Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Kuala Lumpur: Jaguh olahraga 400 meter lari berpagar negara, Noraseela Khalid sudah boleh melupakan kariernya sebagai atlet selepas dilaporkan tidak lagi mampu untuk berlari kerana kecederaan. Presiden Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM), Datuk Karim Ibrahim mengesahkan pemenang pingat gangsa Sukan Asia 2006 itu sudah menarik diri daripada Kejohanan Terbuka Malaysia bermula hari ini. Menduduki tempat kelima di Sukan Asia Guangzhou, China pada 2010, Karim berkata, Seela mungkin terpaksa melupakan kariernya berikutan kecederaan lama yang masih menghantuinya. “Memang Seela ada memaklumkan kepada saya untuk kembali berlari, tetapi masih terasa sakit. “Sekarang ini dia akan memberi tumpuan kepada tugas barunya sebagai jurulatih. Bagaimanapun kita tidak menghalang untuk dia kembali jika dia mampu melakukannya,” katanya.

KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) technical director Morten Frost got what he wanted – control and a big budget to run the coaching and training programme. The BAM executive committee, headed by president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff, met to study Frost’s proposals. And they gave the Dane their unanimous support to turn around the fortunes of Malaysian badminton. Under the new plan and structure, all the national coaches’ contracts under BAM will be extended with better perks. A generous budget for the players’ participation in competitions has also been approved. And Frost’s plan to scrap the chief coaches’ posts with immediate effect was received with lot of cheers. Frost said he would assume the role of chief coach. “I am so happy that I have received full support for my new coaching and training structure. I had asked for a big budget and it was approved,” said a delighted Frost. “I have decided to remove all th...

KUALA LUMPUR – Pengarah Teknikal Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Morten Frost Hansen akan memansuhkan jawatan ketua jurulatih dalam penstrukturan semula barisan kejurulatihan sedia ada. Dia juga tidak menolak kemungkinan akan melakukan rombakan yang menyaksikan beberapa jurulatih elit akan ditukarkan ke bahagian lain yang bersesuaian. Katanya, dia juga akan berjumpa dengan semua jurulatih yang sudah tamat kontrak bagi membincangkan isu-isu lain berkaitan kontrak sebelum menawarkan kontrak baharu kepada mereka. “Saya juga sudah mengadakan perbincangan dengan barisan kejurulatihan dan mereka bersetuju dengan cadangan yang dikemukakan tetapi saya tidak akan menjelaskan secara terperinci mengenai perubahan struktur ini. “Saya juga sudah meletakkan sasaran kepada para pemain tetapi masih belum membincangkan sasaran secara terperinci kepada jurulatih dan perkara ini akan di­selaraskan semula selepas ini. “Ahli majlis juga sudah bersetuju dengan cadangan kenaikan gaj...

KUALA LUMPUR: Dollah Salleh suffered his heaviest defeat as national coach when Oman hammered 10-man Malaysia 6-0 in an international friendly in Muscat on Thursday. Playing for the first time since finishing runners-up at the AFF Cup last December, the national team were made to look like minnows by Oman as Malaysia slumped to its biggest loss in 16 years. So bad were Malaysia that S. Kunanlan was penalised for two penalties and the match ended on a sour note when captain Safiq Rahim was sent off for dissent. Yaqoob Abdul-Karim Al Qasmi and Abdulaziz Homaid Al Muqbali both scored twice, either side of half-time, with Qasim Said Sangoor and Mohsin Johar Al Khalidi getting the other goals. The defeat was Malaysia's ninth in Dollah's 13 matches in charges and the coach's worst outing since his debut game, a 4-1 loss against Tajikistan in August last year. It was also the national team's biggest reverse since a 6-0 defeat by Indonesia at the 1999 Se...

Rafiq and Qalif (right) took the third gold medal for Malaysian in the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Macau. PETALING JAYA: It’s as good as it gets for Malaysia. On Thursday, Malaysia struck gold again at the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Macau for an unprecedented third straight day with  Rafiq Ismail and Qalif Adnor Adam claiming the boys’ doubles title. On Tuesday, Rafiq won the boys’ singles title and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norakmal followed suit by capturing the girls’ singles crown on Wednesday.  The 18-year-old Rafiq and Qalif amassed a record 2,814 total, beating the previous mark of 2,783 set by a Hong Kong pair in 2010. Rafiq registered lines of 233-196-279-279-228-231 for a six-game total of 1,446 while Qalif contributed 1,368 pinfalls. Muhammad Jaris Goh and Javier Tan of Singapore took the silver with 2,763 pinfalls while Filipino pair Ivan Malig-Enzo Hernandez amassed 2,690 for third ...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- From April 1, the Badminton Association of Malaysia coaches performance will be measured by a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) under the new restructuring programme. BAM president Tan Sri Dr Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff said it was part of the restructuring effort proposed by newly-appointed BAM technical director Morten Frost Hansen. "Generally we are very happy with what Frost presented to us and we agree to the proposals. The coaches will be given new contracts but with KPI. BAM will also relook at the welfare of players and their contracts," he told reporters after chairing a BAM exco meeting here, today. Tengku Mahaleel said the BAM would also 'realign' all the 'misalignment' of salaries and income of coaches and players. Meanwhile, Frost said under the new structure, the decision would be taken collectively after discussion with coaches and administration. "The new structure will b...

SEPANG, 26 Mac (Bernama) -- Kerajaan memutuskan untuk terus menyokong Grand Prix Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia kerana ia memberi impak baik daripada segi ekonomi kepada negara, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Beliau berkata dengan mengambil kira impak ekonomi daripada acara berprestij ini kepada Malaysia, termasuk kemunculan pelbagai industri dan perniagaan sampingan untuk menyokong Formula 1,"kerajaan memperakui kepentingan dan relevanan, dan memutuskan untuk terus menyokongnya." Formula 1 dianggap acara sukan tahunan terbesar dan paling berprestij negara ini dan berjaya menarik ramai peminat sukan permotoran dari seluruh pelosok dunia," katanya dalam perutusan dalam buku program rasmi Grand Prix Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia. Najib berkata Grand Prix Malaysia pertama kali diadakan pada 1999 dan tahun ini merupakan edisi ke-17, telah berkembang maju daripda segi kedudukan dan populariti, dan telah memberi banyak pendedahan positif ...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Harimau Malaya squad was clearly no match for the 96th world ranking team Oman after it was thrashed 6-0 at an A class international friendly at the Al-Seeb Stadium, Thursday night. The host team, dubbed Al-Ahmar (The Reds), dominated the match by launching attack after attack on the national squad's goalmouth in a game which was directly aired by a pay station. Yaqob Abdul-Karim Salim Al-Qasmi placed Oman in front in the 15th minute by taking advantage of a tussle in the Malaysian penalty box to easily push the ball, past Mohd Farizal Marlias. Oman, which is trained by by French coach, Paul Le Guen increased its attack and scored its second goal via a penalty in the 42nd minute by Abdul Aziz Humaid Mubarak Al-Muqbali. In the second half, Oman scored four more goals through Qasim Said Sangoor, Abdul Aziz, Yaqoob Abdul-Karim and Mohsin Johar Al-Khaldi.

Chef de Mission @TeamMsia meeting with @AtletMalaysia Sea Games @seagames2015 72 #daystogo 🏆 #TakeThePodium pic.twitter.com/vHdcqI8NTs — Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) March 25, 2015 Kuala Lumpur: Venue kem latihan pusat fasa akhir kontinjen negara menghadapi Sukan SEA Singapura ditukar dari Skudai, Johor ke Kuala Lumpur, kata Ketua Kontinjen Negara, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria. Beliau berkata, keputusan mengubah venue kem latihan itu dilakukan setelah mengambil kira pandangan persatuan sukan serta Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) bagi mengelak gangguan terhadap persiapan dan latihan atlet. Latihan pusat fasa akhir dijadual diadakan di Universiti Teknoloji Malaysia (UTM) Skudai dari 28 hingga 30 Mei ini. Bagaimanapun, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) akan menentukan venue di Kuala Lumpur dengan tarikh baru dari 22 hingga 24 Mei ini, katanya selepas mesyuarat pengurus pasukan bersama atlet dan pegawai daripada beberapa persatuan sukan di ISN, semalam. Sukan SEA Si...

The national hockey team won the World League Round Two tournament in Singapore in January, beating Poland 8-0 in the final. - BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with two big guns – world No. 4 Britain and No. 5 Belgium – in the World League Semi-finals in Antwerp, Belgium from June 20-July 5. Minnows Ireland and China are the other teams in Group B in this Olympic hockey qualifying tournament. Group A consists of world No. 1 Australia, India, Pakistan, France and Poland. After the group matches, the top four teams from each group will proceed to the knockout quarter-final stage. Only the top four at the end of the tournament qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. National coach Tai Beng Hai admitted it was a tough draw. “The challenge now is for us to defy the odds and qualify for the Olympics,” said Beng Hai. “I hope the team will finish in a good position in the group to qualify for the ...

Malaysia's Nora Lyana Nastasia showing off the gold medal she won after clinching the girls' singles title at the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Macau on Wednesday. PETALING JAYA: Nora Lyana Nastasia completed a singles sweep for Malaysia by winning the girls’ event in the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Macau. The 17-year-old registered a six-game series of 1,359 pinfalls to finish ahead of Joey Yap of Singapore (1,344) and Indonesian Alisha Nabila (1,308) at the Complexo Desportivo Internacional do COTAI bowling centre. Earlier on Tuesday, Rafiq Ismail celebrated his 18th birthday by clinching the gold with a record 1,615 total. Nora’s singles win was the first for Malaysian girls in 19 years. Shalin Zulkifli was the last winner in 1996 when Nora wasn’t even born yet. “I’m over the moon. I competed in the championships two years ago, but came up short. I’m really happy to come back and win the gold,” said...

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Mac (Bernama) -- Skuad boling remaja kebangsaan meraih pingat emas kedua menerusi Nora Lyana Natasia Norkamal pada Kejohanan Remaja Asia ABF ke-18 di Macau, hari ini. Nora Lyana Nastasia wins Singles Gold at Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship 2015! Congrats 👍👏🏆 #TakeThePodium pic.twitter.com/EJMt5HYdZ3 — Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) March 25, 2015 Pada acara perseorangan remaja perempuan, Nora Lyana Natasia berjaya mengumpul 1,359 jatuhan pin, hanya 15 pin mengatasi pesaing terdekat Joy Yap dari Singapura yang mendapat 1,344 pin. Pingat gangsa menjadi milik seorang lagi pemain Singapura, Alisha Nabila dengan 1,308 pin. Semalam, seorang lagi pemain remaja negara, Muhammad Rafiq Ismail meraih pingat emas pertama acara perseorangan lelaki. Sementara tiga lagi pemain dalam saingan hari menamatkan saingan dalam kelompok 20 pemain terbaik. Nur Syazwani Sahar menamatkan saingan di tempat ke-10 dengan mengumpul 1,232 pin dan diikuti Nur Amirah Aun...

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Mac (Bernama) -- Bintang terjun negara Leong Mun Yee mahu terus konsisten dalam terjunan dan menyumbang pingat dalam Kejohanan Terjun Siri Dunia FINA di Kazan, yang dijadual berlangsung pada 24 hingga 26 April ini. 10m synchro podium selfie #Dubai2015 pic.twitter.com/O8Yr3qzZkY — World Series - Dubai (@DivingWSDubai) March 19, 2015 Selepas menghadiahkan satu perak dan satu gangsa pada dua aksi terdahulu bersama gandingannya Cheong Jun Hong, Mun Yee, 30, tekad untuk memantapkan kawalan terjunan individunya. "Saya mahu memperbaiki terjunan yang kadang kalanya tidak begitu menjadi supaya boleh menambah mata di kejohanan (di Kazan)," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada Bernama selepas menghadiri majlis pelancaran Logo dan Kira Detik Hari Sukan Negara 2015 yang disempurnakan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semalam. Pada tahun ini Hari Sukan Negara diadakan 10 Okt ini. Dalam pada itu, atlet yang berasal dari Ipoh, Pe...

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemain hoki negara, Mohd Faizal Saari tetap tidak terkecuali untuk menjalani ujian kecergasan seperti mana pemain-pemain lain untuk dipilih menyertai skuad kebangsaan, kata pengendali sementara skuad hoki kebangsaan, Tai Beng Hai. Mohd Faizal, 24, yang mencetuskan kontroversi selepas dilaporkan menghilangkan diri selepas mewakili negara dalam Liga Hoki Dunia di Singapura, telah melapor diri untuk menjalani latihan bersama skuad kebangsaan petang semalam. Menurut Beng Hai, ujian kecergasan itu akan dijalankan dalam beberapa hari bermula pagi esok. "Dalam kes Faizal Saari, sama ada beliau akan bermain dalam Piala Sultan Azlan Shah, kami perlu memikirkan beberapa perkara. Pertama, bolehkan kami membuatkan beliau cergas untuk bermain dengan baik kerana ia adalah kejohanan antarabangsa. Dalam suasana kejohanan, kami juga ingin memastikan beliau tidak cedera," katanya ketika ditemui pada majlis penyerahan tajaan untuk...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- As any other hockey players, Mohd Faizal Saari will not be exempted from undergoing fitness test to be selected to join the national squad. Mohd Faizal, 24, who created controversy by disappearing after representing Malaysia at the World Hockey League in Singapore, was said to have reported for training with the national squad yesterday. Coach Tai Beng Hai said the fitness test would be carried out over the next few days, starting tomorrow. Hoki 'The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2015', 5 - 12 April di Stadium Sultan Azlan Shah, Ipoh. Jom sokong #Team Malaysia !!! pic.twitter.com/smEHMGfl1U — shahrul yahya (@shahrulyahya) March 24, 2015 "In Faizal Saari's case, whether he will play in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, we have to consider a few things. Firstly, can we get him match-fit or can we get him to a reasonable level so that he can play at a good level because it is an international tournament. "In a tournament e...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- The venue for the final phase of centralised training camp to prepare for the Singapore SEA Games in June has been changed from Johor to Kuala Lumpur. Ballard, Morten Frost hargai pendekatan Norza @seagames2015 72 hari lagi! http://t.co/2vKVOwIl7P @Khairykj pic.twitter.com/wqTGENEzEV — Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) March 25, 2015 The centralised training camp that was supposed to be held at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, Johor has been switched to Kuala Lumpur and the dates changed from May 28-30 to May 22-24. Malaysian contingent chef-de-mission (CDM) Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the National Sports Council (NSC) would decide to new venue for the final phase of training. "The decision to change the venue was made after taking into consideration feedback and views of National Sports Associations (NSA) and the National Sports Institute (ISN) because we do not want any disruption in the preparations...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- After two impressive performances at the Diving World Series, National diver Leong Mun Yee hopes to display a consistent performance in her quest to win medals at the FINA World Diving Championships in Kazan (Russia), scheduled from April 24 to 26. 10m synchro podium selfie #Dubai2015 pic.twitter.com/O8Yr3qzZkY — World Series - Dubai (@DivingWSDubai) March 19, 2015 Mun Yee, 30, had partnered Cheong Jun Hong to win a silver and bronze medal in the World Series held in Beijing and Dubai respectively, from the women's 10m Platform synchronized diving. However, in Kazan, Mun Yee who had partnered Pandelela Rinong to take bronze in two world meets in Rome (2009) and Barcelona (2013), is expected to compete in the individual category. "I want to improve the consistency in my dives because things do not work out well to give extra points. I hope it does not happen in Kazan," she told Bernama after attending the laun...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Sprinter Mohd Izzuddin Yahya is the latest athlete from athletics to book a ticket for the 28th SEA Games to be held in Singapore from June 5 to 16. Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU), president Datuk Karim Ibrahim said with the qualification of Izzuddin, 29, who has a personal best of 10.48 seconds in 100m which was set at the Terengganu Open recently, the number of athletes to qualify on merit has reached 16. "We (MAU) hope the number can increase after the Malaysian Athletics Open Championship over the weekend. We want as many athletes to qualify," he told reporters at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, here, Wednesday. Earlier, the MAU had targeted 26 athletes to qualify for the biennial games. Meanwhile, MAU Technical Director, Robert J. Ballard said the Malaysian Athletics Open Championship to be held at the National Stadium, here would be the last chance for athletes to qualify for the 2015 SEA Games in Sing...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's cricket talent needs to be exposed to higher levels of competition to further improve their performance. In this regard, the Malaysian Cricket Association is eyeing to get good teams to play matches in the country as well as send key players to play in foreign leagues on attachment. Its general manager, V. Clarence Selvam said by playing with better players and teams such as Australia, India and New Zealand, Malaysian cricketers could better hone their skills and eventually reach the higher echelons of the game. "We'd love to send them overseas, but there are funding issues...we're now doing our best to get more sponsors and funding but it is not easy," he told Bernama here today. Selvam spoke of the need to develop the sport locally, including organising more tournaments, and other activities. Selvam noted that the national squad now comprised some 70 players in three categories, namel...

KUALA LUMPUR: Nothing is straight-forward when it comes to dealing with national hockey forward Faizal Saari. Malaysian forward Faizal Saari makes a goal attempt during the World Hockey League Round Two match against Japan in Singapore in January. - Filepic The prolific goal-getter was supposed to attend national team training on Monday morning. Instead, it was learnt that he was in Hong Kong to feature for SSSC in the Premier Division there – without obtaining a release letter from the national governing body. Then, out of the blue, he turned up for the national team’s evening training session. MHC secretary Datuk Mohd Johari Abdul Aziz admitted on Monday that he was shocked to learn that Faizal had played in the Hong Kong league on Sunday despite agreeing to turn up for training. “He had some issues ... we told him that the matter can be sorted out once he starts attending training. It apparently has to do with some bonus paymen...

FAIZAL (dua dari kiri) kembali berlatih bersama skuad negara, semalam. - See more at: http://www.hmetro.com.my/node/38913#sthash.xiR9UYgz.dpuf Kuala Lumpur: Pujukan Presiden Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah nyata membuahkan hasil apabila penyerang utama skuad hoki negara Faizal Saari kembali turun menjalani latihan semalam. Dilihat kembali bersemangat, Faizal berkata, faktor utama dia turun menjalani latihan semalam adalah kerana menghormati pandangan Tengku Abdullah yang mahu melihatnya kembali beraksi semula bersama skuad negara. “Presiden sudah tahu segala perkara membabitkan saya. Saya pun rasa malu dengannya sebab Tengku Abdullah sememangnya banyak membantu sejak mula beraksi dengan skuad negara,” katanya yang menjalani latihan bersama rakan sepasukan di Stadium Hoki Tun Razak, semalam. Jelas Faizal, meskipun isu membabitkan insentif bonus seperti yang dituntutnya masih belum selesai, dia berjanji a...

Workers getting the Sepang International Circuit ready for this weekend's Malaysian F1 Grand Prix. - BERNAMA SEPANG: The Finance Ministry will have the final say whether the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix will continue beyond 2015. It’s unlikely that this year’s Malaysian GP will be the last as the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) have submitted a three-year deal to continue hosting the prestigious race. But, as SIC chairman Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir said, the final decision on the contract extension lies with the Finance Ministry. “They’re the stakeholders and what we’re looking for is a win-win situation between the two parties – Formula One Management (FOM) and our side,” he said.  “There are some finer details we’re going through to make sure we get value for our money in the new contract extension.  “Formula One has certainly changed a lot compared to when we first hosted it in 1999. “We’re also looking at the in...

SEPANG, 23 Mac (Bernama) -- Pengerusi Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC), Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir memberi bayangan positif bahawa kontrak penganjuran perlumbaan Formula Satu (F1) di Litar SIC akan dilanjutkan untuk tempoh tiga tahun lagi. Bagaimanapun Mokhzani berkata keputusan pembaharuan kontrak itu masih belum muktamad dan hanya akan diumumkan jika mendapat kebenaran daripada pemegang saham iaitu Kementerian Kewangan. "Kita masih lagi dalam proses perbincangan dengan FOM (Formula One Management) serta meneliti perjanjian baharu ini. Pihak SIC mahu satu keputusan yang tidak akan merugikan mana-mana pihak. "Kita mahu situasi menang-menang...masih ada beberapa isu yang saya belum berpuas hati dan jika ia dapat dibincangkan dengan baik, SIC akan sambung kontrak untuk tiga tahun lagi," katanya kepada pemberita dalam satu majlis minum petang bersama media di SIC, di sini hari ini. Mengulas mengenai jangka masa kontrak selama tiga tahun, Mo...

SEPANG, March 23 (Bernama) -- Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Tan Sri Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir today gave positive indication that the contract to organise Formula One (F1) will be extended for another three years. However, Mokhzani said the decision on the contract renewal had yet to be finalised and it would only be announced upon getting the green light from its shareholder, the Ministry of Finance. "We are still in discussion with Formula One Management (FOM) and studying the latest terms of agreement. SIC wants a decision which would benefit all parties involved. "We want a win-win situation...there are several issues which I'm still not very satisfied and if we can discussed this further, SIC will renew the contract for another three years," he told reporters at a tea reception with the media at SIC, here today. Commenting on the period of three years, he said there was no minimum or maximum period stated by the FOM. M...

KUANTAN, 23 Mac (Bernama) -- Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) merancang untuk memperkenalkan sistem pengadil semi profesional tahun depan bagi menarik golongan muda menjadi bidang itu sebagai satu kerjaya. Presidennya, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah berkata satu kertas kerja lengkap akan dibuat dengan mendapat pandangan Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA) sebelum melaksanakan sistem itu. "Seperti mana kerjaya pemain bola sepak yang semakin mendapat perhatian, kita juga ingin mewujudkan atmosfera sebegini dalam dunia pengadilan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Seminar Pengadil Bola Sepak FAM-FIFA di sini, hari ini. Seminar empat hari, yang disertai oleh 50 pengadil, turut dihadiri Ketua Pengadil FIFA, Massimo Busacca dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengadil FAM, Goh Ah Chai. Tengku Abdullah berharap menerusi sistem pengadil semi profesional itu, banyak pengadil dari negara ini dapat mengadili perlawanan di peringkat antaraba...

KUANTAN, March 23 (Bernama) -- From next year, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will introduce a semi-professional referee system to attract the younger generation to be involved in the field. FAM president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said a complete working paper would be put up with inputs from the International Football Federation (FIFA) to ensure its implementation. "It is an effort by FAM to attract the younger generation to take up refereeing as a career. "Just like a career as a football player was getting more widespread, we will also like to create a similar atmosphere among referees," he told reporters after opening an FAM-FIFA Football Referee Seminar here today. Present were FIFA chief referee, Massimo Busacca and FAM Referee's Committee chairman, Goh Ah Chai. The four-day seminar is attended by 50 participants, including 22 assistant referees from all over the country. Through the scheme, Tengku Abdullah hop...

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Mac (Bernama) -- Tiada kelibat pemain remaja negara dalam Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Kebangsaan ke-31 yang berakhir semalam memberi petanda kurang baik dalam proses pembangunan sukan berkenaan. Meskipun acara bola jaring tersenarai antara penyumbang pingat pada temasya Sukan SEA dan pernah mengungguli gelaran Remaja Asia lima kali berturut-turut, namun kejohanan kebangsaan itu dilihat 'sepi' apabila hanya lima peratus sahaja daripada pemain adalah mereka yang berumur antara 18 dan 20 tahun. Di manakah pemain remaja negara? Itu persoalan yang dibangkitkan Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail yang melihat sendiri realiti 'kerencatan' pembangunan sukan bola jaring negara. "Di mana pemain-pemain yang berusia 18,19 dan 20 tahun...kejohanan ini untuk mereka yang di bawah 21 tahun. Patutnya kita dapati mereka yang umur 18,19 dan 20 sebab ini kejohanan remaja tapi apa yang ada hari ini adalah m...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- The absence of young players in the recently concluded 31st edition of the National Youth Netball Championship has given a bad sign in the sport's development process. Despite being listed as one of medal contributors for Malaysia at SEA Games and has won the Asian Youth title five times in a row, youth netball has been seen as 'dying' event as only five per cent of the players comprise those aged between 18 and 20. Where did they go, our national youth netball players? That was the question raised by National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail who could not help but realise the 'disturbed' development of national netball. "Where are those players aged 18,19 and 20 years?... this championship is for those under 21 years. We should have players aged 18, 19 and 20 because this is a youth championship, but what we have now are players aged only 16 and 17," he said....

JOHOR BAHRU: Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak sempat meluangkan masa bersama orang ramai menonton perlawanan Liga Perdana Inggeris antara Liverpool dan Manchester United di Restoran Singgah Selalu di sini, sebentar tadi. Tengok @LFC vs @ManUtd tadi di Restoran Singgah Selalu. seronok bersama rakyat JB. 2 gol @juanmata8 ! #GGMU pic.twitter.com/IX2WQI15Z9 — Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) March 22, 2015 Najib yang tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai kira-kira jam 8.45 malam tadi dijadualkan akan menghadiri Istiadat Kemahkotaan Sultan Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar di Istana Besar, esok. Turut hadir menyaksikan perlawanan ialah Menteri Besar Johor, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin dan barisan EXCO kerajaan negeri. Dalam perlawanan di Anfield itu, Manchester United berjaya menewaskan Liverpool, 2-1 hasil jaringan Juan Mata pada minit ke 14 dan 54 serta Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), minit 69.

Kuala Lumpur: “Saya harap hatinya akan kembali terbuka untuk berjuang demi pasukan negara. Itu harapan disuarakan oleh Presiden Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah untuk menyaksikan penyerang kebangsaan Faizal Saari kembali menyarung jersi negara. Penyerang kontroversi berusia 22 tahun itu sebelum ini dilaporkan ‘merajuk’ dengan MHC yang gagal melunaskan janji untuk membayar bonus tertunggak menyebabkan dia mengambil keputusan enggan menyertai skuad hoki negara. Bagaimanapun Faizal dijangka akan kembali menyertai kem negara kendalian Tai Beng Hai buat kali pertama hari ini selepas gagal menghadiri sebarang sesi latihan sejak tamat Pusingan Kedua Liga Hoki Dunia (WHL) di Singapura, Januari lalu. Dan Tengku Abdullah berharap tiada lagi ‘drama’ antara penyerang pasukan Hoki Terengganu (THT) itu dengan MHC. “Semangat berpasukan penting tapi pemain yang mempunyai kaliber sepertinya juga mampu memberi sumbangan besar. Hanya dia menentukan...

MELAKA – Datuk Abu Samah Abd. Wahab mengekalkan jawatan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) tanpa bertanding pada mesyuarat agung tahunan (AGM) ke-26 di Banda Hilir di sini, semalam .  Timbalannya, Datuk Naim Mohamad turut mengekalkan kerusi yang disandang selepas mengetepikan pencabarnya, Datuk Mohammad Sidek Khalid yang merupakan Presiden Persatuan Berbasikal Kuala Lumpur dengan 41 undian. Menurut Abu Samah, kepercayaan yang diberi membolehkan beliau dan timbalannya membuat pelbagai perancangan bagi menggerak dan merancakkan sukan lumba basikal negara untuk tempoh empat tahun lagi "Saya telah berbincang dengan barisan baharu kepimpinan supaya sentiasa bersatu dalam menjalankan tugas, kalau boleh kita tidak mahu ada sebarang percanggahan pendapat dan jika ada kita perlu selesaikan dengan cara positif dan damai. "Sekarang ini banyak sangat kontroversi tetapi kita sudah beri jawapan dan telah menepis kontroversi itu. “Kita dah ...

National singles shuttler Liew Daren pose for a picture with fans waiting for the Malaysia Thomas Cup team's arrival at KLIA last year after they finished runner-up to Japan in the final. - Filepic KUALA LUMPUR: Winning the Polish Open was worth more than money for Liew Daren. On Saturday, the 27-year-old Daren scored a convincing 21-15, 21-11 win over Emil Holst of Denmark in the men’s singles final of the International Challenge in Arlamow to end his three-year title drought. Daren, the winner of the 2012 French Open Superseries, picked up €1,100 (RM4,416) for his efforts. Malaysia enjoyed a double delight when Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying emerged champions in the mixed doubles event after a hard-fought 28-26, 21-18 win over India’s Akshay Dewalkar-Pradnya Gadre. Daren was happy that he finally nailed a title – albeit a minor one. “It is not about the prize money or the profile of the tournament. It is about me overcoming year...

Nico Rosberg KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Mac (Bernama) -- Pemandu pasukan Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One (F1), Nico Rosberg telah menyatakan sokongan beliau kepada Malaysia untuk terus menganjurkan perlumbaan F1 di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang (SIC) musim depan. Pada masa ini, SIC terlibat dalam perbincangan dengan Formula One Management (FIM) bagi lanjutan kontrak F1 di Malaysia dan keputusannya dijangka diketahui menjelang 29 Mac ini. "Sepang ialah tempat yang cukup istimewa bagi pasukan Petronas, sudah tentu perlumbaan diadakan di sini dan ia juga (venue) yang penting bagi saya kerana saya telah beberapa kali menaiki podium di sini. Saya berharap kita dapat kembali untuk beraksi selama beberapa tahun lagi," kata beliau kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri program promosi di sini Ahad. Pelumba kelahiran Jerman itu menyifatkan Sepang sebagai 'menakjubkan' dengan dibanjiri banyak penonton setiap kali F1 berlangsung. Rosberg melahirkan keyakinan bahaw...

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Mac (Bernama) -- Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah mahu jurulatih skuad kebangsaan, Dollah Salleh berhati-hati dalam membuat pemilihan pemain naturalisasi. Bagaimanapun, baginda bertitah lebih keutamaan perlu diberikan kepada pemain tempatan yang sedia ada untuk menyertai skuad kebangsaan dan tidak mengambil pemain naturalisasi semata-mata untuk memenuhi kuota sahaja. "Prestasi mereka perlu lebih bagus daripada pemain tempatan sedia ada. Saya bukan jurulatih tetapi jika Dollah berkata demikian (mengenai pemain naturalisasi) ia adalah rasional, tetapi saya rasa kita kena beri peluang kepada pemain tempatan terlebih dulu," titah baginda kepada pemberita hari ini. Sebelum ini, Dollah dilaporkan bersikap terbuka untuk menggunakan khidmat pemain naturalisasi untuk memperkuatkan pasukan kebangsaan walaupun pendekatan itu mungkin mengundang rasa kurang senang segelintir pihak. Dollah berk...