Coach Kim Swee to decide on SEA Games squad after friendlies

Datuk Ong Kim Swee (fourth from right) is close to finalising his 20-player football squad for the Myanmar SEA Games.

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is close to finalising his 20-player football squad for the Myanmar SEA Games.

The former international has two more warm-up matches lined up – against Johor Darul Ta’zim II in Larkin on Friday and the visiting Japanese Third Division side FC Ryukyu at the MBPJ Stadium on Dec 4 – before making the call.

“I’m going to have a tough time trimming the training squad from 26 to 20,” said Kim Swee on Thursday.

For the SEA Games, defending champions Malaysia are in Group A with Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Laos. Group B comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Timor Leste, Cambodia and hosts Myanmar.

Kim Swee said that the two friendlies would be crucial to test the players ahead of the SEA Games.

“I will try out a couple of new combinations due to injuries to several key players. I want to see the best possible combinations before I decide on the final 20,” said Kim Swee, who has lost several stalwarts, including midfielder Junior Eldstal, who has been advised to take a three-month rest due to a nagging back injury.

The other players who will miss the Games through injuries are defenders Fandi Othman, Nik Shahrul Azim, midfielder Gary Steven Robbat, winger Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor and forward Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim.

The only consolation for Kim Swee is the return of striker Izzaq Faris Ramlan and attacking midfielder Ashri Chuchu from injuries.

The duo were put to the test in the recent overseas tour, including playing in the invitational BIDC Cup in Cambodia and the two friendlies against the Jordan Under-22 side which they lost 3-1 and 5-0.

Kim Swee’s boys will play Brunei in the opening Group A match on Dec 10 in Naypyitaw.

Gavin’s psyched for SEA Games after big win in America

Malaysia's Gavin Kyle Green holding the Lee Trevino trophy after winning the prestigious College All-America Golf Classic title at the El Paso Country Club in Texas on Wednesday morning.

PETALING JAYA: Young Malaysian golfer Gavin Kyle Green has plenty of fire in his belly to aim for a historic gold in his maiden SEA Games appearance in Myanmar next month.

The 19-year-old erased a four-stroke deficit over the final 13 holes of play to claim the prestigious College All-America Golf Classic title at the El Paso Country Club in Texas on Wednesday morning.
Gavin shot a sizzling five-under 66 for a three-day total of 11-under 202, finishing one stroke ahead of current world No. 1 ranked amateur Cory Whitsett at the par-71 course.

Whitsett was the second-round leader at eight-under and sank two early birdies to go to 10-under.
Gavin, meanwhile, parred his first five holes and dropped from a second-place tie going into the final round to fifth at six-under.

But a birdie on the sixth and an eagle on the par-five put Gavin back in contention.
He went on to make birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th on the back nine before dropping a shot back on 17th.

But Gavin, who is a student of University of New Mexico, managed to sink his putt and the title was his.

It is Gavin’s third career win in the highly competitive American college circuit this year, but what makes it more satisfying is the fact that he achieved it against a star-studded field.

His mother Vivienne Beh, who relayed the news, said the College All-America Golf Classic is a huge tournament that is made up of an exclusive field of the top 30 players from Division 1 colleges in the United States as well as the reigning US Amateur Open champion.

It is also another feather in his cap since finishing as the best placed local in the Maybank Malaysian Open in March and the Selangor Masters in June this year.

”It’s his third win. He won the William H. Tucker championship recently (in September) but this is a major tournament because 12 out of the top 25 in the world are playing. It’s nice heading to the SEA Games,” said Vivienne.

Gavin, who is 18th in the world amateur rankings – already the highest yet for a Malaysian, was delighted with his come-from-behind win.

“It’s a very good thing. I had fun out there today and I was focused. I’m pretty proud of myself for doing this, especially all the good players who have won this,” he said, clutching his Lee Trevino Trophy, named after the legendary six-time Major winner.

Surely, Gavin has reason to be proud, having successfully chased down a title previously owned by the likes of Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar, David Duval and Davis Love III, to name a few.

Sazali Yakin Keadaan Keselamatan Di Myanmar Tidak Jejas Tumpuan Atlet Negara

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Nov (Bernama) -- Pembawa bendera Jalur Gemilang ke temasya Sukan SEA, Myanmar Sazali Abdul Samad, yakin keadaan keselamatan di negara tuan rumah tidak akan menjejaskan tumpuan para atlet untuk mengumpul pingat.

Sazali berkata pihak Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) telah membuat pemantauan terlebih dahulu mengenai keadaan keselamatan di Myanmar dan memberikan jaminan bahawa keadaan di sana adalah baik.

"Kita sudah dapat jaminan daripada MSN bahawa keadaan di sana baik sahaja jadi tidak menjadi alasan jika para atlet tidak boleh menumpukan perhatian dan buat yang terbaik untuk raih pingat," katanya ketika ditemui pemberita di Gimnasium PDRM (Polis Diraja Malaysia), di sini Rabu.

Sebelum ini, pihak MSN berjanji akan mendapatkan maklumat lanjut daripada Kedutaan Malaysia di Myanmar mengenai cubaan pengeboman ke atas sebuah masjid seperti yang dilaporkan sebuah agensi berita asing.

Agensi berita pada Khamis lepas melaporkan polis Myanmar berjaya menahan tiga lelaki dari wilayah Rakhine yang dipercayai merancang serangan bom ke atas sebuah masjid di Yangon, Myanmar.

Sazali yang turut meraih gelaran Mr Universe di Kejohanan Bina Badan Dunia di Budapest, Hungary buat kali kesembilan berharap dapat meraih pingat emas dalam kategori lightweight (70kg) pada temasya dwitahunan itu pada Disember ini.

Katanya beliau sangat menitikberatkan soal pemakanan bagi menjaga stamina dan badannya serta sedang menjalani latihan bagi persiapan ke temasya Sukan SEA.

"Sekarang cuma tinggal 12 hari sahaja lagi sebelum Sukan SEA berlangsung... Saya akan cuba buat yang terbaik. Pemakanan harus dijadikan keutamaan agar badan berada dalam keadaan baik," katanya.

Untuk rekod, Sazali meraih gelaran Mr Universe pada 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 dan 2013 manakala gelaran Mr Asia pada 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, 2010 dan 2012.

Pandelela ready to lead newcomers

PANDELELA Rinong will lead the national divers to their most difficult regional outing in recent years at next month's Sea Games in Myanmar following the retirements of several established divers.

  Springboard specialist Yeoh Ken Nee along with Bryan Nickson Lomas and Huang Qiang have retired, leaving the men's team depleted.

Ken Nee quit after last year's London Olympics while Huang Qiang, also a national assistant trainer, was told to focus on coaching while Lomas retired early this year due to personal reasons.
The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) has selected 11 divers but five are competing for the first time.

Newcomers Chew Yiwei, Muhd Nazreen Abdullah and Danial Sabri (men), Loh Zhiayi and Nur Dabitah Sabri have been in the national elite squad for the last 12 months and are making progress but may feel the pressures of performing in the Sea Games.

Pandelela, a bronze medallist in London, however, expressed confidence the first timers will perform and return with medals.

"I hope they will not waste the chance of making an impact in the regional games. They must use the opportunity to gain experience. It will help them feel confident for bigger challenges," said Pandelela, after she was crowned Sarawak's Sportswoman of the Year for the second time in Sibu last weekend.
 "I believe the newcomers can achieve their targets. Everyone is training hard for the Sea Games."
Pandelela is only competing in women's 10m platform as coach Yang Zhuliang is using the Sea Games as a platform to expose the second stringers.

Ooi Tze Liang, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng, Leong Mun Yee and Ahmad Amsyar are the other Sea Games-bound divers.

Malaysia are expected to dominate the women's events but may find it tough in the men's competitions. Eight gold medals will be on offer in Myanmar.

Tze Liang is the most experienced diver in the men's team, having competed in several world class meets but has not met expectations.

One last push for glory for judoka Norbaizura

This will be judoka Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman's last SEA Games and she will be going all out to enter the final of the under 63kg category in Myanmar next month. - The STAR

PETALING JAYA: Judoka Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman is hoping for a golden flourish at next month’s Myanmar SEA Games.

The 25-year-old, a two-time SEA Games bronze medallist in the women’s below 63kg category, is ready to hang up her judogi after the Games.

“This will be my last SEA Games and I want to end on a high note. I already have two bronzes. So, I want to go one step higher.

“I’ve fallen short twice, but this time I have my eyes on making it to the gold medal match. I’ll try my hardest to win. If I can accomplish that, then that will be something very special ... the best possible ending to my career,” said Norbaizura.

Norbaizura, who hails from Kota Baru, took up judo when she joined the Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in Bandar Penawar, Johor, in 2002.

She competed in the below 57kg category until 2009 before switching to the below 63kg category. She also went on to represent Kelantan at the Sukma, winning gold in 2002, 2004 and 2008 (below 57kg) and 2010 (below 63kg).

On her plans after retirement, Norbaizura is keen to become a coach and a teacher.
“I’m already 25 and I have to look beyond the tatami now. It’s time to move to the next chapter of my life ... maybe even marriage ... if I find a suitor,” she quipped.

“I know I can’t do this (competing) forever, so it will be great to keep moving on to bigger and better things. Teaching has always been a keen interest of mine and once I’m done, I’d love to be able to serve my country in a different way as an educator,” said Norbaizura, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education (Sports Science) degree from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor Baru in October this year.

“I think I will ease off judo in the coming months. I can’t pinpoint a date. But it’s safe to say, I’m looking forward to become a coach and share my knowledge and experience. Later on, I’ll move on to teaching,” said Norbaizura.

Tough times ahead for Malaysian swimmers

Khoo Cai Lin (front) seen here at the World Cup meet in Barcelona in July, will be one of Malaysia's medal hopefuls in swimming at the Myanmar SEA Games next month. 

PETALING JAYA: The absence of an established performer for Malaysia in swimming means the gold medals will be hard to come by in next month’s Myanmar SEA Games.

Nurul Huda Abdullah and Jeffrey Ong ruled the pool in the 1980s but their departures were felt in subsequent Games from 1991 to 1995 as Malaysia only managed to bag two golds each time.
The tally increased again in later editions with the emergence of a new breed of swimmers based in the United States like Lim Keng Liat, Elvin Chia and Siow Yi Ting before the likes of Khoo Cai Lin and Daniel Bego began to take over.

Breaststroker Yi Ting has since called it quits two months ago due to her age and a growth in her neck.

Yi Ting’s absence will be really felt especially as she contributed two out of the five golds at the last Games in Indonesia.

So, not much is not expected of the 14-member team – nine men and five women. On top of that, five of them are newcomers as Malaysia go through a transitional period. At best, they are only considered good for only three golds.

Daniel is back after missing the previous Games to recover from shoulder injuries but it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to repeat the five-gold splash in Laos in 2009.

The men’s squad will also have Kevin Yeap, Asian Youth Games gold medallist Lim Ching Hwang, Yap See Tuan, Shaun Yap, Wong Fu Kang,Tern Jian Han, Vernon Lee and Welson Sim while Cai Lin, Christina Loh, Erika Kong, Yap Siew Hui and Nadia Adrianna Redza make up the women’s team.
Shaun (breaststroke), Fu Kang (breaststroke), Welson (freestyle), Siew Hui (butterfly) and Nadia Adrianna Redza (breastroke) are the five promising youngsters that will be making their debuts.

“There is always a star swimmer for each SEA Games. Unfortunately, it is not going to come from Malaysia this time,” said national coach Paul Birmingham.

“Yi Ting is gone and you cannot expect Cai Lin to swim like what she did a few years ago. We will head to Myanmar this time with lower expectations but it is also interesting to see where our swimmers are heading to in future Games.

“We are expecting the likes of Siew Hui and Shaun to come good by the next Games.
“We are in the midst of rebuilding a fresh team and we can’t expect them to deliver right away.
“If they can win some medals, that would be a good start.

“SEA Games is very hard to predict as there are a lot of changes over a two-year period. We don’t really know the exact strength of our rivals,” added Birmingham.

At the last Games in Palembang, the golds came from Christina (50m event breaststroke), long distance specialist Kevin (1,500m freestyle) and Cai Lin (800m freestyle).

In Yi Ting’s absence, Christina will carry the hope of keeping the 100m and 200m breaststroke titles in Malaysian hands. There is no chance for Christina to defend her 50m breaststroke title as the event is not contested this time.

While swimming is unable to deliver as many as they used to in the past, Malaysia are pinning their hopes on the divers to match the previous haul of seven golds from Indonesia two years ago.
Malaysia are good for gold in at least five out of the eight events at stake.

Team captain Pandelela Rinong, who won the Sarawak sportswoman award for the third year running, believes the back-up divers can meet the expectations in their first major assignment.
Of the 11 divers picked, five – Chew Yi Wei, Danial Sabri, Muhd Nazreen Abdullah (men); Loh Zhiayi and Nur Dhabitah Sabri (women) – are competing in their first Games.

“I am only competing in one event - the 10m platform individual as the coach wants to give Nur Dhabitah a chance to partner Leong Mun Yee to defend the 10m platform synchro title for Malaysia,” said Pandelela.

‘Semangat kami masih tinggi’

 Kuala Lumpur: Tahap keyakinan barisan pemain bawah 23 tahun negara masih menebal untuk mempertahankan pingat emas Sukan SEA Myanmar yang memulakan saingan awal bulan depan walaupun kehilangan beberapa tonggak akibat kecederaan.

Menurut kapten Harimau Muda A, Mohd Irfan Fazail, walaupun skuad kendalian Datuk Ong Kim Swee itu tidak dapat menggunakan khidmat pemain utama seperti Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor, Gary Steven Robbat, Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim selain Junior Estdal dan Nik Shahrul Azim Abdul Halim yang bersaing dengan masa untuk pulih, situasi itu tidak akan melemahkan semangat mereka untuk melakar hatrik selepas kejayaan dilakar pada edisi 2009 dan 2011.

Bagi saya, ketiadaan ramai pemain yang berpengaruh ke Sukan SEA kerana kecederaan tidak bermakna peluang untuk kami tertutup.

“Kami perlu menonjolkan kekuatan skuad ini iaitu semangat berpasukan, bukannya secara individu dan apabila ia mampu dilaksanakan, adalah tidak mustahil untuk kami lakukan selain kehadiran beberapa pemain luar daripada Harimau Muda A untuk mengisi kekosongan yang ditinggalkan,” menurut perancang tengah berusia 22 tahun itu.

Pengalaman beberapa pemain yang sering bersama skuad senior turut menambah keyakinan Irfan menerusi Mohd Fadhli Shas, K Reuben dan Mohd Nazmi Faiz Mansor mampu membimbing rakan sepasukan lain ketika aksi sebenar di padang bagi mendapatkan keputusan yang positif.

Skuad negara tampil di Sukan SEA edisi ke-27 berada dalam Kumpulan A bersama-sama Singapura, Vietnam, Laos dan Brunei dengan Indonesia mengetuai Kumpulan B bersama-sama Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste dan Kemboja.

“Saingan peringkat kumpulan adalah seimbang dengan kami tidak boleh mengambil mudah setiap perlawanan. Setiap lawan perlu ditangani dengan corak permainan terbaik bagi mendapatkan keputusan yang baik.

“Kami sememangnya sudah bersedia untuk menghadapi kejohanan ini. Tiada lagi masalah fokus kerana gangguan luar seperti yang dilaporkan sebelum ini dengan setiap pemain tampil bersemangat untuk menggalas cabaran negara,” katanya yang bakal tampil buat kali terakhir di Sukan SEA 2013.

Seramai 20 pemain akan dipilih Kim Swee mengharungi kem latihan pusat di Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya sebelum ke Johor esok untuk kem motivasi dan aksi persahabatan menentang Johor Darul Takzim.

Bodybuilder Sazali to lead contingent to SEA Games

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has picked bodybuilder Sazali Samad, who claimed a historic ninth title at the world meet in Hungary last week, as the flag bearer for Malaysia at the SEA Games.

PETALING JAYA: Bodybuilder Sazali Samad received a timely boost to his hopes of winning a second SEA Games gold medal after 10 years when he was given the honour of leading the Malaysian contingent to Myanmar next month.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) made the decision to pick Sazali, who claimed a historic ninth title at the world meet in Hungary last week, at their council meeting on Saturday.
The Malaysian Body Building Federation (MBBF) were the only national body to step forward to propose a candidate for the flag bearer’s role.

This will be Sazali’s second time as the flag bearer. His first was for the Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman, in 2010 where he returned with a gold.

“I did not expect this. It’s a big honour for me and for bodybuilding as it is not a mainstream sport,” said a delighted Sazali.

“It’s really a good thing to be the contingent leader for the SEA Games as I do not know whether I can get to represent the country in the future.



“It is not every time that bodybuilding is included in the SEA Games.

“Being in this position at the SEA Games will make me more determined to do my best, although it won’t be easy as only five gold medals will be given out,” added the 45-year-old, who has won the Asian title eight times.

Bodybuilding will be making its return after the previous hosts – Laos and Indonesia – dropped it from their Games.

The bodybuilding competition will be held in Yangon and Sazali will be seeking his second SEA Games title, having first won it in Hanoi in 2003.

He failed to defend his title in Manila two years later when he finished second.
Sazali is also the last Malaysian gold medallist at the biennial meet. He went to Korat in 2007 – but only as a trainer.

Khairy tells Malaysian SEA Games athletes to avoid drugs

KUALA LUMPUR: Athletes bound for the SEA Games in Myanmar next month have been advised to stay away from doping or face the consequences.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Sunday that athletes should be wary of offers to use drugs and to stay away at all cost.

“Do not succumb to pressure to take any supplement. If you are under pressure to take drugs, report it immediately to the sports council.

He asked them to check with the National Sports Institute (ISN) and the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) before taking vitamins and food supplements.

According to him, national athletes need to know the content of vitamins or food supplements given by coaches and sports officials to avoid getting involved in doping problems in Myanmar as happened in the Palembang SEA Games in 2011.

“Find out what it is. Do not just accept what is given to you,” he said after participating in the Batik Fun Walk here Sunday.

He said the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) would not compromise with any athlete found guilty of using drugs and they would face stiff punishment.

 "At the WADA conference recently in South Africa, they decided to impose heavier punishment on errant athletes who take drugs to enhance their performance at sports meets.

 "So my advice to all athletes going to the SEA Games to view the development seriously ...the world body is meting out heavier and higher penalties for anti-doping violations," he told a press conference.

A total 833 Malaysian athletes and officials will be participating in 29 of 33 events of the biennial games in Yangon, Naypyitaw, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung from Dec 11 to 22.

Vitamin: Atlet Sukan Sea Diarah Rujuk ISN Dan Adamas - Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Nov (Bernama) -- Atlet negara yang akan menggalas cabaran ke temasya Sukan SEA Myanmar bulan depan diingatkan merujuk kepada Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) dan Agensi Anti-Doping Malaysia (Adamas) sebelum mengambil vitamin atau makanan tambahan.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin berkata ini sebagai langkah mengelak mereka daripada mengambil bahan-bahan yang dilarang.

Beliau berkata Agensi Anti-Doping Dunia (WADA) juga tidak akan berkompromi dengan mana-mana atlet yang didapati bersalah mengguna bahan dadah dan hukuman berat akan dikenakan.

"Pada persidangan WADA baru-baru ini di Afrika Selatan, mereka memutuskan hukuman lebih berat akan dikenakan kepada atlet yang didapati bersalah dari segi penggunaan bahan-bahan dadah yang boleh memberangsangkan prestasi mereka dalam sesuatu temasya sukan.

"Jadi nasihat saya pada atlet yang akan ke Sukan SEA supaya melihat perkembangan ini dengan serius...badan dunia sendiri meletakkan hukuman yang lebih besar dan tinggi terhadap kesalahan anti-doping," katanya dalam sidang media Batik Fun Walk 2013 di Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia (Matic) di sini, Ahad.

Khairy berharap atlet sentiasa berwaspada jika ada pegawai, jurulatih dan pengurus pasukan yang memberikan vitamin atau makanan tambahan dan menyarankan mereka segera merujuknya kepada ISN dan Adamas.

Menurutnya atlet negara perlu mengetahui kandungan vitamin atau makanan tambahan yang diberikan oleh jurulatih atau pegawai sukan supaya tidak terjebak dengan masalah doping di Myanmar nanti seperti terjadi pada temasya Sukan SEA di Palembang pada 2011.

Seramai 833 atlet dan pegawai mengambil bahagian dalam 29 daripada 33 acara pada temasya dwitahunan itu di Yangon dan Naypyitaw, Mandalay dan Ngwe Saung dari 11 hingga 22 Dis ini.

Pada Sukan SEA edisi 2011 di Palembang, atlet olahraga, Mohd Yunus Lasalleh dari pasukan 4x400m yang meraih emas dan pemenang pingat gangsa acara angkat berat 105kg, Firdaus Abdul Razak disahkan positif menggunakan bahan terlarang oleh Jawatankuasa Penganjur Sukan SEA Indonesia (Inasoc) pada temasya itu.

Hockey: Joel, Nor Aqmal, Hafiz make the cut

 

Joel van Huizen (right) has been picked instead of Mohamed Azwar Abdul Rahman, who was in the Sultan of Johor Cup team.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Junior World Cup hockey team has been finalised and there are no surprises in the selection.

The final three players to be named to the national juniors squad of 18 are Mohamed Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar, Mohamed Hafiz Zainol and Joel van Huizen.

The Junior World Cup will be held in New Delhi, India, from Dec 6-15.

All the players except for Joel played in the Sultan of Johor Cup in September. Mohamed Azwar Abdul Rahman, who was in the team then has been dropped in favour of Joel.

Team manager Mirnawan Nawawi said that they have picked the best possible team and the players have been well prepared for the challenge.

“We are confident that the players selected will adapt well to the challenges in New Delhi.
“Overall all the players selected have had enough time to forge a good understanding and have been given ample chances to cement their place in the team,” he said.

Joel, who was only recalled to the Project 2013 squad in May after leaving the team last year to concentrate on his studies, will be carrying on his family tradition.

He is the son of former national skipper Stephen van Huizen. His grandfather Lawrence was also a former national player and coach who will be inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

Project 2013 had earlier this week finalised 15 players and left three places vacant with 11 players in the fray.

The players who were vying for the three places were Joel, Nor Aqmal, Hafiz, Azwar, Shazrul Imran Nazli, Mohd Aslam Mohd Hanafiah, Dangerous Lee, Nor Azrul Abdul Rahman, Mohd Aminuddin Mat Zain, Faridzul Afiq and Sobirin Ilias.

Sixteen teams will feature in the Junior World Cup and Malaysia will open their Group D campaign against New Zealand on Dec 6. Malaysia’s other matches are against South Africa on Dec 7 and England on Dec 9. The final is slated for Dec 15.

The Malaysians will leave for India on Dec 1 and have lined up two friendlies - against Germany on Dec 3 and France on Dec 4.


Team Malaysia

Players: Mohd Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri, Mohd Hafizuddin Othman, Mohd Firhan Ashaari, Mohd Fitri Saari, Mohd Rashid Baharom, G. Kavin Kartik, Shazril Irwan Nazli, Meor Mohamed Azuan, Mohd Haziq Samsul, Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, Mohd Zulhairi Hashim, Faiz Helmi Jali, Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof, Mohd Azri Hassan, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Mohamed Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar, Joel van Huizen, Mohamed Hafiz Zainol

Team manager: Mirnawan Nawawi
Chief coach: K. Dharmaraj
Assistants: Nor Azlan Bakar, K. Gobinathan

Pandelela, Bego safe medal bets

DIVER Pandelela Rinong and swimmer Daniel Bego have set personal goals at next month's Sea Games in Myanmar.

While Pandelela will be gunning for a fifth gold medal in her fourth Sea Games appearance, Daniel, who missed the 2011 edition in Indonesia due to injury, hopes to make up for lost time in his fifth outing.

A bronze medallist in last year's London Olympics, Pandelela came back from her training base in Guangzhou for Universiti Malaya's awards function on Tuesday.

Pandelela, a second semester sports science undergraduate, was crowned the university's Sportswoman of the Year for her achievements last year.

"This award will inspire me to try my best in the Sea Games. I am delighted to have won it," said Pandelela, who was ranked second overall in the recent World Series, on Tuesday.

Pandelela made a winning Sea Games debut with Cheong Jun Hoong in the 2007 Korat Games before clinching two titles (platform individual and synchro (with Leong Mun Yee) in Laos (2009) followed by a win in the platform individual two years ago in Indonesia.

Bego was the star performer for Malaysia when he bagged five gold medals, four of them in record time, at the 2009 edition in Laos.

However, the 24-year-old had to lay off swimming for more than a year after undergoing surgery on his shoulders in 2011. He missed the 2011 Sea Games in Indonesia and also failed to qualify for last year's London Olympics.

He had to go for a third surgery to correct a long-standing bone spur problem in his right shoulder.
"I wouldn't say I am at my best form but it is getting near to where I was in the past. It was tough getting back from the injury," said Bego, who made his Sea Games debut in Hanoi a decade ago.
He achieved his Sea Games breakthrough in the 2005 Manila edition with wins in the 200m freestyle and 100 butterfly events. He repeated his feat two years later in Korat.

In Myanmar, he will compete in four individual events - 100m, 200m, 400 freestyle; and 100m butterfly along with several relay events.

Bego, however, will face tough opposition in Singapore's Joseph Schooling, who trains in the United States, in the freestyle and butterfly events. Schooling, 18, is aiming for seven gold.

Bego is just a title short to make a perfect 10-gold in the Sea Games. He has a good chance of achieving it in the 400m freestyle, judging from his performance in the recent FINA World Cup, where he finished sixth in the final. By Ajitpal Singh

Edric inspired to lead equestrian team to SEA Games glory

Edric Lee Chin Han going through the dressage routine. Being the only one with SEA Games experience, he is ready to lend his support to the team that comprises first-timers to the Games.

PETALING JAYA: Edric Lee Chin Han always knew where his future would lie the day his father took him to the Penang Turf Club 15 years ago.

Eight-year-old Edric fell in love with horses and he has stuck to riding ever since.
Now 23, Edric, who came up through the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) system, even has a degree related to horses – equine sciene and business management, from the Marcus Oldham College in Australia.

He has also represented the country in equestrian on several occasions, with his best achievement being a silver from the team event at the 2007 Korat SEA Games and also a fourth place finish in showjumping in the 2009 Youth Olympics.

Although he took a break to complete his studies in 2009, Edric has been back since 2011 when he started working as a riding instructor at the Penang Turf Club.

Consequently, that fuelled his fire to get back into competitive equestrian where he is expected to be a crucial member of the Naypyitaw-bound SEA Games team.

“Although I did take time off to study, I didn’t really lose interest in horses ... or riding at all.
“I took a degree in horse management because I always wanted to stay in the horse business.
“When I returned from Australia in 2011, I started working at the Penang Turf Club and that was when my coach Johari (Lee) encouraged me to continue with equestrian.

“So I decided to give the qualifiers for the Games a shot, and I finished overall second from five qualifying legs.”

With his experience, Edric who will compete in both dressage and showjumping in Naypyitaw is ready to lend his support to the team that comprises of first-timers to the Games.

“This team for Naypyitaw is actually quite fresh ... I’m the only one who has competed before at the SEA Games,” said Edric.

“But they’re good riders and the team has a target of winning both the dressage and showjumping team gold.

“Basically I’m there for the team first, because the rules of the events are such that only the top scorers from the team events get into the individuals.

“Furthermore, we’ll be using a borrowed horse system in Myanmar and it really boils down to luck as we’ll have to draw lots to choose the horses.

“Ultimately it’ll be a test of the rider’s skills and I think we have the stronger riders alongside Indonesia and Thailand,” added Edric.

The others who will be joining Edric in Naypyitaw are N. Shoorendran, Praveen Nair, Shaiful Azwan, Mohd Saiful Razali, Izad Rushdi Paiza, Yap Jun Zhe and Yap Jun Xian.

They certainly need to have some luck as Malaysia have not won gold in equestrian since 2007 where they bagged four golds.

In the Jakarta Games two years ago, the team only managed a bronze, a far cry from the five gold effort back in 2001.

Wide Games coverage by TV3, TV9

MALAYSIAN athletes competing in next month's Myanmar Sea Games can be sure of solid support from the fans at home with TV3's comprehensive coverage of the event. 

 

Deputy Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, NSC director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong (second from left), OCM secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (second from right), Media Prima Bhd chief executive officer for television networks Ahmad Izham Omar (third from right), and TV3 and TV9 group general manager Sherina Nordin (right) at the launch in Sri Pentas, Bandar Utama yesterday. Pic by Hasriyasyah Sabudin 

The country's number one terrestrial TV station yesterday announced that, with the support of main sponsors Telekom Malaysia and Milo, it will be airing highlights of events that Malaysian athletes are involved in, twice a day for the duration of the Games -- from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and again at 12.30am to 1am.

The fans will be given in-depth analyses of the Malaysian athletes' performances by Noraseela Khalid (athletics) and Baddrol Bakhtiar (football) who will be guests on the show.
The programmes will focus mainly on football, athletics, aquatics and sepak takraw, and also touch on other events.

It was also announced that TV9 will be airing "live" all of Young Tigers' group matches before TV3 takes over from the knockout stages. The programmes will also be available on the online video portal Tonton.

TV3 and TV9 group general manager Sherina Nordin said she is hoping the stations' line-up will spur Malaysia's athletes to greater heights in Myanmar.

"As the number one private station in the country with the widest reach and viewers, TV3 plays a significant role in bringing the excitement of the Games to Malaysian sports fans," said Sherina.
National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong lauded TV3's commitment in supporting the national athletes' cause.

"We have been hoping to get the support of both print and electronic media to cover our athletes in Myanmar," said Zolkples.

"Moral support, even from Malaysia, is important for our athletes to do well.
"Obviously, not all our sports fans can go to Myanmar to cheer our athletes so this gives them a chance to do so from home."

Deputy Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan officiated the launch of the programmes yesterday. Also in attendance was Media Prima Bhd chief executive officer for television networks Ahmad Izham Omar.

40 emas realistik, dapat 50 cemerlang - MOM

KUALA LUMPUR - Perbezaan sasaran pingat emas Sukan SEA 2013 Myanmar antara Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin dan Ketua Kontinjen, Datuk Wira Amiruddin Embi bukan isu besar, sebaliknya Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) melihat perkara ini dari perspektif yang berbeza.

Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata, kedua-duanya sasaran itu sesuatu yang bagus untuk negara tetapi 40 emas adalah dilihat lebih realistik.

"Sepuluh peratus daripada 400 lebih pingat emas yang ditawarkan di Sukan SEA Myanmar 2013 adalah realistik. Kita pernah meraih 24 peratus di luar Kuala Lumpur iaitu di Sukan SEA Brunei 1999, jadi saya rasa 40 pingat emas adalah sasaran yang adil manakala 50 pingat emas pula adalah sasaran yang cemerlang," katanya kepada media di sini, semalam.

Jelasnya, sekarang ini semua atlet daripada sebanyak 30 acara yang akan disertai sudah disahkan kecuali hoki lelaki kerana mereka dijangka membuat pertukaran dengan memanggil beberapa pemain senior selepas pemain remaja yang akan ke Sukan SEA sebahagian daripadanya beraksi di Piala Dunia Remaja 2013 New Delhi.

"Seramai 10 atau lapan pemain senior yang akan pulang dari Korea Selatan akan menyertai skuad Sukan SEA, cuma kita tidak tahu siapa pemain yang cedera tetapi jumlah kontinjen tetap 18 orang seperti mana yang ditetapkan. Begitu juga dengan jumlah kontinjen keseluruhan 833 atlet dan pegawai.

"Mengenai perkembangan lain, setakat ini tidak ada apa-apa yang berbangkit termasuk isu keselamatan. Mereka (tuan rumah) cakap sudah selesai tetapi pandangan saya jika ada isu keselamatan mereka tidak akan mensasarkan atlet, sebaliknya kerajaan yang memerintah dan ia mesti datang daripada pihak pembangkang negara tersebut," katanya.

Ditanya sama ada terdapat pegawai keselamatan akan mengiringi kontinjen negara, Kok Chi mengesahkannya.
Minggu lalu, Khairy mengumumkan sasaran sebanyak 40 pingat emas pada Sukan SEA 2017 Myanmar yang akan membuka tirai 11-12 Disember ini.

Menurut Khairy, berdasarkan penilaian Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) serta persatuan sukan, sasaran tersebut adalah paling realistik untuk kontinjen negara.

Mengikut pecahan secara spesifik, tiga daripada acara renang, lapan terjun, satu basikal lebuh raya, satu bola sepak, dua hoki, enam karate, satu menembak, satu muaythai, lima olahraga, dua pelayaran, masing-masing tiga pencak silat dan wushu.

Back Up Divers Can Rise To The Occassion In Myanmar - Pandelela

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- National diver Pandelela Rinong is optimistic that divers from the National back up squad were capable of winning gold medals in the Myanmar SEA Games diving competition, next month.

The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist said back up divers were capable of rising to the occasion and expressed confidence that the back up divers would not return home empty handed.

"I hope the divers given the opportunity to represent the country in the SEA Games will not waste the chance.

They must use the opportunity to gain experience to improve their skills in the future," she told reporters after being crowned Universiti Malaya Sportswoman of the year, Tuesday night.

Pandalela who is pursuing a degree in Sports Science at University Malaya will be competing in the 10m platform individual in Myanmar.

The Sarawakian said she would need to be at her very best form this year to excel in the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland, next year.

Apart from Pandelela, divers who will be on the flight to Myanmar are Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yee, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Loh Zhiayi (women) and Ooi Tze Liang, Muhd Amsyar Azman, Chew Yi Wei, Danial Sabri and Muhd Nazreen Abdullah (men).

Sasaran realistik

Kuala Lumpur: Kontinjen negara sering kali memenangi 10 peratus daripada pingat emas ditawarkan pada temasya Sukan SEA.

Berdasarkan perangkaan itu, sasaran 40 emas disasarkan kali ini boleh dianggap realistik, menurut Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Malaysia menghantar 833 atlet pada temasya dwi tahunan itu di Myanmar bulan depan dengan keseluruhan 460 pingat emas ditawarkan.

“Kita tidak menyertai semua acara dan hanya lebih kurang 400 saja pingat emas yang boleh dimenangi. Sepuluh peratus adalah jumlah biasa dimenangi Malaysia apabila bertanding di luar negara.

“Cuma di Brunei, kontinjen memperoleh keputusan luar biasa apabila memperoleh 24 peratus pingat emas daripada yang dipertandingkan. Kalau dapat menang 50 emas pasti bagus,” katanya semalam.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong yang turut ditemui menyarankan satu resolusi diambil supaya semua kelab atau badan yang mengawal sukan taekwondo digabungkan di bawah Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) bagi mencari jalan penyelesaian isu berpanjangan badan induk itu dan Persatuan Taekwondo Malaysia (MTA).

“Buat masa ini, TM badan yang diiktiraf MOM dan Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Sukan. Ini juga bermakna hanya atlet yang berdaftar di bawah TM saja boleh mewakili negara ke temasya antarabangsa seperti Sukan SEA, Sukan Asia dan Olimpik... Yang pasti kita berurusan dengan TM saja,” katanya mengulas mengenai kenyataan MTA baru-baru ini yang menggesa mengembalikan status MTA sebagai ahli penuh MOM.

Sasar 3 emas: karate

Kuala Lumpur: Meskipun dilihat menjadi lubuk emas untuk kontinjen Malaysia, skuad karate negara mengambil langkah selamat dengan sekadar meletakkan sasaran awal tiga pingat emas pada temasya Sukan SEA Myanmar bulan depan.

Bukan awal-awal menyerah kalah, penolong jurulatih R Puvaneswaran berkata, ia adalah sasaran realistik selain tidak mahu memberi tekanan kepada anak buahnya.

“Memang kami meletakkan sasaran rendah terlebih dulu kerana tidak mahu atlet terlalu berasa tertekan untuk meraih pingat.

“Sebenarnya saya yakin barisan atlet karate kita, tidak kira senior atau pun muka baru mampu meraih pingat emas, malah mungkin lebih daripada jangkauan tiga emas.

“Asalkan saja mereka mampu mengatasi tekanan, saya yakin pingat emas mampu dimenangi,” katanya.

Jelas bekas atlet negara itu, tekanan pada saingan Sukan SEA jelas begitu berbeza dengan kejohanan lain yang disertai skuad negara.

“Sukan SEA sentiasa menjadi tumpuan baik bagi pihak media dan pengurusan atasan seperti Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM).

“Kerana tumpuan inilah kadangkala ia memberi impak positif dan negatif kepada atlet kita sehingga menyaksikan ada atlet yang disandarkan pingat emas tersingkir seawal pusingan pertama.

“Tapi bagi atlet yang mampu mengatasi segala tekanan, mereka pasti akan dapat meraih emas.

“Sebab itu kami tidak mahu memberi terlalu banyak tekanan kepada atlet negara walaupun tahu kemampuan sebenar mereka,” katanya.

Tze Liang aiming for golden splash in SEA Games

Ooi Tze Liang seen here competing at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona in July, will take part in all four diving disciplines - 3m springboard and 10m platform individual and syncronised respectively - at the Myanmar SEA Games next month. - The STAR/ Glenn Guan

PETALING JAYA: Ooi Tze Liang, who turned 20 on Tuesday, now has a shot at becoming a star performer among the Malaysian contingent when he jumps from the diving board at the SEA Games in Myanmar next month.

The Penang-born Tze Liang has yet to taste victory at SEA Games level but diving coach Yang Zhuliang has faith in his charge making his SEA Games breakthrough.

Tze Liang, who has been diving with the national team for six years, has been registered for all four events – men’s 3m springboard individual and synchro as well as the 10m platform individual and synchro.

If he is successful, Tze Liang will only be the second Malaysian diver to achieve the feat after Leong Mun Yee, who hauled in four gold medals at the Kuala Lumpur Games in 2001.

Tze Liang is now the most senior member of the depleted men’s squad following the retirement of Olympic finalist Yeoh Ken Nee, Bryan Nickson Lomas and Huang Qiang.

Tze Liang was originally trained for platform but he has shown an ability to multitask with several good showings at the international competitions in the springboard event as well.

Tze Liang in fact qualified for the 3m springboard aside from the 10m platform at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.

After concluding a full season of the elite FINA Diving World Series with Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Tze Liang’s 3m springboard synchro partnership with the former seemed to have flourished rapidly.
They made a big impact at the World Championships in Barcelona in July by qualifying for the final and finishing a respectable sixth.

That earned them a berth in next year’s World Series and Tze Liang, who failed to qualify for the London Olympics in the 10m platform individual, made a good comeback in his pet event to finish a commendable 14th.

The 10m platform individual and 3m springboard synchro titles are as good as Tze Liang’s next month but it will be a touch-and-go affair for the 3m springboard and 10m platform synchro.

“I got a silver in Indonesia two years ago. Bryan is no longer diving and the responsibility is on me to defend the gold.

“I am optimistic I should get at least one gold but I will try for more. The coach wants me to dive in the individual springboard but I expect a tough challenge from my own team-mate Chew Yi Wei,” said Tze Liang, who is currrently training with the team in Guangzhou.

Malaysia should unveil its new pairing of Tze Liang and the Mohd Danial Sabri for the 10m platform synchro.

Malaysia have not won the event since the 2001 SEA Games and Tze Liang-Danial may well be the key to the diving team achieving a clean sweep of all eight gold medals at stake.

Indonesia’s Andryan Andryan and Adityo Restu Putra, who gained exposure in Barcelona, are considered the strongest challengers for the gold.

The last time Malaysia won the event was through Ken Nee and Mohd Azheem Bahari back in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.

Kim Swee mahu anak buah fokus Sukan SEA

Kuala Lumpur: Pengendali skuad B-23 negara Datuk Ong Kim Swee akan memastikan fokus anak buahnya kembali kepada matlamat asal iaitu mempertahankan pingat emas Sukan SEA di Myanmar yang hanya berbaki kira-kira tiga minggu lagi.

Pengendali berusia 43 tahun itu mahu memanfaatkan sepenuhnya kem motivasi yang akan diadakan untuk barisan pemain muda negara selepas ada pemain negara gagal memberikan komitmen penuh hingga tewas dengan jaringan besar dalam aksi persahabatan di Jordan baru-baru ini.

“Mengikut perancangan, saya akan mengadakan kem motivasi selama dua hari selepas semua pemain menyertai latihan pusat Rabu ini. Kem itu peluang buat saya mengembalikan fokus pemain selain memupuk semangat berpasukan dan menyedarkan tugas sebenar mereka ke Myanmar,” katanya yang berusaha mengetuai cabaran negara melakar hatrik memenangi pingat emas pada temasya dwi tahunan itu.

Kim Swee minggu lalu melahirkan rasa kurang senang apabila ada pemain yang sudah memikirkan musim baru Liga Malaysia berbanding tugasan pada Sukan SEA.

Bagi musim depan, Harimau Muda A melepaskan tiga pemain yang sudah melebihi umur selain enam pemain yang dibenarkan membuat pilihan untuk meninggalkan skuad itu atau sebaliknya, semuanya bersetuju beraksi bersama pasukan baru musim depan dengan ada antaranya mendapat tawaran lumayan.

“Masalah ini (fokus pemain) bukannya memeningkan sangat namun ini adalah realiti kita tidaklah segagah mana, jadi setiap teguran yang diberikan mana-mana pihak perlu diterima secara positif. Adalah mustahak pemain sedar dan saya berharap kekalahan ini (di Jordan) akan membuka minda mereka,” katanya.

MHC Optimistic Of Winning Men's And Women's Hockey Gold Medals In Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) are optimistic that the blend of senior and junior players in the National squad will be the right formula to defend the gold medal at the Myanmar SEA Games which kicks off next month.

MHC senior vice president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said the SEA Games squad under coach Tai Beng Hai comprise 25 players, including seven young players.

"The list of players will be announced early next month when the National squad returns from a playing tour in South Korea," he said when contacted by Bernama, Thursday.

Beng Hai was reported to have said the presence of young players would provide them good exposure while the seniors will be the pillar of strength in the squad.

Apart from defending the men's gold medal in the SEA Games, Nur Azmi said the MHC also has high expectations for the women's squad to win the gold medal in Myanmar.

"The women's squad has shown overall strength and improved performance. We hope both teams can contribute gold medals," he said.

For the record, the men's and women's hockey squads won the gold medal in the 2007 edition of the Games held in Korat, Thailand.

However, when Laos hosted the SEA Games in 2009, hockey was not included, and two years later when Indonesia hosted the 2011 SEA Games, hockey was again omitted from the programme.

Pertimbangkan Terengganu Sebagai Tuan Rumah Acara Sukan Sea 2017 - Ahmad Said

KEMAMAN, 15 Nov (Bernama) -- Menteri Besar Terengganu Datuk Seri Ahmad Said meminta Kementerian Belia dan Sukan mempertimbang negeri itu sebagai tuan rumah untuk beberapa acara Sukan SEA yang akan dianjur oleh negara pada 2017.

Katanya langkah itu wajar kerana Terengganu kini merupakan kuasa sukan baharu di negara ini terutama dalam acara lumba basikal, memanah dan berkuda.

Saya telah minta Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Belia dan Sukan negeri Rozi Mamat untuk berbincang dengan menteri berkenaan tentang hal ini, katanya kepada pemberita, di sini.

Menurut Ahmad, kerajaan negeri sedia mengeluarkan peruntukan sewajarnya bagi penganjuran acara sukan terbabit.

"Negeri ini juga mempunyai peminat sukan yang ramai," katanya.

Mengulas perkembangan lain, Ahmad melahirkan rasa gembira apabila beberapa pemain bola sepak anak negeri menyatakan hasrat mahu kembali menyarung jersi Terengganu dalam saingan musim depan.

"Saya mengucapkan terima kasih atas semangat yang ditunjukkan itu. Begitu juga dengan jurulatih anak negeri yang berkelana ke negeri lain nampaknya mereka akan kembali untuk berbakti di negeri kelahirannya," katanya.

Antara pemain yang akan kembali ke Terengganu ialah bekas penggempur skuad Kelantan, Norfarhan Muhamad yang sebelum ini menjadi rebutan Persatuan Bola Sepak Negeri Johor dan pasukan Kelantan.

Does the number of golds matter?

 

It is not uncommon for SEA Games hosts to include games that they are assured of dominating, such as lawn bowls which Malaysia will probably bring back when it is our turn to host in 2017.

YOUTH and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was right when he asked the public to lower their expectations for the Myanmar SEA Games next month.

Yes, only 40 gold medals are expected to be delivered by the Malaysian contingent this time. It’s still not too bad, considering that Malaysia already lost a total of 28 gold medals even before the athletes step foot in Myanmar.

Events that contributed gold in Indonesia but are not part of the Myanmar edition are aquatics (8), track cycling (7), fencing (2), shooting (2), tenpin bowling (5) and water-skiing (4).

I’m pretty sure the Malaysian contingent should be able to meet the 40-gold target but it also raises the question whether it is something to be proud of, at the end of the day.

The fact remains that all the member countries in this region, including Malaysia, have treated the SEA Games like their own community sporting festival and included sports they are assured of dominating.

The trend started when Vietnam hosted the Games in 2003 and included fin swimming. Then it was the Philippines’ turn to bring in arnis (a form of martial arts indigenous to the country) and Thailand then staged muay thai in 2007.

Laos introduced shuttlecock kicking in 2009 and Indonesia was rewarded with a clean sweep from roller-sports and vovinam two years ago.

It will be Myanmar’s fight for self gratification when they stage chinlone, a sport similar to sepaktakraw next month.

Malaysia, for sure, will bring back lawn bowls and bowling when it comes our turn to host it in 2017 as we bid to become overall champions for only the second time in SEA Games history.
Traditional sports, one may argue, should have its place in the spirit of Asean solidarity but let’s not forget that the ultimate goal for every member country is to produce an Olympic champion of its own.

It is in this sense that the member countries of Asean have failed to do enough to ensure that the hosts do not include sports that are indigenous in nature.

So, winning 40 or 50 gold medals should not be something for us to gloat about when we are no longer able to challenge strongly in blue riband sports like athletics and swimming.
Malaysia do not even have representation in the men’s 100m sprint for the first time in the history of track and field in the SEA Games.

The country is only good for five or six gold medals, which is a miserable haul considering that 40 gold medals are on offer.

And in the pool, the situation is not any better as two or three golds is the prediction.

This proves that either Malaysia are already lagging when it comes to grooming talents or the current environment just does not provide well enough for nurturing athletes hungry for success.

The writer has not missed the SEA Games since Brunei in 1999 and hopes that next month’s edition will bring pleasant memories, like previous Games.

Five will do for MAF

SEA GAMES: Association reduces gold target as it doesn't want to pressure young athletes

 NOT quite certain with how its athletes will perform in next month's Sea Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) sought to dampen expectations of a gold medal harvest from the sport.

MAF decided to fall in line with the National Sports Council by reducing its own seven-gold target to five, saying that it is doing so to avoid putting too much pressure on a squad in which almost 70 per cent are athletes aged 21 and below.

The figure would match the five gold medals won in Palembang two years ago, which remains the lowest haul from athletics since the 1975 Sea Games when Malaysia won four gold.
MAF named 27 young athletes in the squad to groom them for the 2017 Sea Games which Malaysia will host, hence the reduced target.

"I agree with the team manager that we should reduce our target to five gold medals," said MAF president Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, referring to a discussion with his deputy Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, who is also the athletics Sea Games team manager.

"This is a young team and we don't want to push them too hard. We will give them a chance to excel but also allow them time to mature."

Of the 39 athletes headed to Naypyidaw, 26 will be making their Sea Games debut and only walker Lo Choon Sieng will be defending a gold medal from Palembang while hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian is the only other athlete to have won gold in 2007.

The other four gold medal winners in 2011 -- Lee Hup Wei, Roslinda Samsu, Noraseela Khalid and Tan Song Hwa -- either failed to qualify or have retired.

After yesterday's selection committee meeting in Bukit Jalil, MAF dropped two relay athletes from the original list as requested by the Olympic Council of Malaysia.

"We are very glad that OCM has accepted our selection and we have decided to follow their advise to drop two relay athletes," said Zainal.

"As such, Anchois Aron and Firdaus Kimleh will not be going to Myanmar and we have settled on five runners, including a reserve, for the men's 4x400m event.

"The two athletes will instead compete at the Brunei Open and as they are still young, will have many more opportunities to go to the Sea Games."

Eyes will be trained on the 4x400m event after the post-2011 Sea Games disgrace of having a gold medal stripped following the failed drugs test of Yunus Lasaleh.

S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaraaj and Schzuan Ahmad Rosely remain from that quartet and their bid for redemption will be aided by Arif Zulhilmi Alet and Kwong Kar Jun in Naypyidaw.

Kannathasan and Arif will also run in the 400m, one of five events along with the relay, men's high jump, men's 20km walk and women's hammer where the gold medals are expected to be won.
MAF also decided that Eddie Edwards and Azhar Ismail will carry Malaysia's challenge in the men's sprints while S. Komalam Shally and Zaidatul Husna Zulkifli will run in the women's 100m and 200m events.

The men's 4x100m relay team be selected from Eddie, Azhar, Harith Ammar Sobri, Shamimi Azmi and Sebastian Lee Azcona while Komalam and Husna will be joined by triple jumper Noor Amira Nafiah and Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli in the women's 4x100m event.

Malaysia will also compete in the women's 4x400m where Nurul Faizah Asma Mazlan, 22, and Nurulassikin Rasid, 20, are joined by schoolgirls Siti Nur Afiqah Abdul Razak, 15, and Fatin Faqihah Yusuf, 17.

The Zulkifli twins, 100m hurdler Raja Nursheena Raja Azhar and Shamimi were late additions to the original list of 39 with walker Elena Goh, 400m runner Layalia Rameli, Anchois and Firdaus making way.

It's a clean slate for takraw boys eyeing SEA Games spot

Hanafiah Dollah (left) is one of the strong candidates to make the SEA Games team as he has managed to retain his place in the team for a longer period.

PETALING JAYA: The slate has been wiped clean for the sepak takraw players and anyone looking to make the cut for the Myanmar SEA Games next month will have to prove themselves.
The team are currently in Langkawi undergoing centralised training until the end of the month and the players will have to fully utilise their time to impress the selectors.

The national team have toyed with various pairings during all three legs of the ISTAF SuperSeries this year, and national coach Jamaluddin Hassan said that the team list for Myanmar is still anyone’s guess as the players have been dialled back to zero.
Two of the players who looked to be strong candidates in making the team are killer Hanafiah Dolah and feeder Mohd Syazreen Qamar Salehan.

However, Jamaluddin warned that is doesn’t mean that they’re a shoo-in for the Games.
“We have been rotating the squad this year in the hope of finding our best combination. We’ve had a lot of players come in and go out this season. But Hanafiah and Syazreen have managed to retain their place for a longer period and they’ve made full use of that by showing us what they can offer the team,” said Jamaluddin.

“They showed good combination and understanding on court. Hanafiah especially displayed good skills and endurance during the tournament in Kota Kinabalu,” he added.
“But I think all the players need to realise that anything can happen, and that their place in the team is not guaranteed. We cannot afford to keep using the same players, so the drive to improve must be there,

“We have a few more weeks till the tournament and the boys need to work hard and prove themselves if they want to find themselves in the (starting) team.”
Besides the duo, also in the fray are tekong Noor Azman Abdul Hamid and killer Norshahruddin Mad Ghani.

Noor Azman had his first taste of international action during the third leg of the SuperSeries in Kota Kinabalu after being recalled to the national side in September. It was then that Malaysia fell to Thailand 2-1 in the final.

While talismatic captain Norshahruddin is fighting fit after picking up a knee injury during the 3-2 semi-final win over South Korea during the second leg of the SuperSeries in Bangkok in September.

Sazali eyeing perfect warm-up

SAZALI Samad is hoping for a boost ahead of next month's Myanmar Sea Games with a record ninth Mr Universe title at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships in Budapest on Sunday.

Sazali is a firm favourite in the lightweight (70kg) category but winning in Budapest will not make him a leading contender in Myanmar.

The veteran is competing in the Sea Games for the first time since the 2003 edition in Hanoi. He won his first Sea Games gold in the 1997 edition in Jakarta.
Five bodybuilders left for Budapest on Tuesday to compete in the world meet but only Sazali, 45, is expected to return with a title.

He claimed his maiden Mr Universe title in the bantamweight (65kg) in Malacca 13 years ago, followed by wins in Moscow (2004) and Ostrava, Czech Republic (2006).

Sazali then moved up to the lightweight category and won in Jeju, South Korea (2007), Dubai (2009), Varanasi, India (2010), Malacca (2011) and Bangkok (2012).

The police officer is the country's most successful bodybuilder, having also won the Asian Championships several times.

But Sazali is motivated to make an impact in Budapest after failing to defend his Asian title in Vietnam in August. He won a bronze.

"I am fit and stronger under the guidance of coach Milos Sarcev. He drew up a tough programme," said Sazali recently.

"I puked a few times. Age has not stopped me from training hard. It is challenging as it is tough to lose body fat when you are older.

"I am also hoping to regain my status as the Sea Games champion, so hopefully my extra hours in the gym will pay dividends."

Azhar Mohamad, Roszaimi Abdul Rani, Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen and Buda Anchah are Malaysia's other representatives in the world meet.

Bodybuilding is making a return to the Sea Games after a six-year lapse. It was last contested at the 2007 Korat edition but Sazali did not compete.

Sea Games squad: Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen (flyweight -- 55kg), Roszaimi Abdul Rani (super flyweight -- 60kg), Sazali Samad (lightweight -- 70kg), Buda Anchah (light middleweight -- 80kg), Wong Hong (light heavyweight -- 90kg).

SEA GAMES: Sports Ministry to team up with OCM

THE Sports Ministry and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have agreed to form a joint committee to prepare the country to host the 2017 Sea Games.

Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said early preparation is necessary to ensure the event will be hosted to the highest standard.

"The committee will discuss and decide what sports and events will be suggested to the Sea Games Federation for the 2017 Games," said Khairy.

"It will also cover various other aspects such as organisation, logistics, venues, support services and athletes' preparations for not only the Sea Games but also the Asean Para Games which we will also be hosting.

"The committee will be steered by a main committee of which I, in my capacity as sports minister, will be chairman."

Khairy also disclosed that the government will support OCM in hosting the 127th International Olympic Council (IOC) Session in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.

"The IOC Session will bring the attention of the international sporting community on Malaysia," said Khairy.

Kuala Lumpur was selected ahead of Lima, Peru in the bid to host the meet last year.
Over 1,000 international delegates are expected to attend the event which will see the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics selected.

CDM Minta Campur Tangan Khairy Dapatkan Penerbangan Sewa Khas Terus Ke Naypyitaw

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Nov (Bernama) -- Ketua kontinjen Malaysia (CDM) ke Sukan SEA Myanmar, Datuk Amiruddin Embi meminta campur tangan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin bagi mendapatkan penerbangan sewa khas terus untuk atlet dan pegawai negara dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) di Sepang ke Naypyitaw.

Amiruddin berkata jika tiada penerbangan terus itu, perjalanan kira-kira 300 atlet dan pegawai negara akan mengambil masa kerana mereka terpaksa menaiki bas ke Naypyitaw.

"Tempahan penerbangan asal yang dibuat oleh MOM (Majlis Olimpik Malaysia) ialah separuh daripada atlet akan transit di Bangkok kemudian akan menaiki Bangkok Air terus ke Naypyitaw (penerbangan komersial).

"Yang menjadi masalah ialah baki 300 lagi atlet dan pegawai yang akan menaiki penerbangan ke Yangon dari KLIA, tetapi kemudiannya terpaksa menaiki bas ke Naypyitaw yang akan memakan masa enam jam perjalanan.

Sehubungan itu cadangan berkenaan diutarakan untuk memudahkan perjalanan atlet ke temasya dwi-tahunan itu, katanya selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat pengurus pasukan ke Sukan SEA Myanmar di Wisma MOM, Isnin.

Selain Naypyitaw dan Yangon, beberapa acara sukan akan turut berlangsung di Mandalay dan Ngwe Saung dari 11 hingga 22 Dis ini.

Amiruddin berkata kontinjen negara terdiri daripada keseluruhan 833 atlet dan pegawai, yang akan mengambil bahagian dalam 29 daripada 33 acara pada temasya sukan itu.

"Permintaan penerbangan terus itu untuk mengurangkan risiko kepada atlet, sekiranya kami tiada pilihan dengan menaiki bas, ia akan melibatkan keselamatan dan tempoh enam jam itu akan meletihkan mereka.

"Kami mahu moral mereka tinggi dan tahap fizikal mereka bersedia untuk Sukan SEA...kebajikan atlet adalah keutamaan kami," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Amiruddin berkata majlis penyerahan Jalur Gemilang kepada kontinjen negara akan diadakan pada 4 Dis, bagaimanapun setakat ini pembawa bendera kebangsaan pada temasya itu belum diputuskan.

Mengenai sasaran pingat di Myanmar, Amiruddin optimis kontinjen negara mampu meraih sehingga 50 pingat emas pada temasya itu.

Sementara itu, Khairy pada sidang akhbar selepas mengadakan lawatan kerja ke MOM hari ini, berkata pihaknya sedia memohon kerjasama daripada Malaysia Airlines (MAS) untuk membawa kontinjen negara terus ke Naypyitaw dari KLIA.

MOM tanggung atlet olahraga kategori A

KUALA LUMPUR - Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) yang sebelum ini bercadang menghantar lapan atlet mereka di bawah Kategori B ke Sukan SEA Myanmar boleh menarik nafas lega apabila Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) bersetuju untuk menanggung kesemua atlet olahraga di bawah Kategori A.

Lapan atlet itu terdiri daripada dua acara kuartet 4x100 meter lelaki dan 4x400 meter wanita yang pada asalnya gagal melepasi catatan masa ditetapkan, namun diberi kelonggaran oleh MOM untuk bersama 33 atlet lain yang layak di bawah Kategori A.

Menurut Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, mereka tidak berdepan sebarang kerumitan untuk meluluskan permohonan KOM setelah berbincang panjang dengan semua ahli jawatankuasa MOM.

''MOM tiada masalah menyenaraikan semua atlet olahraga di bawah Kategori A termasuk acara 4x100 meter lelaki dan 4x400 meter wanita walaupun pada asalnya di bawah Kategori B sebelum ini.
''Cuma kemungkinan daripada jumlah asal 41 atlet yang dicadangkan oleh KOM, kami mungkin akan bertindak menggugurkan dua atlet lelaki yang disenaraikan dalam acara 4x400 meter lelaki kerana jika mengikut senarai, terdapat tujuh atlet bertanding.

''Hanya seorang pelari simpanan dibenarkan, ini menjadikan lima pelari akan disenaraikan dalam acara 4x400 meter dan acara lain, tiada sebarang masalah," katanya selepas mesyuarat akhir senarai nama atlet ke Sukan SEA yang dipengerusikan oleh Presiden, Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar.
Mengikut pecahan atlet yang akan bertanding ke Nay Pyi Taw, 14 daripadanya layak berdasarkan merit setelah melepasi catatan masa manakala enam lagi berdasarkan rekod di kalangan tiga terbaik dalam acara masing-masing di rantau Asia Tenggara dan sembilan lagi peserta adalah atlet pelapis yang dipersetujui dibiayai sepenuhnya oleh Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).

Sebelum itu, Naib Presiden KOM, Datuk Paiman Abdul Karim, yang ditemui mengakui mereka kemungkinan terpaksa mengeluarkan perbelanjaan kira-kira RM50,000 bagi membawa lapan atlet terbabit ekoran kemungkinan KOM tidak akan meluluskan penyertaan mereka di bawah kategori A.
Dalam perkembangan berlainan, KOM bersetuju menaikkan sasaran awal dari lima kepada tujuh pingat emas di Sukan SEA Myanmar dengan Adi Aliffuddin Hussin dalam acara lontar peluru lelaki dan S. Kanathasan menjadi taruhan terbaharu.

''Setelah diteliti berdasarkan pencapaian terkini mereka pada Kejohanan Olahraga Terbuka Malaysia, sasaran terkini KOM adalah tujuh pingat emas berbanding lima sebelum ini.

''Kanathasan dan Adi adalah senarai terbaru yang diyakini mampu meraih emas di sana nanti, kita harap mampu mengatasi pencapaian dua tahun lalu iaitu sebanyak lima pingat emas," katanya.

Mun Yee to make it a record nine SEA Games outings

 

Leong Mun Yee (left) and Pandelela Rinong after winning the bronze in the women's 10m platform synchronised diving at the 15th FINA World Championships in Spain in July. Mun Yee has participated in every SEA Games since 1997 at the tender age of 13.

PETALING JAYA: Diver Leong Mun Yee is set to create a record unlikely to be surpassed by other Malaysians at the SEA Games.

Mun Yee, who will turn 29 on Dec 4, will be making her ninth straight SEA Games appearance in Myanmar next month. Mun Yee currently shares the record of eight appearances with karate exponent P. Arivalagan.

Mun Yee was barely 13 when she was picked to join the national training programme in 1997. That same year she made her SEA Games debut in Jakarta where she was placed fifth in the 3m springboard event.

It proved to be good exposure for her. In Brunei two years later, Mun Yee bagged two silvers in the platform and springboard events.

“I finished behind team-mate Farah Begum Abdullah in the 3m springboard but I was very happy. Another team-mate Yeoh Ken Nee also took the men’s 3m springboard gold. It was the first time diving contributed gold medals at the SEA Games level and we have not looked back since then,” recalled Mun Yee.

Mun Yee finally made the breakthrough when Malaysia hosted the 2001 Games. She won four golds for her best achievement in a single Games.

She then went on to win one in 2003 (Hanoi), two each in 2005 (Manila), 2007 (Korat) and 2009 (Vientiane) and one in 2011 (Palembang). She now has a total of 12 golds, making her the most successful Malaysian diver at SEA Games level.

With age catching up, Mun Yee has scaled down her events. She only competed in one discipline at the last Games in Indonesia two years ago.

“I only took part in the 10m platform synchro with Traisy Vivien Tukiet. It is now all about guiding the younger ones at the SEA Games,” said Mun Yee.

In Maynmar, Mun Yee will again play the mentor role. She will combine with youngster Nur Dhabitah Sabri to defend the 10m platform synchro title for Malaysia.

Dhabitah will be Mun Yee’s seventh different partner at the SEA Games level dating back to Kuala Lumpur in 2001 when the synchro disciplines were introduced for the first time.
“My objective has changed compared to my earlier SEA Games appearances, but the end result is still the same – to bring glory to the country.

“I have never missed the SEA Games since I made my debut in 1997. The interest is still there, otherwise it will be hard for me to go through the training.

“Previously, it was establishing ourselves at the Games and the expectations were not high as we were not known as a diving power.

“But now it’s different. We are expected to deliver gold medals. I have always given my best, regardless of who I am partnered with,” said Mun Yee, who is now attending a one-month training stint with the national team in Guangzhou.

Fourty gold medals is the target at SEA Games

Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin (right) shaking hands with a team manager during the SEA Games team managers meeting held on Monday. The minister has set a 40 gold medal target for Malaysia at the Games. - The STAR/ Shahrul Fazry Ismail

KUALA LUMPUR: The absence of certain sports – like bowling, squash and track cycling – means that the Malaysian contingent will only have a target of 40 gold medals to aim for at the Myanmar SEA Games next month. 

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the modest target after attending the team manager’s meeting at the OCM Indoor Arena on Monday.
A total of 460 gold medals will be contested at the biennial Games this time.
With the absence of some of these events from the 27th edition, Khairy pointed out that the contingent will head for Myanmar having lost 28 gold medals.

Diving has been identified as the main contributor because Pandelela Rinong and company are good for a clean sweep of all eight gold medals. Karate are expected to deliver six golds; athletics (five); swimming, pencak silat, wushu and archery (three each); hockey and sailing (two each); road cycling, football, body building, shooting and muay (thai) one each.

“This is the realistic target based on the National Sports Council (NSC), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the National Sports Associations (NSAs) joint assessment.
“It is fewer than previous Games as there are many sports which were contested in Palembang but not included in Myanmar this year.

“Some events or even the particular sport are missing this time and we found out that we have to forgo 28 gold medals from our target.

“We’ve already lost eight from aquatics (open water swimming and synchronised swimming), seven from track cycling, five from bowling, four from water ski and two each from fencing and shooting,” said Khairy, who urged all Malaysians not to have high expectations on the contingent in terms of gold medals.

But recent performances have shown that our contingent is capable of surpassing the target set.
Two years ago, Malaysia had set a target of 45 gold medals but ended up winning 59 in Palembang.
In 2009, Malaysia won five more than the initial target of 35 in Laos. In 2007, the contingent aimed for 64 but got four extra on the final day of the meet in Korat, Thailand.

For the record, Malaysia won 59 golds, 50 silvers and 82 bronzes to finish fourth overall in the last Games.

Malaysia Sasar 40 Emas Di Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Nov (Bernama) -- Malaysia menyasar pencapaian 40 emas daripada 213 pingat berkenaan yang ditawar pada Sukan SEA Myanmar dari 11 hingga 22 Dis ini.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin menyifatkan sasaran itu sebagai realistik berdasarkan jenis sukan dan acara dipertanding serta kekuatan atlet negara yang menyertai kejohanan kali ini.

"Sasaran Sukan SEA kurang daripada dahulu sebab banyak sukan yang kita menang emas dahulu, iaitu sebanyak 28 acara, tidak dipertandingkan.

"Sasaran pingat 40 emas juga adalah berdasarkan penilaian MSN (Majlis Sukan Negara), MOM (Majlis Olimpik Malaysia) dan persatuan sukan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengadakan lawatan kerja ke Wisma MOM Isnin.

Terdahulu, beliau menghadiri mesyuarat pengurus Sukan SEA Myanmar di tempat sama.

Khairy berkata antara acara yang menjadi sasaran emas ialah tiga daripada renang, terjun (8), memanah (6), olahraga (5), pencak silat (3), wushu (3) selain mempertahan emas bagi bola sepak.

Sebanyak 33 jenis sukan membabitkan 460 acara dipertanding pada kejohanan dwitahunan itu, yang berlangsung di Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon dan wilayah Mandalay serta Ngwe Saung Beach.

Kontinjen negara, yang menghantar 833 atlet dan pegawai, akan mengambil bahagian dalam 29 jenis sukan kecuali vovinam, perlumbaan bot tradisional, gusti dan kempo.

Pada kejohanan sama di Indonesia dua tahun lepas, Malaysia meraih 59 emas, melepasi sasaran asal 55 pingat emas.

Acara berkualiti Sukan SEA 2017

Khairy (barisan belakang, empat dari kiri) dan Ketua Pengarah MSN, Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong (barisan belakang, lima dari kanan) meluangkan masa bersama wartawan-wartawan sukan yang mengambil bahagian dalam acara badminton Sukan Media-MSN 2013 di Bukit Jalil, semalam. - Bernama 

 

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia hanya menyenaraikan acara berkualiti pada Sukan SEA 2017 yang mana negara menjadi hos sukan dwi tahunan itu.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin memberi bayangan awal acara yang akan disenaraikan kelak kebanyakannya dipertandingkan pada Sukan Komanwel, Sukan Asia dan Sukan Olimpik.
Menurut Khairy, beliau telah meminta Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) menentukan senarai muktamad acara yang akan dipertandingkan di Sukan SEA 2017.

"Prinsip kita setiap acara yang dipertandingkan ini turut terdapat di peringkat Sukan Asia dan Komanwel. Seterusnya ia melebihi dengan acara yang dipertandingkan di Sukan Olimpik kerana temasya tersebut hanya mengehadkan beberapa acara sahaja," katanya selepas merasmikan Sukan Media-MSN 2013 di Bukit Jalil, semalam.

Sebelum ini, MOM menjangkakan lebih separuh daripada acara yang dipertandingkan pada Sukan SEA 2017 melibatkan acara Sukan Olimpik.

Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata, jangkaan itu berdasarkan pengalaman lepas ketika Malaysia menjadi tuan rumah temasya berkenaan pada 2001.

"Kita memegang semangat seperti Sukan Olimpik iaitu acara yang dipertandingkan nanti sudah pasti disertai majoriti negara Asia Tenggara yang akan mengambil bahagian," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Khairy juga mengucapkan tahniah kepada MSN kerana berjaya menganjurkan Sukan Media-MSN buat kali keenam membabitkan acara bola sepak lima sebelah, boling, bola jaring dan juga badminton.

"Kejohanan ini dapat mengeratkan lagi hubungan antara MSN dan media kerana sebelum ini kita sentiasa berjumpa di waktu kerja, sidang media dan sebagainya.

"Ini juga adalah cara terbaik untuk merapatkan pihak media dan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) serta saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua wartawan yang berjaya menggantikan baju kerja kepada baju sukan," katanya.

Tambahnya, semua yang terlibat dapat menunjukkan bakat masing-masing dan pada masa yang sama penghargaan juga harus diberikan kepada pihak penaja yang menjayakan kejohanan tersebut.

Kejohanan Sukan Media-MSN Ke-6 bermula semalam dengan pengamal media, staf MSN termasuk ketua pengarahnya, Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong turun gelanggang menyertai acara badminton.
Temasya ini akan bersambung Sabtu dan Ahad ini untuk acara boling, bola sepak dan juga bola jaring.

MSN terima keputusan Hup Wei

KETUA Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong menerima keputusan atlet lompat tinggi negara, Lee Hup Wei yang enggan beraksi pada temasya Sukan SEA di Myanmar bulan depan.

“Saya menerima dengan hati yang terbuka selepas Hup Wei memaklumkan dia tidak dapat meneruskan hasrat untuk beraksi pada Sukan SEA kerana kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya.
“Jika Hup Wei tetap beraksi pada Kejohanan Olahraga Terbuka Pahang, sudah pasti ia akan memudaratkan kecederaannya.

“Ini kerana dia merupakan atlet yang masih muda dan khidmatnya masih diperlukan untuk jangka masa panjang,” kata Zolkples di Bukit Jalil semalam.
Ketiadaan Hup Wei menyaksikan Nauraj Singh dan Navin Raj akan menggantikan tempatnya pada temasya di Myanmar nanti.

Sebelum ini, seorang lagi atlet olahraga berpengalaman, Noraseela Khalid telah memaklumkan untuk tidak beraksi pada Sukan SEA di Myanmar.

Hup Wei dan Noraseela gagal melepasi syarat kelayakan Sukan SEA sehingga menyebabkan Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM) membuat keputusan tidak menyenaraikan mereka ke Myanmar.
Noraseela, pemegang rekod kebangsaan acara 400 meter lari berpagar dengan catatan 56.02 saat (s) yang diciptanya pada 2006, hanya mampu merekodkan 60.54s, lebih buruk daripada masa 60.16s yang dibuat pada saringan kedua Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.

Hup Wei yang memegang rekod kebangsaan 2.27 meter (m), hanya melakukan lompatan 2.10m pada Terbuka Malaysia baru-baru ini berbanding 2.20m oleh Nauraj dan Navin (2.15m).

Terdahulu, Zolkples meminta KOM mempertimbangkan semula keputusannya tidak menyenaraikan Noraseela dan Hup Wei ke Sukan SEA kerana percaya kedua-dua atlet berkenaan berpotensi menyumbangkan pingat emas.

Skuad hoki Sukan SEA mungkin dirombak

Kuala Lumpur: Belumpun bermula saingan Sukan SEA Myanmar bulan depan, sudah timbul persoalan barisan pemain manakah yang sebenarnya akan mewakili skuad negara ke temasya dwitahunan itu.

Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (MHC) difahamkan sudah menghantar lebih awal senarai pemain sama seperti barisan pemain utama yang beraksi pada Piala Asia di Ipoh, Ogos lalu ke Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM).

Tindakan itu sebenarnya hanya mencetus masalah kerana pengendali skuad remaja Muhammad Dharma Raj Abdullah pasti menggunakan lima pemain yang berada dalam senarai itu untuk saingan Piala Dunia Remaja di New Delhi bermula 5 Disember ini.

Sementara ketua jurulatih skuad senior Paul Revington pula membawa anak buahnya ke jelajah Korea Selatan yang turut berlangsung pada tarikh hampir sama dengan saingan Sukan SEA.

“Sepatutnya MHC tidak perlu tergesa-gesa menghantar senarai pemain itu. Sekarang sudah timbul masalah kepada dua pasukan ini,” kata sumber kepada Arena Metro.

Revington dan Muhammad Dharma sebelum ini sudah menyatakan dengan jelas hanya melepaskan pemain yang digugurkan untuk beraksi di Sukan SEA yang dibimbing oleh Tai Beng Hai.

Namun keputusan MHC menghantar senarai nama itu lebih awal, Revington mungkin terpaksa mengorbankan hasratnya untuk kunjungan ke Korea Selatan sebagai persediaan ke Piala Dunia tahun depan bagi memberi ruang kepada anak buahnya beraksi di Sukan SEA.