03 Jan

SO what can we expect from the Malaysian Super League which kicks off today? Critics say nothing much as whatever quality there was has gone out the window following the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) decision to bar foreign players. It was, as is the case with most FAM decisions, forced on the national body by certain affiliates who said they couldn't afford to hire foreigners. That should have the locals rejoicing as each team will now have an additional three homegrown players strutting their stuff although critics are not all that expectant. Malaysia's lack of quality was seen in the recent...

08:11 / Local / Sports
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02 Jan

THE rating system for national associations has been amended with new scores and is now awaiting approval from Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The amended rating system was submitted to Ismail, who had earlier called for improvements, last week. Ismail had expressed dissatisfaction with the earlier rating system as he felt it was flawed as certain associations which had not been delivering obtained high marks while those who have, received low scores. The rating system has many associations worried as how they perform will determine the amount of government funding they will receive in future. "We have submitted...

07:58 / Local / Sports
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02 Jan

THERE has been a deafening silence on the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) since it was called off last year but it is not because the Sports Ministry is not pursuing the matter. The ministry had already disbursed RM14 million to promoter Gifted Group before the Aug 2-16 tournament was called off after the FA of Malaysia (FAM) refused to sanction it. The ministry only managed to stop the final scheduled payment and as both parties couldn't come to a compromise, the matter was referred to arbitration. Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the matter had yet to be...

07:55 / Local / Sports
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07 Nov

NATIONAL karate coach P. Arivalagan wants skipper R. Puvaneswaran to lead by example and deliver one of two gold medals the former has targeted. Although the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) has targeted only oneg old, Arivalagan insists two gold medals is a realistic target. "Even though the Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) has only set one gold medal as a target in the Doha Games, I think we should be able to win at least two. "Since 1998, our target has always been one gold medal as karate is a subjective sport but I believe we can win two," said the...

02:44 / Local / Sports
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06 Nov

THE Malaysian sepaktakraw squad to the Asian Games have been given a boost with the return of Mohd Futra Abdul Ghani and Mohd Normanizam. The duo, together with Mohammad Zulkarnain, are Malaysia's best bets to win a gold medal in the inter-regu event in Doha. According to national sepaktakraw team manager DSP Idris Karim the duo were initially doubtful of making the trip after both suffered ankle injuries. However, Idris said the duo have now been given the all-clear by doctors from the National Sports Institute (NSI). "We are glad that Mohd Futra and Mohd Normanizam have been given the...

02:17 / Local / Sports
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04 Nov

ANTHONY Lee Fook Weng, son of the late Tan Sri Alex Lee, the former president of the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), wants to head the national association. Anthony has decided to challenge SRAM president Datuk A. Sani Karim at its annual general meeting tomorrow. Anthony is currently a vice-president and also the competitions committee chairman. Alex served as SRAM president from 1989-1999, while Sani became president in 2004 after taking over from Datuk Mohkzani Mahathir. Sani was deputy president between 1999 and 2000 but resigned due to personal reasons. He was elected World Squash Federation vice-president in 2002...

02:28 / Local / Sports
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03 Nov

NEWLY-crowned Mr Universe Sazali Samad is ready to win gold in the Asian Games on Dec 1-15. Sazali is in a buoyant mood following his victory in the World Amateur Championships in the Czech Republic last Sunday but he needs no reminder about the tough assignment in Doha. Sazali, who is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations, will leave for California on Nov 9 to continue training under coach Milos Sarcev, who will also accompany Sazali to Doha. "This is is the first time we are sending bodybuilders overseas for training, Sazali told us that training under Sarcev, even...

02:35 / Local / Sports
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21 Jul

THE National Under-21 football team returned from their 10-day training-cum-playing stint of South Africa with two draws and one loss,taking heart from an encouraging 0-0 draw against the home team's Olympic side. The stint is part of the national team's preparations for the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers. Coached by B. Sathianathan, Malaysia drew their first match against South African Premier League side Wits University 2-2 before playing two matches against the South Africa Olympic team. The hosts, who just returned from a three-month training stint in Europe, were held 0-0 in front of 20,000 home fans. However, the stint was blemished...

02:42 / Local / Sports
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