Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The early 1960s and late 1970s was known as Malaysian football's 'Golden Era' with players becoming household names and sending shivers among their opponents in the region, including Japan and South Korea. That era saw an assortment of players from the multi-racial community, playing a balanced role in hoisting the national flag, not only in football but hockey and athletics, as well. It was also during these era that the country had numerous Chinese star football players like Chow Chee Keong, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, James Wong, Ong Kim Swee, Lim Chuan Chin, Lim Teong Kim, Wong Hung Nung, Yip Chee Keong, Lim Fung Kee, Wong Kam Fook and the list can go on and on. But where are the Chinese players now...how many Chinese players are playing in the M-League these days, is anybody's guess. Those golden days of Malaysian football saw Chin Aun regarded as the 'towkay' for his rock-like defensive qualities, James...

TANAH MERAH, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Frenchmen Bryan Coquard of Team Europcar powered his way to the front in a bunch sprint finish to take Stage eight of the 2013 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) which ended here, Thursday. The race was once again interrupted by rain a few kilometers before the finishing line. The 20-year-old sprinter managed to pip Omega Pharma-Quickstep's Andrew Fenn and Vini Fantini-Selle Italia's Francesco Chicchi at the finish line with a time of three hours, 36 minutes and 47 seconds. "I am very happy because I have been trying to get a stage win since the start of the race. The race has many good sprinters. The win is my first stage win in my career," said the 2012 London Olympic Games silver medallist in the Omnium event (track). With the remaining two stages, Coquard noted that he had to improve a lot in his sprint to continue the winning momentum. "With today's mission accomplished and in the remaining two stages, ...

DUNGUN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The organisers of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) were forced to seek an alternative route for Stage eight of the LTdL, due to floods in Terengganu and Kelantan. "After a meeting to determine the condition of the Stage eight route, we decided that an alternative route was necessary due to floods. For Stage eight the start and finish spots remain unchanged. "The only changes are that after passing Tok Bali, the riders will not pass through Pasir Puteh but instead take a diversion to Jelawat, Bachok and Machang to reach Tanah Merah," LTdL chief operating officer Emir Abdul Jalal told Bernama. According to Emir, the diversion would increase the distance of the stage by another 20km because the initial stage from Kuala Terengganu to Tanah Merah comprised a distance of 164.50km while the new route is over 188km. "For Stage nine, we have decided to change the entire route since both the start and finish venues are flooded. ...

DUNGUN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Good team work towards the finishing line enabled Italy's Andrea Guardini of Astana Pro Team to win stage seven of the 2013 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), his first in 2013. The 23-year-old, sprinting to his first victory of the 2013 season, clocked three hours, 37 minutes and 17 seconds in the 149.80km race from Kuantan, Pahang to Dungun, Terengganu. The victory today brings his career total at LTdL race to 12 stage wins. "It is so hard for me at the beginning of the season to get my first win, and after today I am happy and relaxed and I know that the energy and motivation for me and the whole team is very high," Guardini said. His team mate, Ruslan Tleubayev and Assan Bazayev took turns at the front for Guardini, pulling hard in the last 10km, especially with wind coming off the sea and a long, straight road to the finish. "Baza was there at 5km to go until 2km, and then Ruslan took me to 500m. The wind was coming fr...

TENGKU ABDULLAH minta ahli gabungan FAM kaji Artikel 88 FAM. ANGGOTA gabungan Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) perlu tampil memberi cadangan untuk mengkaji semula Artikel 88 Statut FAM bagi membolehkan badan induk itu ditegur atau dikritik. Timbalan Presiden FAM, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah bertitah, peraturan tersebut dikuatkuasakan atas kelulusan anggota-anggota gabungan dan kini mereka perlu memberi cadangan untuk mengkajinya semula. “Artikel ini dibuat oleh ahli gabungan, kalau perlu dikaji semula, mereka perlu tampil memberi cadangan. “Ini kerana peraturan itu dibuat bukan atas arahan presiden atau timbalan presiden FAM, ini atas kelulusan ahli-ahli gabungan di semua negeri,” titah baginda pada sidang akhbar di Kuantan, Pahang semalam. Artikel 88 itu menjelaskan bahawa hanya presiden dan setiausaha agung yang boleh membuat kenyataan akhbar. Akhbar Kosmo! semalam melaporkan pengkritik sukan negara, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Khoo Kay Kim m...

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s dream of bringing home an Olympic gold medal from track cycling received a tremendous boost from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), who have pledged a RM2.85mil sponsorship for Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa. YSD had previously supported seven Malaysian cyclists for the 2012 London Olympic with a RM2mil sponsorship over a 30-month period. Azizul and Fatehah made the cut to compete in the London Olympics in the keirin and sprints but neither returned home with any medals. The 3½-year funding, from February this year to August 2016, will cover Azizul and Fatehah’s logistics, competition entry fees, racing attire and allowances. It will also be used to cover their participation in 42 races under the Road to Rio programme. YSD chairman Tun Musa Hitam said they would continue their support following Azizul and Fatehah’s strong showings at the London Olympics. “We believe that our chance of winning an Olympic medal in track cycling in Rio...

TRACK cyclists Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa's 2016 Olympic medal chase has been boosted by a RM2.85 million sponsorship from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD). YSD previously supported seven Malaysian cyclists in the 'YSD Track Cycling Team - Quest for Malaysia's Olympic Cycling Medal' programme for the London Olympics with a RM2 million sponsorship over 30 months. From the seven cyclists, Azizul and Fatehah made the cut for the London Olympics and competed in the keirin and sprint events. The announcement on the new sponsorship for the two cyclists was made yesterday by YSD chairman Tun Musa Hitam during a mock cheque presentation ceremony in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Tun Musa said YSD's continuous support for the cycling event was spurred by Azizulhasni and Fatehah's fine performances at the London Olympics. "We believe our chance to win an Olympic medal for track cycling during the 2016 Rio Olympics is very bright,...

Wet and wild: Team Blanco’s Thomas Leezer jubilates as he crosses the finish line in Kuantan Tuesday.   KUANTAN: Dutchman Thomas Leezer of Team Blanco capped a stunning comeback from serious injuries suffered during a fall last September by winning the 217.5km Stage Six of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from Mentakab to Kuantan yesterday. Leezer won with a solo effort after joining the breakaway group at the 180km mark. He crossed the finish line in 4’33:42. Jung Ji-min of South Korean outfit KSPO was second – 27 seconds behind. Polish national champion Michal Golas of OmegaPharma-QuickStep was third – 35 seconds behind. Mohd Harrif Salleh of Terengganu Cycling was Malaysia’s best finisher in ninth place, riding in with the big bunch 40 seconds behind Leezer. Team Nippo’s Julian Arredondo continued to don the yellow jersey after clocking 4’34.28 – 46 seconds behind Leezer. “It was a crazy race ... nothing like I’ve experienced before. There was att...

THE expectations are running high for Anuar Manan and Harrif Saleh as the country's two top sprinters head into their home state where they are gunning to make an impact in the 18th Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from today. The duo warmed up for the task by placing themselves ninth and 10th in Stage Six from Mentakab to Kuantan yesterday, finishing sixth and seventh in the bunch sprint for fourth after Thomas Leezer, Jung Ji Min and Michal Golas had taken the top three spots in a breakaway. Terengganu Cycling Team's Harrif, 24, was relieved to get himself in the top 10 for the first time in this edition, managing to outsprint Anuar of the Synergy-Baku Cycling Project team. "As soon as we're heading to the East Coast, I know I had to outdo myself and just go for a result. From tomorrow (today) it is flat stages and there won't be any holding back. Whatever happens, I know I will have to produce a result," said Harrif. "The race...

ANUAR (tengah) tetap bertekad untuk menjejak kaki di podium pada LTdL tahun ini. HUJAN lebat dan keadaan jalan yang licin menjejaskan misi pelumba pecut negara, Anuar Manan untuk menaiki podium pada peringkat keenam kejohanan lumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013. Anuar, 27, daripada pasukan Synergy Baku Cycling Project, terpaksa berpuas hati di tempat ke-10 di belakang rakan senegara, Mohd. Harrif Saleh (Terengganu Cycling Team) pada perlumbaan dari Mentakab ke Kuantan sejauh 217.5 kilometer (km) itu semalam. Kegagalan tersebut turut menyukarkan impian pelumba kelahiran Kampung Kuala Ibai, Terengganu itu untuk mengulangi pencapaian terbaik pada LTdL 2010. Pada tahun tersebut, Anuar melakar sejarah menjadi pelumba Malaysia pertama memenangi perlumbaan peringkat dan menamatkan saingan selaku Raja Pecut. "Perlumbaan hari ini (semalam) memang laju meskipun para pelumba terbaik mengharungi hujan lebat kira-kira 25km menuju ke garisan penamat. ...

KUANTAN, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- National rider Anuar Manan hopes his team-mates would help him win at least one of the four remaining stages as the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) heads to his home state tomorrow. "All the tough stages that included climbs have been completed, so it is an opportunity for sprinters like to try and win a stage. "I guess my team will work out a strategy for me to win at least one stage and also collect points in the sprint zones," said the Terengganu-born rider who is riding for team Synergy-Baku Cycling Project. Anuar who was struggling in the climb stages, came alive in the sixth stage over a distance of 217.50km from Mentakab to Kuantan, the longest stage in the tour, by finishing 10th. With 10th placing, Anuar collected six points plus three bonus points as well as move up to second place in the overall best sprinter category after collecting five points in the first sprint zone at Jerantut, Pahang. He is curren...

KUANTAN, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The organisers of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) will hold an emergency meeting to determine whether the routes for Stage eight and nine would be affected by the current floods in Kelantan and Terengganu. "The meeting is expected to pool together those involved in logistics and the police. The meeting is to decide whether the routes will be safe for the riders. Our main concern and focus is Stage eight and nine. If there is a need, we will have to find an alternative route," LTdL Chief Operating Officer Emir Abdul Jalal told Bernama here, Tuesday. Stage eight is from Kuala Terengganu to Tanah Merah and Stage nine is from Pasir Puteh to Kuala Berang. According to reports received by the organiser Tuesday, a number of villages in Kuala Krai, Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah, have been affected by floods. Water levels at Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang and Sungai Kelantan at Jambatan Guillemard, Tanah Merah had surpassed the dan...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Star-studded Johor Darul Takzim had to come back from the brink of defeat to book a place in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup competition by beating Kedah 5-4 on penalties at the Darul Aman Stadium, Tuesday night. Johor, trailing 0-2 in the first half and 1-2 until the final minutes of the match, not only managed to salvage the match in regulation time and extra-time but went on to win the penalty shootout to the dismay of the Kedah fans. Kedah have only themselves to blame for the defeat as the Premier League outfit had been in the driving seat for almost the entire match before the star-studded Johor managed to pull off a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Kedah took a 2-0 lead through Mohd Khyril Muhymeen's brace in the 8th and 21st minutes while Johor import Danial Guiza cancelled the advantage in the 69th and 89th minutes. Johor are expected to meet Selangor who had already qualified after beating Sabah 3-0 at the Likas Sta...

KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Council members who are not happy with the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) enforcement of regulations should voice out at the national body's congress. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek every association, including the FAM certainly would have their own regulations and disciplinary procedures under their constitution. "Those in the FAM must abide by FAM's conditions because the national body has the power. But if they don't agree with any action taken by the FAM, the council member has a role to amend such articles. "Wait for the annual general meeting and get a two-third majority, whether by campaigning or through any other medium," he told reporters after giving out 1Malaysia Book Vouchers in conjunction with the Penerbitan Ilmiah Univeristi Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) exhibition, here, Tuesday. He was commenting on claims that the FAM was flexing its musc...

MALAYSIA berdepan laluan sukar pada PSAS tahun ini kerana semua pasukan bertanding antara yang terbaik dalam ranking dunia. SKUAD hoki negara bakal berdepan cabaran sukar dalam misi mencipta kejutan pada Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Azlan Shah (PSAS) 2013 yang bakal berlangsung di Ipoh, 9 hingga 17 Mac depan. Ini kerana empat pasukan yang beraksi dalam Trofi Juara-Juara di Melbourne tahun lalu iaitu kejohanan utama dalam kalendar hoki dunia, bakal menghantar pasukan terkuat mereka pada kejohanan ini yang reputasinya mula dilihat antara berprestij di Asia. Pasukan No. 2 dunia, Australia bakal menghantar skuad gabungan pemain berpengalaman dan muda dalam misi merangkul gelaran ketujuh mereka dalam PSAS manakala juara bertahan, New Zealand pula sudah pasti mahu mempertahankan gelarannya biarpun melakukan kejutan dengan menghantar pemain muda. Berdasarkan ranking dunia, Malaysia yang dibimbing jurulatih baharu, Paul Revington kini menduduki ranking ke-13 duni...

Kuala Lumpur: Tanpa Lin Dan dari China, pemain nombor satu dunia Datuk Lee Chong Wei mengakui laluannya untuk bergelar juara Seluruh England, tidak sesukar tahun lalu namun tetap melakukan persiapan terbaik kerana mana-mana pemain bukan sekadar China juga ada kemampuan untuk mengatasinya. “Saya pasti semua orang bertanyakan mengenai peluang saya tanpa kehadiran Lin Dan, memang peluang saya lebih cerah tapi perlu diingat, China masih ada lima pemain,” kata Chong Wei. Lin Dan adalah juara bertahan Seluruh England, muncul juara tahun lalu selepas Chong Wei memberi kemenangan percuma kepada pemain itu kerana mengalami kecederaan. “Saya mahukan semula kejuaraan yang terlepas tahun lalu. Begitupun saya perlu fokus menyelesaikan tugasan di setiap pusingan dulu sebelum berfikir jauh. “Ketiadaan Lin Dan tidak bermakna Chen Long satu-satunya pencabar dari negara itu, malah Du Pengyu juga berbahaya selepas menunjukkan peningkatan permainan. Pemain negara lain sep...

TREAD CAREFULLY: Bad omen for top seeds and defending champions THE WTA BMW Malaysian Open is a jinx for top seeds and defending champions. Since the tournament's inception in 2010, none of the top three seeds have won the title while the defending champions have also fared poorly. Russian Elena Dementieva was the only top seed to reach the final, achieved three years ago, but the now-retired player was upset by compatriot and fourth seed Alisa Kleybanova while China's second seed Li Na bowed out in the first round. Unseeded Australian Jelena Dokic won in the following year, overcoming Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova in the final. Italian Francesco Schiavone and Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, the top two seeds, were ousted in early rounds. Taiwan's Hsieh Su Wei was the first qualifier to win the singles title in last year's edition after her opponent Petra Martic of Croatia withdrew in the third set. Poland's top seed Agnieszka Radwa...

  Julian David Arredondo celebrates winning Stage Five of Le Tour de Langkawi yesterday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin CUSHION: Colombian wins race to summit of Genting Highlands in style despite wet and cold conditions JULIAN David Arredondo put himself in a commanding position  when  he left  the big guns trailing as he took victory in cold and wet conditions at the summit of Genting Highlands in Stage Five of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) yesterday.    The Colombian, riding for Japanese UCI Continental outfit Team Nippo-De Rosa, not only erased  the two minutes and 43 seconds deficit he had on the previous overall leader, Wang Meiyin of Hengxiang Cycling Team, but dominated  the treacherous Genting climb to put a sizeable cushion between the  pack and himself in the general classification.    Arredondo now holds a one minute and 22-second advantage over second-placed Peter Weening of th...

IMPIAN skuad kebangsaan Malaysia untuk menamatkan saingan dalam kelompok 10 pasukan terbaik pada edisi ke-18 kejohanan lumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013 semakin tertutup. Sasaran itu terus pudar selepas barisan pelumba negara gagal melakukan impak pada perlumbaan peringkat kelima dari Proton, Shah Alam ke Genting Highlands sejauh 110.3 kilometer (km) semalam. Selepas lima hari berjuang, Malaysia sekadar menduduki tempat ke-15 setelah ketinggalan 23 minit 20 saat daripada pasukan yang menduduki tempat ke-10, Orica GreedEDGE. Ketua jurulatih skuad lebuh raya negara, Aminuddin Sulaiman berkata, Yusrizal Usoff ( gambar ) gagal menjalankan tugas dengan baik untuk menamatkan perlumbaan bersama tiga lagi pelumba pendaki lain, Mohamad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi, Amir Mustafa Rusli dan Mohd. Rauf Nur Misbah. "Rentak Yusrizal masih tidak menjadi hari ini (semalam) manakala Fauzan pula gagal bertahan dalam kumpulan keempat ketika pendakian ke Genting Highlands it...

Genting Highlands: Pelumba Champions System Pro Cycling, Muhamad Adiq Husainie Othman (gambar) kini memburu misi peribadi dalam baki perlumbaan Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL). Selepas lima peringkat bekerja keras membantu pasukan dengan menjadi pelumba domestik, kemenangan peringkat perlumbaan dan memungut mata di zon pecutan kini menjadi keutamaannya. “Peringkat kelima (semalam) saya memang mencari kelebihan kepada pasukan berbaki lima peringkat lagi. Sasaran untuk mencari kejuaraan pasukan keseluruhan tidak berapa baik dan kini berada di pertengahan (tempat ke-11). “Jadi bermula esok (hari ini) kami mungkin mengubah sasaran dengan cuba melakukan pemecahan dan cuba memenangi mana-mana peringkat perlumbaan. “Mungkin saya akan turut memburu mata di zon pecutan. Namun terpulang kepada perancangan pasukan,” katanya yang beraksi buat tahun kedua bersama CSC. Harapan CSC untuk meraih kejuaraan berpasukan tampak tidak kesampaian selepas berakhirnya cabaran di Genting ...

GENTING HIGHLANDS, 25 Feb (Bernama) -- Pelumba Olimpik negara, Mohammed Adiq Husainie Othman sekali lagi menjadi pelumba pertama Malaysia tiba di puncak Genting Highlands pada perlumbaan peringkat kelima jelajah Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013, di sini Isnin. Pelumba berusia 22 tahun yang mewakili pasukan Champion System Pro Cycling itu menamatkan saingan pendakian dari Proton ke Genting Highlands sejauh 110.3km itu dengan menduduki tempat ke-32. Beliau mencatat masa tiga jam, 20 minit dan dua saat, 08:21s di belakang pemenang peringkat itu dan jersi kuning dan merah, Julian David Arredondo Moreno daripada Team Nippo-De Rosa. Pelumba dari Colombia itu mencatat masa 3'11:41s untuk tiba awal di garisan penamat. "Pasukan saya telah menggunakan strategi yang lebih kurang sama semasa pendakian di Cameron Highlands (Sabtu lepas). "Walaupun saya adalah pelumba domestik untuk pasukan ini tetapi saya bersyukur kerana menjadi pelumba Champion System yang...

GENTING HIGHLANDS, 25 Feb (Bernama) -- Pakar pendakian pasukan Team Nippo-De Rosa dari Colombia, Julian David Arredondo Moreno menawan laluan sukar dan berliku Genting Highlands dalam cuaca hujan dan sujuk untuk menguasai Peringkat lima di sini Isnin. Dalam perlumbaan yang bermula dari Pusat Kecemerlangan Proton di Shah Alam ke Genting Highlands, sejauh 110.30km, Arredondo Moreno mengetepikan pelumba Belanda Pieter Weening dari pasukan Orica GreenEdge dan pelumba Colombia, Victor Nino Corredor dari pasukan RTS Racing Team untuk memenangi perlumbaan itu. Arredondo Moreno, 25, mengambil masa tiga jam, 11 minit dan 41 saat untuk menamatkan perlumbaan itu, hanya 26 saat di depan Weening. "Strategi pasukan kami pada hari ini ialah tunggu dan lihat, terutamanya mengenai bagaimana pendahulu perlumbaan (Wang Meiyin dari pasukan Hengxiang Cycling Team) bertindak. Apabila dia kurang bermaya, pasukan saya mula mengasak dan saya berjaya memenangi perlumbaan hari ini da...

Kapar, Klang: Pemilik jersi Raja Bukit LTdL 2013 berkemungkinan besar akan ditentukan hari ini apabila saingan mendaki ke puncak Genting Highlands bermula. Seperti kebiasaannya pendakian kategori Hors ini akan menawarkan pungutan mata tertinggi dalam perlumbaan LTdL iaitu 25 mata dan bakal menentukan juara jersi merah itu selain kemungkinan jersi kuning selaku juara individu keseluruhan. Pelumba Hengxiang Cycling Team, Wang Meiyin dilihat hampir pasti meraih jersi Raja Bukit kali ini selepas mempamerkan pendakian mengagumkan di Cameron Highlands, kelmarin dan mengutip mata sebanyak mungkin. “Hari ini (semalam) saya rasa lebih selesa kerana berehat (laluan landai peringkat keempat) dengan misi utama mendapatkan keputusan terbaik esok (hari ini),” kata pelumba dari China itu. Dia yang mencipta sejarah LTdL kelmarin apabila meraih empat jersi selepas memenangi peringkat ketiga tetap merendah diri menjelang aksi pendakian lebih sukar hari ini. “Semua ...

ANUAR Manan was again the star of the show as far as Malaysians were concerned when the Synergy-Baku Cycling Project rider did well to finish eighth in a bunch sprint that ended Stage Four of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from Tapah to Kapar yesterday. Ruing his lack of a sufficiently strong lead-out for the bunch sprint, Anuar is still fighting to keep his hopes of landing the points classification which he last won in 2010 and his determination showed. While three riders were away in an early breakaway, Anuar picked up the pieces by taking fourth spot in the first two intermediate sprints yesterday, before sitting back to recover for the bunch sprint, which was eventually won by Italy's Francesco Chicchi of the Vini Fantini team. "I just had to do what I could to pick up whatever points that were available to keep myself in touch in the points classification. Today (yesterday) I was looking again to try and win the stage, but in the final kilometres, m...

  OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar launching the Milo Hidup Bola Junior Futsal carnival yesterday. Pic by Rosela Ismail WITH football's hopes of being included in the Commonwealth Games looking slim at best, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar believes futsal would be the perfect substitute for the most popular sport on earth. With widespread appeal on its side, Tunku Imran said the indoor sport would be an ideal addition to the Games due to its short period of play and the relatively low cost needed to host it in such competitions. "African countries have long lobbied for football to be included as part of the Commonwealth Games, however, have not been successful," said Tunku Imran after officiating the launch of the Milo Hidup Bola Futsal Carnival at OCM Hotel yesterday. "As the Games is only an 11-day affair it would not be long enough to host a football competition but fut...

KUALA LUMPUR: Denmark’s Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen has no intention of moving the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters back to Europe if he becomes the world body’s new president. The 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games gold medallist is happy with the headquarters’ being in the heart of Asia – in Kuala Lumpur. Badminton Europe (EB) president Hoyer Larsen confirmed his decision to stand for election when nominations officially closed on Friday. The BWF are expected to publish the names of all the candidates for the various posts on their website today. Two other candidates vying for the president’s post are Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh and All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) president Justian Suhandinata. Hoyer-Larsen said in a statement that he would not rock the boat but would give more focus on promoting the game among the smaller member associations. “I have the utmost respect for current president Dr....

Kapar, Klang: Prestasi pelumba tempatan terus mengecewakan selepas peringkat keempat Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013 semalam. Kecuali Anuar Manan yang tampak memberikan saingan, skuad kebangsaan dan Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) dilihat masih belum mampu memberikan cabaran bermakna. Lebih mengecewakan sasaran skuad kebangsaan yang mahu berada dalam kelompok 10 pasukan terbaik tampak sukar apabila menghuni tangga ke-17 dalam senarai 22 pasukan bertanding TSG di tempat ke-21. Bagi Anuar yang juga pelumba Synergy-Baku Cycling Project, dia tetap fokus dalam misinya walaupun masih belum menyarung sebarang jersi dan menang dalam empat peringkat awal perlumbaan. “Saya cuba sedaya mungkin mengutip mata dalam zon pecutan hari ini dan masih berusaha untuk mencari podium pertama,” katanya yang menjadi pelumba terbaik tempatan semalam apabila menamatkan saingan di tempat kelapan. Menurutnya, kegagalan rakan sepasukannya membuka laluan dengan baik mengundang pada...

ANUAR (kanan) terus menjadi sandaran untuk mengharumkan nama Malaysia pada perlumbaan LTdL 2013. JAGUH pecut negara, Anuar Manan masih gagal untuk menyaingi kehebatan barisan pelumba profesional pada kejohanan lumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013. Semalam, sasaran pelumba pasukan Synergy Baku Cycling Project itu untuk menaiki podium pada perlumbaan peringkat keempat dari Tapah ke Kapar sejauh 168 kilometer (km) tidak kesampaian. Anuar hanya berpuas hati berada di tempat kelapan ketika empat pelumba profesional mengungguli lima kedudukan teratas yang menyaksikan pelumba Vini Fantini - Selle Italia, Francesco Chicchi muncul juara. Anuar berkata, rakan-rakan sepasukannya yang sepatutnya membawa dia ke garisan penamat tersangkut dengan kelompok pelumba lain, sekali gus menyebabkan dia terpaksa bertindak secara solo. "Saya terpaksa pergi sendiri ke garisan penamat, kami memang tidak jangka perkara ini akan berlaku. "Ia memang malang buat saya...

KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sport Ministry is prepared to help and cooperate with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to root out match-fixing in the region. Its Minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, said corruption and match-fixing in football were cross-boundary crimes which no country could fight alone. He said the setting up of a task force by AFC to help combat match-fixing was apt. "AFC had taken appropriate action and we are prepared to help," he said when met after handing over the 1Malaysia Book vouchers and launching of the IM4U Outreach Centre at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, here. Shabery said Malaysia was firm in wanting to eliminate corruption and match-fixing and would cooperate with all quarters to root out the problem. Yesterday, AFC announced the setting up of a task force to combat corruption and match-fixing. It was set up a day after an INTERPOL-led conference. AFC secretary-general Datuk Alex S...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Doping Control Centre is proactively taking measures to regain its status as an international anti-doping laboratory after its accreditation was suspended in 2010. USM Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr M Jegathesan said the steps being implemented by the centre included restructuring the control centre administration in line with the conditions set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Apart from that, the centre which began operating in 1998 when Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games, was also upgrading its facilities and instruments as well as strengthening the centre's human resource management, he said. "We are in the process of fulfilling the conditions in accordance with WADA's requirements. "When all the measures are completed, we will present the application to WADA (to regain international anti-doping laboratory status)," he said when contacted Friday. The USM Doping...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The absence of defending champion Lin Dan of China at the All England Super Series next month, would not make a difference to world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei. The Malaysian said he would rather focus on his game with the intention of winning the title than worry about who is or isn't playing but is well aware of the dangers Chinese players like Chen Jin and Chen Long can pose. Even players from South Korea and Indonesia will be no pushovers as the Malaysian ace sets out for his third All England title. "I will take one match at a time and not rush into making any predictions," said the 2012 London Olympics silver medallist when met at his company Chong Wei Binajaya Sdn Bhd Chinese New Year celebrations, here Saturday. With Lin Dan's withdrawal, Chong way is expected to have an easy path at the All England, to be held from March 5-10, but predicts his chances as 50:50. "I do not want everyone t...

NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The national women's hockey squad failed to qualify for the World League semi-finals after losing 0-4 to Japan in the second round of the league at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, India. "We did well till the 25th minute but there was a mistake which gave Japan their first goal in the first half," coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim told Bernama after the match, here Sunday. "In the second half, most of the team's first choice players were already injured and the team had to depend on inexperienced players." Japan scored three more goals in the second half. Asked why the Malaysian team was mostly on the defending side, he said: "We have to be realistic. The Japanese are too strong for us. If we keep the field too open then they would have scored more." Nevertheless, he was happy with the team's performance, as they managed to keep the score low despite the defeat. ...

KLANG, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Italian sprinter, Francesco Chicchi of Vini Fantini-Selle Italia powered his way to his maiden stage win of the 2013 Le Tour de Langkawi from Tapah, Perak to Kapar near here, Sunday. The 33-year-old Chicchi clocked three hours, 44 minutes and 22 seconds in a bunch sprint finish at Kapar, ahead of his compatriot, Andrea Guardini of Astana Pro Team. "This is my first time in Malaysia...especially in the LTdL. Initially my target was to have at least one stage win and try to get the blue jersey. However, the competition is very tough this year as many teams have good sprinters," he said. In the sprint competition, the 2011 and 2012 blue jersey champion, Guardini managed to grab the jersey from China's Wang Meiyin of Hengxiang Cycling Team. "Today I clinched the jersey and it gives me confidence for a better outing. Today's win is still not enough as I want to have a stage win," said Guardini. Wang me...

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Mohammed Adiq Husainie Othman representing Champion System Pro Cycling, was the best Malaysian rider in stage three when he finished in 33rd spot. The 22-year-old finished the 140.7km race from Sungai Siput, Perak to Cameron Highlands, a stage that involved a treacherous climb to Cameron Highlands, finished in 33rd spot. "About 15km before the finishing line, I tried to do my best but we were more concerned with team strategy rather than individual glory and I am happy three of us finished in the leading pack," he said. The other two riders from Champion System Pro Cycling in the leading pack were Chad Beyer (11th spot) and Chris Butler (31st). "I am confident a similar strategy will be used by the team for the Genting Highlands climb because we are more focused on the team's standing and not individual," he said. Meanwhile, Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) riders Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin and Md Rauf...

KUALA KANGSAR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Blanco Pro Cycling Team rider, Theo Bos continues to dominated the 2013 Le Tour de Langkawi. The 29-year-old rider claimed his second stage win from Serdang, Kedah to Kuala Kangsar, a distance of 117.8km, with a time of two hours, 54 minutes and 48 seconds. The race which once again ended in a bunch sprint saw Bos facing a tough fight from Italy's Andrea Guardini of Astana Pro Team at the finishing line. Bos also retained the yellow jersey as the current general classification leader after accumulating 6'54:45s, just 10 seconds ahead of Guardini. "It is up to the team strategy to maintain the jersey (yellow jersey). Tomorrow's stage is going to be a hard stage, I hope I can arrive at the finishing line on time. We have to survive the stage race," he said. The blue jersey (sprint competition) remained intact with him after a strong sprint at the finishing line. Bos accumulated 30 points with Guardini th...

Kulim: Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek yakin pelumba tempatan mampu memberikan impak dalam perlumbaan Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013. Keyakinan itu hadir selepas menyaksikan Anuar Manan (tempat ketujuh) dan Mohd Harrif Saleh (tempat ke-13) memberikan saingan sengit pada peringkat pertama perlumbaan semalam. “Kita kini boleh menaruh harapan untuk sekurang-kurangnya menaiki podium kerana mempunyai pelumba yang bagus seperti Anuar dan Harrif,” katanya. Malah Ahmad Shabery turut percaya Anuar yang terbaik di Malaysia serta Asia walaupun sukar mendapat pasukan sebelum ini. “Kami tidak boleh campur tangan pengambilan pelumba kerana setiap pasukan pasti mempunyai pertimbangan tersendiri bagi mengimbangi kekuatan pasukan.” Pada perlumbaan semalam Terengganu Cycling Team lebih cemerlang apabila menduduki tempat ke-14 senarai keseluruhan pasukan bertanding berbanding skuad negara di tempat ke-16. Sementara itu pasukan Champions System Pro Cy...

FAVOURITES: Blanco Pro Cycling Team make it look easy in opener  IT was an expected end to the opening stage of Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from Kangar to Kulim yesterday with Theo Bos and his Blanco Pro Cycling Team living up to their pre-race favourites' tag with an easy victory in a bunch sprint that left rivals with no answer. With the 29-year old Dutchman's second victory of the season came the added expectations for more as main rival and LTdL record stage winner Andrea Guardini of the Astana team saw his effort to match Bos yesterday only providing a third place opener behind young Frenchman Bryan Coquard, who joined Bos as two LTdL debutants who took the top spots of the podium. It was a straightforward script to the day that saw a three-man breakaway comprising Japanese veteran Shinichi Fukushima of Team Nippo, China's Wang Meiyin of the Hengxiang Cycling Team and Ho Junrong of the OCBC Singapore team escaping right from the official sta...

KULIM: Dutchman Theo Bos bossed his way to win the First Stage of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) from Kangar to Kulim yesterday. The Blanco rider pipped Frenchman Bryan Coquard of Europcar and Italian Andrea Guardini (Astana) by almost two bike-lengths to win the 162.7km stage in 4’00:17. Fresh from a stage win in the Tour of Algarve in Portugal last week, Bos had a successful leadout by team-mate and former 10-time LTdL stage winner Graeme Brown. “Brown did a good job at the front. It was so fast I couldn’t go any faster,” said Bos after the finish. It was a fast and frantic race under the scorching sun as riders from the five ProTour teams – Blanco, Astana, Garmin-Sharp, Orica GreenEdge and Omega Pharma-Quick Step, controlled the peloton at a steady speed, averaging 40.63kph. A three-man breakaway initiated by Japanese Shinichi Fukushima (Team Nippo) managed a 10-minute lead at the 40km mark. With his breakaway companions Wang Meiyin (Hengxiang Cycling) and ...

Kulim: Anuar Manan membuktikan kredibilitinya sebagai pelumba pecut terbaik negara walaupun terpaksa menunggu hingga saat akhir mendapatkan pasukan untuk bersaing dalam Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013. Pelumba kelahiran Terengganu yang mewakili Synergy-Baku Cycling Project dari Azerbaijan itu menduduki tempat ketujuh peringkat pertama dari Kangar ke Kulim dengan masa empat jam 17 saat. Ia sekali gus memberi gambaran sebenar kemampuan bekas Raja Pecut LTdL 2010 itu yang tampak sukar mendapat tempat bersama pasukan tempatan. “Saya tidak sangka menjadi pelumba tempatan terbaik. Saya cuma mahu memenangi peringkat ini dan tidak sempat melihat pelumba negara yang lain,” katanya. Menurut pelumba berusia 27 tahun itu, usaha bersendirian memberikan kesukaran selepas pasukan Pro Tour lain seperti Blanco Pro Clycling Team memberikan sokongan diperlukan untuk Theo Bos menjuarai peringkat pertama. Anuar bagaimanapun, mengaku kegagalan pasukannya mengejar tiga pelumba yang m...

REAKSI Bos selepas melepasi garisan penamat peringkat pertama LTdL 2013 di Kulim semalam. PELUMBA pecut Belanda, Theo Bos membuktikan kehebatannya apabila menguasai peringkat pertama kejohanan lumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) 2013 semalam. Selain menyarung Jersi Kuning selaku pendahulu keseluruhan, pelumba Blanco Pro Cycling Team (BLA) itu turut dinobatkan selaku Raja Pecut (Jersi Biru) selepas mengutip 15 mata daripada tiga zon pecut. Bos, 29, mengambil masa empat jam 11 minit untuk menamatkan kayuhan di laluan beralun sejauh 162.7 kilometer (km) dari Kangar, Perlis ke Kulim, Kedah. Meskipun berlumba dalam keadaan cuaca panas terik sepanjang laluan, Bos berjaya menamatkan cabaran Raja Pecut 2011 dan 2012, Andrea Guardini. Guardini, 23, daripada Astana Pro Team (AST) melepasi garisan penamat di tempat ketiga manakala kedudukan kedua menjadi milik pelumba Team Europcar, Bryan Coquard dengan catatan masa yang sama. Pelumba sandaran negara, Anuar M...

KULIM, 21 Feb (Bernama) -- Pelumba negara Anuar Manan muncul sebagai pelumba terbaik Malaysia selepas berakhir peringkat pertama perlumbaan Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) dari Kangar ke Kulim, Khamis. Anuar berjaya menempatkan dirinya dalam kelompok 10 pelumba terawal tiba di garisan penamat dengan menamatkan saingan sejauh 162.7km di tempat ketujuh pada perlumbaan yang dimenangi oleh pakar pecut pasukan Blanco Pro Cycling Team, Theo Bos dari Belanda. "Saya mungkin boleh berada di hadapan bersama-sama Theo Bos. Kira-kira 3km sebelum sampai garisan penamat, tidak ada rakan pasukan yang dapat menolong. Mungkin masa itu, semua pelumba sudah meningkatkan kayuhan dan kayuhan menjadi laju. Saya terpaksa bekerja sendiri. "Pada awal perlumbaan lagi, selepas kayuhan neutral sudah ada tiga pelumba yang membuat pecahan dan saya sukar untuk mengejar mereka untuk mengumpul mata untuk kategori pecut. Saya silap sedikit di situ," kata pelumba dari Kuala Ibai,...

KULIM, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The blazing heat along the 162.7km stretch from Kangar, Perlis to Kulim, Kedah did not deter Holland's Theo Bos of Blanco Pro Cycling Team to claim his maiden Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) race stage win. The 29-year-old sprinter clocked four hours and 17 seconds, ahead of France's Bryan Coquard (Team Europcar) and Italy's Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team). "I was surprised to win this race. On paper, it seems easy but it was difficult in the final. The other rider in my team helped me out. With (Greame) Brown helping me...he has lots of experience racing here and it is a great advantage for me, as compared to the other guys. "It is always hard to say that I can expect to win. I never expect to win easy...so, we have a lot of respect for our opponents. It is not an easy race and I know that another sprinter would win the next race," said Bos at a press conference. He added that he would like to win another sta...

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- More food and nutrition professionals are needed to monitor the athlete's optimal dietary intake pattern, said Special Adviser to the Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz. He said this was important for the focus was no longer confine to elite athletes, instead all levels of athletes. "Although we already have nutrition officers, they cater only for elite athletes. "We need to instil a healthy dietary pattern to athletes at a young age as early between 10 and 12 years because we need to prepare the second echelon to take over from senior athletes in future," he told Bernama. Dr Ramlan, who was former National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer, said when he started work as a medical officer at the institute in 1990, there was only one nutrition officer to keep watch on the athlete's dietary needs. "Nutrition officers can help athletes maintain a well-balanced diet in...