Malacca the inaugural champions

Hosts Malacca emerged as champions for the inaugural Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Under-21 Tournament held at the Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium in Malacca on Saturday.

In the final, Malacca almost blew their chances as they led twice in regulation time but ended up drawing 2-2 and in the ensuing penalty stroke competition, Major Inderjit Singh (pic) scored the decisive flick in sudden death to give Malacca a 6-5 win. Singapore Khalsa finished third in the four team event as Seremban failed to show up. -- By S.S. Dhaliwal

Fun-filled day with Jojo Struys

JOJO: Played to raise funds for children.

THE fun-filled CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis event saw captains of the industry and celebrities rubbing shoulders, and the idea was well liked by Unites States Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones.
Jones was sworn in three months ago, and said the event gave him an opportunity to mingle around with the who-is who in Malaysia.
“I am not a serious tennis player but took up the offer to get to know more people in Malaysia as I have only been in the country for three months.
“This is a very good idea, and I enjoyed myself on and off the court,” said Jones.
Among the celebrities, Jojo Struys was a chirpy was when she is on air.
“Wonderful day today. I enjoy competing in this event as it is casual and you get to know some very interesting captains of the industry.
“My tennis is a little rusty, but I enjoyed myself so much that I am going to start training from tomorrow itself for the next event!,” said the celebrity, who had acted in the Chicken Rice War.
The other TV presenters who attended the event were Azura Zainal, Tengku Firhad, Adriana Aris, Abbas Saad, Angeline Chong and Seelan Paul.
Corporate bigwig Yvonne Chia, the Hong Leong Bank Group managing director, was the best women finisher on 19 points and said she makes it a point to attend the event.
“This is my second time playing in this event as I make it a point to play when I am in town. I enjoy the company, and the stress-free environment is among its draw-cards,” said Yvonne.

Cardiologist with a good heart

CONSULTANT Cardiologist Datuk Dr Devan Pilay (pic) was the runaway winner in the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis event at the National Tennis Complex in Jalan Duta yes terday.
The event, organised to garner funds to help children in need of medical care, saw 44 entries and in the end, collected a total of RM61,160 for the worthy cause.
Ling Hee Kiat, director of SHH Resources, and Paul Poh Yang Hong, the Managing Director of Corporate and Private Equity Group Investment, ended tied for the second spot on 22 points.
The third spot also saw Television personality Soo Kui Jien and Chief Operating Officer of GO Communications Peter de Kretser sharing the honours on 21 points.
The tournament ran on a different format, as each player played in five doubles matches where they changed partners after each match.
The top five winners received a trophy each while every participant received a framed caricature of themselves in tennis attire.
“The event is getting bigger each year and every par ticipant that I spoke to today only had good things to say about it. They had fun in the sun, and at the same time, contributed for a good cause.
“Our target was to collect RM60,000 to help children in need of medical care and we achieved it. The biggest contribution came from Bursa Malaysia, who chipped in RM20,000,” said New Straits Times Press Chief Executive Officer Datuk Anthony Bujang.
Datuk Devan keeps himself fit by playing tennis twice a week, but his first love was badminton.
“I used to play badminton in Victoria Institution and was the doubles partner to Razif (Sidek) in the national juniors those days.
“I loved the sport but my father told me to forget about it and concentrate on my studies. So, instead of becoming a national sportsman, I turned into a cardiologist,” said De van.
But he picked up tennis and actively keeps himself fit: “I have played in all three editions of this tournament, and you could say that I am third-time lucky,” quipped Devan.
And among the celebrities former Malaysian Idol host Soo Kui Jien was the only one who ended up with a trophy when he finished joint third.
Jien, who got his big break when he became a host on the Disney Channel in 1997, was the Emcee yesterday and kept the event lively.
RESULTS: 1 Datuk Dr Devan Pillay (25 points), 2 Ling Hee Kiat (22 pts), 3 Paul Poh Yang Hong (22 pts), 4 Soo Kui Jien (21 pts), 5 Peter de Kretser (21 pts).