23/07/2002
HIDAYAT Hamidon, winner of one gold and one silver in the 1998 Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games, prematurely ended his career when he
"disappeared" after receiving a payout of RM120,000 from the National
Sports Council for his feat.
It was a controversial decision and many lambasted the naturalised
Malaysian, an Indonesian by birth, and he was virtually in the wilderness
for the past three years where he kept away from weights, and instead, got
married and is now a father of one.
When met at the NSC in Bukit Jalil, Hidayat said he prefers to forget
his hiatus and is ready to lift a few more medals for Malaysia.
"I want to forget the bad experience I had after the `98 Games and keep
a cool head for Manchester where I am good for a few medals in the 69kg
category," said Hidayat.
His teammate, Matin Guntali, lifted three bronze medals in `98 but is
now the national coach, and the other medal hopeful in Manchester is
Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim - a strong favourite for gold in the 56kg category.
But his kampung mate Faizal Baharom, who is in the same category, is
also looking to steal the thunder.
The fact that both hail from Rompin, Pahang, is no coincidence as the
district is known for producing weightlifters.
In the KL Games, Rompin's Abdul Rahman Ahmad was a potential gold
medallist, but he failed and hung his weights for good. But this time, the
Rompin connection looks like a solid bet.
In the rankings released by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at
the end of last year, Hidayat was second in the 69kg category while Amirul
is the joint No 1 with India's A.K. Pandian, who is the defending champion
in the 56kg category.
Besides Hidayat and Amirul, Malaysia will have Edmund Yeo (105kg),
Faizal Baharom (56kg) and Roswadi Rashid (62kg) in Manchester.
Team co-ordinator Jamaluddin Samir said Malaysia are capable of meeting
the target set based on the CGF rankings and the performance of the
lifters in the recent National Open in Malacca.
"We are looking to Amirul to deliver two gold and one from Hidayat.
Amirul and Hidayat were sent to Indonesia for three months of training.
"This is the first time that we have set such a high target which is
based on the progress of the lifters and with Matin's experience, we have
faith they will deliver in Manchester."
jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Manchester a whole new ball game
20/07/2002
THE year 1998 literally ended in a big bang for the national shooters when
they landed one gold, four silver and three bronze medals in the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
But that was in their own backyard.
Manchester will be a whole new ball game. The shooters not only have to
out-shoot the best in the world but get used to the environment as well.
The good news though is that naturalised Malaysian Irina Maharani has
been included in the squad, unlike `98 when she was shot down even before
she could get her pistol out.
This time around Irina, the 1986 world champion in sport pistol, will be
available as she has fulfilled the Games criteria.
The Ukrainian-born Irina was denied the chance to don Malaysian colours
in 1998 for failing to meet eligibility requirements which state that an
athlete had to be a citizen of his or her country for three years before
being eligible to compete in ISSF-sanctioned tournaments.
Irina got her citizenship just months before the KL `98 Games and
Malaysia subsequently lost two potential golds as her 388 mark could have
easily beaten the best of the air pistol competitors in Langkawi.
To boost Malaysia's chances in Manchester, the shooters went on a tour
of Europe and are still there competing and training.
Their first stint was in Belarus where Irina, Hasli Izwan Amir Hassan
and Bibiana Ng were selected by the National Shooting Association of
Malaysia (NSAM) for exposure.
Belarus was coach Viktar Prykhodzka's playground and he convinced NSAM
that it would do the shooters a world of good because they have good
facilities there.
Then it was off to the World Championships in Lahti, Finland where the
trio of Nurul Hudda Baharin, Irina and Bibiana found out that Manchester
is going to be one tough shootout.
The results in Finland showed that Australia and India will start as
favourites to land gold in the women's air rifle and air pistol.
Nurul Hudda, who will defend the women's air rifle gold, found herself
demoted to fifth in the Commonwealth rankings when the policewoman
finished joint 52nd in Lahti with a 390 score.
Her rivals Anjali Bhagwat of India, Australia's Susan McCready,
England's Louise Minett and Suma Shirur, finished above her.
Anjali shot 395 to finish joint 13th, followed by Susan and Louise at
joint 29th (393) and Suma at 47th (391).
Irina and Bibiana, earmarked for a medal in the air pistol, were also
below par in Finland. The duo are ranked second in the Commonwealth in
sport pistol behind Australian duo Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Linda Ryan, who
shot a combined 1,158 in Lahti.
In air pistol, Irina and Bibiana will need to overcome Lalita and Linda
as well as Canada's Kim Eagles and Dorothy Hare.
The best medal prospects in Manchester will be Emran Zakaria (men's
three position), Zulkeflee Hamsan (men's full-bore) and Irina and Bibiana
(women's air pistol pairs).
Emran finished joint 38th in Lahti but his 1,150 score places on top of
the Commonwealth rankings, followed by Australia's Sam Wieland at 1,145.
Zulkeflee won silverware - the Forntrope and Kenya trophies - at a
recent competition in Bisley besides entering the Queens final.
But statistics mean nothing in shooting. If Nurul Hudda could win the
gold in KL `98 even with her arm in a sling, anything can happen in
Manchester.
(END)
THE year 1998 literally ended in a big bang for the national shooters when
they landed one gold, four silver and three bronze medals in the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games.
But that was in their own backyard.
Manchester will be a whole new ball game. The shooters not only have to
out-shoot the best in the world but get used to the environment as well.
The good news though is that naturalised Malaysian Irina Maharani has
been included in the squad, unlike `98 when she was shot down even before
she could get her pistol out.
This time around Irina, the 1986 world champion in sport pistol, will be
available as she has fulfilled the Games criteria.
The Ukrainian-born Irina was denied the chance to don Malaysian colours
in 1998 for failing to meet eligibility requirements which state that an
athlete had to be a citizen of his or her country for three years before
being eligible to compete in ISSF-sanctioned tournaments.
Irina got her citizenship just months before the KL `98 Games and
Malaysia subsequently lost two potential golds as her 388 mark could have
easily beaten the best of the air pistol competitors in Langkawi.
To boost Malaysia's chances in Manchester, the shooters went on a tour
of Europe and are still there competing and training.
Their first stint was in Belarus where Irina, Hasli Izwan Amir Hassan
and Bibiana Ng were selected by the National Shooting Association of
Malaysia (NSAM) for exposure.
Belarus was coach Viktar Prykhodzka's playground and he convinced NSAM
that it would do the shooters a world of good because they have good
facilities there.
Then it was off to the World Championships in Lahti, Finland where the
trio of Nurul Hudda Baharin, Irina and Bibiana found out that Manchester
is going to be one tough shootout.
The results in Finland showed that Australia and India will start as
favourites to land gold in the women's air rifle and air pistol.
Nurul Hudda, who will defend the women's air rifle gold, found herself
demoted to fifth in the Commonwealth rankings when the policewoman
finished joint 52nd in Lahti with a 390 score.
Her rivals Anjali Bhagwat of India, Australia's Susan McCready,
England's Louise Minett and Suma Shirur, finished above her.
Anjali shot 395 to finish joint 13th, followed by Susan and Louise at
joint 29th (393) and Suma at 47th (391).
Irina and Bibiana, earmarked for a medal in the air pistol, were also
below par in Finland. The duo are ranked second in the Commonwealth in
sport pistol behind Australian duo Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Linda Ryan, who
shot a combined 1,158 in Lahti.
In air pistol, Irina and Bibiana will need to overcome Lalita and Linda
as well as Canada's Kim Eagles and Dorothy Hare.
The best medal prospects in Manchester will be Emran Zakaria (men's
three position), Zulkeflee Hamsan (men's full-bore) and Irina and Bibiana
(women's air pistol pairs).
Emran finished joint 38th in Lahti but his 1,150 score places on top of
the Commonwealth rankings, followed by Australia's Sam Wieland at 1,145.
Zulkeflee won silverware - the Forntrope and Kenya trophies - at a
recent competition in Bisley besides entering the Queens final.
But statistics mean nothing in shooting. If Nurul Hudda could win the
gold in KL `98 even with her arm in a sling, anything can happen in
Manchester.
(END)
Women put on a brave front
19/07/2002
THE national women's hockey team were deemed not good enough for the Busan
Asian Games, but they have been fielded for the Manchester Commonwealth
Games.
Common sense will tell that the Asian Games is where the young and
inexperienced hockey players should head for, and not the Commonwealth
Games where they are going to get mauled.
But nothing can be done right now. The Commonwealth Games ticket fell on
Malaysia's laps when Jamaica withdrew, so the women put on a brave front
and trained like crazy. On days when they had university examinations,
they trained at night.
And eventhough they know that the best that they can do is try and
finish sixth in the eight-pool tournament, a fierce determination is
painted on all the girls faces.
The bonding in the women's team is there for all to see, and they hug
and kiss each other, even with team officials, to console and consolidate
their quest not to turn into a whipping side.
The squad, with an average age of 19, will be charting the future of
women's hockey in the country which badly needs results.
From the sixteen selected, only eight have played in the Sea Games and
the World Cup Qualifier in France last year - the rest are under-18
players who will be spreading their wings for the first time on foreign
soil.
But even before the first whistle, they received the unkindest cut by
being grouped with Scotland, South Africa and Australia. Australia are
their last group opponents and the Commonwealth Games defending champions,
World and Olympic champions are expected to have a field day against our
girls.
At the `98 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the Malaysians lost 11-0 to
Australia.
Their opening match is against Scotland and it is their best bet for
goals, and victory will be considered a big upset. At the KL Games,
Malaysia lost 2-1 and at the World Cup Qualifier, Malaysia lost 4-2. South
Africa are the dark continent because Malaysia have never met them.
Malaysian Hockey Federation (women's section) secretary S. Shamala,
always busy as a bee, feels that the exposure will do the team a great
favour.
"Since this is a young side, I feel that the exposure in Manchester will
prepare them to put up a challenge in the 2006 Asian Games," said Shamala.
(END)
THE national women's hockey team were deemed not good enough for the Busan
Asian Games, but they have been fielded for the Manchester Commonwealth
Games.
Common sense will tell that the Asian Games is where the young and
inexperienced hockey players should head for, and not the Commonwealth
Games where they are going to get mauled.
But nothing can be done right now. The Commonwealth Games ticket fell on
Malaysia's laps when Jamaica withdrew, so the women put on a brave front
and trained like crazy. On days when they had university examinations,
they trained at night.
And eventhough they know that the best that they can do is try and
finish sixth in the eight-pool tournament, a fierce determination is
painted on all the girls faces.
The bonding in the women's team is there for all to see, and they hug
and kiss each other, even with team officials, to console and consolidate
their quest not to turn into a whipping side.
The squad, with an average age of 19, will be charting the future of
women's hockey in the country which badly needs results.
From the sixteen selected, only eight have played in the Sea Games and
the World Cup Qualifier in France last year - the rest are under-18
players who will be spreading their wings for the first time on foreign
soil.
But even before the first whistle, they received the unkindest cut by
being grouped with Scotland, South Africa and Australia. Australia are
their last group opponents and the Commonwealth Games defending champions,
World and Olympic champions are expected to have a field day against our
girls.
At the `98 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the Malaysians lost 11-0 to
Australia.
Their opening match is against Scotland and it is their best bet for
goals, and victory will be considered a big upset. At the KL Games,
Malaysia lost 2-1 and at the World Cup Qualifier, Malaysia lost 4-2. South
Africa are the dark continent because Malaysia have never met them.
Malaysian Hockey Federation (women's section) secretary S. Shamala,
always busy as a bee, feels that the exposure will do the team a great
favour.
"Since this is a young side, I feel that the exposure in Manchester will
prepare them to put up a challenge in the 2006 Asian Games," said Shamala.
(END)
Shapawi: RM19.5 million well invested
19/07/2002
THE National Sports Council (NSC) has been very flexible with their purse
strings, and the whopping RM19.4 million budgeted for the Manchester
Commonwealth Games and Busan Asian Games has paid dividends earlier than
expected.
Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, NSC director of international preparation,
revealed yesterday that their programme, carried forward after the success
of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games where Malaysia won 111 gold medals, has
brought in the medals at regional, Asian and world level.
"We set aside RM19.4 million to prepare the athletes for the
Commonwealth and Asian Games and the rewards have been pouring in from
every association," said Shapawi.
The money was well spent when you consider that the badminton squad won
silver in the Thomas Cup, boxer Adnan Jusoh clinched gold in the Asian
Championships and the women archers are now ranked fourth in Asia.
"In cycling, Josiah Ng finished second in the keirin event in the World
Cup; in gymnastics, Onn Kwang Tung won the pommel horse gold at the
Pacific Alliance; the `karate kids' brought in three golds, four silver
and six bronze from the Asian Championships" said a proud Shapawi.
"In short, the money has been put to good use by the associations to
train their athletes leading up to the Commonwealth and Asian
Games," he added.
Lawn bowls is another sterling example.
They swept seven of the eight gold medals at the Asia Championships in
Manila recently. They also did the country proud by winning 33 of 46
matches in their recent tour of Scotland.
And shooter Bibiana Ng entered the final of the World Championships.
"In bowling, the keglers finished with one gold, two silver and one
bronze in the Asian FIQ Championships while men's hockey did well to
finish eighth in the recent KualaLumpur World Cup," said Shapawi.
In short, it was well worth the money, and now, the NSC is looking for
good outings in the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Shapawi also provided the breakdown which showed that the bulk of the
money went towards foreign and local coaches and the 416 athletes under
the NSC programme.
"We have 34 foreign and 32 local coaches under the programme assisted by
six officials and the budget for them was RM4.8 million.
"This included salaries, housing, transport and flight tickets," said
Shapawi.
For the 416 athletes, RM5 million was budgeted for them.
"And it included their salaries, allowances, tuition fees, insurance,
medical, training and food suppliments."
Another RM2.2 million was for the upgrading of training facilities.
"The biggest slice was for the training programme which was RM7.4
million as this involved domestic and international competitions and
exposure trips.
"The money has been put to good use," said Shapawi.
(END)
THE National Sports Council (NSC) has been very flexible with their purse
strings, and the whopping RM19.4 million budgeted for the Manchester
Commonwealth Games and Busan Asian Games has paid dividends earlier than
expected.
Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, NSC director of international preparation,
revealed yesterday that their programme, carried forward after the success
of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games where Malaysia won 111 gold medals, has
brought in the medals at regional, Asian and world level.
"We set aside RM19.4 million to prepare the athletes for the
Commonwealth and Asian Games and the rewards have been pouring in from
every association," said Shapawi.
The money was well spent when you consider that the badminton squad won
silver in the Thomas Cup, boxer Adnan Jusoh clinched gold in the Asian
Championships and the women archers are now ranked fourth in Asia.
"In cycling, Josiah Ng finished second in the keirin event in the World
Cup; in gymnastics, Onn Kwang Tung won the pommel horse gold at the
Pacific Alliance; the `karate kids' brought in three golds, four silver
and six bronze from the Asian Championships" said a proud Shapawi.
"In short, the money has been put to good use by the associations to
train their athletes leading up to the Commonwealth and Asian
Games," he added.
Lawn bowls is another sterling example.
They swept seven of the eight gold medals at the Asia Championships in
Manila recently. They also did the country proud by winning 33 of 46
matches in their recent tour of Scotland.
And shooter Bibiana Ng entered the final of the World Championships.
"In bowling, the keglers finished with one gold, two silver and one
bronze in the Asian FIQ Championships while men's hockey did well to
finish eighth in the recent KualaLumpur World Cup," said Shapawi.
In short, it was well worth the money, and now, the NSC is looking for
good outings in the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Shapawi also provided the breakdown which showed that the bulk of the
money went towards foreign and local coaches and the 416 athletes under
the NSC programme.
"We have 34 foreign and 32 local coaches under the programme assisted by
six officials and the budget for them was RM4.8 million.
"This included salaries, housing, transport and flight tickets," said
Shapawi.
For the 416 athletes, RM5 million was budgeted for them.
"And it included their salaries, allowances, tuition fees, insurance,
medical, training and food suppliments."
Another RM2.2 million was for the upgrading of training facilities.
"The biggest slice was for the training programme which was RM7.4
million as this involved domestic and international competitions and
exposure trips.
"The money has been put to good use," said Shapawi.
(END)
Ipoh need to be cautious
19/07/2002
IPOH City Council have two easy matches in Group A this weekend in the
Malaysian Hockey Federation-Milo-Admiral NSC Junior League, but
nevertheless, they will have to tread with caution.
Ipoh, with capable defenders S. Bubalan, Mohamed Nor Othman and Shukur
Adam, are tied on 13 points with Olak-MPK and they will not only have to
clinch six points against Krian Hockey Association today and Armed Forces
Apprentice Training School on Sunday, but also hammer in as many goals as
possible.
Olak have tougher fixtures. They meet Sultan Abu Bakar College today and
Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) on Sunday and the possibility of
dropping points looms large for the Klang side.
Group A leaders Tenaga Nasional Bhd should have no problems overcoming
Penang Indians Sports Club on Sunday and book one semi-final slot.
Olak, Ipoh and PJMC will be battling for the last ticket and goals will
be a vital factor.
"We have tougher fixtures compared to Ipoh, but the first match against
Sultan Abu Bakar College should not be a problem.
"And against PJMC, we have a proud record of never having lost to them
since the inception of the Junior League. The closest PJMC have come was
holding us to a draw once. And last year, when they had a better team, we
beat them 1-0," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
And to achieve their target, Olak will revert to psychology.
"Come and watch for yourself how we use psychology against PJMC on
Sunday at the Tun Razak Stadium," was all Joseph was willing to reveal.
Olak fans, with banners and all, will be at the venue in full force in
what looks the most exciting encounter of the weekend.
Today: Perak Malays Hockey Association v Malay Mail (Azlan Shah Stadium
2, 4.45pm); Ipoh City Council v Krian Hockey Association ((Azlan Shah
Stadium 1, 5.15pm); Penang Indians Sports Club v Petaling Jaya Municipal
Council (Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Olak-MPK v Sultan Abu Bakar
College (Pandamaran Stadium, 5.15pm); Armed Forces Apprentice Training
School v Yayasan Negri Sembilan (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm).
Tomorrow: Seberang Prai Municipal Council v Serdang Hockey Club
(Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Pahang Telekom v Taiping Hockey
Association (Kuantan Stadium, 5.15pm); SMK Datuk Taha v Terengganu Sports
Council (Malacca Hockey Stadium, 5.15pm); SMK Anderson v Johor Sports
Council (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5.15pm); Malaysia Sports School v Synergy
Hockey Club (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm).
Sunday: Petaling Jaya Municipal Council v Olak-MPK (Tun Razak Stadium,
4pm); Yayasan Negri Sembilan v Perak Malays Hockey Association (Seremban
II Stadium, 5.15pm); Penang Indians Sports Club v Tenaga Nasional
(Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Armed Forces Apprentice Training School v
Ipoh City Council (Tun Razak Stadium, 6pm); Malay Mail v Sultan Abu Bakar
College (Tun Razak Stadium, 8pm).
(END)
IPOH City Council have two easy matches in Group A this weekend in the
Malaysian Hockey Federation-Milo-Admiral NSC Junior League, but
nevertheless, they will have to tread with caution.
Ipoh, with capable defenders S. Bubalan, Mohamed Nor Othman and Shukur
Adam, are tied on 13 points with Olak-MPK and they will not only have to
clinch six points against Krian Hockey Association today and Armed Forces
Apprentice Training School on Sunday, but also hammer in as many goals as
possible.
Olak have tougher fixtures. They meet Sultan Abu Bakar College today and
Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) on Sunday and the possibility of
dropping points looms large for the Klang side.
Group A leaders Tenaga Nasional Bhd should have no problems overcoming
Penang Indians Sports Club on Sunday and book one semi-final slot.
Olak, Ipoh and PJMC will be battling for the last ticket and goals will
be a vital factor.
"We have tougher fixtures compared to Ipoh, but the first match against
Sultan Abu Bakar College should not be a problem.
"And against PJMC, we have a proud record of never having lost to them
since the inception of the Junior League. The closest PJMC have come was
holding us to a draw once. And last year, when they had a better team, we
beat them 1-0," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
And to achieve their target, Olak will revert to psychology.
"Come and watch for yourself how we use psychology against PJMC on
Sunday at the Tun Razak Stadium," was all Joseph was willing to reveal.
Olak fans, with banners and all, will be at the venue in full force in
what looks the most exciting encounter of the weekend.
Today: Perak Malays Hockey Association v Malay Mail (Azlan Shah Stadium
2, 4.45pm); Ipoh City Council v Krian Hockey Association ((Azlan Shah
Stadium 1, 5.15pm); Penang Indians Sports Club v Petaling Jaya Municipal
Council (Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Olak-MPK v Sultan Abu Bakar
College (Pandamaran Stadium, 5.15pm); Armed Forces Apprentice Training
School v Yayasan Negri Sembilan (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm).
Tomorrow: Seberang Prai Municipal Council v Serdang Hockey Club
(Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Pahang Telekom v Taiping Hockey
Association (Kuantan Stadium, 5.15pm); SMK Datuk Taha v Terengganu Sports
Council (Malacca Hockey Stadium, 5.15pm); SMK Anderson v Johor Sports
Council (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5.15pm); Malaysia Sports School v Synergy
Hockey Club (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm).
Sunday: Petaling Jaya Municipal Council v Olak-MPK (Tun Razak Stadium,
4pm); Yayasan Negri Sembilan v Perak Malays Hockey Association (Seremban
II Stadium, 5.15pm); Penang Indians Sports Club v Tenaga Nasional
(Seberang Prai Stadium, 5.15pm); Armed Forces Apprentice Training School v
Ipoh City Council (Tun Razak Stadium, 6pm); Malay Mail v Sultan Abu Bakar
College (Tun Razak Stadium, 8pm).
(END)
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