Minoprio lakar juara berganda

ADAM MINOPRIO (dua dari kiri) mengetuai pasukan Black Match Racing menjulang piala World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) dan Piala Monsun 2009 di Pulau Duyong semalam.

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PELAYAR New Zealand, Adam Minoprio mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila menjuarai Kejohanan Perahu Layar Piala Monsun 2009 di Pulau Duyung, Kuala Terengganu semalam, lapor NORZASRUDIN MOHAMAED NOOR.

Kemenangan itu diperoleh sehari selepas pelayar dari pasukan Black Match Racing berusia 24 tahun ini dinobatkan sebagai juara baru World Match Racing Tour (WRMT) ISAF.

Minoprio muncul juara Piala Monsun 2009 selepas menewaskan pencabar utama, Ben Ainslie dari pasukan Origin 3-0 pada perlumbaan akhir, sekali gus mengumpul 138 mata daripada sembilan sirkit WRMT ISAF.

Manakala pelayar Australia, Torvar Mirsky daripada pasukan Mirsky Racing menduduki tempat kedua selepas mengumpul 97 mata dan Ainslie pula menduduki tempat ketiga (95 mata).

Minoprio berkata, dia berasa amat gembira selepas pasukannya berjaya menggondol dua gelaran berprestij itu.

"Ia merupakan satu pengalaman yang amat bermakna buat kami. Kami menyertai Piala Monsun 2009 dengan satu fokus untuk menang kerana pada masa sama keputusan WMRT ISAF juga memihak kepada kami.

"Meskipun kami terpaksa berhempas pulas pada pusingan suku akhir, perjalanan perlumbaan di peringkat seterusnya bertambah baik,'" katanya.

Mengulas lanjut perlumbaan akhir semalam, Minoprio berkata, dia cukup yakin dapat menewaskan Ainslie berdasarkan pada rekod beberapa pertemuan mereka sebelum ini.

Sementara itu, Ainslie memberitahu dia berasa kecewa selepas gagal mempamerkan aksi yang baik dalam mengejar gelaran juara.

"Hari ini (semalam) merupakan hari yang mengecewakan. Apa yang kami cuba lakukan (dalam perlumbaan pusingan akhir) tidak membuahkan hasil," katanya.

Dengan keputusan itu, pasukan Black Match Racing yang turut dianggotai Daniel McLean, Tom Powrie, David Swete dan Nick Blackmann berjaya membawa pulang Piala Monsun, Piala Kristal WMRT ISAF dan wang tunai RM360,000.

Manakala Ainslie pula meraih wang tunai RM250,000 dan bekas juara dunia, Datuk Peter Gilmour dari pasukan Yanmar Racing yang menduduki tempat ketiga Piala Monsun 2009 membawa pulang wang tunai RM150,000.

Hadiah disampaikan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sambil disaksikan oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dan Pengarah Pusingan WMRT ISAF, Craig Mitchell.

World No. 1 Chong Wei reigns supreme at home again

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s world No. 1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei lived up to his billing to capture the men’s singles title in the Super Series Masters Finals after defeating South Korean Park Sung-hwan 21-17, 21-17 in the final at the Johor Baru City Stadium yesterday.

His win completed a historic triple in an Open tournament for Malaysian badminton following Wong Mew Choo and doubles pair Chin Ee Hui-Wong Pei Tty’s victory in the women singles and doubles finals respectively.

Chong Wei’s win showed that he is almost unbeatable on home soil. It was his third major title following his triumphs in the Malaysian Open in January and the Malaysian Grand Prix Gold tournament in June.

Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei shows the national flag on his shirt after winning the men's singles final match against South Korea's Park Sung Hwan at the World Super Series badminton tournament in Johor Baru.-REUTERS

He also came into the Masters Finals tournament as the defending champion having won the inaugural title in Kota Kinabalu last year.

Yesterday’s match lasted 38 minutes but it was far from an easy one for the Malaysian.

Sung-hwan shadowed Chong Wei in the early stages of the game and it was only the better staying power of the Malaysian that pulled him through.

It was neck and neck in the first game until 14-13 when Chong Wei pulled away to win 21-17 as Sung-hwan committed several unforced errors.

In the second game Chong Wei romped to a 13-2 lead and seems to be heading for an easy win until Sung-hwan fought back to catch up a 14-16.

Chong Wei then changed gear and turned on the pressure at 17-15 to take the game and the title at 21-17.

Chong Wei was happy with the win as he had achieved his target.

“I have achieved what I had set out to do in Johor Baru. I was well prepared to face the challenge in this year’s Masters Finals.

“But I must admit that in the second game I was in a hurry to finish my match and made silly mistakes to allow Sung-hwan to catch up when I was leading 13-2 at one stage,” he said.

“But I was confident of my game and checked the slide. It is very satisfying to win the title again. I hope to add more titles next year,” said Chong Wei, who won four Super Series titles, two GP Gold tournaments before the Super Series Masters yesterday.

RESULTS

(All Finals)

> MEN

Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Park Sung Hwan (Kor) 21-17, 21-17.

Doubles: Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae (Kor) bt Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe (Den) 21-15, 21-15.

> WOMEN

Singles: Wong Mew Choo (Mas) bt Juliane Schenk (Ger) 21-15, 21-7.

Doubles: Chin Ee Hui-Wong Pei Tty (Mas) bt Kamila Rytter Juhl-Lena Frier Kristiansen (Den) 21-17, 21-14

Mixed Doubles: Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christina Pedersen (Den) bt V. Diju-Jwala Gutta (Ind) 21-14, 21-18.

STAR

Our women steal show with singles and doubles title

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s women shuttlers made it a historic grand double in the Super Series Masters Finals when they captured the singles and double titles in style at the Johor Baru City Stadium yesterday.

Wong Mew Choo, a last minute replacement in the tournament, defeated Germany’s Juliane Schenk 21-15, 21-7 in the final. Later the top seeded pair of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty easily downed Denmark’s Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Lena-Frier Kristiansen 21-17, 21-14. It is the first time that Malaysian women shuttlers have bagged a double in an Open tournament.

Mew Choo took just 34 minutes to capture her first Super Series Master’s Finals title with a commanding display against the German.

Surprise winner: Juliane Schenk of Germany congratulates Wong Mew Choo who won the singles title at the World Super Series Masters Finals in Johor Baru yesterday. Mew Choo was a last-minute replacement in the tournament. — AFP

The first set was closely fought with Schenk making a fight of it until 9-9. Mew Choo then forged ahead and did not look back as she wrapped up the game at 21-15.

The second game was a stroll for Mew Choo as she romped to a comfortable 21-7 victory.

Mew Choo was a last minute entry for the Finals following the withdrawal of China’s Lu Lan.

Just a year ago Mew Choo was bundled out of the inaugural Masters Finals tournament after losing her group matches in the tournament played in Kota Kinabalu.

Champs again: Chin Eei Hui (left) and Wong Pei Tty retain their title by defeating Denmark’s Kamilla Juhl Rytter-Lena Frier Kristiansen.

The Malaysian has now laid that ghost to rest and can look forward to reviving her career again. She pocketed US$40,000, for here effort while Schenk received US$20,000.

“I should not be playing here as I did not qualify on merit. But it has been a sort of a ‘fairy-tale’ run from day one. Winning the title is certainly a boost before I play in the SEA Games,” said Mew Choo.

But Mew Choo is still coming to grips with the knee injuries she suffered recently.

“I am happy with my current form but I must admit that I am still disturbed by the knee injury. I managed to cope with it but it will be a while to recover fully.”

For doubles pair Eei Hui and Pei Tty the win was their second after picking up the title in the inaugural meet in Kota Kinabalu last year.

The Super Series Masters Finals was hit by the withdrawals of top Chinese and South Koreans players.

But the Malaysians still savoured their win as it showed they are still a pair to be reckoned with in the world stage.

“It is a proud moment for us to retain the title. We beat them twice — once in the group and now in the final. We now lead 3-2, thanks to the two wins here,” said Pei Tty.

“We lost to this pair in the Sudirman Cup in China in May. So it is sweet revenge to beat them twice and in the process retain the title.”

Monsoon Cup To Be Continued, Says Najib

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The government plans to continue with the staging of the Monsoon Cup yachting championship in future with the hope that it will provide the platform for churning out more local yachtsmen and sailing teams of world standard.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he noticed that the fifth edition of the Monsoon Cup held at Pulau Duyong was getting more response not only from fans of the sport throughout the world but also local residents.

In fact, he said, the quality of the participants in the final circuit of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) was most encouraging because they comprised big names in yachting sports to the extent that it was enjoying wide television coverage internationally.

"We see that the number of television audience for the championship reached one billion worldwide and was getting much air time.

"This certainly shows that the Monsoon Cup championship is getting a good response internationally and we will continue with the staging of the championship in future," he told reporters after handing over special aid payment to flood victims in the Kuala Terengganu district, here Sunday.

The Monsoon Cup yachting championship at Pulau Duyong was introduced in 2005 under an agreement reached between T-Best Events and the World Match Racing Tour and the agreement expires in 2012.

The Prime Minister earlier attended the Monsoon Cup closing ceremony and prize giving at the Exhibition Hall, Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina, Resort & Spa.

New Zealand yachtsman Adam Minoprio, who led the Black Match Racing team, emerged as the new champion after beating Ben Ainslie from the Origin Team in the final race.

Minoprio emerged as a double champion when he was also declared as the first place winner in the WMRT after amassing 138 points in the nine circuits of the World Match Racing Tour.

The Black Match Racing team, which also consists of Daniel McLean, Tom Powrie, David Swete and Nick Blackman took home a cash prize of RM360,000, the WMRT Crystal Cup and the Monsoon Cup Trophy.

-- BERNAMA

Major Setback For Rajagobal's Boys After 1-3 Loss To Vietnam

VIENTIANE, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's hopes of making it to the semi-finals of the Laos SEA Games men's football competition, suffered a major setback after a 1-3 loss to Vietnam, at the Laos National Stadium here Sunday.

Malaysia who beat Timor Leste 11-0 on Wednesday, were not able to find their scoring boots today, in a match dominated by the fitter and faster Vietnamese and even the solitary goal was a result of an own goal by Vo Hoang Quang who headed the ball into his own net.

It was the second consecutive time Malaysia suffered a defeat at the hands of Vietnam in the SEA Games, since Vietnam scored a similar victory during the Korat SEA Games in Thailand two years ago, a result that doused Malaysia's hopes of winning a medal.

Vietnam scored their first goal through Nguyen Cong Minh in the 11th minute after South Korean referee Kim Jong Hyeok awarded a penalty for handball.

Jolted by the goal, K. Rajagobal's boys went on the offensive in search of an equaliser, leaving gapping holes in defence and Vietnam exploited the opportunity when Mai Tien Thanh set out on a solo run to beat Malaysian goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias in the 24th minute.

A minute later, Malaysia were thrown a lifeline when an own goal by Hoang Quang, reduced the deficit to 1-2, but any hopes of a resurgence diminished when Nguyen Trong Hoang struck the third goal to restore a two goal advantage in the 43rd minute.

Rajagobal tried to inject fresh blood by introducing Mohamad Zaquan Adha Abd Radzak, K. Gurusamy and S. Kunalan for the non-effective Amar Rohidan, Abdul Manaf Mamat and Ahmad Fakri Saarani, but though the trio managed to mount a series of attacks, they were not able to penetrate a stout Vietnamese defence.

Meanwhile, Rajagobal attributed the loss to the inability of his young players to control their temper, due to a number of poor decisions made by the match officials.

"There were many questionable decisions by the referee and that resulted in the players losing their rhythm and focus. Zaquan may also be penalised further for his red card," he said after the match.

Even after the match, players who were unhappy with the match officials, surrounded them while some threw water bottles into the pitch, but Rajagobal managed to calm down his boys and restore order.

With the win, Vietnam top Group A with seven points from three matches while Thailand are second with four points from two matches and Malaysia has three.

Malaysia will now have to beat Thailand in their next match to have any chance of making it to the next stage.

-- BERNAMA

Women Footballers Suffer Second Big Defeat After 0-8 Loss To Vietnam

VIENTIANE, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian women's football team suffered their second consecutive big defeat in the SEA Games football competition after losing 0-8 to Vietnam in their round robin match at the Laos National University Stadium here Sunday.

Malaysia who suffered a 0-14 loss to defending gold medallist Thailand on Friday, conceded another eight goals today as Nguyen Thi Muon (20th, 68th min), Doan Kim Chi (17th, 85th), Tran Kim Hong (29th), Ng T Minh Nguyet (63rd), Van Thi Thanh (72nd) and Lee Thi Oanh (80th) did the damage.

Malaysia will next meet host Laos on Friday, before completing their fixture against Myanmar on Sunday, in the five-team round robin competition.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Shuttlers Bag Three Titles

JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Badminton fans had more than one reason to bring the roof down with their loud cheers as Malaysian shuttlers swept three of the five titles at stake in the USD500,000 (RM1.75 million) Super Series Masters Finals at the City Council Indoor stadium here Sunday.

Malaysian shuttlers who entered three finals to mark a memorable day for Malaysian badminton, made it a 100 percent record win, to match their feat in last year's final at Kota Kinabalu, by clinching the women's singles, women's doubles and men's singles titles, although the absence of Chinese shuttlers did take away much of the glamour.

Celebrations started early for the thousands who filled the stadium to the brim when women's national number Wong Mew Choo set the ball rolling by providing the early cheers with a 21-15, 21-7 win over Germany's Juliane Schenk.

"I am so happy and the winner's cheque for US$40,000 is a gift from heaven really. Don't forget I was not supposed to be playing in the championship because I did not qualify, until the top players started pulling out.

"Anyway I am here and I told myself I got nothing to lose. So I went out there and enjoyed myself and I played some of the best badminton of my career, including the final," said Mew Choo.

Her German opponent who paid tribute to Mew Choo said she was not able to raise her game because of fatigue.

"I felt a little tight in my chest just midway into the second game and felt a little uncomfortable in breathing. But that's not an excuse. I got over the discomfort but not my game or Mew Choo," said Schenk.

Then came Chin Ee Hui-Wong Pei Tty to keep the fans enthralled with a superb performance against Danish pair to fire up the gallery with a 21-17, 21-14 straight sets victory over Kamilla Juhl-Lena Kristiansen.

By the time world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei arrived on court, the fans were already dancing in delight, as his opponent Park Sung Hwan of South Korea was not expected to pose any danger to his title defence.

And true enough, Chong Wei used his vast experience and deceptive net play to nail his opponent 21-17,21-17 in straight sets.

The wins by Mew Choo, the women's doubles pair and Chong Wei, more or less made up for Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong's failure to retain their men's doubles title.

"I hope my win today will help me physiologically for the SEA Games next week. It was tough but deep inside I knew I was capable of beating him (Park)," added Chong Wei.

Meanwhile, South Korean men's doubles pair Lee Yong Dae-Jung Jae Sung reigned supreme with a 21-15, 21-15 win over Denmark's Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen for their second consecutive title since winning the China Open late last month.

The mixed doubles title went to top seeded Danish pair Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen who beat India's V. Diju-Gutta Jwala 21-14, 21-18.

-- BERNAMA

Pemain negara 'mengamuk'

PIHAK polis Laos terpaksa campur tangan untuk meleraikan insiden pemain bola sepak negara yang menyerang pengadil, Kim Jong Hyeok semalam.

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VIENTIANE, Laos - Skuad bola sepak negara tiba-tiba 'mengamuk' di tengah padang.

Puncanya hanya satu - mempertikai cara pengadilan pengadil perlawanan dari Korea Selatan, Kim Jong Hyeok.

Insiden 'panas' itu berlaku di Stadium Utama, Kompleks Sukan Nasional petang semalam yang menyaksikan skuad negara tewas 1-3 kepada Vietnam pada aksi Kumpulan A temasya Sukan SEA XXV.

Biarpun perlawanan itu tidak memihak kepada skuad negara tetapi anak-anak buah K. Rajagobal itu pastinya lebih mendapat tumpuan gara-gara kekecohan yang dicetuskan mereka di tengah padang.

Insiden tersebut bermula selepas Jong Hyeok melayangkan kad merah kepada Aidil Zaquan Adha Abd. Radzak pada masa kecederaan babak kedua.

Sebelum itu, Zaquan yang masuk sebagai pemain gantian pada minit ke-59 telah menerima kad kuning pertama lima minit sebelum perlawanan berakhir.

Penyerang kelahiran Negeri Sembilan itu kemudiannya mengutip kad kuning kedua dan secara automatik dilayangkan kad merah pada masa kecederaan kerana didakwa melakukan terjahan keras terhadap pemain Vietnam, Tran Dinh Dong.

Sejurus selepas wisel penamat dibunyikan, Zaquan dan semua pemain negara termasuk pemain simpanan menyerbu ke arah Jong Hyeok sebagai membantah keputusan yang dibuat oleh pengadil terbabit.

Bermula Dari situ, berlaku beberapa insiden tolak menolak antara pemain negara dengan Jong Hyeok serta pembantu pengadil, Zleng Weixiang dari China dan Shahidul Islam dari Bangladesh.

ZAQUAN diasak keras oleh pemain Vietnam, Chy Ngoc Anh (kanan) pada perlawanan peringkat Kumpulan A semalam.

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Melihatkan keadaan semakin tegang dan tidak terkawal, pegawai keselamatan terpaksa berkejar ke tengah padang bagi mententeramkan keadaan.

Bagaimanapun, insiden yang berlaku hampir lima minit itu dapat dikawal dengan baik apabila Rajabobal dan beberapa pegawai skuad bola sepak negara termasuk penolong pengurus, Datuk Subahan Kamal dan jurulatih kecergasan, Rosov Bozik campur tangan.

Mengulas mengenai insiden memalukan itu, Rajagobal berkata, ia adalah satu tindakan yang tidak wajar dilakukan oleh anak-anak buahnya.

"Saya amat kecewa dengan apa yang telah berlaku. Sebelum perlawanan bermula, saya telah ingatkan pemain agar menampilkan mutu permainan terbaik.

Bagaimanapun, saya agak terkejut kerana perlawanan ini berakhir dengan insiden kekecohan yang melibatkan pemain saya dengan pengadil.

"Tetapi saya faham mengapa pemain bertindak sedemikian. Mereka terlalu kecewa dengan beberapa keputusan yang dibuat oleh pengadil sehingga menyebabkan mereka hilang pertimbangan.

"Sebagai pemain muda, mereka harus menjaga emosi dan tingkahlaku jika tidak, inilah yang berlaku," kata Rajagobal pada sidang media selepas tamat perlawanan semalam.

Rajagobal menambah, beberapa keputusan pengadil yang dianggap tidak tepat menjadi punca anak-anak buahnya bertindak ganas sehingga sanggup menyerang pengadil perlawanan.

"Pemain saya cukup bersemangat untuk menghadapi perlawanan menentang Vietnam selepas kami berjaya mencatatkan kemenangan besar ketika membelasah Timor Leste 11-0 Rabu lalu, tetapi pengadil telah merosakkan semuanya," jelas Rajagobal.

Salam Sabaidee: Sabar sajalah...

KEHADIRAN petugas bahagian cenderahati, Phootsaphone Khounphilom (kiri) dan Sergdeaur Sanguantrylhanh belum mampu ceriakan suasana di Pusat Media.

SABAIDEE, atau hello dari Vientiane.

Sudah empat hari berada di Vientiane, demam Sukan Sea kali ini tampak masih belum ketara. Memanglah upacara pembukaannya akan hanya dilangsungkan, Rabu ini, tetapi suasana 'pesta serantau' yang dijangkakan di ibu negara Laos ini, tampak agak kurang daripada kebiasaannya.

Memang Laos baru kali pertama menjadi tuan rumah. Tetapi bezanya amat jauh jika dibanding ketika Vietnam diberi penghormatan sulung menganjurkannya, enam tahun lalu.

Ketika itu, bandaraya Ho Chi Minh dan Hanoi ibarat bermandikan kain rentang, poster, bendera dan pelbagai lagi bentuk tampalan di serata tempat. Malah, warganya juga ke sana sini dengan bangga memakai baju melambangkan temasya itu.

Kali ini di Vientiane, rakyatnya tahu mengenai Sukan Sea. Malah ke mana-mana kami pergi, dengan kad akreditasi media tergantung di leher, kami sentiasa menarik perhatian. Tapi tampalan poster dan kain rentang masih kurang, mungkin menanti sehingga ia secara rasmi dilangsungkan.

Laporan media tempatan terhadap acara yang sudah berlangsung ketika ini - bola sepak lelaki dan wanita - juga belum begitu meluas. Susah juga kami dibuatnya untuk mengetahui perkembangan mengenai kekuatan kontinjen tuan rumah.

Selain itu, seperti ditegaskan Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, memang atlit dan wartawan negara yang akan ke sini, perlu banyak bersabar serta sentiasa bersedia dengan pelbagai rintangan yang menanti.

Mengetuai senarai yang perlu dibimbangkan ialah masalah pengangkutan. Malah, buat julung kali juga, penganjur tidak menyediakan pusat media kecil di setiap gelanggang pertandingan. Sebaliknya, wartawan perlu berkejar untuk kembali ke Pusat Media Utama selepas tamat acara untuk menghantar berita.

Jalur lebar tanpa wayar? Ada kami bertanya. Jawapan diberi ialah stoknya tiada. Mungkin akan datang satu atau dua minggu lagi. Baguslah, satu hingga dua minggu lagi, temasya kali ini pun sudah hampir berakhir.

Menarik dan mencabar. Tetapi itu asam garam yang sudah biasa dan perlu ditangani. Dihantar ke sini untuk membuat liputan, bukannya jadikan masalah sebagai alasan.BHARIAN

Wanita kita turut lakar sejarah

DUA hari lalu, skuad bola sepak lelaki negara melakar sejarah dengan jumlah jaringan tertinggi, 11-0, ketika membenam Timor Leste. Semalam, pasukan wanita pula memastikan nama mereka turut tercatat dalam buku sejarah temasya Sukan Sea.

Segalanya kerana mereka kecundang 0-14 kepada Thailand dalam aksi pembukaan bola sepak wanita di Stadium Universiti Nasional Laos, petang semalam - jumlah kekalahan ter besar pernah disaksikan sejak acara itu membuat kemunculan sulung di Bangkok, 24 tahun lalu.

Ia mengatasi rekod kekalahan 0-10 yang terpaksa ditanggung Filipina ketika tumpas kepada Vietnam di Korat, dua tahun lalu.

Cuma di awal perlawanan, ada tentangan dijelmakan skuad negara yang berjaya mengikat juara bertahan itu tanpa sebarang jaringan untuk tempoh 15 minit. Malah Malaysia yang juga paling awal menguji kubu lawan menerusi rembatan Zaryatie Zakaria diselamatkan penjaga gol, Waraporn Boonsing pada minit kelima.

'Masa untuk tuai emas'

JECK Seng bersama Zolkples dan Dr Ramlan serta atlit negara pada majlis penyerahan Jalur Gemilang, semalam.

Ketepi isu remeh, pamer keupayaan: Dr Ramlan

DENGAN penyerahan Jalur Gemilang kepada kontinjen negara bagi menandakan bermula misi memburu emas di Vientiane hanya persembahan terbaik penuh bersemangat yang dituntut daripada lebih 300 atlit yang bakal membanjiri ibu negara Laos itu.

Chef-de-mission Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz menyatakan bermula semalam, tiada lagi isu-isu remeh yang harus dibangkitkan atlit sebaliknya fokus mereka seharusnya kepada Vientiane sehingga temasya itu berakhir 18 Disember ini.

Malah, Ramlan atlit muda mempamerkan keupayaan sebenar mereka sementara atlit senior yang sudah pernah beraksi di Sukan Sea, seharusnya menjadi Vientiane sebagai medan untuk mengekalkan reputasi mereka selaku jagoan rantau ini.

“Misi kita sudah bermula hari ini (semalam) dengan penyerahan Jalur Gemilang,” kata Ramlan kepada pemberita selepas majlis penuh bersemangat itu yang dilakukan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng di Putrajaya, semalam. “Fokus mereka perlu sepenuhnya kepada Laos.

“Kepada atlit yang kali pertama akan beraksi dalam temasya ini pastinya mereka akan berasa cukup teruja tetapi pada masa yang sama perlu menunjukkan prestasi terbaik kerana ia menjadi ujian mereka dalam mengharungi temasya yang lebih besar.

“Bagi atlit senior dan berpengalaman, mereka seharusnya membuktikan keupayaan mereka selaku jaguh rantau ini dengan mempertahankan atau pun memenangi pingat emas,” katanya.

Perasaan sama turut dikongsi Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara, Datuk Zolkples Embong yang mahu melihat prestasi terbaik terutama sekali daripada atlit pelapis yang akan beraksi buat pertama kali.

“Sejumlah 40 atlit pelapis terdiri daripada 18 di bawah kategori A dan selebih kategori B akan beraksi dan Laos dan MSN akan memantau prestasi mereka,” katanya. “Saya mengharapkan persembahan yang baik kerana ia akan menjadi kayu pengukur dalam menilai aksi mereka untuk temasya yang lebih besar.”

Buat pertama kalinya, temasya ke-25 ini tidak akan dipancarkan secara langsung ke seluruh negara selepas Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) tidak mahu membayar yuran hak penyiaran yang dikenakan tuan rumah dan, Ramlan tidak menganggap ketiadaan publisiti itu akan menjejaskan persembahan atlit.

“Walaupun saya agak terkilan dengan situasi itu tetapi saya pasti atlit tidak rasa terpinggir sekalipun aksi mereka tidak akan disiarkan secara langsung,” kata Ramlan. “Saya juga tidak lihat ia sebagai tidak menghargai sumbangan atlit negara sebaliknya lebih kepada soal prinsip.”

Tiga dalam tangan

WONG Mew Choo yang disenaraikan pada saat-saat akhir Kejohanan Final Masters, melakar kejutan apabila mara ke perlawanan akhir.

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TIGA gelaran pada Kejohanan Badminton Final Masters di Stadium Bandaraya Johor Bahru hari ini hampir pasti milik pemain negara, lapor RADIAH SAORI.

Semalam, tiga wakil termasuk dua juara bertahan mara ke perlawanan akhir, sementara wakil tunggal beregu lelaki, Mohd. Zakry Abdul Latif- Mohd. Fairuzizuan Mohd. Tazari terkandas pada separuh akhir.

Jaguh negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei selaku juara bertahan, mara ke perlawanan akhir selepas menundukkan pemain Denmark, Peter Gade 21-17, 21-16.

Menurut Chong Wei, ia merupakan perlawanan paling sengit yang dihadapinya selepas menang mudah pada semua tiga perlawanan peringkat kumpulan.

Begitupun, dia harus lebih berhati-hati apabila menentang pemain Korea Selatan, Park Sung-hwan pada perlawa- nan akhir hari ini.

Sung-hwan pula mara selepas menewaskan pemain China, Bao Chun- lai 21-14, 21-14 pada satu lagi aksi separuh akhir semalam.

"Secara keseluruhannya saya bermain dengan baik meskipun perlawanan ini paling sengit berbanding perlawanan peringkat kumpulan," kata Chong Wei yang mahu mene- ruskan rentak cemerlang itu.

Turut mara, ratu badminton negara, Wong Mew Choo yang menang mudah ke atas pemain Belanda, Yao Jie 21-10, 21-10 dalam permainan yang hanya mengambil masa 31 minit.

Mew Choo yang masih memburu kejuaraan antarabangsa pertamanya selepas kali terakhir menjuarai Terbuka China 2007, mengakui berpuas hati dengan corak permainan yang ditunjukkannya semalam.

Pada perlawanan akhir, Mew Choo akan bertemu pemain Jerman, Julia- ne Schenk yang mara selepas menundukkan pemain pilihan pertama, Saina Nehwal dari India 21-18, 21-18.

Selain Mew Choo, beregu wanita negara, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui turut menepati ramalan apabila melangkah ke perlawanan akhir.

Pei Tty-Eei Hui yang turun selaku juara bertahan, menewaskan beregu Thailand, Duang Anong Aroonkesorn- Kunchala Voravichit- chaikul 21-15, 21-18 dan akan bertemu pasangan dari Denmark, Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Lena Frier Kristiansen hari ini.

Begitupun, impian untuk menyaksikan pemain negara mempertahankan gelaran dalam acara beregu lelaki tidak kesampaian.

Selepas juara bertahan, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong tersingkir pada peringkat kumpulan, harapan disandarkan kepada Zakry-Fairuzizuan tetapi mereka gagal mengatasi kehebatan beregu Korea Selatan, Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae apabila tewas 14-21, 11-21.

Rajagobal: Kami hormati Vietnam

BARISAN skuad bola sepak negara merakam gambar kenangan di hadapan Perkampungan Sukan SEA XXV di National University of Laos selepas selesai menjalani latihan semalam.

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VIENTIANE, Laos - "Kami bukan takut tetapi kami menghormati mereka."
Bunyinya seperti mahu merendah diri, namun bagi jurulatih skuad bola sepak negara, K. Rajagobal, beliau hanya menuntut anak-anak buahnya memberi fokus sepenuhnya pada pertemuan menentang Vietnam.

Ini kerana, Rajagobal tidak mahu skuad negara terjerat dengan perangkap lawan mereka itu pada aksi Kumpulan A temasya Sukan SEA XXV di Stadium Utama, Kompleks Sukan Nasional petang ini.

Namun, Rajagobal menegaskan, rekod pertemuan ketika menentang Vietnam pada tiga temasya Sukan SEA lalu tidak harus dijadi- kan ukuran kerana tumpuannya lebih terarah kepada barisan kendaliannya ketika ini.

"Tidak guna kita bercakap perkara yang sudah lepas. Bagi saya, apa yang penting, kita perlu tumpukan pada skuad yang ada sekarang. Kita tidak boleh membandingkan skuad ini dengan skuad Malaysia yang beraksi pada Sukan SEA yang lalu," jelas Raja- gobal selepas tamat sesi latihan skuad negara semalam.

Untuk rekod, skuad negara hanya menang sekali dan tewas tiga kali kepada Vietnam dalam empat temasya Sukan SEA sebelum ini.

Pada temasya 2001 di Kuala Lumpur, skuad negara berjaya mencatatkan kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Vietnam pada aksi peringkat kumpulan.

Bagaimanapun, dalam tiga pertemuan berikutnya menyaksikan skuad negara terpaksa akur dengan kehebatan Vietnam.

Skuad negara gagal melangkah ke final pada temasya 2003 di Vietnam apabila tewas 3-4 dalam saingan separuh akhir.

Pada Sukan SEA 2005 di Manila, Filipina, skuad negara sekali lagi gagal menjejakkan kaki ke final apabila tewas 1-2.

Lebih malang, skuad negara dimalukan Vietnam dengan kekalahan 1-3 pada temasya 2007 di Korat, Thailand.

Menjelang aksi menentang Vietnam hari ini, Rajagobal berharap skuad kendaliannya mampu memberi komitmen seratus peratus di tengah padang tanpa memikirkan rekod pertemuan dengan Vietnam sebelum ini.

"Setiap jurulatih pastinya mahu mendapatkan keputusan yang baik. Jadi kami akan turun dengan semangat yang tinggi.

"Jika kami menang, peluang untuk mara ke sepa- ruh akhir lebih cerah.

"Apa yang saya tekankan kepada pemain adalah agar mereka bermain seperti yang diarahkan," jelas Raja- gobal.

Cai Lin tidak rela 'lemas' di kolam renang

CAI Lin (tengah) tiba di Laos semalam.

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VIENTIANE - Berbekalkan pengalaman tiga kali menyertai Sukan SEA dan kejayaan memenangi dua pingat emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa, perenang negara, Khoo Cai Lin terus berazam untuk meraih pingat emas dalam acara kegemarannya itu.

Acara renang akan bermula di Kompleks Sukan Nasional Laos, Khamis ini.

Cai Lin yang tiba pagi semalam bersama atlet skuad renang negara yang lain berkata, dia akan mengambil bahagian dalam acara kegemarannya iaitu 400m individu, 800m gaya bebas individu dan 200m kupu-kupu.

"Saya harap dapat mempertahankan dua pingat emas yang saya menangi dalam kedua-dua acara (400m dan 800m gaya bebas) di Vientiane ini.

"Bagaimanapun, saya menjangka akan mendapat saingan sengit daripada perenang Singapura," katanya.

Perenang yang mewakili negara bagi kali keempat ke Sukan SEA itu berkata, dia juga mungkin mengambil bahagian dalam acara rampaian atau berpasukan.

Melalui penampilan sulung pada Sukan SEA 2003, Cai Lin menang pingat gangsa bagi acara 800m gaya bebas individu sebelum meraih dua pingat perak bagi acara 400m individu dan 800m gaya bebas individu pada Sukan SEA 2005 di Filipina.

Menduduki ranking ketiga di rantau ini, Cai Lin kemudian memenangi dua lagi pingat emas melalui acara sama pada Sukan SEA 2007 di Korat, Thailand.

Perenang kelahiran Selangor ini juga berjaya memecahkan rekod Sukan SEA bagi acara 400m gaya bebas individu dengan catatan masa empat minit 18.20 saat berbanding rekod sebelum itu 4:19.13s yang dicatat oleh Pilin Tachakittiranan dari Thailand.

Silat yakin bangkit

(DARI kiri) Mohd. Helmi, Suzy dan Mohamad Hafiz akan beraksi dalam kategori Silat Seni di Laos nanti.

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SKUAD silat negara yakin untuk meraih pingat emas pada Sukan SEA 2009 di Vientiane, Laos setelah sekadar membawa pulang satu pingat perak dan enam gangsa pada Sukan SEA 2007 di Korat, Thailand.

Ketua jurulatih silat negara, Mat Noor Mahmood berkata, sasaran mereka kali ini ialah sekurang-kurang- nya membawa pulang dua pingat emas daripada 12 acara yang disertai.

"Kita akan menyertai 10 acara silat olahraga dan dua acara silat seni. Bagi saya, sasaran dua pingat emas ini adalah realistik.

"Kita perlu mengambil kira kemungkinan mutu pengadilan teruk kerana ia telah mengecewakan kita semasa di Korat dua tahun lalu," katanya ketika ditemui Kosmo! pada sesi latihan di Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Bukit Jalil kelmarin.

Skuad silat negara kini gigih menjalani dua sesi latihan setiap hari sebelum mereka berlepas ke Vientiane pada Rabu depan.

Jelas Mat Noor atau lebih mesra dipanggil Pak Su, Malaysia sebenarnya boleh melepasi sasaran dua pingat emas itu jika diambil kira prestasi dan kemampuan pesilat-pesilat negara ketika ini.

"Saya rasa jika diizinkan Allah dan dipermudahkan laluan kita pada hari pertandingan nanti, kita mampu meraih lebih daripada dua pingat emas. Ini kerana, tahap kita dengan Vietnam dan Indonesia kini tiada bezanya," jelas Mat Noor.

Mat Noor dengan dibantu Hussein Zawawi mengendalikan barisan enam pesilat lelaki dan empat pesilat wanita untuk bertanding dalam acara silat olahraga.

Sementara itu, Nasri Nasir pula menggalas tugas selaku jurulatih bagi silat seni yang akan beraksi dalam dua acara.

"Bagi silat seni, Mohd. Hafiz Arif dan Mohd. Helmi Abd. Aziz akan berganding untuk acara ganda Putera manakala Suzy Sulaiman untuk acara jurus tunggal Puteri.

"Saya harap, salah satu daripada acara ini akan menghasilkan pingat emas," kata Nasri.

Skuad silat negara kini hanya menjalani latihan ringan di MSN setelah mereka berkampung selama 18 hari di Bukit Fraser, Pahang dari 9 hingga 26 November lalu untuk menjalani latihan intensif.

Atlet harus jaga disiplin

JECK SENG (tengah) menyerahkan Jalur Gemilang kepada Dr. Ramlan di IOI Palm Garden Resort, Putrajaya semalam.

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JAGA disiplin dan maruah negara.

Demikian peringatan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Wee Jeck Seng kepada kontinjen negara ke Sukan SEA Laos ketika majlis penyerahan Jalur Gemilang semalam, lapor NOOR HASLIZA NUSI.

Menurutnya, setiap atlet bukan sahaja harus memberikan yang terbaik bagi merangkul pingat emas tetapi memastikan mereka sentiasa dihormati oleh rakan-rakan seperjuangan dari negara lain.

"Saya percaya anda semua (atlet) sudah bersedia, baik dari segi fizikal atau pun mental dengan menjalani latihan insentif dalam menyiapkan diri untuk menempuh dugaan dan cabaran pada temasya dwitahunan itu nanti," katanya pada majlis yang yang berlangsung di IOI Palm Garden Resort, Putrajaya itu.

Sehubungan itu katanya, cabaran pada Sukan SEA kali ini jauh lebih berbeza daripada di Korat, Thailand pada tahun 2007 lalu.

"Ketika itu kita telah melakar sejarah kerana berjaya mencatat pungutan pingat emas terbanyak pada penyertaan Sukan SEA di luar Kuala Lumpur iaitu sebanyak 68 pingat emas melebihi sasaran yang ditetapkan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).

"Malah di Korat juga, kita turut melepasi sasaran bagi menduduki sekurang-kurangnya tempat ketiga terbaik keseluruhan hasil kecemerlangan atlet yang berjaya mengatasi negara Vietnam.

"Kali ini, kekuatan kontinjen kita sudah hilang separuh di mana seramai 348 atlet dan 121 pegawai sahaja yang akan diturunkan manakala jumlah penyertaan juga berkurangan hampir separuh berbanding di Korat," ujarnya.

Kata Jeck Seng, walaupun berusaha untuk menggapai seberapa banyak pingat emas di sana (Laos) nanti, namun agak mustahil bagi kita menyamai rekod dan catatan sejarah yang dilakar dua tahun lepas.

"Sasaran kita di Laos iaitu 30 hingga 35 pingat emas adalah realistik memandangkan banyak acara yang menjadi kekuatan kepada kita tidak dipertandingkan pada temasya kali ini.

"Begitupun, saya yakin bahawa anda semua mampu mempamerkan prestasi yang cemerlang, mengekalkan semangat juang yang tinggi dan tidak mudah berputus asa dalam apa juga cabaran yang bakal dihadapi," tambahnya.

Turut hadir pada majlis tersebut ialah Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar; Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong dan Ketua Kontinjen ke Sukan SEA Laos, Datuk Dr. Ramlan Abd. Aziz.

Sports May Be Compulsory In Schools - Muhyiddin

MUAR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The curriculum may be revised to make sports compulsory to relive the glory days of sports in schools, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the education policy would be revised to give importance to sports as the Education Ministry wanted to produce students, who excel not only in academics but also co-curriculum.

"There are many co-curriculum activities. We have sports, clubs, associations and uniform units. I want to change the policy. Sports will be compulsory in schools," he said at the Sekolah Menengah Tinggi Muar alumni dinner here Sunday night.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the ministry would introduce incentives to make this happen.

He also shared fond memories of his school days including taking part in a play titled "Uda dan Dara".

Muhyiddin later launched the school's heritage museum and approved a RM200,000 allocation for the setting up of the school's brass band.

Present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who was Muhyiddin's classmate in Form Six in 1965 and 1966.

-- BERNAMA

Under-prepared exponents cool on gold medal chances

THE national taekwondo team have always delivered a gold medal in the SEA Games since 1987. But for the coming Laos Games, the team are not making any predictions on how many gold medal they can win.

The squad had just one training stint in South Korea earlier this month. And four exponents got to take part in the world championships in Copenhagen earlier this month as well.

Team manager K.M. Rajendran said that the national exponents lacked preparation because they only received the green light from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to take part in the Games two weeks ago.

“We started preparations last year but everything has been on an ad hoc basis with no exposure for the exponents. The internal problems in the association is one of the reasons for the poor preparations,” he said.

‘’We thank the OCM for at least allowing our exponents to feature in the Games. Our exponents have competed in only just one or two tournaments this year and we will be happy to bag one gold medal in Laos,’’ he said.

At the last Games in Korat two years ago, Malaysia bagged two gold medals in taekwondo.

“The one goal haul is based on what the coaches have told me. We are not sure where it will come from but our senior exponents may well deliver it,” said Rajendran.

The men in the team are Harith Feizal (below 54kg), Rus Fredy Petrus Tokan (below 58kg), Ryan Chong (below 63kg), Mohd Affifuddin (below 68kg), Darrel Josie (below 80kg). The female exponents are Nurul Ashsalina (below 46kg), Elaine Teo (below 49kg), Nurul Nadia (below 55kg), Che Chew Chan (below 73kg) and Lee Wan Yuen (below 80kg).

Former Olympian Wan Yuen is making a comeback after quitting the national team five years ago.

She was the gold medallist in the 1997 Jakarta SEA Games and also won gold in Brunei in 1999. Wan Yuen last outing was the 2003 Games in Hanoi where she bagged the silver.

Rajendran said Ryan, Rusfredy, Affifuddin and Elaine are capable of winning a gold medal.

These four were at the world championships and while Ryan made it to the quarter-final stage, the rest were eliminated in the first round.

“The experience at the world meet will stand them in good stead but they lack top level competition.”

But what has brought hope to the team is the new scoring system that will be used for the SEA Games in Laos.

The Electronic Body Protector (EBP) will allow electronic point count and takes away the subjectiveness of the scoring system as in the past.

In previous Games, biase judging had often been the sore point and usually the host country benefit.

Rajendran said that with the EBP the exponents know that their punches will be counted electronically and could not be ignored as the case may be with manual refereeing.

“We are happy that this system will be used and I am sure the good fighters will benefit and even those who are aggressive will get good scores,” he added.

Rajendran, however, pointed out that countries in the SEA region are world class and will be tough to beat.

“SEA countries are have world class exponents and you will see very close fights and the contests can go either way. Of course the draw will help but you are bound to face tough opponents in any of the rounds. That is why I stress that experience will count a lot in this sport,” he said.

The team will fly to Laos today and the competition will be held from Dec 10 for three days.

For the first time the pattern event is being introduced in the games with five medals at stake.

The Malaysians will field one exponent in the men’s and women’s individual event and a mixed team.

Rajendran said they are not predicting any medals as they are not sure what sort of competition they will face.

“This is a new event . So we will wait and see. We have four exponents in the pattern category. It will be good if we win a medal.”

But one thing is for sure. A good medal haul will at least regain the much needed moral and financial support for the team.

That, Rajendran said, is the biggest motivation for the team in Laos.

Margin Of Defeat Not Good For Malaysia's Image, Says Ahmad Shabery

KEMAMAN, Dec 5 (Bernama)-- The national women's football squad losing 0-14 to Thailand in their opening match in the football competition of the Laos SEA Games in Vientiane yesterday has somewhat tarnished the image of the country, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He said the defeat should serve as a lesson to other sports contingents not to send teams just to "fill the numbers" without taking into consideration their potential.

"It is also a reminder to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to have proper standards in place and not field teams because the financial capability allows it. The nation's image is at stake," he told reporters when asked for his comments on the result, here on Saturday.

Ahmad Shabery, who was visiting flood victims at the Padang Kemunting flood relief centre here, said he hoped the team would make amends in the following matches to come.

Despite the dismal start by the women's football squad, Ahmad Shabery expressed confidence that Malaysia would meet their target of capturing between 30 and 35 gold at the meet, which officially begins next Wednesday.

Malaysia will be represented by a contingent of 370 athletes and 120 officials at the Games. The contingent will be competing in 20 of the 25 sports on offer.

-- BERNAMA

No live coverage of the SEA Games

FOR the first time in 20 years, there will be no live television coverage of the Malaysians in action at the SEA Games.

On Friday Milo handed over one million signatures from Malaysians to lift the spirit and morale of the contingent to the 25th SEA Games.

That perhaps shows the great interest and support for the SEA Games.

The reason there is no live coverage is that the Laotian organisers have imposed a fee of RM1mil for TV rights and Malaysia have chosen not to take up the coverage.

Maybe if each of those signing for MILO had been asked to contribute RM1 (there were a million signatures) or a few cents we may have got the live coverage.

But it appears it is not about money. It involves principle.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, said on Friday that in the past, a country did not have to buy TV rights from the hosts.

Nestle beverage business unit sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong (second from right) handing over the one million signatures to Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Wee Jeck Seng. Looking on are NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong (left) and OCM president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar.

“This time, they have sold the rights to a private company and they are imposing the fee,” said Imran.

“It is not about the money but it is a matter of principle for us. We have never paid for TV rights before because it was a show of solidarity among the SEA countries.

It was a common practice and understanding.” “It is unfortunate that our country will not be able to view the performances of our athletes like how it was in the past.

“We hope that there will be a last-minute retraction. We plan to raise this matter during the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) meeting.”