World Cup Qualifier to New Zealand (2-1) and against Pakistan (2-0) in the Asian Games sealed the senior team's fate. And it was further compounded when they failed at the Dublin Olympic Qualifier as Malaysia handed the final ticket to South Korea on a 3-2 defeat. New Zealand advanced to the World Cup, Pakistan to the Olympics and South Korea also to the Olympics -- courtesy of Malaysia's "well known hospitality" on the artificial pitch. As a result, Malaysia will be stuck at unlucky 13th, as only teams who play in the World Cup, Olympics and Champions...

KUALA LUMPUR - Peluang skuad memanah recurve wanita negara mengiringi rakan sepasukan lelaki ke Olimpik London masih belum tertutup sepenuhnya, dengan siri ketiga Piala Dunia Memanah di Ogden, Amerika Syarikat pada 19-24 Jun ini, akan menjadi medan buruan tiket terakhir. Kejohanan di bandar raya AS itu digunakan Persekutuan Memanah Dunia (FITA) untuk mengadakan serentak Pertandingan Kelayakan Terakhir (FQT) bagi mencari calon mengisi baki tiga slot berpasukan dan empat slot individu (kedua-dua kategori lelaki dan wanita) terakhir. Setakat ini, hanya Nurul Syafiqah Hashim berjaya mengesahkan tiket individu melalui Kejohanan Asia di Tehran, Iran tahun lalu. Malaysia masih berpeluang menghantar wakil maksimum tiga pemanah sekiranya berjaya menamatkan saingan FQT sebagai tiga pasukan terbaik. Misi itu bagaimanapun dilihat agak mustahil memandangkan prestasi skuad wanita yang juga dianggotai Ng Sui Kim, Nur Amirah Mohamad dan Shahira Abdul Rahim tidak begitu menye...

SAFEE mungkin mengetuai jentera serangan pada aksi menentang Filipina Jumaat ini. TEKA-TEKI mengenai siapa yang bakal mengemudi jentera serangan skuad bola sepak kebangsaan menjelang aksi persahabatan menentang Filipina di Stadium Shah Alam, Jumaat ini masih belum terjawab. Kelmarin, jurulatih Harimau Malaya, Datuk K. Rajagobal hanya menurunkan pilihan utama seperti Mohd. Safee Sali, Ashari Samsudin dan Norshahrul Idlan Talaha pada 20 minit terakhir semasa menewaskan Felda United 2-1 dalam aksi pemanas badan di padang Wisma FAM. Selain ketiga-tiga pemain tersebut, Rajagobal turut menguji kemampuan penyerang Pahang, Azamuddin Akil bersama dua penyerang Negeri Sembilan, Ahmad Shakir Md. Ali dan Shahurain Abu Samah yang turut meledak gol dalam perlawanan itu. Satu lagi gol Harimau Malaya diledak oleh pemain tengah, Amar Rohidan sementara gol tunggal Felda United dilakar oleh Abdul Ghani Rahman menerusi satu sepakan percuma dua minit sebelum perlawanan tam...

BEKAS pemain beregu negara, Cheah Soon Kit berpendapat, kekurangan program latihan merupakan punca kegagalan skuad negara pada kempen Piala Thomas di Wuhan, China yang telah melabuhkan tirainya Ahad lalu. Soon Kit berkata, Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) tidak sepatutnya menggunakan alasan yang sama setiap kali gagal pada kejohanan berpasukan itu dengan memberikan gambaran bahawa badan induk tersebut tidak memiliki barisan pemain berbakat. Sebaliknya, Soon Kit menggesa BAM untuk mencari formula terbaik dan mengkaji semula program latihan barisan pemain negara. Katanya, BAM sepatutnya merangka program latihan barisan pemain negara lebih awal bagi membentuk skuad yang benar-benar mantap bagi menghadapi kempen Piala Thomas kali ini berpandukan kegagalan pada edisi 2010 di Kuala Lumpur. “Kita sudah mendapat pengajaran selepas kegagalan skuad negara pada Piala Thomas 2010. “Sepatutnya, BAM menggunakan segala kelemahan yang dilihat dalam skuad negar...

Muhammad Adiq Husainie Othman pilihan utama ke Olimpik London.    KUALA LUMPUR - Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) perlu menunggu laporan daripada jurulatih mengenai prestasi setiap pelumba lebuh raya sebelum boleh menyenaraikan mereka secara rasmi ke Olimpik London. Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Abu Samah Abd. Wahab berkata, ia merupakan sebab badan induk berbasikal negara itu terpaksa melanjutkan tempoh mengumumkan dua nama pelumba ke Olimpik. Menurutnya, ketika ini terdapat beberapa pelumba yang berada dalam senarai pendek berada di luar negara bersama kelab yang mereka sertai dan PKBM akan menilai laporan setiap jurulatih pasukan terlibat pada mesyuarat pemilihan yang bakal diadakan pada 15 Jun ini. "Kita mahu membuat keputusan yang adil agar tidak timbul isu berbangkit berhubung pemilihan pelumba lebuh raya ke Sukan Olimpik. "Ketua jurulatih John Beasley turut akan berada dalam mesyuarat pemi...

TAI Beng Hai menegur kegagalan Faizal Saari menyempurnakan peluang gol ketika Malaysia menentang India, kelmarin.    IPOH - Malaysia perlu menang pertemuan dengan Pakistan hari ini bagi mengelak terus menghuni tempat tercorot pada Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Azlan Shah. Selepas tiga perlawanan, Malaysia menduduki tangga terakhir daripada tujuh pasukan dengan 2 mata hasil dua kali seri. Skuad Tai Beng Hai yang meletakan sasaran untuk ke perlawanan akhir, seri 1-1 dengan Korea Selatan pada aksi pembukaan, juga seri 3-3 dengan Britain dan kalah 2-3 kepada India, kelmarin. Selepas menentang Pakistan, Malaysia bakal mengharungi dua perlawanan sukar iaitu menentang New Zealand esok dan Argentina pada Sabtu. "Dalam kedudukan kita sekarang, kita tiada pilihan selain daripada bekerja keras bagi mendapatkan mata penuh supaya tidak kekal pada tangga tercorot," katanya semalam. Beliau berharap jentera serangan tidak lagi mempersia-sia peluang menjaringkan...

Cheah Soon Kit KUALA LUMPUR - Pemenang pingat perak acara beregu badminton Sukan Olimpik Atlanta 1996, Cheah Soon Kit membidas Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) lebih memberikan alasan lapuk berhubung kegagalan Malaysia mencapai sasaran pada Piala Thomas. Menurut bekas pakar beregu negara yang pernah berganding dengan Soo Beng Kiang dan Yap Kim Hock, BAM hanya gah dengan perancangan setiap kali menjelang Piala Thomas, namun akhirnya menemui kegagalan. "BAM mendakwa persediaan mereka ke Piala Thomas amat bagus, namun hingga kini kita masih belum berupaya membawa pulang piala tersebut. "Saya tidak berniat untuk mengkritik BAM tetapi inilah yang berlaku. "Kegagalan kita di Wuhan menampakkan masih banyak kekurangan dalam program serta perancangan. "Jadi perkara ini perlu di atasi," katanya selepas pengumuman nama pemain Program Biasiswa Senheng-Samsung (SS) Badminton Remaja di sini, semalam. Pada saingan Piala Thomas di Wuhan y...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Five players, including defending champion Malaysia's Kelly Tan, shared the opening round lead of the 29th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open (MLAO) held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Bukit Kiara, here, Tuesday. The 18-year-old Kelly, compatriot Iman Ahmad Nordin, Dottie Ardina (Philippines), Mehar Kaur Atwal (India) and Whitney Hillier (Australia) posted identical scores of three-under-par 68. "I played really solid today but didn't get my wish of a flawless finish, if not for that dropped shot on the 16th hole. "It was a good opening round and I think I can go lower tomorrow if I stay patient and just wait for the birdies to drop," said Kelly after completing her game. In today's round, Kelly carded four birdies with the only blemish on her card coming at the par-five 16th hole, when she dropped a bogey.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Following last year's success, the Kuala Lumpur Lawn Tennis Association (KLLTA) will be hosting its second Scomi KL Open Tennis Championship from June 6 to 10 with an increased prize money. The five-day competition which is expected to attract 300 participants, will be held at two venues, namely the National Tennis Centre in Jalan Duta and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Sports Complex in Titiwangsa. KLLTA vice president Mirzan Tun Mahathir said in order to attract more participants for this year's championship, KLLTA had increased the total prize money from RM28,000 to RM40,000. "Besides increasing the prize money, KLLTA has also commissioned a new trophy to reflect the prestige of the KL Open. The name of the men's singles winner will be engraved on the trophy," said Mirzan, who is also the co-organising chairman at the National Tennis Centre, here Tuesday.

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Sports Council (MSNT) is taking measures to popularise squash, badminton, swimming and gymnastics to make the state the new sports superpower in the country, MSNT director Zainal Abidin Hussin said today. He said the MSNT was engaging the services of experienced coaches, including foreigners, to train and guide the athletes. Citing an example, he said the MSNT had engaged Azhar Gul, 31, of Pakistan to train the squash athletes. "Azhar will also take charge of a long-term squash development programme in Terengganu," he said. Zainal Abidin said Azhar has started off by training squash athletes for the 15th Malaysia Games (Sukma) to be held in Pahang in July. The MSNT has listed four men and three women athletes to shoulder the Terengganu squash challenge at the games, he added.

LOOKING FORWARD: OCM president calls for NSAs to plan for 2020 Games OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar addressing the press at OCM Headquarters yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali MALAYSIA'S list of athletes for the London Olympics  on July 27-Aug 12 is virtually finalised bar a few late bonus entries, but there is also cause for concern about the level of progress the country is making. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar believes, though the number of qualifiers and strength of the contingent has slightly improved, national sports associations (NSAs) have not been doing enough. With the deadline for registration of athletes for the Olympics looming on July 9, Malaysia has 31 athletes from eight sports who will compete in 23 events confirmed in the contingent. There could yet be additional qualifiers via either wild cards, special invitations or ongoing qualifying competit...

NO UNDUE PRESSURE: Coach to monitor teenager's progress before deciding Nazmi Faiz Mansor is not in the immediate plans of coach Rajagobal NAZMI Faiz Mansor may have to wait a little longer to earn his first cap with the national team. Coach K. Rajagobal will only consider Nazmi for the AFF Cup in November if he performs well in next month's AFF Under-22 Qualifiers before taking into consideration his commitment with Portuguese Premier League side Beira-Mar. The midfielder, a member of Young Tigers 'A' who play in the S-League, signed a pre-contract agreement for a three-year deal with the club last week. The 17-year-old will return to the club's base in Aveiro in August to sign a permanent deal for three seasons. "I do not want to pressure Nazmi as he is still young. He has a bright future and I believe he will eventually break into the senior team," said Rajagobal yesterday. "I wi...

KUALA LUMPUR - Meskipun belum meletakkan sasaran spesifik perolehan pingat emas pada Sukan Malaysia 2012 di Pahang Julai ini, juara bertahan Terengganu yakin untuk mengumpul lebih 40 pingat emas pada temasya kali ini. Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Belia dan Sukan negeri Terengganu, Rozi Mamat berkata, keyakinan untuk memperoleh jumlah tersebut bersandarkan kepada keupayaan atlet baru dan program pembangunan sukan yang berjaya dilaksanakan. Menurutnya, pada penyertaan kali ini, atlet baru akan diberikan kepercayaan bersaing untuk mendapatkan pingat emas. "Kita mempunyai ramai atlet baru dan pemantauan akhir menggambarkan bahawa Terengganu bakal memberi saingan yang lebih kuat malah kita yakin mampu menjadi juara buat kali keempat. "Buat masa ini sasaran pingat emas tidak boleh berikan secara terperinci namun saya percaya Terengganu mampu melakukan yang terbaik pada penganjuran kali ini," katanya selepas majlis pelancaran program Evolusi R di sini, semal...

WONG Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui tetap melakukan persiapan untuk ke Olimpik London, biarpun nama mereka tidak berada dalam senarai pemain yang layak ke temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu Julai hingga Ogos depan. Ketua jurulatih beregu wanita, Rosman Razak berkata, gandingan itu mesti bersiap sedia menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan kerana status sebagai pemain simpanan pertama beregu wanita ke temasya itu tetap menghidangkan peluang tipis untuk mereka beraksi. “Pei Tty-Eei Hui tetap menjalani latihan seperti biasa kerana apa-apa boleh berlaku sekiranya ada pemain yang layak ke Olimpik menarik diri akibat kecederaan atau masalah lain,” kata Rosman. “Saya tahu peluang mereka bermain di Olimpik kelihatan sukar kerana mana ada pemain yang tidak mahu beraksi di Olimpik tapi sebagai atlet, Pei Tty-Eei Hui perlu sentiasa bersedia. “Kini, pemain Afrika Selatan belum sah ke London atau tidak kerana kerajaan mereka belum pasti memberi kebenaran untuk mereka. Kita doakan saja semog...

KUALA LUMPUR - Ratu terjun negara, Pandelela Rinong bakal membuat penampilan kedua di Olimpik London, Julai ini dengan penuh dugaan apabila dia diberi kepercayaan untuk beraksi dalam tiga acara. Tiada penerjun pernah turun dalam tiga acara sekali gus pada sesuatu temasya Olimpik dan Pandelela, 19, yang dinobatkan sebagai Olahragawati Kebangsaan baru-baru ini akan membuktikan kepada dunia bahawa dia mampu melakukannya. Selain dua acara platform (individu dan seirama bersama Leong Mun Yee), Pandelela turut bergandingan dengan Cheong Jun Hoong untuk disiplin 3m papan anjal seirama. Ketua jurulatih skuad kebangsaan, Yang Zhuliang melahirkan keyakinan terhadap keupayaan Pandelela, biarpun pada awalnya teragak-agak sama ada anak didiknya itu mampu menanggung bebanan berat itu atau tidak. "Setahu saya tiada penerjun pernah terlibat dalam tiga acara untuk satu Olimpik. Tidak seperti negara lain, Malaysia tiada punyai banyak pilihan kerana tidak ada siapa lagi b...

PETALING JAYA: Diver Pandelela Rinong is not just among the youngest of the Malaysian athletes bound for the London Olympics — she has the most daunting task ahead of her as well. The 19-year-old National Sportswoman of the Year has got the nod from head coach Yang Zhuliang to compete in three events in her second Olympic appearance. Besides the 10m platform individual and synchro, where she combines with regular partner Leong Mun Yee, Pandelela is also joining forces with Cheong Jun Hoong for the 3m springboard synchro. Tough task: Pandelela Rinong will be the only Malaysian diver to participate in three events at the London Olympics.   The Olympic Council of Malaysia met yesterday to finalise the names of athletes who have already earned Olympic quota spots for the country from eight sports so far. Pandelela, runner-up in the prestigious four-leg World Diving Series recently, will be the only Malaysian down for three events and she definitely needs...

Suhardi Alias (dua dari kiri) dan Rozalila Abdul Rahman (tengah) pada program Sokongan Kontinjen Malaysia ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 London oleh Telekom Malaysia Bhd. di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. KUALA LUMPUR - "Mereka yang tidak diletakkan sebagai pilihan selalunya akan mengukir keajaiban," Itu pandangan Pengarah Cawangan Pembangunan Organisasi Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Suhardi Alias mengenai kecederaan yang dialami oleh pemain badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei. Menurutnya, seseorang atlet mahupun pasukan akan berusaha sedaya yang mungkin dan dari situ akan datang keajaiban, seperti mana yang telah terjadi dalam beberapa kejayaan sebelum ini. "Mereka yang diletakkan sebagai pilihan tidak sering melakukan keajaiban tetapi mereka yang langsung tidak diletakkan sebagai pilihan sentiasa melakukan keajaiban," katanya pada majlis Sokongan Kontinjen Malaysia ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 London oleh Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) semalam. Jelasnya, secara ...

KETIKA ramai meragui kemampuan Datuk Lee Chong Wei untuk meraih kilauan emas pertama pada Sukan Olimpik London selepas mengalami kecederaan buku lali kanan di pusingan akhir Piala Thomas di Wuhan, China, baru-baru ini, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) tetap mengharapkan keajaiban dilakar jaguh nombor satu dunia itu pada temasya yang akan membuka tirainya 27 Julai depan. “Ramai yang bertanya kepada saya mengenai kemampuan Chong Wei untuk meraih pingat emas. Memang benar ketika ini dia seolah tiada sebarang kelebihan untuk menghadirkan emas. “Tapi perlu diingat, keajaiban biasanya berlaku apabila kita berada pada situasi yang tidak memihak kepada kita. “Saya percaya ia juga akan dilalui oleh Datuk Lee Chong Wei kerana dia adalah seorang pejuang. Diharap saat sukar yang dilaluinya ketika ini akan menjadi pencetus semangat kepadanya untuk mencipta keajaiban pada Sukan Olimpik nanti. “Ditambah dengan sokongan 28 juta penduduk Malaysia, ia diharap menambahkan lagi motivasi C...

CHONG WEI bersama jurulatihnya, Tay Seu Bock ketika meninggalkan hotel penginapan mereka di Wuhan, China minggu lalu. DATUK Lee Chong Wei sememangnya sudah banyak berkorban bagi mengharumkan nama Malaysia di pentas antarabangsa. Pelbagai kejayaan telah dilakar jaguh badminton dunia itu dan semuanya untuk negara. Kali ini, dia sekali lagi terpaksa berkorban bagi memastikan sandaran yang diletakkan di bahunya untuk membawa pulang pingat emas pertama Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London, Julai depan berjaya direalisasikan. Meskipun dihantui masalah kecederaan serius di bahagian buku lali kanan, Chong Wei tetap menjalani latihan sebagai persiapan menghadapi temasya berprestij dunia itu di bumi London nanti. Jurulatih perseorangan negara, Tey Seu Bock berkata, tiada istilah rehat buat pemain No. 1 dunia itu, sebaliknya dia akan tetap menjalani latihan ringan bagi mengekalkan tahap kecergasannya. Katanya, mahu atau tidak, Chong Wei terpaksa mengharungi situasi ters...

IPOH: India scored their second win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament when they edged a fighting Malaysia 3-2 yesterday. It was Malaysia’s first defeat in three matches. They drew 1-1 and 3-3 with South Korea and Britain respectively. Malaysia created a number of chances in the first half but just could not score. They earned five penalty corners in the match and only managed to score from one. Foiled: India’s goalkeeper Chetri Bharat Kumar stops this goal attempt from Malaysia’s Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin during their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match Monday. — SAIFUL BAHRI / The Star   Malaysia, cheered by 10,000 fans, attacked from the start and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin came close in the second minute but his reverse stick attempt was stopped by India’s goalkeeper Chetri Bharat Kumar. Three minutes later Malaysia earned their first penalty corner but Faizal Saari, who scored three goals in the first two matches, failed to connect the ball off a reb...