Malaysian Tigers @ Delhi2010 Commonwealth Games

2011-08-25T07:43:00.001+05:30

Namaste! Azizulhasni hanya wujud satu dalam sejuta!

2010-10-07T07:55:00.003+05:30

SEJAK membuat liputan sukan di luar negara, pelbagai ragam atlit kebangsaan pernah disaksikan. Detik menang atau kalah beberapa acara serta kontroversi masih segar dalam minda saya.

Cuma, semalam saya dapat merakamkan satu aksi menarik yang boleh dianggap terbaik. Ia adalah sifat berani ditunjukkan Azizulhasni Awang - sesuatu yang saya jarang dapat lihat pada atlit negara lain ketika mereka dilontarkan cabaran.

Walaupun anak muda dari Terengganu itu dibatalkan kemenangannya gara-gara kesilapan teknikal menghimpit lawan, apa yang menarik tumpuan saya adalah perwatakan ikon sukan negara ini.

Pada usia 22 tahun, erti takut berdepan lawan lebih perkasa tidak timbul. Dia cuma tahu untuk berlumba dengan kayuhan terbaik dan memiliki mental untuk menang - baik di pentas Sukan Asia, kejohanan dunia atau pun Olimpik.

Dia pernah melakukan gelagat sama ketika berdepan jaguh dunia dari Scotland, Sir Chris Hoy dalam saingan suku akhir acara keirin di Sukan Olimpik Beijing, dua tahun lalu sehingga mendapat pujian.

Sebenarnya saya tidak pernah menyaksikan aksi Azizulhasni dari dekat di gelanggang pertandingan, tetapi sekurang-kurangnya pengalaman pertama ini memberi saya satu rumusan, atlit dengan ketinggian kira-kira 1.57 meter ini mungkin sukar ditemui bagi satu tempoh yang lama.

Atlit negara lain yang terlepas peluang menang pingat emas mungkin duduk menangis atau bersifat emosi, gelagat berkenaan jauh daripada wajah pelumba kecil itu yang boleh berbual mesra dengan wartawan ketika diwawancara, semalam.
Seperti kata pemenang emas acara keirin, Josiah Ng, semalam: “Azizul adalah seorang dalam sejuta di Malaysia yang dikurniakan bakat besar dan saya tidak tahu sama ada akan lahir seorang lagi sepertinya.”

Apa yang pasti, acara berbasikal trek sukar mencari watak seperti ini apabila dia bersara satu hari nanti dan sifatnya harus menjadi contoh atlit muda lain untuk tidak sama sekali takut apabila berdepan jaguh dunia.

Bagi Azizulhasni, dia adalah jaguh dunia dan elemen penting ini akan membantu dia untuk satu tempoh yang lama.

Saya akui agak sedih dia tidak menang semalam tapi sekurang-kurangnya saya melihat sifat wira seorang atlit negara dari dekat.

B.Harian

'Ini perlumbaan taktikal terbaik saya'

2010-10-07T07:53:00.000+05:30

AZIZULHASNI bersama jurulatihnya, John Beasley (kiri) dan pengurus pasukan, Amrun Misnoh (kanan) membuat bantahan kepada juri yang membatalkan kemenangannya, semalam.

Saya tidak kisah jika terjatuh: Azizulhasni

TIDAK dinafikan Azizulhasni Awang mempamerkan perlumbaan taktikal terbaik dalam kejayaannya setakat ini tetapi keringat itu tidak memihak jaguh negara itu apabila terlepas peluang terbaik memenangi pingat emas semalam selepas menanggung perit gara-gara kemenangannya dibatalkan atas kesilapan ciptaan sendiri.

Namun, ikon sukan negara itu tampil menafikan dia menghimpit pelumba New Zealand, Simon Van Velthooven seperti yang didakwa komisar perlumbaan sejurus tamat saingan penuh dramatik itu di Kompleks Sukan Indira Gandhi.

“Saya amat sedih hari ini terlepas pingat emas. Saya yakin menang dan membuat ‘wheelie’, balut bendera negara di bahu dan mengangkat tangan tanda juara. Tapi apabila dibatalkan kemenangan, detik itu pantas bertukar sedih dan agak memalukan,” katanya yang tampak menahan kesedihan dengan menampilkan wajah tenang ketika ditemubual di velodrom.

Azizul berulang kali menyebut dia tidak menghimpit pelumba New Zealand itu kerana hanya membuat tindakan berani masuk ke dalam ruang kecil yang terdedah ketika itu pada pusingan terakhir dan berjaya memintas sebelum membuat kayuhan deras mencecah garisan penamat.

“Saya tidak memikirkan apa-apa ketika itu dan memotong masuk. Saya juga ambil risiko dan tidak kisah jika saya terjatuh kerana itulah peluang yang harus diambil dalam keirin.

“Ini adalah perlumbaan taktikal terbaik daripada saya setakat ini tapi sedih saya tidak berada bersama Josiah Ng di atas podium. Sukan Komanwel 2014 masih jauh tapi saya akan menyimpan kenangan ini untuk menebus rasa hampa empat tahun lagi,” katanya.
Azizul berkata, dia dapat kembali memberi fokus dan melupakan segera detik sedih ini menjelang perlumbaan pecut 200 meter bagi menebus gapaian pingat emas.

BHarian

Keirin gold medalist Azizulhasni disqualified

2010-10-07T07:46:00.003+05:30

New Delhi: Malaysian rider Josiah Ng ended Australia's dominance in the Commonwealth Games velodrome on Wednesday, taking gold in the men's keirin after his compatriot Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified.

Awang powered through a tight gap to take the race in the home straight from Ng, who finished second ahead of England's David Daniell.

But officials announced after the race that Anwang was being disqualified for "dangerous sprinting", handing the gold to Ng.

Daniell was bumped up to the silver medal spot with Simon Van Velthooven of New Zealand getting bronze.

"To be honest I'd have been happy with silver because he deserved to win," Ng said in a show of solidarity with his teammate after the race.

"He didn't intrude but that's just my opinion. That's sport, I guess."

The gold medalist said Awang was "like a brother" to him, adding: "It's not my medal -- it's our medal."

Ng said he was "proud and emotional" as he had worked hard in training to confound his detractors.

"A lot of people questioned and doubted me, saying I was not worthy of being on the Malaysia team, but I just keep going because I love my country and love my sport."

Daniell, a 1000m time trial specialist who switched to the keirin to improve his chances of a place in the 2012 Olympic team, said he did not see the drama unfold until watching the screen after the race.

"I just raced my race and gave 100 percent along the way," he said.

Van Velthooven's said it felt "great" to win a medal at the end of the season.

Ross Edgar, Scotland's Olympic keirin silver medalist, crashed out earlier as he was attempting to reel in a deficit to the leaders in the second semi-final but was brought down by South Africa's Bernard Pierre Esterhuizen.

Australia's Shane Perkins was implicated in the collision and was disqualified, his place in the final going to England's Peter Mitchell, while Esterhuizen was wheeled away on a stretcher sporting a number of cuts and scratches

Nicol cruises and Azlan toils to get into the semis

2010-10-07T07:44:00.000+05:30

WORLD No. 1 Nicol David continued with her relentless march towards a gold medal with yet another devastating display of po-wer at the Shri Fort Sports Com-plex yesterday to storm into the semi-finals.
Nicol defeated Laura Massaro 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 and will play against Australian Kassey Brown today for a place in the final.

The five-time world champion was in full control and took just 28 minutes to oust her English opponent.
Massaro threatened to make a fight of it in the third set but Nicol stepped up a gear to wrap up the match and moved closer to nailing the only top-level competition title that had eluded her.

In contrast, the six seeded Brown had to play an 83-minute quarter-final match against Northern Ireland’s Madeline Perry to win 5-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-9, 12-10.

The earlier two quarter-finals matches threw up an all-England semi-final. Second seed Jenny Duncalf and third seed Alison Waters both beat Kiwi opponents to guarantee England of at least the silver medal.
Waters defeated Joelle King 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 in 60 minutes while Duncalf romped home with a 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 win over Jaclyn Hawkes.

In the men’s competition, Malaysia’s sole survivor Mohd Azlan Iskandar kept alive his hopes to win a medal with a hard-earned win over fourth seed Daryl Selby of England.

The six seeded Azlan won 11-6, 7-11, 13-11, 13-11 and it was only his second victory over Selby in six meetings.
The first win was way back in September 2008.

In the semi-finals, Azlan will play against the winner of the match between James Willstrop of England and David Palmer of Australia.
Top seed Nick Matthew of England had little trouble advancing to the semi-finals with a 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 win over Cameron Pilley of Australia.

He will play against team-mate Peter Barker for a place in the final. Barker defeated Australian Stewart Boswell 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3.

Star

Azizulhasni sedih terlepas raih emas

2010-10-07T07:39:00.000+05:30

SEDIH dan kecewa.

Itulah perasaan yang dihadapi jaguh lumba basikal trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang (gambar) selepas kemenangannya dalam acara keirin pada Sukan Komanwel 2010 semalam dibatalkan.
Pelumba kelahiran Dungun, Terengganu ini sepatutnya memenangi pingat emas dalam acara tersebut tetapi tindakan berani yang dilakukannya beberapa meter sebelum sampai ke garisan penamat telah mengundang padah.

Pada aksi di Kompleks Sukan Indira Gandhi, Azizulhasni, 22, berjaya menamatkan saingan di hadapan rakan senegaranya, Josiah Ng.

Begitupun para pegawai perlumbaan mengambil keputusan untuk membatalkan kemenangan Azizulhasni kerana mendapati dia bersalah kerana cuba menghimpit pelumba New Zealand, Simon Van Vel Thooven.

Begitupun, kem lumba basikal Malaysia negara masih boleh menghela nafas lega apabila pingat emas yang terlepas daripada genggaman Azizulhasni secara automatik diberikan kepada Josiah.
Pingat perak dalam acara itu pula dimenangi pelumba England, David Daniell dan pingat gangsa menjadi milik Van Velthooven.

"Sudah tentu saya sedih. Saya telah mengambil tindakan berani untuk mencelah di tengah-tengah pelumba England dan New Zealand untuk memenangi perlumbaan ini.
"Apa yang saya dengar, komisar (pegawai perlumbaan) mendakwa saya menghimpit Simon. Namun berdasarkan maklumat daripada para pegawai Malaysia dan rakan-rakan pelumba lain, saya tidak melakukan sebarang kesalahan.

"Malah mereka menganggap saya telah melakukan satu tindakan berani yang tidak mungkin dapat dilakukan oleh pelumba lain.

"Tetapi segala-galanya tidak berbaloi kerana kemenangan saya telah dibatalkan," katanya.
Kegagalan itu menyebabkan Azizulhasni terpaksa menunggu empat tahun lagi untuk memenangi pingat emas acara keirin pada Sukan Komanwel.

"Ini adalah lumrah perlumbaan. Ada yang menang dan ada yang kalah tetapi saya memperoleh pengajaran yang cukup berguna hari ini (semalam).
"Lain kali, saya akan lebih berhati-hati dalam membuat keputusan terutamanya pada saat-saat yang genting seperti ini," katanya

Kosmo

Cycling: Hasni stays cool despite setbacks

2010-10-07T07:36:00.000+05:30

AZIZUL Hasni Awang did not look like he had just been denied a Commonwealth Games gold medal. Instead, he looked and spoke as if nothing major had happened as he gave his version of the keirin final, which he won only to be disqualified minutes later at the Indira Gandhi Velodrome yesterday. While admitting that he was "a little disappointed" to have been stripped of the gold when he -- and many others -- felt he had done nothing wrong, Azizul said he accepted the decision and would start a new life."

"The race commissaire said I had been guilty of squeezing during the final but I don't agree with that. This was a keirin race and I had to race to win," said Azizul, a two-time world championships silver medallist.

He was deemed to have squeezed past New Zealand's Simon Van Velthoover and England's Peter Mitchell en route to crossing the finishing line first.
"Victory" tasted even better when he saw that Josiah Ng had made it a one-two finish for Malaysia. Minutes later his teammate was elevated to gold and Azizul was left out in the cold.

"They said I squeezed the two riders but I didn't do that. What happened is our wheels grazed when we navigated a corner and this always happens in keirin.

"What makes it worse is that I believe that this was technically the best I have ever raced in the keirin. My tactics were perfect and when an opportunity arose for me to take the lead, I was brave enough to do it. Other riders won't.

"But I am not going to let that affect me as what is done is done and I have to move on."

Azizul's miserable day was complete when he failed to advance to the sprint quarter-final, a failure no doubt caused in part by the keirin heartbreak but Azizul took it in his stride.

"It isn't over yet for me as I still have the team sprint to win a medal in and I will give it my all."

Read more: Commonwealth Games /NST

Cycling: Azizul's lost gold goes to Josiah

2010-10-07T07:34:00.002+05:30

Josiah Ng celebrates after the keirin final at the Indira Gandhi Velodrome yesterday. Josiah, who finished second, was handed the gold medal after Azizul Hasni Awang was disqualified for dangerous sprinting.

JOSIAH Ng found it hard to stop himself from beaming despite the pain he felt at Azizul Hasni Awang's disqualification in the keirin final at the Indira Gandhi Velodrome yesterday. Azizul's misfortune was Josiah's gain as he was elevated to first and as bad as he felt for his teammate who he described as his "kid brother", the gold medal took a huge load off Josiah's shoulder.

"I feel bad for Azizul for he deserved the gold. I would rather win the silver in this situation for Azizul didn't do anything wrong. What he did was race aggressively which is, in my opinion, not wrong," said Josiah, 30.

But as unlucky as Azizul was, victory was a redemption of sorts for Josiah, who has had to face criticism in recent times as his performance dipped.
"I have let the country down many times and this has led to criticism -- some constructive and some not -- and I am the first to admit that I desperately wanted to prove a point in New Delhi," said Josiah,

That he did, even without the "help" he eventually got from Azizul for Josiah rode a great race and did extremely well to cross the finish line in second place when he had looked at one stage to be out of the running for a medal.

He came home from the outside and was quick to congratulate Azizul as the two rode a lap-of-honour around the velodrome, only to be told minutes later that he was the gold medallist and not his teammate.

England's David Daniel was elevated to second while New Zealander Simon Van Velthooven received the bronze.

"I feel bad for Azizul but for me, the gold comes at a time when I badly needed it. There was a lot of pressure as there are a lot of people who doubted me.

"It has been a difficult couple of years as I was always in the limelight and along came Azizul. It was tough for me, especially as Azizul and Rizal (Tisin) were winning medals at the World Championships, World Cup and Asian level.

"I haven't won at the World Championships and I had to do a lot of soul searching to find the old Josiah again. This gold medal wouldn't have been possible without Azizul for he provided me with the push I needed to find myself again.

"In fact, the entire team helped me and working with (national coach) John (Beasley) has been wonderful. The gold has convinced me of what I always believed -- that I am a late bloomer -- and I am going to be around for some time yet.

Read more: NST

Weightlifting: Hafifi's win exceeds target

2010-10-07T07:33:00.002+05:30

WEIGHTLIFTING'S medal blitz continued at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium yesterday as Mohd Hafifi Mansor delivered the men's 69kg bronze, bringing the sport's personal haul to five medals. The bronze also meant that weightlifting have exceeded their target of four medals and Hafifi was glad to be the one who delivered the fifth.

Hafifi lifted a total 306kg -- 137kg in the snatch and 169kg in the clean and jerk -- to ensure Malaysia finished with a medal for the third day running.

It also meant he bettered the national record of 300kg held by Hidayat Hamidon but Hafifi, 20, wasn't overly satisfied with his achievement.
"I was targetting the silver but let nerves take control. This is my first major tournament and that was the reason why I felt nervous. However, I am happy to have won the bronze though I let the silver slip away," said Hafifi.

India's Ravi Kumar Katulu was a runaway winner, lifting a total 321 for the gold while Sri Lanka's Chinthana Geetal Vidanage lifted 308kg for the silver

Read more: Commonwealth Games / NST

Weightlifting: Raihan clears the path

2010-10-07T07:32:00.002+05:30

RAIHAN YUSOFF

HAVING achieved a first by winning a Commonwealth Games medal, Raihan Yusoff is now hoping that women's weightlifting will take off in a big way in Malaysia. Raihan, 22, delivered a surprise bronze in the 53kg late on Tuesday at the JN Indoor Hall, which was not only the first for a Malaysian woman but also ensured the four-medal target was met.

"I was not expected to deliver a medal but I wanted to give it my best shot as I was determined to surprise the same way Aricco (Jumith) and Naharuddin (Mahayudin) did in the 62kg," said Raihan yesterday.

Aricco and Naharuddin took gold and silver respectively on Tuesday, adding to the men's 56kg gold Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim won on Monday.

"Amirul is another reason why I was determined to win a medal. I have been following his progress since he won three gold medals in the 2002 Manchester Games and I wanted to be a medallist in the Commonwealth Games too," said Raihan, who hails from Kota Baru.

Raihan lifted a total 175kg for the bronze. Gold was won by Marilou Prevost of Canada who lifted 182kg while Nigeria's Onyeka Azike (180kg) took the silver.

"I also hope that this will spark women's weightlifting in Malaysia. This is my biggest achievement thus far and I hope that others back home will consider the sport as a career.

"Weightlifting is slowly but surely bringing honour to Malaysia and if more women pick up the sport, I am sure that we will soon be challenging for honours on the international stage.

Read more: Commonwealth Games /NST /

Gandingan bapa, anak bawa tuah

2010-10-07T07:31:00.002+05:30

Benjamin Khor (kanan) dan bapanya, Edward meraikan kejayaan merangkul pingat gangsa acara menembak double trap di Lapangan Sasar Dr. Karni Singh, New Delhi semalam.

NEW DELHI - Gandingan bapa dan anak, Edward dan Benjamin Khor memberikan pingat menembak pertama Malaysia pada Sukan Komanwel XIX apabila meraih gangsa acara double trap lelaki, sebelum Bibiana Ng menambah gangsa kedua dalam saingan 25m pistol individu wanita, semalam.

Gandingan Edward dan Benjamin meraih gangsa selepas mencatat 185 mata. Emas dimenangi pasangan England, Steven Scott dan Steven Walton yang mencatat 189 mata, yang juga rekod kejohanan. Asher Noria dan Ranjan Sodhi dari India kedua dengan 188 mata.

Dalam satu lagi aksi tumpuan di Lapang Sasar Dr Karni, Bibiana menamatkan cabaran di tempat ketiga selepas mengumpul 778.2 mata. Gangsa tersebut menebus kegagalannya meraih pingat dalam acara 25m pistol berpasangan bersama Siti Nur Masitah kelmarin.

Sementara itu Sukan Komanwel XIX merupakan percubaan pertama Edward berganding dengan anaknya pada kejohanan antarabangsa. Benjamin, 17, mengikut jejak bapanya apabila mula aktif dalam sukan tersebut sejak tiga tahun lalu.

"Harap prestasi di sini akan membantu kami dipilih untuk membawa cabaran Sukan Asia. Kami gembira memenangi pingat, apatah lagi ia adalah pingat pertama negara dalam acara ini di peringkat Sukan Komanwel.
Benjamin kini adalah penembak No. 1 negara dalam acara trap, mengambil alih posisi bapanya tahun lalu.
"Dia (Benjamin) cepat meningkat, dia cepat belajar. Saya pasti pencapaian di sini akan meningkatkan lagi moralnya.

''Kepuasan sebenar bagi ialah mengalahkan pasangan Australia kerana mereka adalah penembak pilihan," katanya.

Gandingan negara itu mengatasi Australia hanya dengan satu mata.
Edward dan Benjamin akan beraksi lagi dalam acara trap individu hari ini dan berharap untuk mencipta satu lagi keputusan mengejut dari lapangan sasar. - Utusan

Table tennis: Women in with chance for first medal

2010-10-07T07:30:00.002+05:30

THE national women's table tennis team stand a chance of bagging their first ever Commonwealth Games medal after edging New Zealand 3-2 in the quarter-finals at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi yesterday. Ng Sock Khim (pic), a silver medallist in the 2007 Korat Sea Games, clinched the winning point against the more fancied Kiwi team.

Beh Lee Wei, Choo Siu Jiin and Fan Xiao Jun also played important roles in this historic victory.

This is certainly a rewarding outcome for the table tennis contingent who were training in Beijing prior to the Games.
For the record, Malaysia have never gone beyond the quarter-final stage in the Commonwealth Games.

In the men's section, Malaysia were playing Scotland in the last-16 stage late yesterday.

Read more: Commonwealth Games / NST

Shooting: Father, son team create history

2010-10-07T07:29:00.004+05:30

BIBIANA Ng's run of a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games silver medals ended in New Delhi yesterday but it was not gold that she had hung around her neck but a bronze in the 25m pistol at the CRPF Campus. There was also another first for Malaysia as the father and son team of Edward and Benjamin Khor took bronze in the pairs double trap.

Malaysia have never previously won a medal in the pairs double trap.

Edward and his son scored a total 185 for the bronze, with the father scoring 47 in the first round and 45 in the second. Benjamin contributed 46 and 47.
England's Steven Scott and Stevan Walton took the gold with 189, finishing just a point ahead of India's Asher Norra and Ronjan Sodhi.

Bibiana, who took to the range in the afternoon session, was placed second after the qualifying round and hopes were high that she would end the long wait for a gold medal.

However, the Indian shooters were adamant to add to their country's haul and there was never any doubt that they would be fighting for gold and silver.

Anisa Sayed won the showdown with her teammate Rahi Sarnobat, scoring 786.8 to finish a clear winner. Rahi scored 781.0 while Bibiana scored 778.2.

Another Malaysian, Siti Nur Masitah Badrin finished sixth with 769.2 points.

"Despite not winning gold, I believe the bronze will give me a new touch for my remaining events -- air pistol individual and team," said Bibiana.

"I am also glad to have contributed a medal to the country after having served the two-year suspension (for failing a dope test).

"I finished fourth in the the 25m pairs pistol (with Siti Nur Masitah) yesterday (Tuesday) and I am happy to have improved to a medal."

In the 2006 Melbourne Games, Bibiana and Joscelin Yeo won silver in the pairs pistol while Hazli Izwan (25m rapid fire) and Suryani Taibi (50m rifle 3-position) claimed a bronze each.

Read more: Commonwealth Games /NST /

Hockey: Pakistan thump Malaysia

2010-10-07T07:29:00.003+05:30

Pakistan’s Haseem Abdul Khan (left) fights for the ball with Malaysia’s Razie Rahim in their match yesterday. Pakistan won 4-1.

WHATEVER hopes Malaysia had of a semi-final appearance in the Commonwealth Games were ended in a thumping fashion as Pakistan whipped Stephen van Huizen's boys 4-1 in a Group A match at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium yesterday. Malaysia were a poor side compared to the one who played against India on Tuesday and Pakistan took advantage to bolster their last four hopes.

Pakistan took the lead in the 17th minute through Muhammad Imran but Malaysia offered some brief hope when Amin Rahim equalised in the 32nd minute.

But Pakistan turned the screws in the second half to add three more and Malaysia, who still have to play Australia, can only look forward to the classification matches.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian women's hockey team have no choice but to aim for three points when they take on Wales in a Group B match today.

The 5-0 thrashing by New Zealand on Tuesday has put Malaysia in a precarious position and coach Yahya Atan said his players must not make the mistake of dropping points to Wales, who have lost both their matches so far.

"A win is the only option available to us. My only worry is that we have been slow in stopping attacks from the opposition in midfield," said Yahya yesterday.

"I have told the players that we can't afford to continue doing this. I have tried to work on this weakness and I hope the players understand what is required of them."

Yahya wants skipper Nadia Abdul Rahman to lead the midfield.

"She was a little off key against New Zealand and that led to the rest of her teammates struggling.

"We need Nadia at the top of her game if we are to get the three points against Wales."

Malaysia have three points after two matches, stunning Canada 3-2 in their opener but Yahya knows that aiming for the semi-finals is not a realistic target.

However, the players can only learn from playing against top quality opposition and a win against Wales will set them up nicely for the clash against England on Saturday.

"Morale is, despite the heavy defeat to New Zealand, on a high and I expect my players to beat Wales."

In the 2006 Melbourne Games, Malaysia finished sixth behind champions Australia, England, India, New Zealand and Scotland

Read more: Commonwealth Games /NST /

Wanita kita janji'serang Wales,

2010-10-07T07:28:00.002+05:30

Pemain negara, Norhasikin Halim (kuning) diasak pemain New Zealand, Krystal Forgesson pada aksi di Stadium Nasional Major Dhyan Chand kelmarin. Malaysia dibelasah 5-0.

NEW DELHI - Skuad hoki wanita negara perlu mempamer aksi lebih "garang" apabila menentang Wales hari ini untuk mencari kemenangan dan menghidupkan peluang mara ke separuh akhir Sukan Komanwel XIX.

Corak permainan menyerang seperti yang dilakukan ketika berdepan Kanada, Isnin lalu harus menjadi pendekatan jurulatih, Yahaya Atan sekiranya mahu mengutip tiga mata berharga.

Selepas mengejutkan Kanada 3-2 pada aksi sulung, prestasi anak-anak buah Yahaya merudum apabila berdepan New Zealand dan dibelasah 5-0 dalam saingan kedua di Stadium Nasional Dhyan Chand kelmarin.
Di atas kertas, skuad negara mempunyai peluang baik untuk mengalahkan Wales, pasukan yang memiliki ranking dunia lebih rendah berbanding kita. Malaysia berada pada ranking ke-22 dunia, manakala Wales ke-27.

Menurut Yahaya, kemenangan ke atas Wales penting kerana selepas ini skuad negara berdepan lawan yang lebih kuat, England, pasukan No. 3 dunia, Sabtu ini.
"Menentang Wales sangat penting kerana kita perlu menang. Hanya kemenangan akan membuka peluang untuk ke separuh akhir.

"Pasukan ini akan turun dengan permainan menyerang seperti yang kami lakukan dalam perlawanan pertama ketika menentang Kanada,'' kata Yahaya.

Tambahnya lagi, pemain perlu positif dan mengekalkan momentum biarpun kalah teruk kepada New Zealand. Yahaya turut meminta pemain mengurangkan kesilapan apabila menentang Wales nanti.
"Ketika menentang New Zealand, kita mudah melepaskan gol. Dua gol dilepaskan pada babak pertama ketika berbaki lima minit sebelum melepaskan tiga gol lagi pada separuh masa kedua.

"Kesilapan ini perlu dielakkan kerana ia boleh menjejaskan moral pemain,'' katanya.
Skuad kebangsaan tidak mensasarkan pingat pada Temasya XIX, sebaliknya memasang sasaran untuk memulih imej setelah kerap menjadi pasukan belasahan.
Pada Sukan Komanwel Melbourne empat tahun lalu, skuad hoki wanita menduduki tempat keenam. - Utusan

Badminton: Malaysia to take on New Zealand in q-final

2010-10-07T07:27:00.000+05:30

MALAYSIA completed the the preliminary round of the mixed team event thrashing Australia 5-0 in Group A to sail into the quarter-finals at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Lee Chong Wei led from the front to give Malaysia the lead after beating former England national champion Nicholas Kidd 21-17, 21-8.

Kidd, who works as the executive officer of the Badminton Association of Western Australia, said he had wanted to play Chong Wei for a long time.

"Lee was steady and tricky today (yesterday). You can't get a rhythm playing against him," said Kidd, who was born in Papua New Guinea, based himself in Avon while representing England 15 times, moved to Malaysia and is now Australian national champion.
Malaysia will play new Zealand in the quarter-finals today.

Read more: Commonwealth Games / NST

Malaysian Archers Move Into Semis After Beating Singapore

2010-10-07T07:25:00.000+05:30

From P. Vijian NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysian archers lived up to their top billing by moving into the men's and women's Recurve semi-finals and the women's Compound semi-finals after beating their respective opponents.

The Malaysian women's Recurve team comprising Shahira Abdul Halim, Anbarasi Subramaniam and Ng Sui Kim edged out Singapore's Leng Cheok, Vanessa Loh Tze Rong and Wendy Tan Liu Jie 205-200 in the quarter-final match to advance.

The men's Recurve team led by Abdul Rahim Muhammad Izzudin, Cheng Chu Sian and Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putera ousted Md Emdadul Haque, Shiek Sojeb and Zia Ziaul Hoq from Bangladesh 218-201.

In Compound events, the Malaysian women's team made up of Sarita Cham Nong, Nor Rizah Ishak and Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh were a class above Claudine Gabrielle Jennings, Susan Helen Maitland and Tracey Margaret McGowan from Scotland to emerge winners after a 227-216 score.

However, the men's team comprising Mohd Kharuddin, Hon Keong Lang and Mahazan Muhammad Zaki failed lost to Australia's Patrick James Coghlan, Clint Leslie Freeman and Robert James Timms 220-232.

-- BERNAMA

No Medals From Gymnasts Wan Foong, Azlanshah

2010-10-07T07:24:00.001+05:30

Frank Julian Martin

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysian gymnasts finished high and dry in the Gymnastics Artistic as Lum Wan Foong and Mohd Azlanshah Ismail who competed in the men's Individual All-round at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex failed to make the podium.

Lum could only manage 76.700 points to finish 18th while Azlanshah finished in 24th spot with 72.150 points, which was the lowest among 24 gymnasts competing in the event.

Luke Folwell and Reiss Beckford of England swept the gold and silver respectively with 85.550 and 85.450 points.

Joshua Jefferis of Australia won the bronze after collecting 84.750 points.

-- BERNAMA

Commonwealth Games Snippets

2010-10-07T07:22:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama)-- Snippets for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

M'SIAN MEDAL WINNERS RECEIVE CASH, MEDAL WINNERS IN INDIA RECEIVE TRAIN TICKETS

In Malaysia, athletes are normally rewarded with cash for the medals they won in sports events but here in India, winners are to get free luxury train rides to various tourist attractions. Each medal winner, along with a companion, will be given complimentary passes for travel in luxury trains Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Golden Chariot, Deccan Odyssey or Maharaja Express.

In case of team events, each team member along with the coach, would be given complimentary tickets by the tourism ministry. These trains are the epitome of luxury travel and will take visitors across various tourist destinations.

BAN ON COINS AND KEYS AT VENUES IRK SPECTATORS

At first coins were banned from competition venues but now police here have extended the ban on other things as, especially keys, and that has annoyed many spectators. Despite protests by many spectators who carried with them their house or car keys, the authorities were adamant that such items could be a threat to athletes competing in the games. Some spectators went back to their cars to drop their keys, some went back straight home feeling disappointed for not being able to watch the games.

SECURITY MAIN CONCERN, VIDEO CAMERAS NOT ALLOWED AT GAMES VENUES

Security remains the main concern of the 2010 Commonwealth Games authorities as prior to the opening on Sunday, police have been very cautious on certain items including cameras and accessories. Many of the police personnel on duty, especially those of lower ranks, were at first unable to differentiate between a still or video camera. Lenses which are higher than the 70-200mm such as the telephoto 300mm to 600mm used by the press photographers seemed so alien to most of them that they checked the lenses very thoroughly to make sure the equipments were really not a threat of some kind at competition venues. This caused many media practitioners to be held up at entry points. By now, after some explanation by cameramen and journalist, the police personnel are aware such equipments and reduce the hassle. Due to rights issue, video cameras are barred from being brought into competition venues.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Malaysia Not So Synchronized In Solo And Duet Routines

2010-10-07T07:21:00.002+05:30

From Frank Julian Martin

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi's hopes of winning a medal in the solo Synchronized Swimming technical routine drowned in the pool, when she lost to Lauren Smith of Scotland, by a single point.

Katrina Ann was awarded 39.667 points in execution and 39.167 points in overall impression for a total of 78.834 points, but Smith with 79.834 points bagged the bronze medal.

Canadian Marie-Pi Bourdreau-Gagnon ruled supreme in the event with 95.334 points for the gold while Jenna Randall of England with 89.166 points finished with the silver.

Meanwhile, Malaysia also suffered a similar fate in the duet when Lee Zhien Huey and Png Hui Chuen could only manage fourth placing with 74.667 points.

In the duet, Canada bagged another gold through Marie-Pi and Chloe Isaac who collected 95 points, England's Olivia Allison and Jenna Randall scored 88.500 to secure the silver while Eloise Amberger and Sarah Bombell of Australia won the bronze with 78.500 points.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Shooter Bibiana Ng Wins Bronze In 25m Pistol

2010-10-07T07:21:00.000+05:30

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Shooter Bibiana Ng Pei Chin added another bronze to Malaysia's medal tally Wednesday after finishing third in the women's individual 25m pistol event at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Indian shooters dominated the event Anisa Sayyed took the gold with 786.8 points while compatriot Rahi Sarnobat finished second with 781.2 points and Bibiana Ng finished with 778.2 points.

It was the second medal from shooting as Benjamin Khor Cheng Jie and Khor Seng Chye managed to win a bronze in the double trap shooting event Wednesday morning.

Indian shooters have bagged four gold and three silver medals in the shooting events so far and Anisa won India's seventh gold medal of the Games.

"I was dreaming for this since yesterday. I was very nervous, my legs were shaking and didn't laugh since morning. But attended training camp helped a lot," Anisa said after the win.

Malaysia are currently in fourth spot in the overall medal tally with three gold, two silver and three bronze.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Josiah Wins Keirin Gold Amidst Controversial Disqualification Of Azizulhasni

2010-10-07T07:19:00.002+05:30

From P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Josiah Ng clinched the men's keirin gold, amidst controversy, after national top cyclist Mohd AzizulHasni Awang who won the race earlier was disqualified.

The New Zealand team was believed to have protested after the event and officials stripped Azizul's gold for moving off his line in the final lap.

With Azizulhasni disqualified, Josiah took the gold ahead of England's David Daniell who secured the silver and New Zealand's Simon Van Velthooven grabbed the bronze.

Josiah who becomes the first Malaysian to win a Commonwealth Games gold in cycling, also becomes the first Asian cyclist to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games track cycling event, after Australia had completely dominated the events -- taking the first five gold medals from six contested.

This is the second medal for Malaysia today after shooter Benjamin Khor and Khor Seng Chye managed to win a bronze in the double trap shooting event this morning.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Remain Focused, Chef-De-Mission Tells Malaysian Athletes

2010-10-07T07:18:00.000+05:30

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Chef-de-mission Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abd Mutalif said Malaysian athletes have started off well by collecting six medals at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games so far but wants them to "remain focused" to excel further.

"So far they are doing well, we have two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. But I have been telling them to remain focused.

"We could have done better in the last two days if only they (athletes) had concentrated more and focused on the competition," Halil told Bernama.

He said the weightlifting team had done beyond expectations, winning two gold medals, a silver and a bronze while cycling would deliver.

This is the first time India is hosting the Games.

Shortly after this interview Josiah Ng won the gold in the men's keirin final in cycling.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Malaysia In 4x200m Men's Freestyle Final

2010-10-07T07:14:00.002+05:30

From Frank Julian Martin

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia qualified for the final of the men's 4x200m freestyle relay of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) after finishing fifth overall in the heats at the Dr. S. P. Mukherjee aquatics complex here Wednesday.

In their heat held at 11am (Malaysian time), the Malaysian quartet of Foo Jian Beng, Kevin Yeap Soon Choy, Joshua Lee Leam Yoong and Daniel William Henry Bego clocked 7:37.29s overall to make the cut.

Their time was 21.45s behind Australia's quartet of Nicholas David Frost, Ryan Francis Kevin, Leith Brodie and Kenrick John Monk, who finished tops.

The final is scheduled to be held at 8.40pm (Malaysian time).

Meanwhile, Christina Loh Yen Ling failed to enter the women's 200m breaststroke final after finishing 13th in her heat with a time of 2:41.77s while Ian James Barr Kumarakulasinghe also faced the same fate, finishing 13th in 2:08.84s in his heat in the men's 200m backstroke.

Foo Jian Beng also failed to make the cut in men's 100m freestyle when he finished in 20th position in his heat.

-- BERNAMA

Hari cemerlang Malaysia di bumi India

2010-10-07T07:14:00.000+05:30

RAIHAN meraih pingat gangsa dalam acara angkat berat bagi
kategori 53kg semalam.

SEMALAM, boleh dikatakan sebagai hari cemerlang buat atlet negara yang sedang meng- galas cabaran pada Sukan Komanwel 2010.
Satu pingat emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa berjaya diraih menjadikan perjuangan pada hari kedua itu sebagai sangat memuaskan.

Kejayaan itu membolehkan Malaysia mengumpul keseluruhan lima pingat iaitu masing- masing dua pingat emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa.

Selepas badang negara, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim menghadiahkan pingat emas pertama dalam acara angkat berat, semalam giliran Aricco Jumitih pula mencuri tumpuan.
Atlet berusia 20 tahun kelahi- ran Kota Kinabalu, Sabah ini mencipta kejutan apabila memenangi pingat emas menerusi kategori 62 kilogram di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru.
Aricco melakukan angkatan seberat 120kg dalam cara snatch dan 156kg bagi clean & jerk untuk merekodkan keseluruhan angkatan 276kg.

Begitupun, kehebatan atlet angkat berat berpengalaman negara, Naharudin Mahayudin juga tidak boleh diperkecilkan.
Pemenang pingat gangsa Sukan SEA 2007 di Korat, Thailand ini membuktikan yang khidmatnya masih diperlukan selepas menyumbang pingat perak kedua negara.
Namun, kejayaan atlet angkat berat wanita negara, Raihan Yusoff meraih pingat gangsa dianggap suatu sejarah bagi kontinjen Malaysia pada Sukan Komanwel.

Raihan yang beraksi dalam acara 53kg berjaya mengulangi pencapaian cemerlang pada pada Sukan SEA 2009 di Laos apabila memenangi pingat perak.
Selain Aricco, Raihan dan Naharudin, pujian juga harus diberikan kepada pelumba basikal trek negara, Mohd. Rizal Tisin yang berjaya meraih pingat perak dalam acara 1 kilometer ujian masa perseorangan (lumba basikal) di Stadium Indira Gandhi.

Rizal yang berehat panjang selepas ditimpa kemalangan pada Mac tahun lalu, kembali membuktikan kemampuannya yang sebelum ini lebih banyak didominasi oleh Mohd. Azizul- hasni Awang dan Josiah Ng.
Selain kejayaan atlet angkat berat dan lumba basikal, bebe- rapa kejutan berlaku terutama dalam acara skuasy apabila Low Wee Wern dan Delia Arnorld tewas pada pusingan ketiga dalam acara perseorangan wanita.
Pemain No. 1 dunia, Datuk Nicol Ann David menepati ramalan apabila mudah ke pusi- ngan seterusnya.
Turut mengekori Nicol adalah Mohd. Azlan Iskandar dan Sharon Wee.
Begitupun, nasib tidak menyebelahi skuad hoki wanita apabila mudah dibelasah New Zealand pada pertemuan kedua Kumpulan B selepas mengejutkan Kanada 3-2 kelmarin.

Di Kompleks Renang Dr. S.P Mukherjee, pemenang tujuh pingat emas Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2010, Chan Kah Yan turut mencipta kejutan apabila mara ke separuh akhir dalam acara 100 meter gaya bebas wanita.
Bagaimanapun, Kah Yan gagal mengulangi kehebatan itu apabila terkandas pada peringkat saringan dalam acara 100 meter kuak lentang.

Turut terkandas pada saringan semalam ialah Yap See Tuan (100m kuak lentang lelaki), Leung Chii Lin (100m gaya bebas wanita), Chui Lai Kwan dan Kevin Yap Soon Choy (200m gaya bebas lelaki).
Sementara itu, perbezaan dua mata menafikan harapan gandingan Bibiana Ng-Siti Nur Masitah Mohd. Badrin untuk memberikan pingat pertama dalam acara menembak

Kedua-dua penembak berpengalaman itu terpaksa akur dengan kedudukan keempat dalam acara berpasangan (pair) 25 meter pistol wanita di Lapa- ng Sasar Dr. Kanir Singh.

Manakala penembak berpengalaman negara, Hazli Izwan Amir yang bergandingan dengan Alais Sulong sekadar berada pada kedudukan ketujuh dalam acara berpasangan (pair) 50 meter pistol lelaki.
Hari ini, tumpuan kontinjen dan seluruh rakyat Malaysia sudah pasti terarah di Stadium Indira Gandhi.
Pingat emas ketiga negara dijangka hadir menerusi Azizulhasni, Josiah Ng dan Rizal yang akan beraksi dalam acara keirin.

Kosmo

CWG: Benjamin, Khor Shoot Down Bronze In Double Trap

2010-10-07T07:13:00.001+05:30

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysian shooters earned the first medal on the third day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) here Wednesday, thanks to Benjamin Khor and Khor Seng Chye.

The duo shot down a bronze medal in the double trap (pairs) shooting event held at the Dr Karni Shooting Range.

They collected 185 points to secure the third place, while England with 189 bagged the gold.

Host India missed the gold by just one point. Indian shooters ended the final with 188 points.

So far, Malaysia has collected a total of six medals at the 19th edition of the games, with two gold, two silver and two bronze.

A total of 27 gold medals are up for grabs Wednesday.

-- BERNAMA

CWG: Malaysian Weightlifters Bag Gold, Silver While Cyclist Silver

2010-10-07T07:12:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- There were more cheers in the Malaysian camp on the second day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), when weightlifters added a gold and silver while cycling provided a silver lining to boost the medal tally.

Though defending overall champion, Australia pulled away from the pack, after taking a lions share of the 18 gold medals at stake Tuesday, Acricco Jumitih managed to pluck one from the men's 62kg weightlifting category while his compatriot Naharudin Mahayudin made it a grand finish by taking the silver.

Late in the evening, Raihan Yusoff clinched a bronze in the women's 53kg-class after lifting a total of 169kg.

Earlier in the day, cyclist Mohd Rizal Tisin made Malaysia proud by becoming the first Malaysian to win a medal in Commonwealth Games cycling events when he collected a silver medal in 1km time trial.

Host India managed to improve its medal standings, with 2 gold medals, while Australia continued to prove its dominance among the 71 participating Commonwealth nations and associations.

The Aussies won eight gold medals, England rose to second spot with two gold medals, both from shooting.

A total of 27 gold medals will be up for grabs and swimming offers nine, the highest for Wednesday's take.

Malaysia will be hoping for another golden outing as four swimmers dip into the pool in search of gold while Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi moves into the final of the women's synchronized swimming solo technical routine final.

Another Malaysian duo, Lee Zhien Huey and Png Hui Chuen would be taking part in the finals of the synchronized technical duet finals.

Apart from the pool, medal hopes remain bright in the finals of the men's artistic individual all-around competition through Lum Wan Foong.

Despite a bad outing for Malaysian shooters, they would be hoping to gun down a medal or two through Benjamin Khor and Khor Seng Chye in the finals of the double trap (pairs) event Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Mohd Faerol Talib and Mohd Hafifi Mansor would be competing in the finals of the men's 69kg category weightlifting finals and certainly would aspire to emulate the success of Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim and Acricco.

But while the Malaysian camp was rejoicing the win by weightlifters and cyclist, there was disappointment in the hockey arena as the Malaysian girls failed to keep up yesterday's winning momentum (defeated Canada 3-2) after losing 0-5 to New Zealand in pool B match.

The men suffered a similar fate when host India snatched a final minute 3-2 victory in their opening Group A match.

-- BERNAMA

Perak daripada Rizal

2010-10-07T07:08:00.002+05:30

RIZAL bangga dengan pencapaian pingat perak dalam acara 1km ujian masa semalam.

PELUMBA basikal trek negara, Mohd. Rizal Tisin tampil bertenaga semalam.
Dia mempamerkan kayuhan cemerlang untuk menghadiahkan pingat perak dalam acara 1 kilometer ujian masa perseorangan.

Rizal yang berehat panjang selepas ditimpa kemalangan pada Oktober tahun lalu mencatat masa 1 minit 02.768 saat untuk berada di tempat kedua keseluruhan.

Begitupun catatan masa yang dilakukan Rizal tidak begitu baik kerana rekod kebangsaan adalah 1:01.658s yang dilakukannya ketika memenangi pingat gangsa pada Kejohanan Dunia di Poland, Mac tahun lalu.
Pingat emas dimenangi pelumba Australia, Scott Sunderland (1:01.411s) manakala pingat gangsa menjadi milik Edward James Dawkins dari New Zealand 1:02.777s.

Lebih menarik, catatan masa yang dilakukan Sunderland ini berjaya memadam rekod kejohanan milik pelumba Britain, Chris Hoy (1:1.726s) manakala rekod dunia kekal milik Arnaud Tournant dari Perancis (58.875s).

"Meskipun berjaya memenangi pingat perak, pera- saan saya sedikit kecewa kerana sasaran saya hari ini (semalam) adalah untuk memperbaharui rekod kebangsaan tetapi tidak berjaya.
"Mungkin kesilapan gear dan tidak dapat melakukan sesi pemanas badan di atas trek menjadi punca utama yang menyebabkan saya gagal mencatat masa yang lebih baik.

"Saya telah memberikan yang terbaik dan mencuba sedaya upaya untuk mencatat masa terbaik peribadi tetapi mungkin kesilapan gear menyebabkan basikal saya menjadi berat.

"Saya sudah pulih daripada kemalangan kecil itu. Saya kini berada pada prestasi terbaik dan fokus sepe- nuhnya kepada perlumbaan," kata Rizal yang mengalami kecederaan patah buku lali kiri tahun lalu.
Hari ini, Rizal dan dua ra- kan sepasukannya, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang dan Josiah Ng akan meneruskan saingan dalam acara keirin.

Selepas itu, dia akan bergandingan bersama Azizul- hasni, Josiah Ng dan Edrus Yunos untuk mencipta seja- rah pada penampilan sulung Malaysia bagi acara trek berpasukan.

Kosmo

Weightlifting: Aricco's mother proud of golden feat

2010-10-07T07:07:00.002+05:30

Kinduhoi Sabin (right) and sister Juliana looking at a report in the New Straits Times and Berita Harian on her son’s achievement in New Delhi. — Picture by Edmund Samunting

KOTA KINABALU: School bus driver Kinduhoi Sabin, 52, was torn between joy and grief when she saw her youngest son live on television on Tuesday. Aricco, who bagged the 62kg weightlifting event with a total weight of 276kg after clearing 156kg in the clean and jerk and 120kg in the snatch, was the first Sabahan win a Commonwealth games gold.

Aricco's father died just two weeks before Aricco competed and captured gold in the Malaysia Games in 2006.

"I'm so happy for him, but at the same time I can't help feeling sad when I think of his father who would have been proud to see Aricco succeed. He was very supportive of Aricco since young," she said at Kampung Mansiang in Menggatal.

Kinduhoi, a mother of six said she was not keen in Aricco taking up weightlifting at the age of 11 but she eventually accepted it.

"Since then, Aricco's success has brought the family some happiness, especially since his father's death in 2006," she said.

"When Aricco comes back home, we will definitely have a 'kenduri' to celebrate his achievement," she said.

Read more: NST /

Badang emas negara

2010-10-07T07:05:00.002+05:30

ARICCO (kanan) dan Naharudin menyumbangkan pingat emas dan perak dalam acara angkat berat di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru semalam.

ATLET angkat berat negara, Aricco Jumitih dan Naharudin Mahayudin mencipta keju- tan pada hari kedua Sukan Komanwel 2010 semalam.
Kedua-dua atlet negara itu menamatkan kedudukan 1-2 dalam kategori 62 kilogram (kg) yang berlangsung di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru.
Aricco melakukan angkatan seberat 120kg dalam acara snatch dan 156kg bagi clean & jerk untuk merekodkan angkatan keseluruhan 276kg.

Manakala Naharudin hanya kekurangan satu kilogram di belakang Aricco selepas merekodkan angkatan seberat 120kg bagi acara snacth dan 150kg bagi clean & jerk untuk mencatat jumlah keseluruhan 275kg.
Pingat perak acara tersebut dimenangi Anton Kurukulaasooriyage dari Sri Lanka dengan jumlah keseluruhan 272kg.

"Saya tak percaya boleh menang pingat emas hari ini (semalam). Saingan cukup sengit terutama daripada Kuru- kulaasooriyage dan Naharudin.

"Sudah tentu saya berasa gembira dengan kemenangan ini kerana ia adalah kejayaan yang pertama dalam kejohanan besar seperti ini," kata atlet berusia 20 tahun kelahiran Kota Kinabalu, Sabah itu.
Menurut Aricco, Sukan Komanwel adalah temasya sukan terbesar pertama pernah disertainya.
Katanya, dia tidak pernah melayakkan diri ke temasya Sukan SEA atau Sukan Asia sebelum ini.
"Pada saingan hari ini (semalam) saya ketinggalan di tempat keempat dalam acara snacth tetapi berjaya melakukan angkatan yang lebih baik dalam clean & jerk," katanya.

Sementara itu, atlet berpengalaman negara, Naharudin terpaksa akur dengan kekalahan kepada Aricco meskipun dia mendahului di tempat pertama dalam acara snacth.

"Saya mengalami kecederaan pada siku kiri, sekali gus mengganggu tumpuan saya.
"Selain itu, kecederaan ini juga menyebabkan percubaan kedua saya dalam acara clean & jerk dibatalkan," kata pemenang pingat gangsa Sukan SEA 2007 di Korat, Thailand ini.

Kosmo

Atlet tak kemas – Zolkples

2010-10-05T12:29:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI – Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolkples Embong berkata, perbarisan kontinjen negara ketika perasmian Sukan Komanwel di sini kelmarin, tidak kemas kerana atlet dan pegawai mengabaikan aspek pemakaian.

Beliau menegaskan, tidak timbul isu mengapa kontinjen negara tidak memakai baju Melayu atau berbaju batik, semata-mata untuk menonjolkan imej Malaysia.
Sebaliknya, pakaian yang digunakan pada perbarisan kelmarin, iaitu memakai blazer hitam dan kemeja kuning, sudah memadai.

Katanya, soal apa yang hendak dipakai pada perarakan tersebut, bukan masalah tetapi aspek kurang kemas berpakaian, menyebabkan kontinjen negara nampak ‘berserabut’.
‘‘Saya nampak perbarisan kontinjen negara pada malam perasmian semalam, tidak kemas.
‘‘Ia bukan disebabkan salah memilih pakaian. Ini bukan kali pertama kita memakai blazer pada temasya sukan yang besar. Cuma semalam, saya lihat atlet tidak kemas. Blazer yang mereka pakai tidak dibutangkan. Mereka juga tidak memakai tali leher.

‘‘Ada yang bersongkok, ada yang tidak. Kalau pakai songkok pun ala kadar sahaja.
‘‘Inilah yang menyebabkan kontinjen kita nampak tidak kemas pada perarakan semalam,” katanya ketika ditemui, semalam.

Zolkples mengulas rungutan perbarisan kontinjen negara tidak kemas, kerana berpakaian bercirikan kebangsaan pada pada perasmian Sukan Komanwel di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru, kelmarin.
Tambahnya, ini bukan kali pertama kontinjen negara yang menyertai kejohanan besar memakai blazer pada perarakan sempena majlis perasmian, tetapi tetap nampak kemas.

‘‘Kita mengenakan pakaian yang serupa pada Sukan SEA Vietnam, tetapi tiada apa-apa masalah pun.
‘‘Tiada rungutan terhadap pakaian mereka, mungkin kali ini atlet tidak berpakaian dengan kemas,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, aspek pemilihan pakaian kelmarin telah dipersetujui atas faktor menjimatkan kos.
‘‘Saya rasa perbarisan kontinjen kita yang kelihatan kurang kemas bukan disebabkan mereka tidak memakai pakaian kebangsaan. Kalau mahu menonjolkan identiti Malaysia, saya rasa dengan bersongkok sahaja pun, ia sudah menunjukkan identiti negara kita.

‘‘Ini semua disebabkan cara berpakaian. Jika blazer dibutangkan, semuanya memakai tali leher dan bersongkok dengan kemas, kontinjen kita pasti akan nampak kemas,” katanya.
– Utusan

Nicol, Chong Wei 'diburu'

2010-10-05T09:36:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI - Sukan Komanwel Delhi yang memulakan acara semalam, merupakan gelombang baru buat sukan negara kita, apabila nama Malaysia menjadi sebutan ramai kerana memiliki jaguh bertaraf dunia.

Jika suatu ketika dahulu, jarang sekali atlet kita menjadi buruan media apatah lagi dikenali di luar negara, Sukan Komanwel di sini, lain pula ceritanya.

Mendahului senarai atlet kita yang paling popular di sini, sudah tentunya jaguh skuasy dunia, Datuk Nicol David, pemain badminton No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei serta jaguh basikal trek, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang.

Status ketiga-tiga atlet negara ini diletakkan sama tahap dengan atlet lain yang bertaraf dunia tetapi tidak beraksi seperti jaguh basikal trek Britain, Chris Hoy atau pelari wanita sensasi Afrika Selatan, Caster Semenya.

Nicol, Chong Wei dan Azizulhasni menjadi buruan media antarabangsa dan tempatan di sini.

Ini terbukti apabila seorang pegawai kontinjen negara 'diasak' dan dipaksa oleh wartawan asing supaya membawa keluar Chong Wei seketika dari Perkampungan Sukan, di sini, untuk ditemubual.

Setelah permintaannya gagal dipenuhi, wartawan terbabit meminta diberikan nombor telefon bimbit Chong Wei untuk dihubungi.

Nampaknya wartawan berkenaan amat bersungguh-sungguh untuk menemubual jaguh negara itu.

Penyertaan Nicol pada Sukan Komanwel mendapat perhatian banyak pihak, media dan peminat skuasy di sini.

Media di sini memberikan publisiti apa jua kenyataan atau berita buat Nicol.

Bagi mereka, Nicol adalah penyelamat kepada kesuraman temasya di sini, selepas beberapa nama besar menarik diri.

Nama Azizulhasni juga tidak kurang popular di sini. Pada sidang media melibatkan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek baru-baru ini, wartawan tempatan di sini, bertanyakan mengenai Azizulhasni.

Dia bersungguh-sungguh ingin tahu lebih banyak mengenai Azizulhasni jaguh basikal trek negara itu.

Situasi tersebut menggambarkan program pembangunan sukan negara sudah membuahkan hasil yang amat membanggakan, malahan amat cemerlang.

Apa pun pencapaian kita pada temasya kali ini, nama Malaysia akan sentiasa dikenang kerana sikap 'sporting', sanggup menghantar jaguh-jaguh sukan bertaraf dunia beraksi di New Delhi ketika temasya itu gempar dengan pelbagai isu. - Utusan

Malaysian in action Today!

2010-10-05T09:14:00.001+05:30

Cwg 2010 schedule 5 oct (day 3) update 4 oct 2350 india time

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Amirul penuhi impian Malaysia

2010-10-05T09:13:00.000+05:30

REAKSI Amirul selepas memastikan pingat emas milik negara kategori 56kg, semalam.

Zaira kecundang gara-gara ‘keliru’ ciptaan sendiri

SELANG lapan tahun, episod manis dari Manchester berjaya dijelmakan semula Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim untuk memenangi pingat emas selepas gah menjuarai acara angkat berat 56 kilogram lelaki, lewat malam tadi.

Ia adalah emas pertama kontinjen negara di New Delhi selepas badang dari Pahang itu membuat angkatan keseluruhan 257kg sambil turut merakamkan rekod baru Sukan Komanwel dalam snatch dengan 115kg buat menceriakan peminat tanah air di atas keringat itu yang bernilai RM80,000 bagi atlit berkenaan.

Ia sekali gus berjaya mengekalkan penguasaan negara buat kali ketiga berturut-turut dalam acara ini selepas Faizal Baharom melakar detik sama di Melbourne pada 2006.

"Strategi saya menjadi kali ini. Apa yang saya rancang adalah untuk mendapatkan pendahuluan baik dalam snatch bagi menghidupkan peluang saya," kata Amirul, yang agak kecewa kerana pencapaian malam tadi di anggap tidak sehebat angkatan peribadi terbaik, 265kg di Sukan Olimpik Beijing, dua tahun lalu.

“Saya juga terasa sakit bahagian paha dan usaha baik dalam snatch membantu saya hari ini (malam tadi). Saya juga mengerti peserta tuan rumah ghairah mahu memenangi emas tapi saya dapat mengawal perasaan dan memberi fokus.

“Ia menjadi penawar duka selepas tidak dapat beraksi di Melbourne. Saya gembira dapat membantu kontinjen negara kali ini."

Perak dimenangi Dey Sukhen dari India dengan jumlah 252 kg manakala rakan senegaranya, VS Rao, gangsa (248kg) dalam acara yang membabitkan 12 peserta kali ini.
Seorang lagi peserta negara, Mohd Shafiq Ismail pula hampa apabila hanya mampu membuat mendapat tempat ke-11 selepas gagal dalam angkatannya.

Apapun, malang bagi jaguh wanita negara, Zaira Zakaria yang begitu hampir mahu memenangi sebutir pingat tapi akhirnya terpaksa menggigit jari gara-gara kealpaan sendiri dalam acara 48kg.

B.Harian

Nicol tiada tandingan

2010-10-05T08:36:00.000+05:30

DATUK Nicol David menggunakan kurang daripada setengah jam untuk melakar kemenangan pertama dalam usahanya memburu emas Sukan Komanwel apabila mengatasi Damindhi Udangawe dari Sri Lanka dengan straight set.
Nicol yang menduduki takhta pemain nombor satu dunia sejak 55 bulan lalu, menang 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 ke atas pemain berusia 19 tahun itu yang masih belum pernah beraksi di jelajah dunia.
“Saya perlu bermain dengan lebih gigih,” kata Nicol sambil merujuk kepada aksi sebagai satu pasukan berbanding individu sebelum ini.

“Atlet Malaysia mempamer semangat berpasukan yang tinggi di sini dan itulah yang menggembirakan. Sudah tentu anda mahu menumpukan perhatian kepada permainan,” katanya.

H.MEtro

Rizal ready to face big guns

2010-10-05T08:10:00.000+05:30

RIZAL Tisin swings into action at the IG Sports Complex velodrome with two targets today -- winning a medal in the 1km time trial and a new personal best. Rizal, despite keen competition expected from cyclists from Australia, New Zealand and Canada, believes that a medal is within his reach.

Another reason for Rizal, who became the first Malaysian to win a medal at the World Championships when he earned a 1km time trial bronze in Poland last year, to sizzle in Delhi is that the Commonwealth Games are being held just about a year after his career was nearly ended by a hit-and-run accident.

"Winning a medal will be tough but not impossible," said Rizal, who will be making his second appearance in the Games after debuting in Melbourne four years ago.

Malaysia's only previous cycling medal was a silver through Shahrulneeza Razali in the road race in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.

The national squad, however, are targeting two medals in Delhi through Rizal and Azizul Hasni Awang.

"What I am sure of is that I will be aiming for a national record, which if I can attain, should put me in a good position for a medal," Rizal added.

"The cyclists from Australia, New Zealand and Canada will be tough but if I remain focused, then I have a chance."

Rizal's 1km national record is 1:01.658 which he set en route to the World Championships bronze. His pedigree in the 1km time trial is unquestioned as he was the Asian champion in 2007 and won the UCI World Cup event gold in Beijing in 2008.

Azizul swings into action tomorrow with the kerin final scheduled for 5.40pm Malaysian time.

Read more: NST

Christina, Ian sparkle

2010-10-05T08:08:00.000+05:30

Christina Loh (left) and Ian James Barr performed creditably despite not ending up on the podium.

CHRISTINA Loh set a national record in the 50m breaststroke while Ian James Barr made the semi-finals of the men's 50m backstroke as the rest of the Malaysian challenge sank at the Dr SPM Swimming Complex yesterday.

Christina, despite finishing sixth in her heats, clocked 33.39s to better her own national record by 0.03s.

Ian, swimming against quality opposition, did well to make the semi-finals which proved to be just too much for him later in the day but he did give the Malaysian camp something to smile about after Daniel Bego failed to impress in the 200m butterfly.

"Christina swam really well and setting a new national record was the target set for," said team manager Tang Kwai Mee.
Ian clocked 27.45s in the heats to qualify as the 15th fastest for the evening semi-finals from which he, as expected, failed to advance, clocking 27.21 to finish sixth in his heat.

The others, however, failed to inspire as Daniel -- Malaysia's best hope for an appearance in the final, failed to qualify for the 200m butterfly final.

Daniel clocked 2:01.08s to finish fifth in his heat and 14th overall.

"Daniel said the water felt a little cold but generally, he didn't perform well," said Kwai Mee.

"We have targeted at least an appearance in a final from him in New Delhi and, hopefully, now that the first event is over, he will discover his form."

Kevin Yeap was also out of his depth in the 400m freestyle, clocking 4:03.25s in his heat for a sixth place finish.

The other women fared no better as Chan Kan Yan clocked 2:05.78s to finish seventh in her 200m freestyle heat while Erika Kong finished seventh in her 50m breaststroke heat, clocking 33.56.

Malaysia's only swimming medals in the Commonwealth Games were won by Lim Keng Liat in the 2002 Manchester Games where he got a silver and a bronze.

Read more: NST

Malaysians score a stunning victory over Canada

2010-10-05T08:05:00.003+05:30

THE Malaysian women’s hockey team pulled off a major surprise in their opening game, beating Canada 3-2 in a Group B match at the Major Dyan Chand National Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The Malaysians in pulling the rug from under the world No. 19 ranked team took a 3-0 lead by the 56th minute.

Noraini Hashim put Malaysia in front with a field attempt in the 18th minute and then scored the third goal in the 56th minute. Norfaraha Hashim scored the other goal in the 49th minute off a penalty corner.
But in a three-minute, Malaysia handed Canada two goals.

The Canadians forced a penalty stroke in the 56th minute immediately after Noraini had scored the third goal.
Diana Roemer made the conversion and Canada went on to make a fight to save the match.
In the 59th minute, Anna Kuzniuk scored a field goal to put Malaysia on the edge. But the Malaysians hung on to troop out with full points.

Malaysia, who are ranked 24th in the world, will still have a tough time in their other matches in the group against New Zealand, England and Wales.

National coach Yahya Atan said that they adopted a right game plan to take command of the match early on.
“The players must be commended for not fearing their more fancied opponents. They took their chances well and played it right from the start,” he said.

“But the team committed mistakes to allow the Canadians to get back into the match. We have to look into this as we cannot afford to do that against the top teams. It is important that the players stay calm under pressure.”

Malaysia will be up against tournament favourites New Zealand today.

The Star

Weighlifter is Games champion for a second time

2010-10-05T07:59:00.001+05:30

WEIGHTLIFTER Amirul Ibrahim Hamizan made good the promise to deliver the first Commonwealth Games gold medal for Malaysia when he won the men’s 56kg competition in style at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium last night.

The 28-year-old Amirul started his gold medal onslaught with confidence and improved on his own Games record of 115kg in the snatch, which he set when he won at the 2002 Manchester Games, with a successful second attempt of 116kg.

Amirul failed to take the record to 118kg after dropping the final lift.
Amirul started well by lifting 135kg in the clean and jerk but there was a momentary scare when he failed at 140kg. But he made sure the men’s 56kg gold medal remained in Malaysia’s hands by lifting 141kg for a total of 257kg.

India’s Dey Sukhan, the 2007 Asian junior championship gold medallist, made a valiant attempt to catch up with Amirul when he raised his total lift to 146kg for clean and jerk after succeeding at 134kg on the first attempt. But he failed to lift the massive weight and settled for silver on 252kg as a jubilant Amirul punched his fists in the air in sheer delight.

Another Indian lifter, Srinivasa Rao, claimed the bronze with a total of 248kg.
A teary-eyed Amirul was glad that he did not give up the sport after he was found guilty of a doping offence three years after winning three gold medals at the 2002 Games.

Amirul had to serve a two-year suspension and watched from home as Mohd Faizal Baharom defended the title for Malaysia in 2006 Melbourne Games.
But four years after that heady morning in Melbourne, Amirul had the chance to atone for his mistake and he did not disappoint.

“I should have been the one defending the title for Malaysia then. I wanted to give up the sport but the coaches persuaded me to give myself a chance,” he said.
“I have to thank the National Sports Council (NSC) and also everyone in the weightlifting family for supporting me through the difficult times.”

The Rompin-born Amirul said that he had to earn a good lead in the snatch as he did not want to pressure himself in the clean and jerk.
“I still have a bit of pain in my thighs because of an old injury and I knew the Indians lifters were desperate to win their country’s first gold,” he said.

“It’s not my best personal effort as I did 265kg at the Beijing Olympics but I’m happy I delivered the gold for Malaysia.”
For his golden effort, Amirul can expect a RM80,000 reward under the NSC incentive scheme. And he will save the money for the future as he is now a married man with a 21-month-old daughter.
Weightlifting can possibly rake in another medal or two for Malaysia with Arrico Jumith and Raihan Yusoff competing in the men’s 62kg and women’s 53kg respectively.

Star

Amirul Wins Malaysia's First Gold Medal In New Delhi CWG

2010-10-05T07:57:00.000+05:30

From Frank Julian Martin

NEW DELHI, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Weightlifter Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, 29, lived up to expectations by winning Malaysia's first gold medal of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games when he won the men's 56kg category at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here Monday.

Amirul, cleared weights of 116kg in the Snatch, 141kg in the Clean & Jerk to accumulate a total weight of 257kg for the gold while India's Sukhen Dey, 21 managed 252kg for the silver with lifts of 112kg (Snatch) and 140kg (Clean & Jerk).

Another Indian lifter V.S. Rao, 29, took the bronze with a total weight of 248kg.

But while Amirul was on cloud nine, his team-mate Mohd Syafiq Ismail, 22 failed miserably when he failed to register any weight in the Clean & Jerk after having managed a 109kg lift in the Snatch.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who was at the venue, immediately praised Amirul for his feat in giving Malaysia the first gold medal of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

-- BERNAMA

Commonwealth: Aussies Flex Muscle On First Day To Win Four Gold Medals

2010-10-05T07:56:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Defending overall champion Australia quickly moved into the lead on the first day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games here Monday.

Australian swimmers fished out three gold medals from the pool while one came from their men's gymnastic artistic team.

Malaysia moved into reckoning by clinching the men's 56kg weightlifting gold through Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim.

MEDAL TALLY AS (as of Oct 4):

Country Gold Silver Bronze Total

Australia 4 2 0 6

Canada 1 0 3 4

South Africa 1 0 1 2

Malaysia 1 0 0 1

Nigeria 1 0 0 1

England 0 3 1 4

India 0 2 2 4

Wales 0 1 0 1

Scotland 0 0 1 1

(Note: Other countries yet to win medals)

--BERNAMA

Facebook Photo Album

2010-10-05T03:21:00.000+05:30

CWG2010 Facebook Photo Album

Spectacular Bollywood-style Opening, India Proves CWG Critics Wrong

2010-10-04T14:08:00.002+05:30

Drum beating rhythm is part of the opening ceremony show of the 19th Commonwealth Games, India. Pic: Dusa AbasFrom P. Vijian & Frank Julian Martin

NEW DELHI, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Brushing aside weeks of callous criticism, of poor hygiene, dengue threat, scams, shoddy works to snakes at the games villages, India Sunday proudly showed off a pulsating opening of the Commonwealth Games (CWG), with a dazzling tinge of Bollywood twist.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS), main games venue, burst into rainbow colours, with fireworks illuminating the monsoon-beaten city skyline, while gyrating folk Indian dancers backed by Indian music suffused arena.

It was truly, a culturally rich Indian welcoming ceremony.

"It is like the Indian monsoon wedding. Everything is done at the last minute and finally all will be well and everybody happy," former Indian hockey star Aslam Sher Khan, who helped India win its sole 1975 World Cup title, told Bernama.

For the first time in CWG history, two dignitaries, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Indian president Prathiba Patil declared the games open (a compromise between India and Commonwealth Games Federation on who opens the games), was another feature in Delhi.

India's Oscar award winner, A.R. Rahman's rendition of the re-jigged CWG theme song "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto" (live, rise people and win) added another musical tune in the sultry night, turning an earlier pessimist mood into sporty atmosphere.

Indians known for their gritty tenacity, pulled off a magnificent ceremony despite all odds and deftly skirted a near disaster, similar to the 1986 Edinburgh Games, where 32 Commonwealth nations withdrew due to a political boycott and financial mismanagement.

"Despite delays in completing the infrastructure, Indians have gone to a great extent to make this a great show.

"I think the games will be a great success too and I am looking forward for the games to start," Major (Rtd) S. Maniam, world's top squash star Nicol David's ex-coach told Bernama.

India, world's seventh largest country, was striving to replicate its 1982 Asian Games success, to turn around the controversy-marred 2010 games into an epitome event, which could add a fillip to its international sporting image.

About 50,000 people jam-packed the JNS, under a canopy of heavily armed security -- from snipers to commandos -- while millions glued to their television sets to get a glimpse of India's major sporting extravaganza.

"India is ready, ready to host the games. Delhi will be an impeccable host, prepared to deliver a great games," said Suresh Kalmadi, the organising chairman of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games during his opening speech.

Indians paid a hefty price to host the 19th edition of the games as it cost the exchequer a staggering US$6 billion (RM18 billion), 100,000 paramilitary troops stationed to protect the games, shops and malls shut down, including education institutions while traffic snarls choked the city daily.

"The negative publicity all over the world because of this games had been very painful for many Indians, especially those staying abroad. Now it all depends how India conducts the games in the next few days," added Khan.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles who represented Queen Elizabeth, said it was fitting for 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in India because when athletes participate, it would serve as an impression for peace throughout the world.

A record 6,800 athletes would participate in the multi-sport games, slated from Oct 3 to 14.

-- BERNAMA

Delhi2010 - Schedule 4th Oct. - Team Malaysia

2010-10-04T09:19:00.000+05:30

Cwg 2010 schedule day 2 (4 okt) update 3 oct 1500

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Temasya bermula

2010-10-04T09:00:00.002+05:30

KONTINJEN negara seramai 240 atlit dan pegawai diketuai Chef de Mission, Tan Sri Abdul Halil Mutalib dan pembawa Jalur Gemilang, Siti Zalina Ahmad melakukan lintas hormat pada pembukaan Sukan Komanwel edisi ke 19 di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru, malam tadi.

200 atlit Malaysia akan mulakan pemburuan sasaran 10 pingat emas

BELUMPUN acara perasmian bermula, kontinjen negara di Sukan Komanwel menerima berita kurang menggembirakan apabila gimnas artistik muda, Cheong See Teng terpaksa menarik diri selepas mengalami kecederaan terseliuh siku ketika sedang berlatih, kelmarin.

Tetapi baki 200 atlit Malaysia dari kalangan 6,700 atlit negara Komanwel yang bakal memikul cabaran percaya itu bukan satu petanda buruk sebelum memulakan pemburuan 10 pingat emas yang disasarkan kali ini, sambil Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Shabery Cheek yakin angka itu mampu diatasi untuk mencatat sejarah tersendiri pencapaian terbaik di luar Kuala Lumpur.

Sama ada ia satu petanda buruk atau sebaliknya, ia akan dapat ditentukan apabila pertaruhan terbaik negara untuk memenangi emas, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim memulakan langkah pertamanya dalam acara angkat berat kategori berat badan 56 kilogram, hari ini.

Berita Harian

Buruan 10 emas bermula

2010-10-04T08:49:00.002+05:30

UPACARA perasmian Sukan Komanwel XIX yang diadakan penuh gilang-gemilang dan warna-warni di Stadium Utama Jawaharlal Nehru, New Delhi, semalam. Dianggarkan 7,000 atlet dan pegawai daripada 71 negara membanjiri temasya kali ini. - AFP

NEW DELHI - Temasya Sukan Komanwel XIX bermula hari ini, apabila atlet negara memulakan misi memburu 10 pingat emas yang disasarkan, iaitu pencapaian terbaik Malaysia pada kejohanan yang berlangsung di luar negara sendiri.
Kontinjen negara membariskan 201 atlet terbaik dalam 14 acara pada temasya kali ini.
Harapan emas pertama kontinjen negara bermula hari ini, apabila badang negara, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim beraksi dalam acara angkat berat kelas 56 kilogram di Kompleks Sukan Jawaharlal Nehru, malam ini waktu Malaysia.

Peluang emas tetap ada, namun Amirul harus berwaspada dengan tentangan sengit dari peserta tuan rumah, yang bukan sahaja memiliki kelebihan prestasi, tetapi juga sokongan padu penonton mereka sendiri.
Lubuk emas kontinjen negara pastinya menerusi acara skuasy wanita dengan sandaran utama di bahu pemain No. 1 dunia, Datuk Nicol David.

Malaysia meletakan harapan di bahu empat pemain wanita dan empat pemain lelaki untuk cuba menyapu bersih emas acara skuasy.

Saingan wanita diterajui Nicol, Low Wee Wern, Sharon Wee dan Delia Arnold manakala Mohd. Azlan Iskandar menerajui saingan lelaki bersama-sama Ong Beng Hee, Mohd. Nafiizwan Adnan dan Yuen Chee Wern.

Harapan emas turut disandarkan kepada jaguh basikal trek acara keirin, Azizulhasni Awang.
Berada pada kedudukan No. 2 dunia dalam acara keirin Azizulhasni berada pada kedudukan terbaik untuk menguasai acara tersebut, berikutan penarikan diri jaguh acara tersebut, Chris Hoy dari Britain.
Azizulhasni diramal mendapat sokongan penonton tempatan, kerana dia popular di sini.
Namanya amat dikenali di kalangan wartawan di sini, yang sering bertanyakan kepada pegawai Malaysia mengenai perkembangan terkini pelumba yang kini menjalani latihan di Australia itu.
Acara basikal trek akan bermula esok di Kompleks Sukan Indira Ghandi.

Jika atlet lain memburu emas pertama pada Sukan Komanwel, atlet boling padang negara, Siti Zalina Ahmad memburu emas hatrik pada temasya kali ini.
Selepas memenangi emas pada dua Sukan Komanwel lalu, Siti Zalina mahu mencipta rekod atlet pertama yang memenangi hatrik emas di peringkat Sukan Komanwel.

Cabaran Siti Zalina akan bermula hari ini di Kompleks Sukan Jawaharlal Nehru.
Badminton merupakan satu lagi lubuk emas buat kontinjen negara. Datuk Lee Chong Wei yang masih segar dengan kejayaan menumbangkan musuh ketatnya, jaguh China Lin Dan pada final Terbuka Jepun, tidak berdepan halangan besar dalam meraih emas.

Cabaran badminton negara turut digalas Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, beregu Tan Boon Heong-Koo Kien Keat.

Acara terjun juga berpotensi menjelmakan emas menerusi penerjun berpengalaman, Leong Mun Yee dan Pandelela Rinong, yang memenangi dua pingat perak pada sukan Olimpik Remaja baru-baru ini.
Acara lelaki juga mempertaruhkan penerjun terbaik negara, Bryan Nickson Lomas dan Yeoh Ken Nee.
Dalam keghairahan memburu emas menerusi acara yang sememangnya dikuasai atlet negara, acara lain seperti hoki tidak meletakan sasaran tinggi, sebaliknya sekadar menjadikan Sukan Komanwel sebagai medan menguji kekuatan, sebelum menggapai misi sebenar pingat emas pada Sukan Asia bulan depan.
Kepada atlet negara, inilah masanya untuk mereka menjelmakan hasil setelah empat tahun mengadakan persiapan yang menelan belanja jutaan ringgit.

Kini rakyat Malaysia menagih apa yang disasarkan dengan harapan menggunung supaya mereka memberikan yang terbaik. - Utusan

Delhi’s spectacular opening pageant

2010-10-04T08:47:00.001+05:30

FROM the ancient past to Bollywood beats, India showcased its culture at a spectacular Commonwealth Games opening pageant yesterday that followed weeks of chaotic preparations which almost derailed the event.

Britain’s Prince Charles declared the Games open in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil at the extravagant ceremonies in a packed main stadium.

“India is ready. India’s big moment is finally here,” chief organiser Suresh Kalmadi said. “There have been delays and many challenges but we were able to ride over them all.”

But in a sign of public anger at the problems, many among the 60,000 spectators at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium booed him when he rose to speak.

Glittering start: Fireworks explode over the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. — Reuters

India spent billions of dollars to showcase its capital, building a new airport, subways, highways and stadiums in the run up to what is seen as a coming out party to celebrate the country’s new economic clout. The Games bring together more than 6,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories of the Commonwealth every four years, but are being staged in Asia for only the second time.
Corruption scandals, health and security concerns, missed construction deadlines and filthy conditions at the Games Village became an embarrassment for India in recent months. A dengue fever diagnosis for an Indian team official was also dominating headlines in the hours leading up to the ceremony.
Last night’s celebration began with the throbbing of gigantic drums – or nagada – pounded by men wearing turbans. Before the drum beats were silenced, a massive white helium balloon, almost the size of the stadium’s inner field, rose above the stands. The sides of the oblong balloon functioned as a 360-degree screen on which the show was projected.
The next two hours were a medley of rhythm and melody as artists from various parts of India, ranging from jungle tribespeople to ancient classical dancers, performed on the stage.
Bollywood superstar and Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman, who provided the score for the movie Slumdog Millionaire, wrote the theme song of the Games, “Jiyo, Utho, Bado, Jeeto” or “Live, Rise, March, Win.”
Officials hope the spectacular beginning of the games will help erase the ignominy the country has experienced over the past few weeks because of the last minute preparations.
At one point it appeared that many teams would pull out to force the Games to be cancelled.
But Indian officials insisted that just like an Indian wedding – when work is going on until the last day – the Games will take place without a hitch. — AP

Amirul's redemption time

2010-10-04T08:13:00.002+05:30

Malaysian athletes (from left) Sharon Wee Ee Lin, Nicol David and Low Wee Wern visiting a cultural shop.

AMIRUL Hamizan Ibrahim could only watch from afar as Faizal Baharom successfully defended the 56kg weightlfiting gold for Malaysia in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. It should have been Amirul, who sensationally won three gold in the same category in the Manchester edition four years earlier, defending the title but he was serving a two-year doping ban.

Eight years after that heady night in Manchester, Amirul has the chance to atone for his mistake by delivering what has been targeted as Malaysia's first gold medal of the New Delhi Games at the J.N. Lodhi Colony Complex today.

That he is still the favourite is surprising but weightlifting in the Commonwealth Games is not of a high standard but credit is still due to Amirul for being able to stay at the top.
A two-month training stint in China has prepared him and the rest of the weightlifting team for their assault on four medals.

"Based on the entry list, Azizul's biggest challenger is a lifter from India but we will have a clearer picture after tomorrow's (today) weigh-in," said team manager Zainuddin Joseph yesterday.

"The 56kg gold has been Malaysia's since 2002 and we are targeting a hat-trick and Amirul is fired up to deliver, especially after having missed the Melbourne Games."

Besides Amirul, Zaira Zakaria is targeted to deliver a medal in the women's below 48kg which, if it materialises, will be Malaysia's first of the Games.

Another Malaysian who will be in action on the opening day of competition is squash star Nicol David, who is chasing the final part of what will be a career grand slam for her.

Nicol opens her campaign against Sri Lanka's Awe Dhaminda.

Women lawn bowlers Nur Fidrah Noh, Azlina Arshad and Zuraini Khalid will also start their campaign to defend the triples gold medal won in Melbourne '06.

Read more: NST

Gold Coast makes pitch for 2018 edition

2010-10-04T08:12:00.002+05:30

QUEENSLAND state Premier Anna Bligh has made an impassioned speech urging the Commonwealth Games' top brass to award the 2018 edition to Australia's Gold Coast. Anna is in New Delhi to pitch the famous tourist playground's credentials to the Commonwealth's 71 members as it battles against the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota.

"The Commonwealth Games has the capacity to transform the cities that it is held in and we want this to be a transforming experience for the Gold Coast -- one of Australia's fastest growing cities," she said in a presentation late on Saturday.

"We think the Games are very important to taking the Gold Coast to the next stage of its development."
The Commonwealth Games has been held in Australia four times previously -- in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and most recently in Melbourne in 2006.

Formal documents are expected to submitted in March, with the winning city announced at the end of next year. -- AFP

Read more: NST /

Stage set for all-Malaysian final

2010-10-04T08:11:00.000+05:30

Lee Chong Wei (right) and Tan Boon Heong taking a stroll at the Games Village yesterday.

ANYTHING less than an all-Malaysian men's singles final will be deemed a failure after the Commonwealth Games individual draw saw Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim in separate halves. Chong Wei, the top seed, received a first round bye and the only potential challenger to his bid for a second successive gold medal should be third seed Chetan Anand of India.

Chong Wei, who slayed nemesis Lin Dan of China in the Japan Open last week, shouldn't face any problems advancing to the last four as his half is littered with unknown players.

He plays the winner of the clash between Uganda's Abraham Kennedy Wogute and Alex Pang of Canada in the second round and it is script of unknowns that is repeated in the subsequent rounds until his probable clash with Chetan, who will be hopeful of upsetting Chong Wei with home ground support.
India also holds no fond memories for Chong Wei as he has suffered early round defeats in his last two trips here -- in the first round of the 2008 Indian Open and the quarter-finals of the 2009 World Championships.

Still, Chong Wei's confidence received a tremendous boost after the win over Lin Dan and a cruise to the gold medal here is just what he needs as preparation for next month's Asian Games, which are of a different level altogether.

Hafiz, seeded fourth and champion in the Manchester Games in 2002, also received a first round bye and despite his half of the draw only seeming to have England's Rajiv Ouseph, the second seed, as his potential challenger, the Malaysian has made it a habit to lose to lesser ranked players in recent times.

The BA of Malaysia, however, remains steadfast in its belief that Hafiz can still deliver and he has to in New Delhi.

Men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boong Heong should also have it easy until the last four as they have to play some easy opposition en route.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong's form has been on an upswing in the last two tournaments, including an appearance in the World Championships final in August, and the lack of quality pairs here should mean a romp to the gold medal.

The Malaysians have a bye in the first round and their probable semi-final opponents should be Singapore's Hendri Kurniawan-Hendra Wijaya while England's Anthony Clark-Nathan Robertson are seeded to meet them in final.

Malaysia also sprang a surprise by pairing Hafiz with Chan Peng Soon in the doubles and it will be interesting to see what this scratch combination can achieve.

Women's singles Wong Mew Choo, seeded second, should face no problems until the semi-finals where she is likely to face either Elizabeth Cann of England or Singapore's Xing Aiying.

Lydia Cheah opens her campaign against Camille Allisen Camille of Seychelles before a second round meeting with third seed Susan Egelstaff of England.

The luck of the draw wasn't kind to women's doubles Chin Eei Hui-Woon Khe Wei who open their campaign against Gloria Najouka-Daisy Nakalyango before taking on second seeds Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa of India.

Lydia Cheah-Goh Liu Ying will play Juliette Ah Wan-Camille of Seychelles in the first round.

Malaysia's mixed doubles campaign will see Kien Keat-Eei Hui, who could deliver a surprise medal, open against Alex Pang-Michelle Li of Canada while fourth seeds Peng Soon-Liu Ying have a first round bye.

Read more: NST /

"the pocket rocket man"

2010-10-04T07:59:00.003+05:30

Malaysia favourites to defend team gold

2010-10-04T07:56:00.000+05:30

MALAYSIA, as expected, are top seeded in the badminton mixed team event of the Commonwealth Games and will also avoid hosts India until the final. India, the second seeds, are the only major threat to Malaysia in defending their team gold. Earlier, there were concerns that the teams might play each other in the semi-finals.

Malaysia, who are in Group A with Australia, Nigeria, Seychelles and the Isle of Man, should have no problems finishing top in preliminary stage.

Former champions England are the joint third seeds with Singapore and are in Group C with Canada, Mauritius, Uganda and Falkland Islands.
Singapore are in Group B with New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Jamaica and Northern Ireland.

Malaysia won the mixed team gold for the first time in Melbourne in 2006, beating England in the final.

India have expressed confidence in beating Malaysia for gold but the Lee Chong Wei-led defending champions are expected to prevail.

Group A: Malaysia, Australia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Isle of Man.

Group B: Singapore, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Northern Ireland.

Group C: England, Canada, Mauritius, Uganda, Falklands Islands.

Group D: India, Scotland, Wales, Barbados, Kenya.

Read more: NST

Malaysia riding on Azizul

2010-10-04T07:49:00.000+05:30

JUST one name is on the lips of most cycling fans in the buildup to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi -- Azizul Hasni Awang. The explosive pint-sized sprinter will be the one that Malaysia depend on in the bid to end the gold medal drought.

And the 22-year-old will have planted in his mind the fact that all Malaysia have to show after more than 50 years of competing in the games, is a silver by Nor Effandy Rosli in the road race at the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

The road is well paved for him to shine in New Delhi as Olympic champion Chris Hoy of Scotland and the mighty Australians have withdraw from the games.
Azizul, the World Championships 200m sprint silver medallist, could also be likely in with a chance for gold in the keirin, which is his pet event..

He is part of the team sprint trio that will likely see him as starter and Josiah Ng leading out Rizal Tisin on the second lap.

Much is expected from Azizul as the Dungun-born has already delivered victories in the Sea Games, Asian Championships and World Cup Classics.

Having launched himself into the club of world class sprinters since the last Olympics in Beijing, he is already looking to the London Olympics in two years where he hopes to deliver Malaysia's first ever gold medal.

The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, as such, will signal whether Azizul is on the right track.

Read more: Malaysia riding on Azizul @ NST

'Kita mampu lepasi sasaran 10 emas'

2010-10-04T07:46:00.001+05:30

SHABERY (kiri) beramah mesra dengan ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol Ann David (dua dari kanan) semasa melawat Perkampungan Sukan di New Delhi semalam.

MENTERI Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek optimis kontinjen Malaysia mampu melepasi sasaran 10 pingat emas yang diletakkan pada Sukan Komanwel 2010.
Shabery berkata, selain prestasi semasa atlet, keyakinan itu juga disuarakan berdasarkan persiapan dan kemudahan yang disediakan pihak penganjur pada temasya Komanwel 2010 yang akan dibuka secara rasminya hari ini.

"Daripada gambaran yang diberikan pegawai dan atlet negara, saya yakin sasaran 10 pingat emas mampu direalisasikan.

"Pihak penganjur telah melakukan yang terbaik bagi memastikan temasya kali ini berjalan lancar meskipun kawalan keselamatan dianggap terlalu ketat dan membebankan.
"Malah saya juga yakin senario yang berlaku pada Sukan SEA 2009 di Laos akan berulang sekali lagi di New Delhi.

"Di Laos dulu, kita meletakan sasaran 30 pingat emas tetapi kontinjen negara berjaya membawa pulang lebih daripada itu," katanya kepada pemberita selepas meluangkan masa bertemu atlet negara dan meninjau kemudahan yang disediakan penganjur di Perkampungan Sukan semalam.

Turut serta Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), Datuk Zolkples Embong dan Ketua Kontinjen Malaysia, Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abd. Mutalif.

Menurut Shabery, apa yang dilakukan pihak penganjur bukan untuk menyusahkan atlet tetapi ia sebagai satu langkah berjaga-jaga dalam menangani kejadian yang tidak diingini.

Katanya, keselamatan atlet lebih penting dan pihak penganjur telah melakukan yang terbaik untuk memastikan kejadian yang buruk tidak berlaku sepertimana yang dilaporkan media sebelum ini.

"Sebelum ini, banyak pihak mendesak supaya Malaysia menarik diri daripada menyertai temasya ini atas beberapa faktor keselamatan.

"Begitupun, kita telah membuat keputusan yang tepat untuk terus bertanding dan tidak terpengaruh dengan beberapa laporan negatif media yang cuba untuk memperkecilkan kemampuan India menganjurkan temasya ini," katanya.

Dalam masa yang sama, Shabery berkata, atlet negara sudah bersedia sepenuhnya dan mereka tidak sabar untuk membuktikan kehebatan masing-masing.
"Semangat atlet negara sangat tinggi dan saya difahamkan mereka sudah bersedia untuk menjadi 'wira' dalam acara masing-masing.

"Manakala bagi atlet yang telah memenangi pingat pada temasya sebelum ini, mereka berazam untuk mempertahankan gelaran yang dimenangi itu," katanya.

Shabery berkata, kini sudah sampai masanya untuk atlet negara 'menuai emas' selepas bekerja keras berlatih dan membuat persiapan yang rapi sejak beberapa tahun lalu.

"Saya berharap pingat emas pertama negara akan diperoleh menerusi Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim yang akan beraksi dalam acara atlet angkat berat Isnin ini (esok)," jelasnya.

Kosmo

UCI kagum pencapaian pelumba Malaysia

2010-10-04T07:44:00.002+05:30

ABU SAMAH (tengah) pada sidang media di Melbourne semalam.

MELBOURNE - Nama Malaysia kini semakin mendapat perhatian dunia apabila Kesatuan Berbasikal Dunia (UCI) telah mengiktiraf negara sebagai antara kuasa besar dalam arena sukan basikal antarabangsa.
Presiden UCI, Pat McQuaid ketika Mesyuarat Kongres UCI di Melbourne sema- lam, tanpa berselindung, melahirkan rasa bangganya dengan pelumba Malaysia yang mula mencipta kejayaan demi kejayan dalam kejohanan-kejohanan utama di peringkat tertinggi, khususnya dalam acara trek.

Kenyataan ini disahkan sendiri oleh Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Abu Samah Wahab yang turut hadir pada mesyuarat sehari tersebut yang terdiri daripada anggota-anggota Jawatankuasa Eksekutif UCI itu semalam.

"Pada mesyuarat Kongres UCI tadi (semalam), Presiden UCI, Pat McQuaid telah melahirkan rasa bangganya dengan penca- paian pelumba-pelumba kita di peringkat antarabangsa.

"Ini telah meletakkan nama negara kita sebagai antara kuasa besar dalam sukan basikal dunia. Jika dulu kuasa-kuasa besar di Asia ialah Jepun dan Korea Selatan, namun kini Malaysia sudah mula tergolong dalam kalangan negara besar tersebut," kata Abu Samah pada sidang akhbar di Melbourne semalam.

Menurut Abu Samah lagi, status yang disahkan oleh Presiden UCI itu membukti- kan bahawa program latihan pelumba negara di Melbourne selama ini telah berjaya memberi pulangan besar dan ini semua adalah hasil jalinan kerjasama yang utuh di antara Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS), Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan juga PKBM sendiri.

"Jika dulu pelumba trek yang menjalani latihan di sini mempamer peningkatan memberangsangkan tetapi kini saya lihat pelumba lebuh raya yang dihantar tiga bulan lalu juga telah mula menunjukkan perubahan dari segi prestasi dan pencapaian," kata Abu Samah.

"Ini membuktikan bahawa PKBM tidak mensia-siakan kepercayaan (peruntukan) yang KBS berikan kepada kami untuk memastikan pelumba-pelumba trek dan lebuh raya negara mendapat pengetahuan dan pengalaman yang bernilai di luar negara.

"Cuma apa yang saya harapkan ialah pelumba skuad lebuh raya kita akan terus berusaha dengan lebih gigih supaya dapat mencatat pelbagai kejayaan dan mengukuhkan reputasi mereka sama seperti skuad trek kita, contohnya Azizulhasni (Awang) dan Rizal (Tisin)," ujarnya lagi.
Seiring dengan status yang diberikan itu, Abu Samah menambah, UCI juga bersedia memberi peluang kepada pelumba-pelumba negara memantapkan lagi kualiti yang sedia ada dengan menjalani latihan di Pusat Lumba Basikal Dunia (WTC) di Aigre, Switzer- land tidak lama lagi.

"Pusat latihan ini juga ditawarkan kepada mekanik-mekanik dan juga pengurus pasu- kan basikal negara supaya dapat mempelajari perkara teknikal dan cara-cara mendapat jemputan berlumba dalam kejo- hanan luar negara.

"Ini penting kerana jika pengurus pasu- kan sendiri kurang mahir dalam hal ini, maka jemputan untuk menyertai kejohanan-kejohanan besar bagi pasukan mereka akan terbatas," ujar Abu Samah.
Sementara itu, dalam perkembangan lain, Abu Samah memberitahu bahawa UCI juga sedia membantu Malaysia menganjurkan satu kejohanan jemputan pemanas badan sebelum Sukan Olimpik 2012 London sekira- nya velodrom baru bertaraf dunia siap di- bina sepenuhnya di Nilai.

"Pat (McQuaid) dan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek telah pun berjumpa dan secara dasarnya bersetuju supaya velodrom baru ini harus siap sebelum Sukan Olimpik 2012.
"Sekiranya velodrom tersebut siap sepe- nuhnya, UCI sendiri bersedia memberi hak kepada Malaysia menganjurkan satu kejo- hanan jemputan pada bulan Ogos sebagai pemanas badan sebelum ke Sukan Olimpik 2012," tambah Abu Samah.

Ketika mengakhiri sidang media semalam Abu Samah sempat memberitahu: "Di sini saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih saya kepada bekas Ketua Setiausaha KBS, Datuk Yassin Salleh dan Ketua Setiausaha KBS yang baru, Datuk Mohid Mohamad di atas kepercayaan yang mereka berikan kepada PKBM."

Oleh SHAHRIL NIZAM ABDULLAH
shahril@kosmo.com.my

Saya yakin temasya ini berjalan lancar - Zolkples

2010-10-04T07:41:00.000+05:30

ZOLKPLES (kiri) tiba di New Delhi semalam bersama-sama skuad badminton negara.

KETUA Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara, Datuk Zolkples Embong menyuarakan keyakinan mengenai kelancaran Sukan Komanwel 2010 di New Delhi, India yang akan membuka tirainya esok.
Selain laporan terkini daripada ketua kontinjen negara, Tan Sri Halil Mutalif yang cukup positif, Zolkples juga terkejut perkhidmatan yang disediakan pihak penganjur.

Katanya, tuan rumah telah melakukan banyak pembaharuan bagi memastikan temasya ini berjalan lancar meskipun sebelum ini media sering melaporkan perkara-perkara yang negatif.
"Saya terkejut dengan perkhidmatan yang disediakan penganjur terutama sebaik sahaja saya menjejakkan kaki ke Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Indira Gandhi hari ini (semalam).

"Ia seakan-akan memberikan gambaran pertama yang sangat baik kepada saya dan juga peserta yang lain. Ia di luar jangkaan terutamanya pada pemeriksaan imigresen.
Saya percaya, penganjur telah membuat persiapan yang rapi untuk menghadapi temasya ini. Bagaimanapun, masih terlalu awal untuk menjangkakan sesuatu kerana ketika ini, jumlah besar atlet serta pegawai dari negara-negara lain masih belum tiba," katanya semalam.

Begitupun menurut Zolkples, tidak ada apa yang perlu dibimbangkan dan beliau yakin temasya ini akan berjalan lancar seperti yang dijadualkan.
Mengulas aksi di padang, Zolkples berkata, setakat ini beliau masih yakin dengan kemampuan atlet negara untuk mencapai sasaran sepuluh pingat emas yang diletakkan sebelum ini.

Katanya, sasaran negara berada di landasan yang betul terutama dengan kehadiran beberapa atlet utama seperti pemain badminton No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
"Ketika ini, Chong Wei berada pada prestasi terbaik dan saya lihat dia seratus peratus ceria terutama selepas memenangi gelaran juara pada Terbuka Jepun baru-baru ini.

"Berdasarkan perbualan kami dalam kapal terbang tadi, saya lihat dia mempunyai semangat yang sangat tinggi dan saya yakin dia mampu mampu menyumbang pingat emas untuk negara.
"Selain Chong Wei, beberapa atlet negara seperti Mohd. Hafiz Ha- shim, Koo Kien Kiat-Tan Boon Heong (badminton), Mohd. Azizul- hasni Awang (lumba basikal) dan Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim (angkat berat) juga berada pada prestasi terbaik."

Tambah Zolkples, penarikan diri beberapa atlet terbaik dunia juga memberi sedikit kelebihan kepada atlet negara kerana keadaan ini memberi peluang kepada mereka sesama sendiri pada perlawanan akhir, khususnya bagi acara badminton.

Kosmo

You need the urge to get to the top, says Nicol David

2010-10-04T07:16:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI: Nothing comes easy in sport and the top star of women’s squash, Malaysian Nicol Ann David, says that an athlete needs to have the urge to get to the top.
“There are many aspects to the game of squash. Nothing comes easy. You need to have the urge to want the top spot. I make it a point to work hard and put in more effort," Nicol said.

“All these years that I have been playing, I have never felt like leaving this game ever. My hunger for the sport kept increasing. I will always try to keep the no. 1 position. It’s just that the intensity keeps growing. The need to take my game, one level higher keeps me going,” she said.

“The sport is growing in Asian countries, especially in Malaysia. Inclusion of squash in Commonwealth Games has given a boost to the sport in that country. There is also a junior development programme running there, in which there are strong academies and schools which have included squash in their sports,” she added.
She also had some good words for Indian squash. “Indian squash has grown leaps and bounds in the past many years. Asia is coming up in the rankings, and so is India. This is good for the sport.”

About the Malaysians’ preparations, Nicol said, “We have been practicing for the past two days. We have a very good training base. I think the team is ready for the Games. My preparation for the Games has been very good. I have been training at Amsterdam under the supervision of my coach Liz Irving who is one of the best squash coaches in the world.”

The facilities at the Commonwealth Games Village have impressed Nicol too. “The training venue and facilities are excellent. It is one of the top-class glass courts in the world. The Village is very good with great facilities, dining areas and security arrangements. Everything is ready here and all the athletes are feeling settled now.”
As regards the competition, Nicol says, “All teams competing here have top players. If I have to choose, my main competition are the players from England.”

http://www.cwgdelhi2010.org

Chong Wei harap tuah Terbuka Jepun

2010-10-01T08:15:00.000+05:30

SUBANG JAYA - Pemain badminton No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei (gambar) mengharapkan kecemerlangan menjuarai Terbuka Jepun hujung minggu lalu dapat diteruskan pada Sukan Komanwel di New Delhi dengan memenangi pingat emas.

Menurut Chong Wei, pemain yang bakal menghalang hasratnya di India nanti sudah tentu, rakan senegara, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, manakala pemain tuan rumah turut dijangka memberi tentangan sengit berikutan beraksi di tempat sendiri.

"Saya melihatkan halangan bakal dilakukan oleh rakan senegara terutama sekali Hafiz, tidak ada orang lain lagi, namun pemain Indian seperti Parupalli Kashyap dan Chetan Anand perlu diberi perhatian, tidak boleh dipandang rendah," katanya pada sidang media selepas Majlis Demonstrasi Memasak bersama Samsung di Cilantro Culinary Academy semalam.

Jelasnya, walau siapa pun lawan yang bakal ditentang di Sukan Komanwel, dia seharusnya tidak boleh memandang rendah terhadap pemain tersebut apa yang penting ialah fokus terhadap diri sendiri.
"Pemain India sudah tentu akan menggunakan kesempatan beraksi di tempat sendiri, saya harap mereka tidak beraksi seperti 'dirasuk hantu', apa pun saya tidak mahu fikir tentang pemain lawan biarlah saya fikir tentang persiapan saya sendiri.

"Banyak perkara yang perlu saya fikirkan selain dari memikirkan tentang pihak lawan, ia termasuk keadaan dan persekitaran di sana, saya ada bercakap dengan Koo Kien Kiat sebentar tadi, katanya semuanya tidak ada masalah di sana, kecuali tentang pemakanan, jadi saya kena sentiasa berhati-hati," katanya.
Kata Chong Wei, rehat yang diberikan iaitu sedikit panjang berbanding rakan-rakan lain yang sudah berlepas ke New Delhi Selasa lalu, memberikan dia sedikit peluang untuk memulihkan tenaga sebelum turun ke gelanggang.

"Bukan mudah tentu saya mengekalkan prestasi saya di puncak, tambah lagi ketiga-tiga kejohanan ini, Terbuka Jepun, Sukan Komanwel dan Sukan Asia berlangsung secara berturut-turut. Kalau boleh sudah tentu saya mahu membolot semua kejayaan selepas cemerlang di Terbuka Jepaun.

"Bagaimanapun saingan di Sukan Asia Guangzhou sudah tentu sukar, namun saya tidak boleh mengalah begitu sahaja saya akan pastikan dapat mengekalkan prestasi hanya yang terbaik untuk rakyat Malaysia dan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM)," kata pemain kelahiran Pulau Pinang itu.

Oleh FERZALFIE FAUZI
ferzalfie.fauzi@utusan.com.my

Chu Sian lebih takutkan pertandingan

2010-10-01T08:12:00.002+05:30

Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra (tengah) dan Cheng Chu Sian (kanan) menjadi sandaran skuad pemanah negara dalam acara recurve berpasukan di temasya Delhi XIX.

KUALA LUMPUR - Pengalaman sukar di beberapa kejohanan luar negara sebelum ini menjadi azimat buat pemanah harapan emas, Cheng Chu Sian yang berwaspada untuk berdepan situasi lebih buruk di Temasya Komanwel XIX di New Delhi.

Chu Sian, 24, berkata, berada di Delhi nanti mungkin menjadi situasi lebih sukar bukan sahaja tekanan persiapan India selaku tuan rumah, malah pertarungan dalam acara memanah itu sendiri.

"Saya mendengar banyak isu yang dibangkitkan di New Delhi, namun jika berkaitan dengan lokasi pertandingan iaitu di Kompleks Sukan Yamuna, ia tidak banyak perlu diperkatakan kerana saya pernah berada di tempat itu.

"Apa membimbangkan saya adalah persediaan peribadi seperti mental dan fizikal ketika acara berlangsung dan juga keadaan cuaca yang akan memberi pengaruh besar terhadap sasaran saya. nanti.
"Namun begitu, sebelum ini pun saya pernah melalui pengalaman yang lebih buruk, oleh itu saya kena bersedia untuk perkara lebih teruk daripada itu," katanya ketika ditemui sebelum berlepas ke New Delhi di Lapangan Terbang Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), baru-baru ini.

Pemanah paling konsisten negara itu berlepas ke New Delhi dengan membawa bekalan terakhir latihan dari Korea Selatan.

Chu Sian menjadi teraju utama skuad bimbingan jurulatih dari Korea, Lee Jae Hyung bagi mengalas tanggungjawab membawa pulang satu pingat emas buat negara.

Sementara itu, ditanya tentang harapannya dalam acara recurve berpasukan, Chu Sian mengharapkan gandingannya dengan Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra dan Muhammad Izzudin Abdul Rahim akan membuahkan hasil.

"Saya telah lama bersama dengan Arif Farhan tetapi masih baru dengan Izzudin, namun itu tidak menjadi masalah, kerana dia dilihat konsisten.

"Saya tidak begitu tertekan pada acara berpasukan ini kerana keserasian kami bertiga telah dibina sejak Kejohanan Piala Dunia di Shanghai, Ogos lalu dan latihan di Korea Selatan, baru-baru ini," jelasnya.

Selain Chu Sian, tahun ini, kesemua skuad memanah negara antaranya Arif Farhan, S. Anbarasi, Mohd. Zaki Mahazan dan Lang Hong Keong diberi pendedahan serius oleh Jae Hyung dengan menyertai empat siri Piala Dunia iaitu di Porec (Croatia), Antalya (Turki), Ogden (Amerika Syarikat) dan Shanghai (China), bagi memburu kecemerlangan pada temasya Komanwel dan Sukan Asia

Oleh Ilah Hafiz Aziz
hafiz.aziz@utusan.com.my

Squash: Time to break the jinx

2010-10-01T08:11:00.000+05:30

SQUASH has brought a great measure of success for Malaysia on the international map, mainly through the efforts of Nicol David, but the Commonwealth Games is one event where the sport has yet to come through. The mixed doubles silver medal won by Ong Beng Hee and Nicol in 2002 is all that the national players have to show after three appearances in the Commonwealth Games, but the scenario is set to change in New Delhi.

Nicol is the hot favourite to win the women's singles gold which so painfully eluded her in Melbourne four years ago and it is difficult to see who can deny the five-time world champion her date with destiny.

Clearing her path to the top step of the podium at the Siri Fort Sports Complex is the absence of all three medallists from 2006.

Natalie Grinham is unable to defend her gold medal having switched allegiance from Australia to the Netherlands while her sister Rachael, the silver medallist in 2006, is at loggerheads with Squash Australia and refuses to be part of the Australian team.

New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen, who denied Nicol the bronze in Melbourne, is out injured, leaving Northern Ireland's Madeline Perry and the English trio of Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters and Laura Massaro as Nicol's main concern.

Nicol will not meet any of the quartet until the quarter-finals where Laura should provide the opposition while Madeline lurks as a potential threat in the semi-finals.

After winning the World Open with such ease just two weeks ago, Nicol is looking forward to her latest challenge and even the chaotic situation with the Delhi organisers could not dampen her enthusiasm.

"Everything (is) just looking fine, everything will be good when we get (good) results, no problem," Nicol told Reuters after the successful defence of her world title in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

"I think with the Games, there is always going to be something going on. But once the Games (starts)... I think the players, the elite group, will be all in good form."

While all Malaysian hopes rest on Nicol, Azlan Iskandar cannot be discounted to spring a surprise having won the Malaysian Open and Irish Open in two of his last three tournaments.

The Asian champion has a clear run at the semi-finals with only Daryl Selby, the much-improved fourth seed from England, standing in his way.

Beng Hee, possibly making his fourth and final Commonwealth Games appearance, is seeded ninth but has a tough hurdle to overcome in the shape of Australian fifth seed David Palmer in round three.

The national's No 2's best chance of medal though may come in the mixed doubles where he resumes his partnership with Nicol and the pair have been seeded third behind Kasey Brown and Cameron Pilley of Australia and England's Jenny Duncalf and James Willstrop.

Azlan will team up with Nafiizwan Adnan in the men's doubles where they are the sixth seeds while Low Wee Wern will seek to capitalise on her fine run to the World Open quarter-finals by making a similar bid in New Delhi.

Read more: NST /

Gymnastics: Elaine in rhythm for a medal

2010-10-01T08:09:00.000+05:30

Elaine Koon won four gold in the Malaysia Games in Malacca in June.

MALAYSIA have been struggling to find a top class gymnast since the retirement of Durratun Nashihin Rosli but Elaine Koon has given some fresh hopes in the rhythmic event ahead of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Although Elaine is still not in the same class as Durratun, who won four silver medals in the 2006 Games and was also multiple Sea Games gold medallist, the former has shown plenty of promise.

Elaine secured four gold medals in the Malaysia Games in Malacca in June and followed it up with a clean sweep of six gold medals in the Asean School Games in Kuala Lumpur a month later.

Her encouraging performance prompted the Malaysia Gymnastics Federation (MGF) to send Nur Hidayah Abdul Wahid and her for a one-month training stint in St Petersburg in Russia where they also competed in the World Championships in Moscow which concluded last Sunday.

MGF secretary N. Shamugarajah said the exposure will put them in good stead to compete against top gymnasts from Canada and Australia.

"Elaine has done very well in the Malaysia Games and Asean Schools. She and Nur Hidayah are our medal prospects," said Shanmugarajah.

"They are not in the same class as the established gymnasts in the World Championships but the experience will be very handy in New Delhi.

"Elaine is about the same level as some of the contenders from Canada and Australia. Nur Hidayah also has the ability to surprise with a medal."

MGF has set a two-medal target but if Elaine finds her groove, she should be able to continue her good run this year.

Durratun's four-silver feat may not be achieved but Elaine is only the only gymnast who could get at least a silver in New Delhi.

Read more:NST

Ken Nee wants to exit Games with a big splash

2010-10-01T08:07:00.002+05:30

DIVER Yeoh Ken Nee is determined to make all the right moves to ensure his final appearance in the Commonwealth Games will turn out to be the most memorable one.
With exertions taking its toll on an aging body, the 27-year-old is unlikely to see action at the next Games in Glasgow in four years’ time.

Ken Nee went through a bittersweet experience in the last Games in Melbourne.
Although he made history by winning a first-ever medal, a silver, for Malaysia in Commonwealth Games diving from the 1m springboard event, Ken Nee’s hopes of further glory were crushed after he came down with fever and had to stop competiting in the 3m springboard final when he was in the lead after two dives.
Ken Nee also had to pull out of the 3m springboard synchronised event in which he was to partner Rossharisham Roslan.

Right moves: Yeoh Ken Nee wants a memorable final outing in the Commonwealth Games when he competes in New Delhi.

It was certainly a cruel blow to Ken Nee, who had given the then world champion, Alexandre Despatie of Canada, a good run for his money in landing the 1m springboard silver medal.
“I prepared well for Melbourne but I did not take proper care of myself and I got sick during competition,” said Ken Nee, who returned home on Wednesday with the diving squad after a month of intensive training in China.

“I hope it will not happen again. I’m more cautious now, especially when the Games are in India.
“We have been told that it’s best to only drink mineral water and also to avoid taking cut fruits because we do not know if they had been washed with tap water. I have to watch what I eat.”
Ken Nee has opted not to compete on the high board and will only concentrate on the springboard disciplines. Besides the individual events, he will partner Bryan Nickson in the 3m springboard synchronised competition.

Bryan has picked up a knee injury in training in China. He is down to compete in all five disciplines but may have to withdraw from one or two events and it is unlikely to be the springboard synchronised competition.
“It is also a main focus for Bryan as we stand a good chance to fight for a medal,” said Ken Nee.
“Bryan raised his difficulty for the 10m platform in order to match the standards of his rivals and I think he got injured by pushing himself to hard. But he should be okay when competition begins.

“It will be tough in New Delhi as we will be up against Olympic medallists from England, Canada and Australia.’
The divers will leave for New Delhi on Oct 5 and competitions begin four days later.

By LIM TEIK HUAT

Azlan treads carefully to avoid food poisoning in India

2010-10-01T08:06:00.000+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR: Food is a concern for two-time Asian squash champion Mohd Azlan Iskandar in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.
He came down with food poisoning at the Asian championships in Chennai in May after retaining the individual title by defeating Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas Khan in the final. It affected his performance in the team final, losing to Aamir in Malaysia’s 1-2 defeat by Pakistan.
The 28-year-old Azlan, who is ranked no. 14 in the world, said that he would have to be cautious on what he ate in New Delhi.

“I stayed and ate food in a five-star hotel in Chennai and yet I suffered food poisoning,” said Azlan, who has won 12 Professional Squash Association (PSA) titles since turning professional in 2000.
“I hope that I will not suffer the same fate in Delhi. I made a request to the NSC (National Sports Council) for our own chef but they turned it down,” said Azlan. “I have to be very careful with what I eat in the Games Village cafeteria because I have to be at my best to challenge for honours.”

Azlan will be featuring in the Commonwealth Games for the fourth time. He made his debut in the 1998 KL Games and his best effort was reaching third round in the 2006 edition in Melbourne.
In the Delhi Games, besides the individual competition, Azlan will partner Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan for the men’s doubles.

In the individual event, six seeded Azlan opens his campaign against James Bentick of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He is expected to reach the quarter-finals for a match against fourth seed Daryl Selby of England, whom he lost to in straight sets in the first round of Hong Kong Open in August.
The top two seeds are England’s Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, who are ranked second and fifth in the world respectively.

Three other Malaysians will feature in the men’s individual competition.
World No. 19 and ninth seed Ong Beng Hee will play against Lazaruz Chilufya of Zambia in the opening round while Mohd Nafiizwan has a match against Hartaj Bains of Kenya. Ivan Yuen, takes on James Matewere of Malawi.

The Malaysians in the women’s competition are world No. 1 Nicol David, Low Wee Wern, Delia Arnold and Sharon Wee.

By AFTAR SINGH

Shooter wants medal in pet event

2010-10-01T08:04:00.002+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR: Top pistol shooter Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan will have his hands full in the Commonwealth Games.
The 33-year-old father of two, who will be competing for the fourth time in the Games, will feature in four pistol events – free, standard, centre fire and rapid fire.

In the previous three Games, the Perak-born shooter competed in only one event – the rapid fire. And he won a bronze in the 2006 Melbourne Games.
For the Delhi Games, Hasli, who has donned national colours since 1997, qualified on merit in all four events.

Man on a mission: National shooter Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan wants to better the bronze medal he won in Melbourne four years ago.

“Although I will be competing in four events, my focus will be on only one – my pet rapid fire pistol event,” said Hasli, who has a personal best of 582.

Hasli made his debut in the 1998 KL Games and was placed fifth. He finished one rung better in the next Games in Manchester.

Hasli, who featured in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, added that he had trained hard under coach Hashim Desa since qualifying for the Games in April.

“This will be the first time in 13 years of my shooting career that I will be competing in India.
“ And my target in New Delhi is to better the bronze I won four years ago,” said Hasli, who featured in the world championships in Munich last month.

“I believe the strongest challenges will come from the Indian shooters. Those from Australia and Canada are also strong contenders for medals.”

Hasli does not intend to make the outing in New Delhi his last in the Commonwealth Games.
“I am still the number one pistol shooter in the country and I believe that my services are still needed ... I hope to stay around until the 2014 Commonwealth Games,” said Hasli, a silver medallist in the 2007 Asian championships.

By AFTAR SINGH

Atlet wajib minum banyak air di New Delhi

2010-10-01T07:25:00.000+05:30

BARISAN 200 atlet kebangsaan yang menggalas cabaran negara di Sukan Komanwel New Delhi, India bermula Ahad ini dinasihatkan untuk minum air yang cukup berikutan keadaan cuaca panas dan kering sepanjang temasya dua minggu itu.

Ketua Pengarah Institut Sukan Negara (ISN), Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz berkata, walaupun cuaca panas di India dengan Malaysia tidak banyak berbeza namun keadaan di sana mungkin lebih kering dan berhabuk berbanding Malaysia yang lembap.
“Kami menjangkakan perkara itu kerana musim hujan baru berakhir di India malah atlet kebangsaan diingatkan dan diberikan penerangan sebelum ini supaya bersedia dengan keadaan itu semasa kem fasa akhir minggu lalu agar tidak menjelaskan prestasi mereka,” katanya.

Ramlan turut menyatakan, keadaan itu memberi kesan kepada beberapa jenis sukan yang beraksi di kawasan terbuka seperti hoki, memanah dan boling padang jika atlet tidak mempunyai kandungan air mencukupi dalam badan.

“Mereka mesti minum banyak air kosong dan isotonik yang dibekalkan namun lebih penting adalah kesedaran atlet itu sendiri selain kerjasama jurulatih dan pegawai pasukan,” ulasnya.

Sementara itu, isu kesihatan lain terutamanya ancaman wabak denggi, Ramlan berkata, laporan diterima semuanya terkawal dan memuaskan terutama persiapan awal ISN dengan membekalkan beberapa peralatan untuk pencegahan seperti ‘gelang nyamuk’ dan sebagainya.

“Pasukan perubatan diketuai tiga orang doktor bagaimanapun tetap memantau rapi situasi sekiranya timbul perkara tidak diingini,” katanya lagi.

Sebahagian besar kontinjen negara daripada beberapa jenis sukan seperti boling padang, angkat berat, memanah, badminton dan gimnastik kini berada di India untuk menjalani latihan akhir sebelum temasya bermula..

Harian Metro

Umpama daki gunung

2010-10-01T07:22:00.000+05:30

TAN Sri Abdul Halil Abd Mutalif (TS) mengetuai Malaysia untuk menyertai Sukan Komanwel edisi ke-19 di New Delhi India yang bermula Ahad ini sehingga 14 Oktober.
Presiden Persatuan Memanah Kebangsaan Malaysia (NAAM) itu dilantik bagi menggantikan Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) yang menarik diri atas alasan kesihatan.

Namun ia tidak menghalangnya yang kini sudah berada di India untuk mempamerkan kesungguhan serta komitmennya sebagai ketua kontinjen untuk memastikan kontinjen negara mencapai sasaran sekurang-kurangnya 10 emas.

Kontinjen Malaysia menghantar 200 atlet dan 95 pegawai untuk menyertai 14 jenis sukan iaitu akuatik, angkat berat, badminton, berbasikal, gimnastik, hoki, boling padang, memanah, menembak, olahraga, ping pong, skuasy, tinju dan ragbi tujuh sebelah serta tiga acara paralimpik.

Apa perasaan TS apabila diberi tanggungjawab sebagai ketua kontinjen?

Saya sebenarnya pernah mengharap untuk menjadi ketua kontinjen kira-kira 10 tahun dulu namun kini baru diberi peluang. Walaupun perasaan bercampur, saya tetap menerimanya dengan hati yang terbuka dan cuba memberikan perkhidmatan yang terbaik.

Ia juga bukanlah satu tugas yang membebankan walaupun terpaksa meluangkan masa yang agak panjang untuk persediaan dan berada di India kira-kira dua minggu.

S: Bagaimana TS melihat cabaran untuk meraih 10 emas di temasya itu?

J: Sama ada kita dapat mencapai 10 atau lebih pingat emas ia bergantung sepenuhnya kepada prestasi atlet semasa bertanding. Itu yang lebih penting kerana kita membuat sasaran berdasarkan pencapaian yang mereka lakukan sebelum ini.

Macam-macam boleh berlaku seperti yang berlaku kepada ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol Ann David yang diharapkan meraih emas pada edisi 2006 di Melbourne, Australia namun kecundang.

Kita umpama mendaki gunung yang tinggi untuk mencapai sasaran itu namun berdasarkan prestasi semasa beberapa jenis sukan seperti memanah, berbasikal, tinju dan menembak kita mampu untuk mencapai sasaran itu.

Jika mengikut cara saya, kita perlu bermatlamat tinggi bagi membolehkan kita mencapai tahap yang lebih tinggi namun halangan dari segi mental harus dilupakan semasa pertandingan.

Adakah TS berpuas hati dengan persiapan atlet secara keseluruhannya?

Menurut maklumat yang saya terima semua persiapan berjalan lancar dan semuanya sibuk melakukan persiapan terakhir di dalam dan luar negara malah ada sesetengahnya menyertai pertandingan di peringkat antarabangsa.

Saya sentiasa memberi semangat kepada mereka supaya bertambah maju apatah lagi persediaan kali ini bukan saja untuk Sukan Komanwel namun untuk Sukan Asia yang berlangsung sebulan selepas itu.

Pelbagai isu seperti keselamatan dan rasuah yang membelenggu pihak penganjur. Adakah ini membimbangkan TS ?

Saya sudah tegaskan di dalam mesyuarat pengurus pasukan sebelum ini supaya sentiasa berwaspada dan mengikut arahan daripada pihak di sana terutamanya apabila ia membabitkan isu keselamatan.

Kita tahu India akan melakukan yang terbaik untuk menjaga semua kontinjen untuk menjaga reputasi mereka terutamanya apabila negara-negara besar seperti England, Australia dan sebagainya turut mengambil bahagian.

Jadi pada pandangan saya kita tidak perlu bimbang tapi perlu ada sikap berwaspada dan berhati-hati.

Selain permasalahan di atas, adakah ada perkara lain yang membimbangkan TS?

Ada dua perkara yang menjadi kebimbangan saya iaitu keadaan cuaca dan isu pemakanan yang mungkin akan mempengaruhi prestasi atlet.

Walaupun cuaca diramalkan baik semasa temasya itu berlangsung kita harus mengambil langkah berwaspada dengan persediaan seperti membawa pakaian tebal dan sebagainya.

Kita juga mahu atlet hanya makan makanan di dalam perkampungan sukan saja bagi mengelakkan timbulnya masalah yang lain seperti deman denggi yang dilaporkan berlaku di India.

Apa pesanan TS kepada 200 atlet yang akan beraksi di Sukan Komanwel nanti?

Apa yang penting adalah mereka perlu menjaga kesihatan semasa berada di India.

Sekiranya ada atlet yang pernah menang di Sukan Komanwel pada edisi sebelum ini saya nasihatkan mereka supaya tidak memandang rendah terhadap keupayaan lawan dan mengambil mudah.

Saya juga ingin menasihatkan atlet yang pernah tewas sebelum ini jangan cepat berputus asa dengan menganggap peluang mereka sudah tertutup kerana mereka perlu menanamkan keyakinan diri kerana orang lain tidak boleh membantu kecuali diri sendiri.

Harian Metro

Rizal mampu gegar emas

2010-09-30T12:59:00.000+05:30

SELEPAS mengalami kemalangan Oktober tahun lalu yang hampir lagi meranapkan kariernya selaku pelumba basikal trek negara, Mohd Rizal Tisin ketika ini dilihat sebagai calon terbaik memenangi pingat emas dalam acara 1 kilometer ujian masa di Sukan Komanwel XIX di New Delhi, bermula Ahad ini.

Pulih sepenuhnya daripada kecederaan patah buku lali kiri, Rizal kelihatan lebih bertenaga dan sudah kembali ke tahap terbaik yang pernah menyaksikan dia memenangi pingat gangsa Kejohanan Dunia di Poland, Mac tahun lalu dengan catatan rekod Asia baru, 1 minit 01.658 saat.

Itu cuma kemalangan kecil dan saya sudah pulih sepenuhnya, kata Rizal selepas sesi latihan terakhir skuad trek negara di Velodrom Joe Ciavola, Pusat Sukan Darebin, Melbourne, semalam. Sekarang prestasi saya pada tahap terbaik dan saya berasa cukup bertenaga.

Latihan diberikan untuk Sukan Komanwel ini amat keras tetapi membantu meningkatkan tahap tenaga dan daya kayuhan, katanya yang juga kakitangan Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA), Malaysia itu.

Rizal, bersama-sama dengan Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng dan Edrus Yunos membentuk rangkaian pelumba trek terbaik negara pernah diturunkan di Sukan Komanwel dan harapan cukup tinggi mereka dapat mencipta kejayaan.

Barita Harian

Amirul jadi tumpuan Isnin ini

2010-09-30T12:56:00.000+05:30

Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim

Prospek penyumbang emas pertama negara saingan Sukan Komanwel

ANDAI segala yang dicaturkan menjadi, orang besi harapan negara, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim dijangka menjadi penyumbang emas pertama kontinjen negara pada Sukan Komanwel XIX, Isnin ini.

Pemenang tiga emas Manchester 2002 itu prospek terbaik memenangi emas berdasarkan kedudukannya di ranking pertama kategori 56 kilogram di kalangan peserta negara Komanwel yang bertanding, dengan rekod angkatan 265 kilogram.

Jika bernasib baik, kontinjen negara juga boleh menyaksikan penyudahan 1-2 dalam kategori itu kerana seorang lagi wakil negara, Mohd Shafiq Ismail berada di ranking kedua dengan angkatan terbaik 251kg.

Siapa yang tidak mahu menjadi penyumbang emas pertama negara dan saya berdoa mampu berbuat demikian. Sudah tentu ia menjadi detik manis menyaksikan lagu Negaraku berkumandang dan Jalur Gemilang berkibar megah buat pertama kali di New Delhi.

Kemenangan itu juga nanti pasti akan menyemarakkan semangat rakan atlit lain memburu kegemilangan, tekad Amirul mengulas peluangnya menjadi atlit pertama menyumbang emas sebelum berangkat ke New Delhi, kelmarin.

Sebelum berlepas, dia sempat menelefon ibunya untuk memohon restu dan doa selain mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada isterinya, Ida Royainee Razali dan anaknya, Illy Emelda Ellesya.

Merekalah sumber inspirasi saya, kata atlit kelahiran Rompin yang dibimbing jurulatih, Zakaria Yusop.
Amirul menjalani latihan persiapan dua bulan di Lampung, Indonesia dan tampak sudah bersedia menyahut cabaran apabila bebas daripada kecederaan, selain berjaya mengatasi masalah berat badannya.

Tiada lagi masalah, semuanya okay, katanya yang mencetuskan kebimbangan sebelum ini kerana masalah berat badan yang meningkat dua kilogram, dua minggu lalu.

Berita Harian

Ramuan lebuh raya lengkap

2010-09-30T09:15:00.001+05:30

Pelumba-pelumba negara berehat di St. Kilda, Melbourne, semalam selepas menjalani latihan intensif sebagai persiapan ke Sukan Komanwel XIX.

MELBOURNE - Skuad berbasikal lebuh raya kini serba-serbi lengkap dalam memikul cabaran Sukan Komanwel di New Delhi.

Dengan masing-masing dua pemecut dan pendaki serta pemisah kelompok dan seorang yang serba boleh, ditambah dengan Amir Mustafa Rusli yang berkarisma, menjadikan skuad lebuh raya negara bersedia beraksi di New Delhi, awal bulan depan.

Malah, disokong dengan pengalaman luas Anuar Manan berlumba di Eropah, mereka menjanjikan tentangan yang lebih baik pada temasya 3-14 Oktober itu, sekalipun masih agak sukar untuk diletak sebagai pasukan pilihan memungut pingat.
Watak pemecut sudah pasti didukung Anuar yang juga Raja Pecut Le Tour de Langkawi 2010, sambil dibantu Mohd. Haniff Salleh. Shahrul Mat Amin juga memiliki kelebihan memecut dan memecah kelompok persaingan manakala Yusrizal Usof dan Adiq Husaini Othman dianggap pakar mendaki laluan dan kawasan tinggi selain serba boleh.

Adiq Husaini juga merupakan pemenang gangsa Kejohanan Belia Dunia di Moscow, tahun lalu sementara jurulatih pasukan lebuh raya ialah William Walker dari Australia.
Dengan perlumbaan lepas beramai-ramai yang disertai di Delhi hanya berlangsung 10 Oktober ini, maka masih banyak masa untuk mereka memantapkan kayuhan dan keserasian, selain menggubah taktikal sepanjang sesi latihan setiap hari di Freakstone, di sini.

"Peluang meraih pingat banyak bergantung kepada kerja sepasukan dan sokongan rakan tetapi pasukan pilihan dalam acara ini bakal banyak tertumpu kepada Australia dan England.

"Bagaimanapun kehadiran Anuar dengan pengalamannya ketika bertanding dalam banyak perlumbaan di Eropah kebelakangan ini, diharap dapat melonjakkan pasukan ini ke tempat yang sewajarnya pada Sukan Komanwel," kata Amir Mustafa selepas menjalani latihan ringan, semalam.

Skuad lebuh raya ke Sukan Komanwel, semalam hanya melakukan latihan kayuhan ringan di tepi pantai Freakstone sejauh 200 kilometer hampir dua jam.

Dalam latihan yang lebih keras ditetapkan jurulatih bagi menghadapi pertandingan antarabangsa, mereka biasanya dikerah berkayuh enam jam di jalan raya. - UTUSAN

Our athletes living in the true spirit of the Games

2010-09-30T09:13:00.001+05:30

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian athletes have embraced the spirit of the Commonwealth Games by not making a big hue and cry over host India’s last-minute efforts to make their stay in the Games Village as comfortable as possible.

The bulk of the Malaysian contingent arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday and chef-de-mission Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib gave the thumbs up to the athletes for adapting quickly to the environment.
“It all went smoothly for us. Every one checked into the Village without any problems. The validation of the athletes accreditation went well too. They slept soundly,” said Abdul Halil in a telephone interview yesterday.
“They also showed good appetite and ate well at the well-managed cafeteria. They went about their businesses as far as their preparation for the Games was concerned.

“There were some teething problems like the long wait for their luggage to be cleared due to security procedures but our athletes took the well. I am pleased with the good spirit showed by all our athletes.”
India have been scrambling to restore their pride and dignity as far as being the good hosts.

There had been negative reports on the Games Village, which was deemed unfit for the athletes. And there had been complaints over sub-standard quality toilets, poor construction of the facilities and filthy conditions.
Abdul Halil hoped that the Malaysian athletes would soar high despite adversities in the Games.

“Sometimes, difficult conditions make one perform even stronger. And I hope our athletes will put aside whatever struggles outside and give their best in the competition arena. Hopefully, this will be our best outing in the Games,” said Abdul Halil.

“I will be meeting all the team managers next to ensure that all aspects of the athletes’ preparation is further looked into.”

Malaysia have set a 10 gold medal target in the Games but Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek has challenged the team to go beyond that.

Malaysia’s raked in the best medal haul of 10-14-12 at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games. In Melbourne four years ago, they returned with a tally of 7-12-10.

By RAJES PAUL

All eyes on Nicol to land the elusive gold medal in Delhi

2010-09-30T09:11:00.000+05:30

WORLD No. 1 NICOL David was in tears after she finished empty-handed in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Expectations were high on her to win the gold medal. But she was beaten by Natalie Grinham of Australia in the semi-finals and lost to Shelley Kitchen of New Zealand in the playoff for the bronze.
Nicol has a medal to show from the Commonwealth Games – a silver in the mixed doubles event, partnering Ong Beng Hee, in 2002 edition in Manchester.

And things look very bright for Nicol to nail the elusive gold medal in the Delhi Games.
The 27-year-old Penangite, who has been the world No. 1 since August 2006, has been on fire this year. She has played in seven Women’s International Squash Players Association (Wispa) tournaments thus far and has won all of them.

Nicol started the year by winning the Chennai Open in March and she went on to bag the KL Open (March), Cayman Islands Open (April), Malaysian Open (July), Singapore Masters (July) and the Hong Kong Open.
She also won the Asian title for a record seventh consecutive time in Chennai in May.

In the World Open in Egypt last week, Nicol equalled Australian Sarah Fitz-Gerald’s record of five titles without dropping a set in five matches. Nicol had emerged as the champion in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Nicol, who has bagged a total of 48 Wispa titles since turning pro in 2000, however, is leaving no stones unturned in the quest to win the Commonwealth Games title in New Delhi. She has been training hard under coach Liz Irving in Amsterdam.

“Coach Liz (Irving) has been instrumental in what I have achieved in my career. I have been working with her to give my best in the Commonwealth Games,” Nicol was quoted in the website
www.squa shsite.co.uk. “I will stay focus and will not underestimate any player in the Games.”
Nicol will open her campaign against Damindha Udangawe of Sri Lanka. And the good news is that England’s world No. 3 Alison Waters, who has given her strong challenges in tournaments, is in the other half of the draw with second seeded compatriot Jenny Duncalf.
Among the players in Nicol’s half of the draw are sixth seed Laura Massaro of England and fifth seed Madeline Perry of Ireland.

Besides Nicol the other members of the Malaysian women’s team are Low Wee Wern, Delia Arnold and Sharon Wee.

The men in the team are Mohd Azlan Iskandar, Ong Beng Hee, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and Ivan Yuen.
There are five gold medals at stake in the Delhi Games – men’s and women’s individual and doubles and the mixed doubles. All eight Malaysian players will feature in the individual competitions.
In the doubles, Azlan will partner Nafiizwan (men) while Delia will pair up with Wee Wern (women). The two pairs for the mixed doubles are Beng Hee-Nicol and Ivan-Sharon.

By AFTAR SINGH

Bryan suffers knee injury while training

2010-09-30T09:09:00.000+05:30

PETALING JAYA: Diver Bryan Nickson has learnt a new dive routine in China to strengthen his challenge for a medal on the high board at the Commonwealth Games. But it comes with a heavy price.
The 20-year-old Sarawakian is now carrying a knee injury and his condition may prevent him from emerging as the most successful Malaysian male diver in the Delhi Games.

The divers have been based in Tianjin for more than a month to polish up on more complex routines in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, which begin on Sunday, and also the Guangzhou Asian Games scheduled for Nov 12-27.

Bryan is down to compete in all five disciplines of the Commonwealth Games diving competitions, which will be held from Oct 9-13. But the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) secretary, Edwin Chong, said they might have to review it.

Bryan: Has fighting chances for medals in all five events if he is fit.

Besides the 10m platform individual and synchronised in which he is likely to partner Abdul Rashid, Bryan will also compete in the 1m and 3m springboard individual.

For the 3m springboard synchronised, Bryan is also rated a strong medal prospect in a partnership with Yeoh Ken Nee. The duo won silver at the Asian championships and gold in the Laos SEA Games last year.
“I have been informed by the coach (Yang Zhuliang) that Bryan has injured his left knee,” said Edwin. “It’s a common one faced by a diver as a result of putting too much stress when one depresses the springboard.
“Initial check-up showed that it is not a joint injury and the National Sports Institute (NSI) will take another look at his condition after he returns home this week.

“Given his talent, Bryan has fighting chances for medals in all the five events if he is in good fitness condition and form. But it looks like it’s no longer possible for him to compete in all the events. It’s better for him to drop one or two events than risk going for all and end up with no medal.”

Bryan’s best bet for medal is in the 10m platform discipline.
“He learnt a new dive routine, which is a four-and-a-half somersault. His level of difficulty is on par with the world’s top ranked divers and it is only 0.1 degree lower than the reigning world champion Tom Daley, who will be competing for England,” said Edwin.

At the last Games in Melbourne in 2006, Bryan partnered James Sandayud to bag a silver in the 10m platform synchronised.
The diving squad for the Delhi Games will leave on Oct 5.

The other male in the team are Ken Nee, Ahmad Amsyar and Mohd Fakhrul. The women in the team are Youth Olympic Games double silver medallist Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Trasie Vivien, Cheong Jun Hoong and Wendy Ng.

Star

India embraces the vuvuzela

2010-09-30T08:27:00.001+05:30

Pandelela Rinong will take part in only the 10m platform.

NEW DELHI: The vuvuzela trumpets that became the droning soundtrack to the football World Cup in South Africa are to make a comeback at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Vuvuzelas provoked strong emotions in South Africa, with some fans loving the distinctive low-pitched bellow while others -- including many players, coaches and commentators -- driven to distraction.

About 10,000 plastic vuvuzela horns have already been sold in Delhi through official merchandising outlets at a cost of US$5.50 (RM17) each.

"Both Indian and foreigners have been showing a lot of interest, and sales are very good," Jitendra Dang, who runs a stall at the athletes' village, said.
"It feels that their popularity after South Africa is continuing in India."

Vuvuzelas became the unofficial symbol of the World Cup, but they drowned out crowd chants and made it nearly impossible for players to communicate with each other.

The horns have since been banned by UEFA, European football's governing body, and by several English Premier League club grounds, as well as at many other sporting events.

Indian sports fans are known for their passion -- especially at cricket games -- but tickets are still available for most Games events and it is uncertain if venues will fill with the vuvuzela's monotone blast.

Suresh Kumar, chairman of the Games' official merchandising company Premier Brands, said 50,000 vuvuzelas had been imported from China and 10,000 had already been bought from stalls, shops and from mobile vans.

"People here like them because in India we associate celebrations with noise," he said. "Festivals like Diwali are always very loud.

"Vuvuzelas are the most popular item we are selling. We expect the rest to go by the middle of the Games. And if we have a shortage, we can't get any more because they were ordered from China."

The origins of the vuvuzela -- and the word's meaning -- are unclear, but many believe they were first made from a sheet of metal, and were only popularised in South African sports stadiums in recent years.

Harris Mbulelo Majeke, South Africa's High Commissioner in Delhi, showed locals last week how to blow the horn with a long, loud blast.

"We are going to make a lot of noise. We are going to have lots of fun," he said. "We are going to blast the stadiums with vuvuzelas." -- AFP

Read more: NST

Pandelela's neck a sore point

2010-09-30T08:21:00.000+05:30

PANDELELA Rinong's destiny crosses the path of the Commonwealth Games and the 17-year-old Sarawakian looks set to continue her rise in New Delhi. The past year has seen the shy diver grow steadily in stature, winning her first World Championships medal with synchronised partner Leong Mun Yee, and grabbing two silver medals at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last month.

The Asian Games in Guangzhou in November could be a step-up for Pandelela, but there she will have to contend with the might of the Chinese in her platform events, and that is the only obstacle she, or anybody else in her class for that matter, has yet to overcome.

But things should work in her favour at the Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Stadium on Oct 10-13, if Pandelela is not hindered by a naggng neck injury.
She has just one individual event to focus on -- the 10m platform which has been her pet event since her rise to prominence in the 2004 Malaysia Games, where she combined with Elizabeth Jimie to sweep all six gold medals contested.

In New Delhi, much is expected of Pandelela's combination with the seasoned 25-year-old Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchronised.

The duo created history when they delivered Malaysia's first ever World Championships medal, taking the bronze in Rome in 2009. Less than two year on, they stand a fighting chance for a gold medal in New Delhi.

The duo will also combine for the 3m springboard synchronised, but if Pandelela's neck injury still hampers her, then performance on the springboard will suffer.

Read more: NST /

Melbourne will not be repeated

2010-09-30T08:19:00.001+05:30

Elaine Koon is a medal prospect.

MALAYSIA did well in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games -- winning five silver and two bronze medals -- but it will be tall order for the national gymnasts to achieve even half of that in the 2010 edition. Durratun Nashihin Rosli and Ng Shu Wai, who secured four and one silver respectively in Melbourne, have retired and most of the artistic and rhythmic gymnasts for New Delhi are new faces.

Injuries to Azzam Azmi and Sharil Johari, two of the most experienced members of the men's artistic team, have further weakened Malaysia's medal chances.

Nevertheless, Malaysia Gymnastics Federation (MGF) president Professor Datuk Dr. Zakaria Ahmad is optimistic the gymnasts are good for two medals in New Delhi.
Medals are expected from the women's artistic gymnastics team and one from rhythmic gymnastics, in which Elaine Koon and Nur Hidayah Abdul Wahid will be competing.

"Things have changed drastically since the Melbourne Games where we did reasonably well but retirements and injuries mean we will have a relatively inexperienced squad this time," said Zakaria.

"Our girls in the artistic event will be competing for the first time but the have shown improvement and we are hoping for a medal.

"Another medal may come from rhythmic gymnasts or even in the individual events of the women's artistic gymnastics.

"Traditionally, Australia, Canada and England have been strong and hosts India have also been improving.

"We are building a new squad and it is not going to be easy for them. But we are hopeful they can create a surprise or two."

The absence of Azzam and Shahril has forced MGF to recall Onn Kwang Tung, who has competed in all editions since 1998, and Irwan Miskob but the men are expected to face a difficult time.

Women's artistic gymnast Tracie Ang, who finished seventh in the individual all around and balance beam in the World Cup leg in Belgium a fortnight ago, is expected to lead the team to a medal.

A fractured hand suffered during the Malaysia Games in Malacca in June has slowed down Cheong See Teng but she will be alongside Chan Sau Wah, Noor Hasleen Fatihin Hasnan and Farah Ann Abdul Hadi in seeking a medal in the team event.

Elaine and Nur Hidayah are also making their debuts but hopes are high that they will maintain Malaysia's tradition of winning a medal in rhythmic gymnastics since 1998.

Read more: NST

Semuanya Teratur, Kata Ketua Kontinjen Malaysia Ke Sukan Komanwel

2010-09-30T07:43:00.001+05:30

Oleh P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, 29 Sept (Bernama) -- Semuanya teratur dan berjalan lancar, itulah gambaran yang diberikan oleh Ketua Kontinjen Malaysia ke Sukan Komanwel di New Delhi Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib mengenai keadaan perkampungan sukan itu di sini.

Beliau bersama dengan kira-kira 90 atlet Malaysia tiba di sini Selasa malam untuk menyertai edisi ke-19 sukan itu yang akan bermula Ahad ini di ibu negara ini.

"Pandangan pertama saya apabila tiba di lapangan terbang agak membanggakan. Acara sambutan dan urusan pengangkutan ke perkampungan sukan itu sangat memuaskan.

"Malahan kita ada pengawal bersenjata dalam bas kita yang memberikan keyakinan terhadap keselamatan kita," katanya kepada media di perkampungan sukan itu.

Sehingga hari ini kira-kira 118 ahli sukan Malaysia telah tiba di sini dan memulakan latihannya di perkampungan sukan yang baru dibina, yang keadaannya sebelum ini menggemparkan.

Tetapi penganjur India, yang menerima tekanan kuat daripada pihak antarabangsa, sibuk memberikan wajah baru kepada perkampungan, di mana hampir 7,000 atlet dari 71 pertubuhan sukan akan tinggal dan berlatih dalam tempoh dua minggu akan datang.

Abdul Halil berkata beliau yang belum lagi menemui pengurus pasukan masing-masing untuk mendapatkan maklum balas mereka, dijangka mengadakan mesyuarat dengan pegawai Malaysia pada Rabu.

Kontinjen Malaysia akan mengambil bahagian dalam 14 acara sukan pada sukan itu yang akan diadakan dari 3 hingga 14 Okt.

-- BERNAMA

'House In Order' Says Malaysian Contingent CDM

2010-09-30T07:37:00.000+05:30

By P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- "House is in order and work is progressing at high speed" was how Malaysia's chef-de-mission (CDM) Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib described the current condition of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games village.

Abdul Halil, along with about 90 Malaysian athletes arrived in Delhi last night, to participate in the 19th edition of the games that kicks off this Sunday in the Indian capital.

"My first impression when I arrived at the airport was quite impressive. The (Indian welcoming) reception and the arrangements from the airport to the games village was above average.

"We even had an armed guard in our bus that gave us confidence about our security," he told the media at the games village.

Until today about 118 Malaysians have arrived in Delhi and begun their training at the newly build but controversial-hit games village, where conditions were in appalling conditions earlier.

But the Indian organisers, who came under severe international criticism and pressure, are busy giving a new facelift to the village, where nearly 7,000 athletes from 71 games organizations would be staying and training for the next two weeks.

Abdul Halil said he has yet to meet the respective team managers to get their feed back but expects to hold a meeting with Malaysian officials later today (Wednesday).

"The advance seven-member Malaysian team which arrived here and the Malaysia High Commission in Delhi, with the help of Indian officials, did a good job to ensure everything was okay in the village," he added.

The strong Malaysian contingent would take part in 14 of the 17 sports hosted by New Delhi from Oct 3 to 14.

He also said "I haven't seen any mosquitoes in my room", when asked to comment on the threat of dengue in the city.

-- BERNAMA

Lawn Bowls: Malaysia eye Delhi gold rush

2010-09-29T09:06:00.001+05:30

IT is rare for any Malaysian sport to set the sky as the limit of their ambition, so the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) ought to be lauded for its boldness. MLBF has set a four-gold target for its 12 bowlers in New Delhi, a feat never before achieved in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

Malaysia's best haul was the two gold medals won by Siti Zalina Ahmad in the women's singles and the women's triples at the last Games in Melbourne four years ago.

The lawn bowlers have consistently produced results on the international stage and Malaysia have in the last decade become one of the sport's leading nations alongside Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and England.
Safuan Said, the world champion, is the leading men's lawn bowler in the world while Siti Zalina is a two-time defending champion at the Commonwealth Games.

The return of Nor Iryani Azmi, the Champion of Champions singles winner in 2006, to the national team after a three-year absence has also boosted the lawn bowlers' chances of winning gold medals.

Nor Iryani, who was part of the triples winning team in 2006, will play in the pairs with Nor Hashimah Ismail but most eyes will be on Safuan and Siti Zalina.

If MLBF's target is to be achieved, the duo must come through in their respective events with the men's and women's triples and the men's pairs also having to share the burden.

Team manager Jamal Nasir Abu Bakar believes four gold medals is certainly within Malaysia's reach and even boldly declared that a clean-sweep of all six events is possible.

"With the training and overseas competitions that the bowlers have been exposed to, we have set four gold medals as a reasonable target.

"We believe that the gold medals can come from any six of the events. In fact, we could win them all but have decided instead to stick with a more conservative number. My own personal target is for them to come home with five gold medals," said Jamal Nasir at a recent press conference in Bukit Jalil.

Chief coach Ariffin Abdul Ghani concurred with Jamal Nasir, saying that this is perhaps the country's best-prepared lawn bowls squad.

"The bowlers have made steady progress over the last four years, winning several international honours. At the World Championships in 2008, we won one gold (through Safuan) and four bronze medals.

"This is the major reason why we are confident in the target we have set," said Ariffin.

The squad suffered a minor scare last week when Siti Zalina suffered a back strain in a test match against New Zealand in Paroi.

But the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist was declared fit just before the team departed for New Delhi on Friday.

Read more: NST /

Hockey: When only the best will do

2010-09-29T09:05:00.001+05:30

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) had planned to send a mixed team, but coach Stephen van Huizen made a strong request to field the best in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and his wish was granted.

Sixteen players, that is all the Commonwealth Games allows a country to register, and with two goalkeepers that leaves a coach only 14 players to make do with in any match.

That means every player has to carry his weight, and top flight fitness is a must for a team to progress to the semi-finals.

"I have no problem with fitness among my players, so we have as good a chance as the next team of winning matches and advancing to the knock-out stage," said Van Huizen.
Malaysia will have their backs against the wall in Group A, as one semi-final slot already has the name of World No 1 Australia written all over it, while hosts India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Scotland will battle for the second slot.

"Actually, the reason I wanted to field the best is because we need top class matches leading to the Asian Games, and our group in New Delhi will provide us with just that," said the coach.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) gives the host country leeway to play at prime time and also pick their first opponents -- and India opted to play Malaysia in their curtain raiser.

Maybe India are looking to avenge the semi-final defeat in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, where Malaysia went on to claim silver behind Australia.

MHF granted Van Huizen's wish to field the best and, hopefully, Malaysia will give their best and reach the semi-finals in a tournament which boasts six of the top-10 countries in the world.

As for the Malaysian women's team, their objective is also to use the Games as a training ground for the Asian Games.

"We are glad to get a chance to play some quality matches which are quite difficult to source for. We will be fielding quite a young side, and the experience of playing against England and the rest should better prepare them for the Asian Games challenge," said Malaysian Women's Hockey Federation secretary S. Shamala.

The Commonwealth Games does not offer any ranking points or ticket to a higher level tournament and that is why most of the teams rather use it to blood new players.

However, a gold medal in the Asian Games is a direct entry into the Olympics.

MEN -- Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Scotland; Group B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa.

WOMEN -- Group A: Australia, South Africa, India, Trinidad & Tobago, Scotland; Group B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales.

Read more NST

Armed with faith

2010-09-29T08:18:00.001+05:30

THE national shooting team have grown stronger since their failure to land a gold medal in last year's Laos Sea Games with several shooters making their mark in international competitions of late. The ever-determined shooters now hope to make an impression on the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and are determined to crack the dominance of the Australian and Indian shooters and win any of the 36 gold medals on offer at the Dr K.S. Shooting Range.

A total of 22 shooters (14 men and eight women), will be competing in New Delhi.

Their priority is to win Malaysia's first gold medal since Nurul Hudda Baharin's feat in the 10-metre air rifle at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur edition.

Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi stands as the country's best bet of ending the drought.

In March, Nur Suryani earned a huge boost for herself and for the sport in the country when she won a historic silver medal (10m air rifle) at the ISSF World Cup Series in Sydney.

Nur Suryani, who is with the Armed Forces, however, is known to be erratic but if she hits form in New Delhi, a gold medal is a distinct possibility.

Her best achievement in the Commonwealth Games was a bronze medal in the 50m three-position pairs with Nurul Hudda in the 2006 Melbourne edition.

Teammate Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim, an emerging force in local rifle competitions, is also a shooter to watch at the Games.

The 19-year-old made a remarkable international debut last year by bagging a gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the International Junior Shooting Championships in Germany.

The Pahang shooter, who also represented the country in last year's Sea Games, has also been winning local titles consistently and she should be in the right frame of mind in New Delhi.

Shahera Rahim Raja, Muslifah Zulkifli and Haslisa Hameed are the other shooters in the women's rifle team.

Meanwhile, pistol shooters Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan and Bibiana Ng, who both made their Commonwealth debut in the 1998 edition, are also on course for a medal in their respective events.

Hasli, after two unsuccessful outings, returned with a bronze medal in the 25m rapid fire from the Melbourne edition and he hopes to add to that in New Delhi.

His dominance in the event, however, is now challenged by his protege, Hafiz Adzha, who beat him in the recent National Championships.

Hafiz, who posted a 585 total to surpass Hasli's record by three points at the competition, will definitely fancy his chances against the best at the Games.

As for Bibiana, the Commonwealth Games gold medal has been eluding her despite the pistol shooter winning a medal in each outing since her debut in Kuala Lumpur.

In her initial appearance, the 33-year-old took silver in the 25m sport pistol and followed up with another second place finish with Irina Maharani in the pistol pairs event four years later in Manchester.

In the last edition in Melbourne, the Sarawak-born Bibiana, together with Joseline Cheah, took silver in the 10m air pistol pairs.

The experienced shooter hopes to end her gold medal drought in her fourth Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Oct 3-14.

National Shooting Association of Malaysia executive secretary Major Jasni Shaari is confident his shooters will return with two or three medals.

"I believe everyone in the team has a chance of a good performance if they perform to expectations," said Jasni.

"The gap between our shooters and the rest has narrowed compared to before, and I expect a better haul this time.

"Our shooters have the confidence and self belief after competing in several international events.

"I believe they will be able to hold their nerves during their respective events in New Delhi."

Jasni said the medals would likely come from the rifle and pistol shooters.

"Nur Suryani, Nur Ayuni (rifle), Bibiana, Joseline and Siti Nur Masitah Badrin (pistol) are our potential medallists in New Delhi," he said.

In 2006 in Melbourne, Malaysia returned with one silver and four bronze medals.

Read more: NST

Loving a game that he once disliked

2010-09-29T08:17:00.000+05:30

NIK Safuan Ismade Nik Man knew nothing about rugby during his school days as his forte then was track and field. A talented long distance runner in Pahang, he disliked rugby as he felt it was a dangerous sport.

However, the Kuala Lipis-born athlete grew to love the game after he joined Kuala Lumpur City Hall at 19.

Now, the talented forward will captain the national rugby sevens team in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

"I picked up rugby when I joined City Hall as an employee. I must thank former national player Rusli Ramli for introducing me to the game," said Nik Safuan.

"I represented Bandaraya Dragons then. Four years after taking up the sport, I was selected to represent the country and I've been doing so ever since."
Like his teammates, it will also be Nik Safuan's first experience of Commonwealth Games rugby.

The national rugby sevens side are among the top four ranked teams in Asia but are still far behind world class teams like New Zealand, Australia, England, Fiji and Samoa in the sevens game.

"We have been doing great over the past two years in Asia but it will be tough in New Delhi. Our priority in the Commonwealth Games is to gain experience ahead of the Asian Games (in Guangzhou), where we stand a good chance of a medal," added the 30-year-old.

The national sevens side forced Asia's traditional powerhouses to take notice of them after a sterling performance in the 2008 Sri Lanka Airlines Sevens, where the team bagged the country's first ever rugby title.

Buoyed by that success, the team went on to win the Asian Rugby Sevens Brunei leg before finishing fourth in the Borneo leg, both last year.

It has also been a memorable season so far this year. The team started their 2010 international campaign by finishing second to South Korea and in a pre-Commonwealth Games competition in New Delhi in April.

Recently they made history by recording their first ever victory over Asian giants Japan en route to finishing fourth in the prestigious Shanghai Sevens.

Assistant team manager K.H Tan said Asian countries regarded Malaysia as the continent's emerging force.

"Many top coaches and officials, even those attached with the International Rugby Board, have praised our team. According to them, our players are improving," said Tan.

"It is certainly good news that the region's rugby fraternity is slowly starting to respect the Malaysian team. We have improved because we put to practice the scientific aspects of modern training.

"My players are bigger, stronger and fitter compared to before. They are also not afraid of taking on physically bigger opponents as they have been playing regularly with foreign players of late."

On their preparation for the Commonwealth Games, Tan said the team started intensive training last month.

"About 20 players were selected for training in Sandakan last month before the Shanghai Sevens. They had a good time as they sparred with the local Fijian trainers," said Tan.

"The biggest challenge in Malaysian rugby is getting players train as one unit on a regular basis.

"However, thankfully, most players in the training squad, are attending regular training," he said.

Malaysia, however, will have a big fight on their hands as they have been drawn in Group C with IRB Sevens World Series champions Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Kenya.

Read more: NST /

Shooters expected to haul in medals

2010-09-29T08:16:00.001+05:30

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have always won medals in Commonwealth Games shooting since 1998 and they are expected to keep up the trend with a stronger squad to New Delhi.
With the team finalised three months ago with numerous shooters who have surpassed the qualifying marks omitted because of quota, the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) are confident of a four-medal haul in New Delhi.

“Having to leave out a large number of shooters who met the qualifying marks showed quality in our stable,” said NSAM secretary Jasni Shaari.
But the main concern for Jasni is that the shooters remain problem free throughout the competition period from Oct 5-13.

“This is a sport that requires high precision. I hope that no illness, no equipment problems or whatsoever will happen there,” he said.

“I believe most of them are at their peak now and it all down to competition day to see whether they can bring home the targeted medals.”

The team form is regarded to be up to mark with the medal contenders from Australia, England and hosts India.

In the world championships in Munich in July, debutante Nur Shahera Rahim Raja matched her personal best score of 394 in the 10m air rifle event.

Pistol shooter Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan, another medal hopeful in New Delhi, also gave a creditable performance to finish 26th in the 25m standard pistol event.

“From the scores, we can see how they stack up against world’s best and they are good enough to be medal contenders in the Commonwealth Game. But they must not let themselves be overawed by the occasion,” said Jasni.

One shooter who would be hoping for a big break in New Delhi is Bibiana Ng, who has never failed to win a medal in the Games since 1998.

Only a gold medal is missing from her collection. She came close to getting one in 998 in the 25m sport pistol event.

“She has progressed well in the build-up to the Games. I believe with a little bit of luck, she might just nail it this time,” said Jasni.

Star

Tiada jaminan daripada Koo-Tan

2010-09-29T07:59:00.000+05:30

PUTRAJAYA - Walaupun turun dengan status beregu No. 1 dunia, pasangan badminton negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong tidak memberi jaminan pingat emas mampu dibawa pulang daripada Sukan Komanwel XIX, yang bermula Ahad ini.

Beregu utama negara itu bagaimanapun sekadar meletakkan sasaran untuk melangkah ke perlawanan akhir, sambil menganggap beregu utama England, Nathan Robertson-Anthony Clark mampu menjadi ancaman utama mereka pada Temasya 3-14 Oktober itu nanti.

Menurut Boon Heong, cabaran Robertson-Clark tidak boleh diambil mudah kerana beregu berpengalaman England itu sering mengheret mereka beraksi dalam pertarungan sengit dalam tiga pertemuan terdahulu, malah pada perlawanan terakhir di Terbuka Malaysia, Januari lalu mereka dipaksa berhempas pulas dalam tiga set sebelum menang 21-12, 23-25, 21-11.

Pasangan negara itu pernah dikejutkan oleh Robertson-Clark pada Terbuka Singapura, tahun lalu apabila tunduk 21-13, 19-21, 14-21.

"Apa yang paling penting buat kami adalah mengekalkan prestasi untuk melayakkan diri ke perlawanan akhir, apa yang berlaku selepas itu kita tunggu saja,'' katanya ketika di Lapangan Terbang Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) untuk berlepas ke New Delhi, semalam.

Menurut Kien Keat pula, kekalahan kepada beregu China, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng pada final Terbuka Jepun, minggu lalu tidak menjejaskan moral mereka untuk mencari emas di New Delhi, sebaliknya hanya menaikkan lagi semangat mereka untuk beraksi cemerlang di Sukan Komanwel nanti.

"Setakat ini persiapan kami untuk menghadapi Sukan Komanwel baik sahaja, terutama selepas baru selesai menghadapi Terbuka Jepun beberapa hari lalu.

"Tewas kepada China pada kejohanan itu hanya menyemarakkan semangat kami untuk bangkit mencari keputusan yang lebih baik di Sukan Komanwel,'' kata Kien Keat.

Bagaimanapun kata Kien Keat, keputusan yang bakal dicatat di New Delhi banyak bergantung kepada prestasi mereka pada hari sebenar perlawanan. "Saya tidak boleh katakan apa-apa ketika ini, cuma lihat sahaja pada hari perlawanan itu nanti," ujarnya.

Utusan

Kita mudah atasi New Zealand

2010-09-29T07:55:00.001+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR - Pisang tidak berbuah dua kali, itu dibuktikan oleh skuad hoki lelaki negara yang membenam New Zealand 3-0 pada perlawanan persahabatan kedua di Stadium Hoki Tun Razak di sini, semalam.

Selepas gagal mempertahankan kelebihan 2-0 pada aksi pertama apabila dipaksa seri 2-2, skuad bimbingan Stephen van Huizen sudah mengambil pengajaran berguna daripadanya.
Semalam, Stephen mengekalkan Roslan Jamaluddin sebagai penjaga gol utama ekoran S. Kumar masih belum pulih daripada masalah kesihatan.

Skuad negara beraksi baik sebaik wisel permainan dibunyikan, malah memperoleh dua pukulan sudut penalti pada 30 minit pertama namun dinafikan oleh penjaga gol, Kyle Pontifex sementara satu percubaan lagi tersasar.

Gol pertama Malaysia menjelma seminit sebelum separuh masa pertama ditamatkan melalui gerakan solo Mohd. Sharun Nabil Abdullah.

Tanpa diduga, Sharun melepaskan pukulan kilas padu ke arah kiri pintu gol New Zealand bagi mendahului perlawanan.

Pakar pukulan sudut penalti negara, Mohd. Amin Rahim menggandakan kelebihan pada minit ke-41 sebelum Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin mematikan semangat melawan 'Black Stick' dengan gol ketiga pada minit ke-62 melalui pukulan kilas.

Apa yang pasti, persembahan skuad negara wajar dipuji kerana bijak menukar rentak selepas mendahului 2-0 yang menyebabkan New Zealand gagal bangkit mencari gol penyamaan.

Hakikat itu diakui Stephen yang berpuas hati dengan aksi pemainnya kerana dapat mengekalkan penguasaan bola di samping terus menyerang ke kubu skuad 'Kiwis'.

''Pemain juga dilihat bertambah yakin dengan banyak menguasai bola dan itu membantu kepada kemenangan kepada hari ini,'' katanya yang ditemui selepas perlawanan.

Bagi menyesuaikan diri dengan keadaan padang di New Delhi, Stephen memberitahu dua perlawanan persahabatan telah diaturkan iaitu bertemu Kanada dan Afrika Selatan.

Utusan

'Kami banyak peningkatan'

2010-09-29T07:54:00.000+05:30

SKUAD hoki wanita negara telah mempamerkan banyak peningkatan dan perkembangan itu mengundang khabar gembira menjelang Sukan Komanwel 2010 yang akan bermula di New Delhi, India, Ahad ini.
Perkara tersebut diakui jurulatih, Yahya Atan yang ternyata berpuas hati dengan komitmen yang dipamerkan anak- anak buahnya dalam beberapa kejo- hanan disertai sebelum ini.
"Setakat ini, persembahan serta prestasi yang dipamerkan oleh barisan pemain saya berada pada tahap yang terbaik.

"Dalam beberapa kejohanan yang disertai sebelum ini, pemain-pemain telah banyak mempamerkan peningkatan yang mana ia merupakan suatu perkembangan positif buat pasukan.
"Bagi menghadapi Sukan Komanwel kali ini, apa yang boleh saya katakan ialah kami telah bersedia sepenuhnya," kata Yahya.

Yahya berkata demikian pada majlis mengumumkan senarai 16 pemain yang bakal membarisi skuad hoki wanita negara beraksi pada temasya yang akan memasuki edisi ke-19 itu di Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur semalam.

Turut hadir pada majlis tersebut Presiden Persatuan Hoki Wanita Malaysia (MWHA), Raja Puan Sri Datuk Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.

Sebagai rekod, skuad hoki wanita negara berjaya memperbaiki ranking dunia pada Kejohanan Cabaran Juara-Juara (2) 2009 di Kazan, Rusia yang mana mereka melonjak dua anak tangga untuk menduduki tangga ke-22.

Tidak cukup dengan itu, pengala- man beraksi pada saingan kelaya- kan Piala Dunia awal tahun ini di Santiago, Chile telah memberi pendedahan berguna buat mereka yang rata-ratanya dibarisi pemain-pemain muda.

Sekalipun hanya menduduki tempat kelima, namun skuad hoki wanita negara berjaya mencipta keju- tan selepas mencatatkan satu kemenangan ke atas Ireland 3-1 yang mana mereka tewas di tangan Australia, Chile dan Scotland.

"Bagi saya kejohanan-kejohanan sedemikian sedikit sebanyak membantu kami memperbaiki segala kelemahan dalam usaha memantapkan skuad dan Sukan Komanwel kali ini adalah satu lagi landasan terbaik buat kami.

"Pada Sukan Komanwel nanti, kami dijadual berdepan England yang mana mereka merupakan pasukan yang menduduki tempat ketiga pada Piala Dunia yang lalu dan kami belum pernah beraksi menentang mereka sebelum ini," jelas Yahya.

Selain England, skuad hoki wanita yang diundi dalam Kumpulan B pada temasya di New Delhi itu turut akan menentang Wales, Kanada dan New Zealand.

Oleh HELMI TALKAH
helmi.talkah@kosmo.com.my

Kontinjen Kedua Negara Berlepas Ke New Delhi

2010-09-29T07:49:00.001+05:30

SEPANG, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Kontinjen negara merangkumi 93 atlet dan pegawai diketuai ketua kontinjen Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib berlepas ke New Delhi, India, untuk menyertai Sukan Komanwel ke-19.

Kontinjen kedua itu adalah yang terbesar selepas skuad boling padang berlepas ke ibu negara India itu, Jumaat lepas.

Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Razali Ibrahim berkata kontinjen tersebut turut diiringi dua orang pegawai polis selaku pegawai kontinjen untuk menjaga keselamatan atlet di sana.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas mengucapkan selamat jalan kepada kontinjen itu di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa KL (KLIA) di sini, Selasa, beliau berharap sebarang kekurangan di temasya itu dapat ditangani oleh pihak penganjur sebelum temasya itu bermula Ahad ini.

Kontinjen hari ini merangkumi enam anggota skuad gimnastik, angkat berat, akuatik, memanah, badminton dan berbasikal.

Malaysia, yang menghantar 201 atlet dan 95 pegawai dalam menyertai dalam 17 jenis sukan pada temasya itu, mensasarkan 10 pingat emas iaitu jumlah sama semasa Kuala Lumpur menjadi tuan rumah pada 1998.

-- BERNAMA

CDM Heads Second Batch Of Athletes To New Delhi

2010-09-29T07:48:00.001+05:30

SEPANG, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian contingent Chef-de-Mission (CDM) Tan Sri Abdul Halil Abdul Mutalib headed the second batch of athletes who left to New Delhi, India for the Commonwealth Games that starts on Monday.

The athletes were also accompanied by two police officers to ensure their safety during the games.

The first batch of athletes, led by the lawn bowls team, had already arrived in New Delhi on Friday.

Among the teams that left to New Delhi were athletes from gymnastics, weightlifting, aquatics, archery, badminton and cycling.

The Malaysian contingent to New Delhi would comprise 201 athletes and 95 officials who will be hoping to win 10 gold medals through the 17 sports featured by the country's athletes.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Malaysian Officials Still Unsatisfied With Games V...

2010-09-28T10:06:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Malaysian Officials Still Unsatisfied With Games V...: "By P. Vijian NEW DELHI, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Anxious Malaysian officials have yet to give the thumbs-up for conditions at the Games Villa..."

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Semangat 'Harimau Malaya'

2010-09-21T08:15:00.002+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Semangat 'Harimau Malaya': "MENTERI Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek mahu lagu kebangsaan bergema sebanyak 10 kali pada temasya Sukan Komanwel 2010 di New..."

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Sports Minister wants athletes to surpass 10-gold ...

2010-09-21T08:15:00.001+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Sports Minister wants athletes to surpass 10-gold ...: "PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian contingent have been challenged to go beyond the country’s 10-gold medal target at the Commonwealth Games ..."

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Ministry Assures Athletes Of Safety In New Delhi

2010-09-21T08:15:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Ministry Assures Athletes Of Safety In New Delhi: " PUTRAJAYA, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry on Monday gave an assurance that it would take measures ..."

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Shabery: We can surpass target

2010-09-21T08:14:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Shabery: We can surpass target: "(From left): Mohd Amir Mohd Yusof, Nor Iryani Azmi, Siti Zalina Ahmad, Nor Hashimah Ismail and Azim Azami Ariffin with the Jalur Gemilang a..."

How to prevent dengue? ...nyamuk aedes!

2010-09-20T10:57:00.000+05:30

Prevention is basically by:

Avoiding mosquito bites (by using mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin (KBR3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus)
Eliminating pockets of stagnant water that serve as mosquito breeding sites at home, workplaces and their vicinity,
Not storing water in open containers. Covering all water containers with lids.
Preventing mosquito entry by keeping doors closed and windows screened.
Wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors.
Using mosquito nets at home.
Scrubbing and cleaning margins of containers used for water (to dislodge the eggs of Aedes aegypti)
Covering overhead tank to prevent access to mosquitoes.
Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day; therefore, special precautions should be taken during early morning hours before day break and in the late afternoon before dark.
There is no commercially available dengue vaccine (for dengue Flavivirus).

Commonwealth Games Athletes To Be Briefed On Healthcare

2010-09-20T10:55:00.001+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysian athletes bound for New Delhi Commonwealth Games from Oct 3-14 will be given a briefing on healthcare tomorrow.

Malaysian Olympic Council (MOM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said the briefing by National Sports Institute (ISN) will focus on prevention of dengue fever, cough and diarrhoea.

"ISN's guideline should be followed. The athletes are responsible for their own health," he told reporters at MOM Aidilfitri open house here Saturday.

Malaysia is sending a contingent of 203 athletes and 99 officials to the Indian capital.

The Indian media had reported 140 dengue fever cases including 123 in New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao yesterday said that reports of dengue cases had been exaggerated and assured that the games would start as scheduled.

Malaysia is competing in 14 events namely aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowling, ping pong, shooting, squash, rugby and three paralympic events.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Awas ancaman batuk, cirit birit: Ramlan

2010-08-24T11:57:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Awas ancaman batuk, cirit birit: Ramlan: "INSTITUT Sukan Negara (ISN) akan memberi taklimat kepada semua anggota kontinjen negara ke Sukan Komanwel mengenai aspek kesihatan yang perl..."

CWG Athletes To Be Briefed Of Health Precautions, Procedures

2010-08-24T07:06:00.001+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Institute (ISN) will brief all Malaysian athletes for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, on health procedures and precautions.

ISN director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said among information provided are those involving ways to avoid and prevent cough and diarrhea.

"The two-day briefing is to ensure athletes know what to do and what not to do when participating in the games," he told Bernama here Monday.

Dr Ramlan when commenting on concerns raised by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi on the widespread of dengue in India, said members of the Malaysian contingent to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from Oct 3 to 14, would be provided with anti-dengue pills.

The OCM had received a reminder from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Adviser Tan Sri Dr M Jegathesan who is also the OCM deputy president, on Friday.

In India, 140 dengue cases were reported with New Delhi accounting for 123 cases.

Dr Ramlan said ISN would also send a medical team with the Malaysian contingent to monitor the situation.

The Malaysian contingent to New Delhi will comprise of 203 athletes and 99 officials who will compete in 14 of the 17 sports hosted by India.

Malaysian athletes will compete in aquatics, weightlifting, badminton, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, archery, shooting, athletics, table tennis, squash, wrestling, rugby (7s) and three paralympic sports.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Farkhan on a double mission

2010-08-19T09:10:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Farkhan on a double mission: "PETALING JAYA: National boxer Mohd Farkhan Haron wants to kill two birds with one stone at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in Octo..."

MOM Minta Penjelasan India Mengenai Dakwaan Diskriminasi

2010-08-13T07:17:00.001+05:30

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Ogos (Bernama) -- Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) akan meminta penjelasan daripada Jawatankuasa Penganjur Sukan Komanwel New Delhi mengenai dakwaan diskriminasi dan pilih bangsa yang diterima oleh seorang bekas editor sukan dari Malaysia.

Setiausaha kehormat MOM Datuk Sieh Kok Chi berkata sungguhpun hubungan baik nya dengan Jawatankuasa Olimpik India, MOM perlu menjelaskan mengenai dakwaan bekas editor sukan Malay Mail, Tony Mariadass.

Sieh berkata beliau sedar dengan layanan buruk yang diberikan pegawai India dan sebelum ini telah menghantar surat aduan kepada jawatankuasa itu.

"Tetapi mereka tidak pernah menjawab surat saya. Dan apabila masalah Mariadass disiarkan oleh Hindustan Times semalam, saya terkejut apabila mengetahui bahawa rakyat Malaysia yang bertugas dengan jawatankuasa itu menerima layanan yang begitu buruk.

"Saya kasihan kepada mereka," katanya kepada Bernama apabila diminta mengulas mengenai laporan Bernama dari New Delhi pada Rabu.

India akan menjadi tuan rumah Sukan Komanwel ke-19 di New Delhi dari 3 hingga 14 Okt.

Dalam artikel bertajuk "Kini, Sikap Perkauman Melanda Jawatankuasa Penganjur Sukan" yang disiarkan oleh Hindustan Times, yang memetik Mariadass sebagai berkata bahawa rakyat Malaysia menerima layanan buruk daripada pegawai India.

Beliau berkata tidak seperti pegawai yang dipinjamkan dari Australia, England dan New Zealand yang menikmati layanan terbaik.

Lima rakyat Malaysia bertugas dengan jawatankuasa itu dalam pelbagai kapasiti -- pegawai media untuk pengurus venue, tetapi Mariadass telah berhenti bekerja bulan lepas.

Sieh berkata jawatankuasa itu sebelum ini telah meminta beberapa pakar dari Malaysia untuk mengisi jawatan kosong dalam jawatankuasa tersebut dan pegawai dari New Delhi telah datang untuk mengadakan temuduga di sini.

"Tetapi MOM tidak tahu mengenai perjanjian antara kedua-dua pihak. Dan saya tidak pernah memimpikan bahawa setelah bertugas dengan jawatankuasa tersebut beberapa bulan, mereka akan menghadapi banyak masalah," tambah beliau.

Sieh berkata beliau akan menulis surat sekali lagi kepada pihak berkuasa sukan India untuk meminta penjelasan mengenai dakwaan Mariadass.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Cries Alleged Discrimination At Delhi Commonwealth Games

2010-08-12T07:07:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- A senior Malaysian journalist hired by the Indian Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) has claimed there was serious discrimination and racial bias in the administration, reported the Hindustan Times today.

Five Malaysians were employed by the OC in various capacities -- media officers to venue managers, but one of them had quit the job last month.

In an article titled "Now, Racism Charges Hits Games OC", the newspaper reported, quoting Tony Mariadass, former Malay Mail sports editor, that Malaysians received unpalatable treatment from the Indian officials.

He added that unlike officials hired from Australia, England and New Zealand who enjoyed cozy treatment, he was subject to impoverished treatment.

"I felt ashamed being here as a Malaysian. His (foreign official) apartment is about five or six times the size of my flat. Do we have to endure this discrimination.

"The 'whites' have bigger apartments, some with four rooms! Working conditions have been very poor with no respect for us Malaysians," lashed out Tony in an email to OC top officials, which was obtained by the Hindustan Times.

Malaysians, the newspaper claimed, were lodged at inferior apartments while other foreigner officials were allotted luxury houses in up market areas.

But Lalit Bhanot, the OC's secretary general, rebutted such claims, saying there was no racism.

"Now that there are stories circulating in the media, everyone wants to put in their version. There's been no racism whatsoever," he was quoted as saying.

Tony, who was put in charge of press operations, had also mentioned that his superior had verbally abused him.

"He (the boss) further abused me to go back to Malaysia and said I am a cranky old man who does not do any work. I will not stand this kind of abuse, especially when I am hired here for my experience," said Tony.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Tengku Abdullah mahu teruskan misi

2010-08-10T07:32:00.000+05:30

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!: Tengku Abdullah mahu teruskan misi: "TENGKU ABDULLAH (tengah) menyaksikan pertukaran perjanjian persefahaman di antara Azman (kiri) dan Nur Azmi sambil diperhatikan Leo Moggie ..."