Malaysia bid for Olympic Qualifier

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) took early pre cautions to bid for the Olympic Qualifier, even before their men played their first match in the Asian Games in China.
The Asian Games offers one ticket to the Olympics, and it would be tough for Malaysia to snatch it from the jaws of South Korea, India and Pakistan.
Only Japan, who hosted the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers, are the other bidder and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will decide on the host today.
Malaysia have never hosted an Olympic Qualifier.
And that is why, the MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad and general manager Maninderjit Singh are in Switzerland to lobby for the bid.
The FIH will also be announcing the host countries for the Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cups, which will take place in 2014.
The FIH has received two bids for the showpiece events, with England and The Netherlands both giving a clear commitment to stage the tournaments.
“Both the president and manager are in Switzerland and the early indications are that Malaysia have an added edge because we have never hosted the event, while Japan hosted in in 2008,” said an MHF official who declined to be named as the council have yet to appoint some key positions after its Biennial General Meeting on Oct 31.
In the Asian Games, Malaysia have a relatively easy passage into the semi-finals as they should beat Singapore and Oman, and then afford a defeat against South Korea.
Their final match is against China, and it is expected to decided on the second semi-finalists from Group A.
Pakistan and India are the strong contenders for the semi- finals from Group B which also has Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong.

Only one change in MHF

Deputy president: Nur Azmi Ahmad (pic).
Vice presidents: Datuk Sri Che Khalib Noh, Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff, M. Gobinathan, Majid Manjid Abdullah.

NUR Azmi Ahmad (pic) retained his deputy president’s post by three votes at the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) elections in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He received 14 votes, while his challengers Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar got 11, Datuk Dr S.S. Chema 10 and Abdul Hadi 1.
In the vice-presidents’ race, three incumbents retained their seats with Datuk Seri Che Khalib Noh receiving 29 votes, Datuk Rahim Mohamed Ariff 26, and M. Gobinathan 25. The newcomer is Majid Manjit Abdullah who received 18 votes.
The total number of votes should have been 42, but Perlis HA (two votes) did not attend as it has been deregistered, while the secretary and treasurer were also not allowed to vote as their posts are now appointed and not elected.
That left 38 votes, but Sabah vice-president Ramlee Marahaban did not turn up, while MHF president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah abstained, leaving the ballot with only 36 votes.
“I hope everyone accepts the outcome of today’s (yesterday’s) voting and we close ranks because there is much work to be done over the next four years,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“And I would like to warn the affiliates and those who have just been voted in that if there is disharmony in MHF after this, I can always use my exit option and leave.”
Tengku Abdullah then touched on the 1Mas Hoki Programme and said that the prime minister has given MHF RM2 million and he wants to see accountability.
“Every Ringgit must be spent on developing players and buying equipment, nothing must be wasted,” he said.
“The prime minister will launch the 1Mas Hoki Programme, which took off in the middle of the year, on Dec 13 and he had said that he wants to see the project become a success and not die off prematurely,” added Tengku Abdullah.
“And since the PM and also the TM (Tengku Mahkota) are involved to make it a success, I want full commitment from the states so that in future we can have a bigger pool of talent to select from.”
Nur Azmi was elated with the win, but said there should not be a split in MHF after today.
“Voting is a democratic process and everyone should accept its outcome. In the end, all of us are working for the betterment of hockey, and should remain as friends and work towards a common goal,” said Nur Azmi.
And the immediate goal, said Tengku Abdullah, is to break into the world’s top 10 and this can be achieved if Malaysia qualify for the next World Cup.

Holy Cow! US$1,000,000 birdie...

BEN Crane of the United States had to wait until the final hole, where his birdie hit a jackpot of US1,000,000 in the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic at the Mines Golf and County Club.
He was tied on 17-under with Brian Davis of England, who had finished earlier, and the prospect of a playoff loomed large when his birdie attempt shot landed eight-feet from the pin at the 18th.
But Crane did not miss a beat and the sent in the ball with ease, and jumped with joy to celebrate the windfall at 18-under 266.

Second Round CIMB Asia Pacific Malaysia

131 Ben Crane (US) 67-64, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Thai) 66-65; 132 Ryan Moore (US) 64-68, Ricky Barnes (US) 63-69; 133 Carl Pettersson (Swe) 65-68; 134 Adam Scott (Aus) 69-65, Luke Donald (Eng) 67-67, D.J. Trahan (US) 67-67.
135 Kevin Streelman (US) 69-66, Tom Gillis (US) 69-66, Rickie Fowler (US) 68-67, Ernie Els (RSA) 67-68, Martin Laird (Scot) 66-69, Thongchai Jaidee (Thai) 66-69, Charlie Wi (S Kor) 65-70, Brian Davis (Eng) 65-70.
136 Tim Clark (RSA) 67-69, Michael Sim (Aus) 67-69, Mardan Mamat (Sing) 66-70; 137 Thaworn Wiratchant (Thai) 71-66, Siddikur Rahman (Bang) 69-68, Heath Slocum (US) 68-69.
138 Robert Allenby (Aus) 72-66, Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-69; 139 K.J. Choi (S Kor) 70-69, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 68-71; 140 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thai) 73-67, J.B. Holmes (US) 73-67, Noh Seung-yul (S Kor) 71-69; 141 Bill Haas (US) 72-69, Y.E. Yang (S Kor) 72-69, Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Jpn) 71-70, Kevin Na (S Kor) 70-71, Lam Chih-Bing (Sing) 69-72.
142 Ryan Palmer (US) 72-70, John Senden (Aus) 71-71, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70-72, Marc Leishman (Aus) 70-72; 143 Andrew Dodt (Aus) 68-75;
144 Shaaban Hussin (Mas) 72-72.

Paria and Crane in command

Ricky Barnes of the US plays a bunker shot in the second round of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan
Pariya, who had an opening round of 67, was in dazzling form with a six-under 65.

By Jugjet Singh

THAILAND'S Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Ben Crane of the United States shared the half-way lead in the US$6 million CIMB Asia Pacific Classic on 11-under 131 at the Mines Golf and Country Club yesterday.
Pariya was in classic form as he after an opening round of 67, he hit a six-under 65. And not to be outdone, Crane returned a seven-under 64 to tie at the top.
Malaysian Shaaban Hussin is entranched at the bottom after returning an identical one-over 72 for a two-over 144 total.
Overnight leader Ricky Barnes and Ryan Moore, both from the United States, were a stroke back while world number eight Luke Donald of England and Australian Adam Scott climbed into contention with a 67 and 65 respectively to lie three behind the leaders.
Three-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa warned his rivals he was capable of going low at the weekend after ending the second round in equal ninth place on 135 following a 68.
While the round of the day belonged to Crane, Pariya, with his parents and coach amongst the large galleries, stole the show by storming home with five birdies over the closing seven holes.
“I’m not thinking about the money. I’m just thinking about the lessons I can learn from these guys. Hopefully I can step up to the challenge and play like them,” said Pariya.
"My putting is cooperating very much and my ball striking has been good. If your putting is up there, you’re not far off the lead. We’ve been working on finding consistency in the game and that’s been a reason for my form this year.”
Pariya said he felt more nervous having his coach, Shane Wilding, watching his every shot than playing alongside many of the world’s leading stars.
"It’s the first time he (coach) is watching me and I’m a little nervous as he might see something in my swing but apparently, he hasn’t,” smiled Pariya.
“It’s always one shot at a time but sometimes you see that this guy is so good that you don’t want to get in his way. I’m nearly on top of the lead and I don’t want to shoot 80 tomorrow. Of course these things are in the back of your mind and you have to put it aside. I set my goals for each round which is to enjoy 18 holes with my playing partner. When it comes to my shot, I’ll take care of my own business,” he said.
In his first visit to Malaysia, the 34-year-old Crane took advantage of some solid iron play to give himself a chance of winning a second title of the year.
“It was a fun day. I haven’t really been overseas other than the British Open and we are having a great time and enjoying what Malaysia has to offer,” said Crane, who is making his first start since finishing tied 17th at the Tour Championship last month.
“I got off to a fast start. I hit a nice wedge shot to about three feet for birdie on the first hole and that always feels good and frees you up a little bit. I really did well not to think about results and I didn’t even know what I shot until I was done. But I knew it was something good because I played well all day.”
Scott, who has won titles in China and Singapore previously, showed he was back to his best form after a month-long break in Australia. After making two bogeys in his first four holes, the dashing Australian fired six birdies and an eagle from 25 feet on the 17th to move into contention.
“I certainly felt more comfortable out there, not only with the golf course but with the swing as well. I think there was a bit of rust after a month off. But getting back into a flow of competition golf can take some time and it felt good to put a good one up there today,” said Scott, winner of the Texas Open this year.