Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Malaysia is about to send a young team to the Asian Games, instead of elder players with experience, banking on their results shown recently. A hint that Malaysia’s future is in the right path, with a bunch of players knowing at the door. Our reporter Noorul Azrin takes a look at the Malaysian Junior squad just before they are about to start an important Satelitte tournament at home.
Photo : Noorul Azrin. From left to right :Shafiq Jamaluddin, Chong Li Qun, Daren Liew, Lim Kenn, Chong Wei Feng, Beryno Wong, Tan Chun Seang.
The first thing that catches your attention to these young players is their friendly nature. They smile warmly despite looking tired after finishing their gym training a few minutes ago. “It’s okay. This is just normal training”, smiles Tan Chun Seang when asked if they needed a few minutes rest before the interview on Friday afternoon. The lad is soon joined by his fellow teammates.
The Project 2010-2012 Squad of BA of Malaysia was established in March 2005 to prepare for Asian Games 2010, London Olympic 2012 and Commonwealth Games 2010. The players were selected through state-level selection by Malaysia’s national coach, Misbun Sidek. Initially, thirteen men singles players were selected but last August five members were dropped due to lack of performance. The players left are Lim Kenn (20), Chong Wei Feng (19), Liew Daren (19), Tan Chun Seang (20), Chong Li Qun (19) and Beryno Wong (20). Another player, Azrihanif Azahar switched to doubles. One thing is sure : don’t mess with the rules as one player has already put his stay in jeopardy for skipping training sessions !
Rashid Sidek, Malaysia’s former number one is the Chief Coach and is in charge of the Project’s performance. Rosman Razak and Tey Siu Bock currently assist the three-time Malaysia Open Champion. Hard training but joyful spirit
Their days begin at 8.30am for court training in Bukit Kiara and will finish at 11.30am. By 3pm, they will start gym training in National Sports Council at Bukit Jalil and finish at 5pm. Training takes place everyday except on Sundays. They have half-day training sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays. Their favourite routine is sprinting sessions, which that take place every Thursday.
The squad members have to compete with each other in the team; but they are very much united and give full support to each other during tournaments. During this interview, they teased each other and everyone got the opportunity to be their butt of joke. They all laughed when Chong Wei Feng mentioned about Tan Chun Seang’s defeat during Asian Junior Championship 2004, “He was leading 14-3 but eventually lost to his opponent”. Tan Cun Seang just shook his head, showing that he was still frustrated with that particular match. Lim Kenn, Chong Wei Feng and Tan Chun Seang were part of the Malaysia’s team for World Junior Championship 2004 together with Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How who won Boys Doubles title that year.
When asked about their hopes - apart from having future "pretty pretty wives", all said they wish any of them would win tournament titles to show their gratitude to their coaches. Liew Daren won Taiwan Satellite in August 2005. Nevertheless, they wish they could win more titles.Soon in the big world
Citing Peter Gade, Taufik Hidayat, Lin Dan and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei as their idols, they yearn for more opportunities to compete in major Open tournaments to expose themselves to these world-class players and hopefully, one day will become one of the world’s best player. Currently, they only compete in Satellite tournaments and selected grand prix events.
Even though they are under pressure of being Malaysia’s next hope in badminton, they all act their age. When we touched the subject of their free time, the young lads began talking excitedly about computer games. They also spend their free time chatting, surfing the internet, shopping and catching up their sleep. Other than badminton, the boys spend their times on other sports too such as football, snooker and bowling.
But hobbies shall wait, as some challenges lie ahead, with head Coach of the Senior team Li Mao who has recently hinted that he could pick some of them to join the elite fairly soon….
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Badminton China Open: Chinese rookies shine at home
Source: CCTV.com
10-18-2006 09:19
Chinese shuttlers have all but one cruised into the second round of the men's singles at the China Open, a six-star event of the International Badminton Federation being held in Guangzhou.
18-year-old Chinese rookie Lu Qicheng met Simon Santoso, a rising star of Indonesia, in the first round.
Lu Qicheng made a slow start and lost the first game.
Down 16-19 in the second, Lu Qicheng's offensive game came alive and he notched five points in a row to level the match one all.
Lu's quick rhythm gave him a 21-18 win in the decider, taking the match.
In another match of the day,following a comfortable win in the first game, Chinese Li Yu made too many errors in the second, allowing Wong Beryno of Malaysia to come back from behind.
In the decider Li Yu looked unstoppable. He took the lead after breaking a six-all deadlock and ultimately won the game by a nine-point margin.
In other matches, China's Chen Yu eased past Wong Wai Hong of Chinese Hong Kong. All other Chinese shuttlers made it through to the second round except Gong Weijie.
10-18-2006 09:19
Chinese shuttlers have all but one cruised into the second round of the men's singles at the China Open, a six-star event of the International Badminton Federation being held in Guangzhou.
18-year-old Chinese rookie Lu Qicheng met Simon Santoso, a rising star of Indonesia, in the first round.
Lu Qicheng made a slow start and lost the first game.
Down 16-19 in the second, Lu Qicheng's offensive game came alive and he notched five points in a row to level the match one all.
Lu's quick rhythm gave him a 21-18 win in the decider, taking the match.
In another match of the day,following a comfortable win in the first game, Chinese Li Yu made too many errors in the second, allowing Wong Beryno of Malaysia to come back from behind.
In the decider Li Yu looked unstoppable. He took the lead after breaking a six-all deadlock and ultimately won the game by a nine-point margin.
In other matches, China's Chen Yu eased past Wong Wai Hong of Chinese Hong Kong. All other Chinese shuttlers made it through to the second round except Gong Weijie.
Vietnamese players win at Vietnam Open Badminton C’ship
http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/daily/detail.asp?muc=3&Sobao=2821&SoTT=19
Vietnam's No.1 player Nguyen Tien Minh makes a backhand in his match against Wong Wai Hong in HCMC yesterday.
By HUY NGUYEN
(SGT-HCMC) The top seeds won all their matches at the Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam Open 2006 yesterday, including both the remaining Vietnamese players who overpowered their opponents during the HCMC tournament.
The third seed Nguyen Tien Minh, who is Vietnam’s No. 1 ranked player but 60th in the world rankings, overcame 128th-ranked Wong Wai Hong of Hong Kong 21-15 in the first set, and then cruised into the next round with an easy 21-9 score in the second deciding set.
However, perhaps more noteworthy and surprising was Vietnam’s Nguyen Quang Minh’s victory over the 5th seed Hsein Yu-Hsing of Taiwan 15-21, 21-14 and 21-13 in the later game, since he is unseeded.
Meanwhile, top seed Andrew Smith (ranked 15th in the world), survived a scare against Djohan Erwin of Singapore, who is ranked 153rd in the world, to eventually win 2-0. The British player beat the Singaporean 21-17 in the first set and 21-16 in the second set, though it was a close contest.
Then Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit, who is ranked 26th in the world, had a fight on his hands before reached to the next round after eventually beating Malaysia’s Wong Beryno 18-21, 21-13 and 26-24.
Elsewhere, in men’s doubles event Hong Chieng Hun and Chew Choon Eng of Malaysia beat Duong Bao Duc and Nguyen Quoc Thai of Vietnam 2-0; Dremin Evgenij and Vasiljev Alexej of Russia knocked out Khoo Kian Teck and Koh Yan Sen of Singapore 2-0; and Chien Yu Hsun and Lin Yu Lang of Taiwan overpowered Lo Lok Ki and Lueng Chun Yiu of Hong Kong at the same score.
In the women’s doubles Chong Sook Chin and Kaur Anita Raj of Malaysia defeated the host nation’s doubles pairing of Pham Thi Trang and Vu Thi Trang 2-0, whilst another Vietnamese doubles team comprising Nguyen Thi Be Tram and Tran Huynh Nga also lost 0-2 to Bae Seung Hee and Kang Joo Young of Korea, and South Korea’s Kwon Hee Sook and Kim Mi Joo also beat Wong Sin Yee and Mong Kwan Yi of Hong Kong 2-0.
Today the tournament will begin at 9 a.m. with the men’s singles and doubles followed by the women’s singles and doubles, then the mixed doubles.
About 81 men and 41 women from England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA and Vietnam registered to fight out the men’s singles and doubles, the women’s singles and doubles, and the mixed doubles.
The US$30,000 tournament has attracted 53 entries for the men’s singles; 30 for the women’s singles; 24 for the men’s doubles; 13 for the women’s doubles; and 19 for the mixed doubles.
The top international tournament is taking place in HCMC until this Sunday at Phan Dinh Phung Indoor Sports Stadium in District 3
Vietnam's No.1 player Nguyen Tien Minh makes a backhand in his match against Wong Wai Hong in HCMC yesterday.
By HUY NGUYEN
(SGT-HCMC) The top seeds won all their matches at the Yonex-Sunrise Vietnam Open 2006 yesterday, including both the remaining Vietnamese players who overpowered their opponents during the HCMC tournament.
The third seed Nguyen Tien Minh, who is Vietnam’s No. 1 ranked player but 60th in the world rankings, overcame 128th-ranked Wong Wai Hong of Hong Kong 21-15 in the first set, and then cruised into the next round with an easy 21-9 score in the second deciding set.
However, perhaps more noteworthy and surprising was Vietnam’s Nguyen Quang Minh’s victory over the 5th seed Hsein Yu-Hsing of Taiwan 15-21, 21-14 and 21-13 in the later game, since he is unseeded.
Meanwhile, top seed Andrew Smith (ranked 15th in the world), survived a scare against Djohan Erwin of Singapore, who is ranked 153rd in the world, to eventually win 2-0. The British player beat the Singaporean 21-17 in the first set and 21-16 in the second set, though it was a close contest.
Then Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit, who is ranked 26th in the world, had a fight on his hands before reached to the next round after eventually beating Malaysia’s Wong Beryno 18-21, 21-13 and 26-24.
Elsewhere, in men’s doubles event Hong Chieng Hun and Chew Choon Eng of Malaysia beat Duong Bao Duc and Nguyen Quoc Thai of Vietnam 2-0; Dremin Evgenij and Vasiljev Alexej of Russia knocked out Khoo Kian Teck and Koh Yan Sen of Singapore 2-0; and Chien Yu Hsun and Lin Yu Lang of Taiwan overpowered Lo Lok Ki and Lueng Chun Yiu of Hong Kong at the same score.
In the women’s doubles Chong Sook Chin and Kaur Anita Raj of Malaysia defeated the host nation’s doubles pairing of Pham Thi Trang and Vu Thi Trang 2-0, whilst another Vietnamese doubles team comprising Nguyen Thi Be Tram and Tran Huynh Nga also lost 0-2 to Bae Seung Hee and Kang Joo Young of Korea, and South Korea’s Kwon Hee Sook and Kim Mi Joo also beat Wong Sin Yee and Mong Kwan Yi of Hong Kong 2-0.
Today the tournament will begin at 9 a.m. with the men’s singles and doubles followed by the women’s singles and doubles, then the mixed doubles.
About 81 men and 41 women from England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA and Vietnam registered to fight out the men’s singles and doubles, the women’s singles and doubles, and the mixed doubles.
The US$30,000 tournament has attracted 53 entries for the men’s singles; 30 for the women’s singles; 24 for the men’s doubles; 13 for the women’s doubles; and 19 for the mixed doubles.
The top international tournament is taking place in HCMC until this Sunday at Phan Dinh Phung Indoor Sports Stadium in District 3
Monday, October 16, 2006
Tuesday October 17, 2006
By RAJES PAUL
PETALING JAYA: National doubles shuttler Chan Chong Ming will be out to make his presence felt when he resumes his partnership with Koo Kien Keat in the US$250,000 China Open, which begins today in Guangzhou.
In a redraw made by the World Badminton Federation (WBF) yesterday, the third-fourth seeded Chong Ming-Kien Keat are in the same quarter as Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan. They also have second seeds Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark in the same half.
A good showing in Guangzhou will put them in good stead for the Doha Asian Games in December.
Chong Ming said that he was looking forward to playing in the China Open after having to withdraw from the recent World Championships in Madrid on the eve of the competition last month following the death of his father.
In his absence, Kien Keat featured in only the mixed doubles with Wong Pei Tty and they emerged as the best Malaysian performers – reaching the semi-finals.
In the just concluded Japan Open, Kien Keat partnered youngster Tan Boon Heong and they did well to finish as the runners-up.
Chong Ming said before leaving for Guangzhou yesterday: “It is time for Kien Keat and me to produce more good results for the doubles department. I will give my best shot to make up for my recent absence.”
Besides Chong Ming-Kien Keat, who won the Swiss Open and Melbourne Commonwealth Games titles this year, chief coach Yap Kim Hock is also looking at the other Asiad-bound pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah to give a strong showing in the China Open.
“We had high hopes on the Asiad-bound singles players at the Japan Open. In the China Open, our focus will be on the doubles players for the Asiad. We hope to see better results from them,” said Kim Hock.
At the Japan Open, the top two Malaysian men's singles players – Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim – were beaten by Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and eventual champion Lin Dan of China in the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively.
Chong Wei and Hafiz are skipping the China Open.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah have been drawn in the same quarter as archrivals Alven Yulianto-Luluk Hadiyanto of Indonesia. They have top seeds and world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China in their half.
The other men's doubles pairs in the fray are Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How, Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.
In the men's singles, Malaysia have Asiad-bound Kuan Beng Hong in the fray. He is likely to play against second seed Chen Jin of China in the third round. The other Malaysians in the men's singles competition are Yeoh Kay Bin, James Chua, K. Yogendran, Tan Chun Senag, Beryno Wong and Pei Wee Chung.
In the women's competition, Malaysia have Wong Mew Choo and Julia Wong in the singles and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui in the doubles.
PETALING JAYA: National doubles shuttler Chan Chong Ming will be out to make his presence felt when he resumes his partnership with Koo Kien Keat in the US$250,000 China Open, which begins today in Guangzhou.
In a redraw made by the World Badminton Federation (WBF) yesterday, the third-fourth seeded Chong Ming-Kien Keat are in the same quarter as Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan. They also have second seeds Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark in the same half.
A good showing in Guangzhou will put them in good stead for the Doha Asian Games in December.
Chong Ming said that he was looking forward to playing in the China Open after having to withdraw from the recent World Championships in Madrid on the eve of the competition last month following the death of his father.
In his absence, Kien Keat featured in only the mixed doubles with Wong Pei Tty and they emerged as the best Malaysian performers – reaching the semi-finals.
In the just concluded Japan Open, Kien Keat partnered youngster Tan Boon Heong and they did well to finish as the runners-up.
Chong Ming said before leaving for Guangzhou yesterday: “It is time for Kien Keat and me to produce more good results for the doubles department. I will give my best shot to make up for my recent absence.”
Besides Chong Ming-Kien Keat, who won the Swiss Open and Melbourne Commonwealth Games titles this year, chief coach Yap Kim Hock is also looking at the other Asiad-bound pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah to give a strong showing in the China Open.
“We had high hopes on the Asiad-bound singles players at the Japan Open. In the China Open, our focus will be on the doubles players for the Asiad. We hope to see better results from them,” said Kim Hock.
At the Japan Open, the top two Malaysian men's singles players – Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim – were beaten by Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and eventual champion Lin Dan of China in the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively.
Chong Wei and Hafiz are skipping the China Open.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah have been drawn in the same quarter as archrivals Alven Yulianto-Luluk Hadiyanto of Indonesia. They have top seeds and world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China in their half.
The other men's doubles pairs in the fray are Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How, Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.
In the men's singles, Malaysia have Asiad-bound Kuan Beng Hong in the fray. He is likely to play against second seed Chen Jin of China in the third round. The other Malaysians in the men's singles competition are Yeoh Kay Bin, James Chua, K. Yogendran, Tan Chun Senag, Beryno Wong and Pei Wee Chung.
In the women's competition, Malaysia have Wong Mew Choo and Julia Wong in the singles and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui in the doubles.
Monday October 2, 2006
PETALING JAYA: Chief coach Rashid Sidek’s request for his Project 2010-12 players to compete in major Open tournaments has finally been approved after several failed attempts.
For a start, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who want their juniors to step up to the fore, have named two singles players – Beryno Wong Jiann Tze (pic) and Tan Chun Seang – for the China Open in Guangzhou (Oct 17-22).
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The 20-year-old Beryno was picked for his good showing in the Malaysian Open this year when he went down fighting to Lin Dan of China in the third round while Chun Seang is the highest ranked player among the juniors – 111th in the world.
Chun Seang’s participation, however, depends on how quickly he can recover from a muscle tear in his left hand, an injury he picked up during training last week. Rashid will name a replacement if he cannot make it.
Rashid expects the players to benefit from the exposure of playing in the China Open.
“The BAM have approved only two but it is still a good start for my players,” said Rashid.
“If we do not start now, it will be difficult for us to narrow the gap between the juniors and seniors in the team.
“Previously, the juniors could not go for Open tournaments because of budget constraints and could only play in the satellite tournaments. But this group of players are being geared for the 2012 Olympic Games and they need more challenging competitions.
“This opportunity will help the players to be more daring on court. They will get used to playing against stronger opponents. With more exposure at the highest level, it will turn them into ‘thinking’ players eventually.”
Beryno, who was promoted from the state training centre in Sabah last year, was ecstatic.
“I am glad that BAM are sending us out for big tournaments. Playing in China, where the best players in the world are produced, will indeed be a good experience for me,” said Beryno.
“I will be more than satisfied if I can give my opponents a run for their money,” added the 2003 Under-18 National Grand Prix Final’s runner-up.
The BAM are sending the Asian Games-bound players to both the back-to-back Japan and China Opens.
THE SQUADS
Men’s singles:
Men’s doubles: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, M. Sutheaswari.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau, Lim Pek Siah-Joanne Quay Swee Ling.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
Men’s singles:
Men’s doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Chan Chong Ming, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong, Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Green light for Beryno and Chun Seang to compete in China Open
Monday October 2, 2006
PETALING JAYA: Chief coach Rashid Sidek’s request for his Project 2010-12 players to compete in major Open tournaments has finally been approved after several failed attempts.
For a start, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who want their juniors to step up to the fore, have named two singles players – Beryno Wong Jiann Tze (pic) and Tan Chun Seang – for the China Open in Guangzhou (Oct 17-22).
Besides competing in the Singapore and Thailand Opens, the China Open is the biggest competitive tournaments for the juniors.
The 20-year-old Beryno was picked for his good showing in the Malaysian Open this year when he went down fighting to Lin Dan of China in the third round while Chun Seang is the highest ranked player among the juniors – 111th in the world.
Chun Seang’s participation, however, depends on how quickly he can recover from a muscle tear in his left hand, an injury he picked up during training last week. Rashid will name a replacement if he cannot make it.
Rashid expects the players to benefit from the exposure of playing in the China Open.
“The BAM have approved only two but it is still a good start for my players,” said Rashid.
“If we do not start now, it will be difficult for us to narrow the gap between the juniors and seniors in the team.
“Previously, the juniors could not go for Open tournaments because of budget constraints and could only play in the satellite tournaments. But this group of players are being geared for the 2012 Olympic Games and they need more challenging competitions.
“This opportunity will help the players to be more daring on court. They will get used to playing against stronger opponents. With more exposure at the highest level, it will turn them into ‘thinking’ players eventually.”
Beryno, who was promoted from the state training centre in Sabah last year, was ecstatic.
“I am glad that BAM are sending us out for big tournaments. Playing in China, where the best players in the world are produced, will indeed be a good experience for me,” said Beryno.
“I will be more than satisfied if I can give my opponents a run for their money,” added the 2003 Under-18 National Grand Prix Final’s runner-up.
The BAM are sending the Asian Games-bound players to both the back-to-back Japan and China Opens.
THE SQUADS
JAPAN OPEN (Oct 10-15)
Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Mohd Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung.
Men’s doubles: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, M. Sutheaswari.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau, Lim Pek Siah-Joanne Quay Swee Ling.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
CHINA OPEN (Oct 17-22)
Men’s singles: Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung, Beryno Wong Jiann Tze, Tan Chun Seang.
Men’s doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Chan Chong Ming, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong, Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
PETALING JAYA: Chief coach Rashid Sidek’s request for his Project 2010-12 players to compete in major Open tournaments has finally been approved after several failed attempts.
For a start, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who want their juniors to step up to the fore, have named two singles players – Beryno Wong Jiann Tze (pic) and Tan Chun Seang – for the China Open in Guangzhou (Oct 17-22).
Besides competing in the Singapore and Thailand Opens, the China Open is the biggest competitive tournaments for the juniors.
The 20-year-old Beryno was picked for his good showing in the Malaysian Open this year when he went down fighting to Lin Dan of China in the third round while Chun Seang is the highest ranked player among the juniors – 111th in the world.
Chun Seang’s participation, however, depends on how quickly he can recover from a muscle tear in his left hand, an injury he picked up during training last week. Rashid will name a replacement if he cannot make it.
Rashid expects the players to benefit from the exposure of playing in the China Open.
“The BAM have approved only two but it is still a good start for my players,” said Rashid.
“If we do not start now, it will be difficult for us to narrow the gap between the juniors and seniors in the team.
“Previously, the juniors could not go for Open tournaments because of budget constraints and could only play in the satellite tournaments. But this group of players are being geared for the 2012 Olympic Games and they need more challenging competitions.
“This opportunity will help the players to be more daring on court. They will get used to playing against stronger opponents. With more exposure at the highest level, it will turn them into ‘thinking’ players eventually.”
Beryno, who was promoted from the state training centre in Sabah last year, was ecstatic.
“I am glad that BAM are sending us out for big tournaments. Playing in China, where the best players in the world are produced, will indeed be a good experience for me,” said Beryno.
“I will be more than satisfied if I can give my opponents a run for their money,” added the 2003 Under-18 National Grand Prix Final’s runner-up.
The BAM are sending the Asian Games-bound players to both the back-to-back Japan and China Opens.
THE SQUADS
JAPAN OPEN (Oct 10-15)
Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Mohd Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung.
Men’s doubles: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, M. Sutheaswari.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau, Lim Pek Siah-Joanne Quay Swee Ling.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
CHINA OPEN (Oct 17-22)
Men’s singles: Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung, Beryno Wong Jiann Tze, Tan Chun Seang.
Men’s doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Chan Chong Ming, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong, Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.
Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong.
Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau.
Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Singles shuttlers again fall flat despite Chong Wei’s win
Tuesday June 20, 2006
By RAJES PAUL
KUCHING: Apart from Lee Chong Wei's heroics at the Malaysia Open, the other men's singles shuttlers in the national team failed to live up to expectations in Sarawak.
Chong Wei's strong show was the only high point from the men's singles players when he won his third consecutive title in great fashion on Sunday.
TSUEN SENG: Failed to produce resultsThe second seed Chong Wei dug himself out of trouble to upset world number one Lin Dan of China 21-18, 18-21, 23-21 in the final at the Perpaduan Stadium.
But the performances of the other singles players were a huge letdown.
Kuan Beng Hong's misery in international tournaments continued when he failed to get past Germany's second best player Roman Spitko in the second round.
Lee Tsuen Seng, K. Yogendran and James Chua again showed that they are merely making up the numbers with early round defeats.
Yeoh Kay Bin, a back-up player, has showed a slight improvement since coming under the charge of Chinese coach Li Mao but he too failed to make an impact in Kuching.
Nusa Mahsuri's Roslin Hashim and former international Sairul Amar Ayob however, continued to perform better than these back-up players.
Roslin went down fighting to China's Lin Dan in the semi-finals and it showed that the veteran still has the fire to improve while Sairul posed problems for the higher-ranked opponents.
National chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that he was getting tired of giving some of the players in the national team the chance to prove themselves.
“This is the final straw. We are making changes in the singles set-up end of this year after the World Championships (Sept 18-24 in Madrid) and the Asian Games (Dec 1-15 in Doha). Some players will have to go,” said Kim Hock.
“Tsuen Seng especially has been given countless opportunities to prove himself and yet, he has failed to produce the results.”
Kim Hock said that the plan was to promote two players from Rashid Sidek's Project 2010-12 after the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Kedah recently to the national team but it did not fall through.
“Li Mao was unable to pick the best two. The standard of the juniors are about the same and he could not decide. He will make his pick at the end of this year,” said Kim Hock.
Rashid's charges also took part in the Malaysian Open. Except for Beryno Wong, who put up a fight against Lin Dan, the others showed that they were still not ready for the big league.
The next assignment for the Malaysians is the Taiwan Open starting tomorrow.
By RAJES PAUL
KUCHING: Apart from Lee Chong Wei's heroics at the Malaysia Open, the other men's singles shuttlers in the national team failed to live up to expectations in Sarawak.
Chong Wei's strong show was the only high point from the men's singles players when he won his third consecutive title in great fashion on Sunday.
TSUEN SENG: Failed to produce resultsThe second seed Chong Wei dug himself out of trouble to upset world number one Lin Dan of China 21-18, 18-21, 23-21 in the final at the Perpaduan Stadium.
But the performances of the other singles players were a huge letdown.
Kuan Beng Hong's misery in international tournaments continued when he failed to get past Germany's second best player Roman Spitko in the second round.
Lee Tsuen Seng, K. Yogendran and James Chua again showed that they are merely making up the numbers with early round defeats.
Yeoh Kay Bin, a back-up player, has showed a slight improvement since coming under the charge of Chinese coach Li Mao but he too failed to make an impact in Kuching.
Nusa Mahsuri's Roslin Hashim and former international Sairul Amar Ayob however, continued to perform better than these back-up players.
Roslin went down fighting to China's Lin Dan in the semi-finals and it showed that the veteran still has the fire to improve while Sairul posed problems for the higher-ranked opponents.
National chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that he was getting tired of giving some of the players in the national team the chance to prove themselves.
“This is the final straw. We are making changes in the singles set-up end of this year after the World Championships (Sept 18-24 in Madrid) and the Asian Games (Dec 1-15 in Doha). Some players will have to go,” said Kim Hock.
“Tsuen Seng especially has been given countless opportunities to prove himself and yet, he has failed to produce the results.”
Kim Hock said that the plan was to promote two players from Rashid Sidek's Project 2010-12 after the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Kedah recently to the national team but it did not fall through.
“Li Mao was unable to pick the best two. The standard of the juniors are about the same and he could not decide. He will make his pick at the end of this year,” said Kim Hock.
Rashid's charges also took part in the Malaysian Open. Except for Beryno Wong, who put up a fight against Lin Dan, the others showed that they were still not ready for the big league.
The next assignment for the Malaysians is the Taiwan Open starting tomorrow.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
New Straits Times » SportPahang Open: Hafiz, Chong Wei renew rivalry K. M. Boopathy June 16:
New Straits Times » SportBADMINTON/
THE fierce rivalry between National No 1 Lee Chong Wei and his closest rival Hafiz Hashim in the local circuit will be the highlight again in the Pahang Open badminton championships which begins at the Sukpa Stadium in Kuantan today.
Chong Wei will have a double mission as he will be attempting to maintain his two-year unbeaten run at home, beating Hafiz three times last year. Chong Wei's impressive run at home began with the National Grand Prix finals men's singles crown in January 2003 and the 22-year-old has never looked back since then.Hafiz was on the receiving hand in the finals Selangor and Malacca Opens as well as the 2004 National GP finals. The only time Hafiz had beaten Chong Wei was in the semi-finals of the German Open in March but based on current form, the latter looks to be in prime form.In the Kedah Open, the local circuit's curtain raiser in April, Chong Wei defeated Wong Choong Hann for the title as Hafiz withdrew from the tournament due to a knee injury. However, Hafiz has recovered and will be hoping to reproduce his form on the international stage, which saw him win the Swiss and Thailand Opens this year, in Kuantan. Chong Wei received a bye in the first round and likely to meet back-up player Liew Darren in the second round while Hafiz is expected to meet Beryno Wong of Sabah in the second round. In the last eight, Hafiz is likely to face Lim Kenn or Chong Wei Feng, both from the 2008-2010 project squad, but his biggest test will be against joint third seed Choong Hann in the semi-final. Hafiz is expected to meet fellow national player Yeoh Kay Bin in the last eight and should set up a semi-final showdown against joint third seed Kuan Beng Hong. In the men's doubles, injury-prone veterans Choong Tan Foo-Lee Wan Wah are finally back together since competing in the Athens Olympics last year. Wan Wah underwent a knee surgery in December while Tan Fook suffered a knee injury two months ago and it will interesting to see if the duo can sustain their dominance against their much improved national teammates. They are expected to go past back-up pair Razif Latif-Razif Rahman but a tougher battle awaits them in the quarter-final against second seeds Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock. Bin Shen-Soon Hock are fired up after qualifying for the world championships, to be held in Anaheim, California in August, and are capable of beating Tan Fook-Wan Wah.The winners of the match are likely to meet another national senior pair Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari in the last semi-finals.
THE fierce rivalry between National No 1 Lee Chong Wei and his closest rival Hafiz Hashim in the local circuit will be the highlight again in the Pahang Open badminton championships which begins at the Sukpa Stadium in Kuantan today.
Chong Wei will have a double mission as he will be attempting to maintain his two-year unbeaten run at home, beating Hafiz three times last year. Chong Wei's impressive run at home began with the National Grand Prix finals men's singles crown in January 2003 and the 22-year-old has never looked back since then.Hafiz was on the receiving hand in the finals Selangor and Malacca Opens as well as the 2004 National GP finals. The only time Hafiz had beaten Chong Wei was in the semi-finals of the German Open in March but based on current form, the latter looks to be in prime form.In the Kedah Open, the local circuit's curtain raiser in April, Chong Wei defeated Wong Choong Hann for the title as Hafiz withdrew from the tournament due to a knee injury. However, Hafiz has recovered and will be hoping to reproduce his form on the international stage, which saw him win the Swiss and Thailand Opens this year, in Kuantan. Chong Wei received a bye in the first round and likely to meet back-up player Liew Darren in the second round while Hafiz is expected to meet Beryno Wong of Sabah in the second round. In the last eight, Hafiz is likely to face Lim Kenn or Chong Wei Feng, both from the 2008-2010 project squad, but his biggest test will be against joint third seed Choong Hann in the semi-final. Hafiz is expected to meet fellow national player Yeoh Kay Bin in the last eight and should set up a semi-final showdown against joint third seed Kuan Beng Hong. In the men's doubles, injury-prone veterans Choong Tan Foo-Lee Wan Wah are finally back together since competing in the Athens Olympics last year. Wan Wah underwent a knee surgery in December while Tan Fook suffered a knee injury two months ago and it will interesting to see if the duo can sustain their dominance against their much improved national teammates. They are expected to go past back-up pair Razif Latif-Razif Rahman but a tougher battle awaits them in the quarter-final against second seeds Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock. Bin Shen-Soon Hock are fired up after qualifying for the world championships, to be held in Anaheim, California in August, and are capable of beating Tan Fook-Wan Wah.The winners of the match are likely to meet another national senior pair Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari in the last semi-finals.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Thursday June 16, 2005
PETALING JAYA: Youngster Lim Kenn turned the tables on national men’s singles shuttler Lee Tsuen Seng in the quarter-finals of the Kedah Open two months ago.
And national chief coach Yap Kim Hock hopes to see the youngsters chalking up upset victories over the seniors in the Pahang Open, which begins today at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium in Kuantan.
Lim Kenn is one of the players in the Project 2010-12 squad, who are under the charge of Rashid Sidek.
“This is a good opportunity for the juniors to strut their stuff. This is also a platform for coaches to measure the gap between the seniors and juniors in the country,” said Kim Hock.
For the Pahang Open men’s singles event, Lim Kenn has been drawn to meet another junior, Azrihanif Azahar, in the first round.
If Lim Kenn advances, he is tipped to play against Asian Juniors team member Chong Wei Feng. A place in the quarter-finals will give him a match against top seed Lee Chong Wei.
Another youngster, Tan Chun Seang, also has the opportunity to prove himself. He is drawn to play against national discard Ismail Saman in the first round. Chun Seang’s opponent in the second round is national player Kuan Beng Hong.
The other youngsters in the fray are Law Yew Thien, Chong Li Qun, Beryno Wong and Liew Daren
And national chief coach Yap Kim Hock hopes to see the youngsters chalking up upset victories over the seniors in the Pahang Open, which begins today at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium in Kuantan.
Lim Kenn is one of the players in the Project 2010-12 squad, who are under the charge of Rashid Sidek.
“This is a good opportunity for the juniors to strut their stuff. This is also a platform for coaches to measure the gap between the seniors and juniors in the country,” said Kim Hock.
For the Pahang Open men’s singles event, Lim Kenn has been drawn to meet another junior, Azrihanif Azahar, in the first round.
If Lim Kenn advances, he is tipped to play against Asian Juniors team member Chong Wei Feng. A place in the quarter-finals will give him a match against top seed Lee Chong Wei.
Another youngster, Tan Chun Seang, also has the opportunity to prove himself. He is drawn to play against national discard Ismail Saman in the first round. Chun Seang’s opponent in the second round is national player Kuan Beng Hong.
The other youngsters in the fray are Law Yew Thien, Chong Li Qun, Beryno Wong and Liew Daren
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Improper training schedule puts juniors’ programme in disarrayBY RAJES PAUL
The Star Online > Sports
Thursday March 31, 2005
KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have two Project squads – senior and junior. But the juniors' programme has hit a snag.
The Project 2010-12 Squad have been undergoing tough training for the last one month under the charge of chief coach Rashid Sidek without a proper training schedule.
As the seniors under the 2006-08 programme have the preference to use the facilities at the 18-court Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, Rashid's group have to constantly make changes to their training plans.
When the seniors are around, they train from 11am-2pm. There is no court training in the afternoon and the players concentrate on physical training, which includes jogging in the vicinity of the stadium and workouts in the gymnasium.
But they get two training sessions and one physical workout when the seniors are away on international duty.
Currently, the seniors together with three of Rashid's charges – Hazwan Jamaluddin and world junior doubles champions Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How – are in Bangkok for the Thai Open.
“The training programme will be better if the juniors have a routine schedule. They don't have to worry where they are going to train week after week,” said Rashid.
“The BAM are looking for a new place to accommodate this squad but nothing has been finalised yet. I need 12 courts for a training session. For now, this is the best we have at the moment and we have to make do with it.”
Rashid also sees a good side in the juniors having to deal with problems in their training schedule.
“In fact, it will be a good practice ground for the juniors. Sometimes, competition schedules change too and this experience will make our juniors be prepared for them. We should not pamper them too much,” he said.
Rashid said that he was pleased with the attitude of the players in training.
“The players know that their places in the squad are not guaranteed. They are following the training diligently,” he said.
“There is no specialised training for each players. There are just too many to handle. For now, everyone goes through the same dose in training.”
There are now 31 players in the team and their first tournament for the year will be the Kedah Open from April 21-24.
Their first international outing is the Thailand Satellite championships from June 1-6 and the major one for the year is the Asian junior tournament from July 11-17 in Jakarta.
Thursday March 31, 2005
KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have two Project squads – senior and junior. But the juniors' programme has hit a snag.
The Project 2010-12 Squad have been undergoing tough training for the last one month under the charge of chief coach Rashid Sidek without a proper training schedule.
As the seniors under the 2006-08 programme have the preference to use the facilities at the 18-court Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, Rashid's group have to constantly make changes to their training plans.
When the seniors are around, they train from 11am-2pm. There is no court training in the afternoon and the players concentrate on physical training, which includes jogging in the vicinity of the stadium and workouts in the gymnasium.
But they get two training sessions and one physical workout when the seniors are away on international duty.
Currently, the seniors together with three of Rashid's charges – Hazwan Jamaluddin and world junior doubles champions Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How – are in Bangkok for the Thai Open.
“The training programme will be better if the juniors have a routine schedule. They don't have to worry where they are going to train week after week,” said Rashid.
“The BAM are looking for a new place to accommodate this squad but nothing has been finalised yet. I need 12 courts for a training session. For now, this is the best we have at the moment and we have to make do with it.”
Rashid also sees a good side in the juniors having to deal with problems in their training schedule.
“In fact, it will be a good practice ground for the juniors. Sometimes, competition schedules change too and this experience will make our juniors be prepared for them. We should not pamper them too much,” he said.
Rashid said that he was pleased with the attitude of the players in training.
“The players know that their places in the squad are not guaranteed. They are following the training diligently,” he said.
“There is no specialised training for each players. There are just too many to handle. For now, everyone goes through the same dose in training.”
There are now 31 players in the team and their first tournament for the year will be the Kedah Open from April 21-24.
Their first international outing is the Thailand Satellite championships from June 1-6 and the major one for the year is the Asian junior tournament from July 11-17 in Jakarta.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
New Straits Times » SportSPORTCHECK: Register or face consequences
By S. Selvam Mar 23:
THE Sports Commissioner does not have the authority to force clubs to register as sports bodies, and only has the power to register, suspend or de-register sports bodies.
And while it is the club's prerogative not to register with the Sports Commissioner's office, Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar emphasised he will not hesitate to act against the taekwondo clubs that masquerade as sports clubs.There are 45 clubs, termed as Associate Members, who are affiliated with the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA). However, to date, only 12 have applied to be registered with the Sports Commissioner's office. The rest are registered with the Registrar of Business (ROB)."I don't have the authority to force people to register as sports bodies. However, I have the power to register, suspend or de-register sports bodies."If they (taekwondo clubs registered with ROB) don't register with us but behave like sports clubs, then it is against the law (Sports Development Act, 1997). It is the law that requires them to register with us."If they don't, then, I'm empowered to prosecute people who go against the law."Elyas also reiterated that it was mandatory for the ROB-registered clubs to register with his office if they want to be granted voting rights in the MTA and compete or engage in sporting activities."I'm happy to note that the applications from these clubs are coming in everyday. To date, we have 12 applications," added Elyas."If they don't register with us, they cannot compete or be involved in any sporting activities."They can be involved in martial arts but cannot be in the sports aspect of it. Which means, if they want to produce a (the late) Bruce Lee (kung fu star in the 1970s), they can do so."But if they want the Bruce Lees to compete, they must register with us."It is the same for voting rights. Unless they register with us, they cannot be considered for voting rights."The MTA have given Elyas the assurance that they will amend their constitution after the biennial general meeting (BGM) at the end of the month to grant clubs voting rights."I urge them (clubs), advice and encourage them to register with us. I have said my piece, and it is now up to the clubs to decide what they want to do."
THE Sports Commissioner does not have the authority to force clubs to register as sports bodies, and only has the power to register, suspend or de-register sports bodies.
And while it is the club's prerogative not to register with the Sports Commissioner's office, Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar emphasised he will not hesitate to act against the taekwondo clubs that masquerade as sports clubs.There are 45 clubs, termed as Associate Members, who are affiliated with the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA). However, to date, only 12 have applied to be registered with the Sports Commissioner's office. The rest are registered with the Registrar of Business (ROB)."I don't have the authority to force people to register as sports bodies. However, I have the power to register, suspend or de-register sports bodies."If they (taekwondo clubs registered with ROB) don't register with us but behave like sports clubs, then it is against the law (Sports Development Act, 1997). It is the law that requires them to register with us."If they don't, then, I'm empowered to prosecute people who go against the law."Elyas also reiterated that it was mandatory for the ROB-registered clubs to register with his office if they want to be granted voting rights in the MTA and compete or engage in sporting activities."I'm happy to note that the applications from these clubs are coming in everyday. To date, we have 12 applications," added Elyas."If they don't register with us, they cannot compete or be involved in any sporting activities."They can be involved in martial arts but cannot be in the sports aspect of it. Which means, if they want to produce a (the late) Bruce Lee (kung fu star in the 1970s), they can do so."But if they want the Bruce Lees to compete, they must register with us."It is the same for voting rights. Unless they register with us, they cannot be considered for voting rights."The MTA have given Elyas the assurance that they will amend their constitution after the biennial general meeting (BGM) at the end of the month to grant clubs voting rights."I urge them (clubs), advice and encourage them to register with us. I have said my piece, and it is now up to the clubs to decide what they want to do."
Sunday, March 06, 2005
28th Feb 2005 Beryno Checks Into BAM
Beryno reported to the BAM at the Stadium Juara Bukit Kiara training centre.
Training began on the 1st March 2005.
We wish him all the best1.
Training began on the 1st March 2005.
We wish him all the best1.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
SportSPORTCHECK: Double assurance
New Straits Times » Vijesh Rai Feb 24:
More than 100 percent increase in allowances and security of job upon retirement
AN increase of more than 100 percent in allowances and the security of a job upon retirement.Those were Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said's two assurances given to the 138 elite athletes under the Gemilang 2006 Project in a dialogue at the National Sports Council on Tuesday.Currently, the allowances vary from RM100 to RM500 but with the Cabinet Committee having endorsed a proposal to increase the amount, the elite athletes can expect more than double monthly.More importantly, Azalina's assurance that employment will be available upon their retirement as athletes will surely help erase fears over their future."The minister told the athletes that Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Cabinet Committee for Sports) had endorsed a recommendation that the allowances be raised," said Gemilang 2006 Steering Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad yesterday."Datuk Seri Najib supported the recommendation simply because the current allowances are too little."For an elite athlete based at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, the allowance is RM100, a university athlete receives RM200 while an unemployed athlete is paid RM500 a month."The figures haven't been finalised but the athletes were assured that there would be an increase of more than 100 percent."Azalina, said Ibrahim, also took the opportunity to allay the fears of athletes that they will be left in the wilderness upon retirement."We are talking to city councils, municipal councils and other Government agencies to provide permanent jobs to the athletes."We are not only talking about the present but also the future. The Sports Minister has spoken to 12, 13 Government-linked companies, city councils and municipal councils."For starters, unemployed athletes in the programme will be offered employment with the councils. We understand that athletes worry about their futures and steps are being taken to ensure their livelihood."The jobs that we are talking about will be on a permanent basis and the athletes will have the option of continuing to work even after they retire."The allowance increase and job assurance come on the heels of a pension scheme announced by Najib after the Cabinet Committee meeting last Monday.Najib announced then that a pension scheme would be introduced for Olympic Games medallists. Although he didn't announce the quantum, it is learnt that a gold medallist will be paid a monthly pension of RM2,000, a silver medallist RM1,500 and RM1,000 for a bronze medallist.The future certainly looks brighter for the athletes, and Malaysian sports now.
More than 100 percent increase in allowances and security of job upon retirement
AN increase of more than 100 percent in allowances and the security of a job upon retirement.Those were Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said's two assurances given to the 138 elite athletes under the Gemilang 2006 Project in a dialogue at the National Sports Council on Tuesday.Currently, the allowances vary from RM100 to RM500 but with the Cabinet Committee having endorsed a proposal to increase the amount, the elite athletes can expect more than double monthly.More importantly, Azalina's assurance that employment will be available upon their retirement as athletes will surely help erase fears over their future."The minister told the athletes that Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Cabinet Committee for Sports) had endorsed a recommendation that the allowances be raised," said Gemilang 2006 Steering Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad yesterday."Datuk Seri Najib supported the recommendation simply because the current allowances are too little."For an elite athlete based at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, the allowance is RM100, a university athlete receives RM200 while an unemployed athlete is paid RM500 a month."The figures haven't been finalised but the athletes were assured that there would be an increase of more than 100 percent."Azalina, said Ibrahim, also took the opportunity to allay the fears of athletes that they will be left in the wilderness upon retirement."We are talking to city councils, municipal councils and other Government agencies to provide permanent jobs to the athletes."We are not only talking about the present but also the future. The Sports Minister has spoken to 12, 13 Government-linked companies, city councils and municipal councils."For starters, unemployed athletes in the programme will be offered employment with the councils. We understand that athletes worry about their futures and steps are being taken to ensure their livelihood."The jobs that we are talking about will be on a permanent basis and the athletes will have the option of continuing to work even after they retire."The allowance increase and job assurance come on the heels of a pension scheme announced by Najib after the Cabinet Committee meeting last Monday.Najib announced then that a pension scheme would be introduced for Olympic Games medallists. Although he didn't announce the quantum, it is learnt that a gold medallist will be paid a monthly pension of RM2,000, a silver medallist RM1,500 and RM1,000 for a bronze medallist.The future certainly looks brighter for the athletes, and Malaysian sports now.
Fierce jostle is on for ‘limited’ flight tickets to LA
The Star Online > Sports
Thursday February 24, 2005
PETALING JAYA: Five singles players and four doubles pairs will be fighting for places in the Malaysian men’s team for the World Badminton Championships in Los Angeles from Aug 15-21 over the next three months.
The five singles players (in world rankings order) are national number one Lee Chong Wei (eighth), Wong Choong Hann (11th), Roslin Hashim (17th), Mohd Hafiz Hashim (19th) and Kuan Beng Hong (26th).
All five will began their bid to move up the world rankings when they compete in the German Open starting next week, which forms the first of the three back-to-back European meets.
Yesterday, doubles player Ong Soon Hock was given the nod to compete in the All-England (March 8-13) and Swiss Open (March 15-20) with partner Tan Bin Shen.
Soon Hock was in danger of being dropped after he injured his back during the Korean Open last month. Kim Hock, however, feels he can recover in time.
Kim Sock said Soon Hock-Bin Shen, who are currently ranked 21st in the world, stand a chance of qualifying for the world meet.
The other pairs who are involved in the scramble for places (in world rankings order) are Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (17th), Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat (32nd) and Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng (37th).
Only Chong Ming-Kien Keat and Tan Fook-Choon Eng will compete in the German Open.
Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan, however, stand little chance of making it to Los Angeles. Fairuzizuan has been ruled out of the All-England and Swiss Open with to a shoulder injury. He will need at least one month to recover.
Kim Hock said Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan are only expected to compete in the Thailand Open (March 29-April 3) and Japan Open (April 5-10).
“It will be harder for them to qualify. They have to wait and see how the other Malaysian pairs fare first.
“The target is to have three doubles pairs in the top 24 and if possible, four singles players for the world championships,” he said.
A country can send a maximum of four representatives for any event if all are ranked inside the top eight and three if they are inside the top 24. The qualifying period for the world meet will end in May. The last major tournament to offer ranking points will be the Sudirman Cup in Beijing from May 10-15.
Chong Wei and Choon Hann are training under Chinese coach Li Mao while Roslin, Hafiz and Beng Hong are training under Misbun Sidek.
Thursday February 24, 2005
PETALING JAYA: Five singles players and four doubles pairs will be fighting for places in the Malaysian men’s team for the World Badminton Championships in Los Angeles from Aug 15-21 over the next three months.
The five singles players (in world rankings order) are national number one Lee Chong Wei (eighth), Wong Choong Hann (11th), Roslin Hashim (17th), Mohd Hafiz Hashim (19th) and Kuan Beng Hong (26th).
All five will began their bid to move up the world rankings when they compete in the German Open starting next week, which forms the first of the three back-to-back European meets.
Yesterday, doubles player Ong Soon Hock was given the nod to compete in the All-England (March 8-13) and Swiss Open (March 15-20) with partner Tan Bin Shen.
Soon Hock was in danger of being dropped after he injured his back during the Korean Open last month. Kim Hock, however, feels he can recover in time.
Kim Sock said Soon Hock-Bin Shen, who are currently ranked 21st in the world, stand a chance of qualifying for the world meet.
The other pairs who are involved in the scramble for places (in world rankings order) are Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (17th), Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat (32nd) and Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng (37th).
Only Chong Ming-Kien Keat and Tan Fook-Choon Eng will compete in the German Open.
Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan, however, stand little chance of making it to Los Angeles. Fairuzizuan has been ruled out of the All-England and Swiss Open with to a shoulder injury. He will need at least one month to recover.
Kim Hock said Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan are only expected to compete in the Thailand Open (March 29-April 3) and Japan Open (April 5-10).
“It will be harder for them to qualify. They have to wait and see how the other Malaysian pairs fare first.
“The target is to have three doubles pairs in the top 24 and if possible, four singles players for the world championships,” he said.
A country can send a maximum of four representatives for any event if all are ranked inside the top eight and three if they are inside the top 24. The qualifying period for the world meet will end in May. The last major tournament to offer ranking points will be the Sudirman Cup in Beijing from May 10-15.
Chong Wei and Choon Hann are training under Chinese coach Li Mao while Roslin, Hafiz and Beng Hong are training under Misbun Sidek.
Chong Wei to head full-strength squad for Thai Open
The Star Online > Sports
Thursday February 24, 2005
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will send a full-strength team to the Thailand Open from March 29-April 3, in a bid to get as many shuttlers as possible to qualify for the World Championships in Los Angeles in August.
National number one Lee Chong Wei will lead the Malaysian singles challenge. The other singles players entered for the three-star event are Wong Choong Hann, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Lee Tsuen Seng, Yeoh Kay Bin, K. Yogendran and Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin.
Vietnam SEA Games champion Wong Mew Choo is the only woman player chosen.
Shouldering the men's doubles challenge are Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng, Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat, Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock, Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari, Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry and world junior doubles champion Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong.
Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau-Fong Chew Yen will compete in the women's doubles with Fong Chew Yen-See Phui Leng.
Fairuzizuan will double up in the mixed doubles challenge with Sock Ai.
Thursday February 24, 2005
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will send a full-strength team to the Thailand Open from March 29-April 3, in a bid to get as many shuttlers as possible to qualify for the World Championships in Los Angeles in August.
National number one Lee Chong Wei will lead the Malaysian singles challenge. The other singles players entered for the three-star event are Wong Choong Hann, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Lee Tsuen Seng, Yeoh Kay Bin, K. Yogendran and Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin.
Vietnam SEA Games champion Wong Mew Choo is the only woman player chosen.
Shouldering the men's doubles challenge are Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng, Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat, Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock, Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari, Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry and world junior doubles champion Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong.
Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau-Fong Chew Yen will compete in the women's doubles with Fong Chew Yen-See Phui Leng.
Fairuzizuan will double up in the mixed doubles challenge with Sock Ai.
Mock matches held ahead of European tripBY
The Star Online > Sports
Thursday February 24, 2005
LIM TEIK HUAT
PETALING JAYA: The national badminton team had a good workout three days before their departure for Europe yesterday.
The coaches organised mock “Thomas and Uber Cup” team competitions at Stadium Juara in Bukit Jalil.
The national women's team competed against a team made up of men players from the 2012 Project squad under the charge of Rashid Sidek while the national men's team were divided into two groups – A and B – and played each other.
Although the national women's team lost all their five ties against the 2012 Project squad boys, overall head coach Yap Kim Hock was pleased with their performance.
Wong Mew Choo went down to Tan Zhao Rong 7-15, 10-15 in the first singles while Anita Raj Kaur fell to Lim Chin Loon 8-15, 8-15.
The Project 2012 squad made a clean sweep of the singles matches when Chin Tze Seong defeated Ooi Yu Hang 15-2, 15-3.
Wong Pei Tty partnered Ooi Sock Ai for the first women's doubles match and lost 7-15, 16-17 to Tze Seong-Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin. Pei Tty's regular partner Chin Eei Hui was down with fever.
Yeoh Kay Loon-Lim Chin Loon completed the whitewash when they beat See Phui Leng-Fong Chew Yen 15-10, 15-9.
Referring to Wong Mew Choo and Anita Raj Kaur's ties for example, Kim Hock said: “All the matches were played under the 15 points system. Mew Choo and Anita went down fighting. This is the spirit I want from the players.”
In the men's “competiton,” Group B's Kuan Beng Hong chalked up a surprise when he beat Wong Choong Hann 15-11, 16-17, 15-4 while national number one Lee Chong Wei downed Roslin Hashim 15-7, 9-15, 15-12.
Mohd Hafiz Hashim kept a clean singles record for Group B when he beat Lee Tsuen Seng 15-8, 13-15, 15-13 after an hour-long battle.
“These matches were held to gauge if the players are ready to do battle in the European meets. The players have been coping well with the training and it is up to them to fight in a competition atmosphere now.
“We'll see how they fare in the German Open. I hope their level of performance will get better when it comes to the All-England.”
“UBER CUP”
Group B 5 Group A 0: Tan Zhao Rong bt Wong Mew Choo 15-7, 15-10; Lim Chin Loon bt Anita Raj Kaur 15-8, 15-8; Chin Tze Seong bt Ooi Yu Hang 15-2, 15-3; Tze Seong-Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin bt Wong Pei Tty-Ooi Sock Ai 15-7, 17-16; Yeoh Kay Loon-Lim Chin Loon bt See Phui Leng-Fong Chew Yen 15-10, 15-9.
“THOMAS CUP”
Group B 4 Group A 1: Kuan Beng Hong bt Wong Choong Hann 15-11, 16-17, 15-4; Lee Chong Wei bt Roslin Hashim 15-7, 9-15, 15-12; Mohd Hafiz Hashim bt Lee Tsuen Seng 15-8, 13-15, 15-13; Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat lost to Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng 11-15, 9-15; Ong Soon Hock-Tan Bin Shen bt Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Zakry 15-8, 15-2.
Thursday February 24, 2005
LIM TEIK HUAT
PETALING JAYA: The national badminton team had a good workout three days before their departure for Europe yesterday.
The coaches organised mock “Thomas and Uber Cup” team competitions at Stadium Juara in Bukit Jalil.
The national women's team competed against a team made up of men players from the 2012 Project squad under the charge of Rashid Sidek while the national men's team were divided into two groups – A and B – and played each other.
Although the national women's team lost all their five ties against the 2012 Project squad boys, overall head coach Yap Kim Hock was pleased with their performance.
Wong Mew Choo went down to Tan Zhao Rong 7-15, 10-15 in the first singles while Anita Raj Kaur fell to Lim Chin Loon 8-15, 8-15.
The Project 2012 squad made a clean sweep of the singles matches when Chin Tze Seong defeated Ooi Yu Hang 15-2, 15-3.
Wong Pei Tty partnered Ooi Sock Ai for the first women's doubles match and lost 7-15, 16-17 to Tze Seong-Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin. Pei Tty's regular partner Chin Eei Hui was down with fever.
Yeoh Kay Loon-Lim Chin Loon completed the whitewash when they beat See Phui Leng-Fong Chew Yen 15-10, 15-9.
Referring to Wong Mew Choo and Anita Raj Kaur's ties for example, Kim Hock said: “All the matches were played under the 15 points system. Mew Choo and Anita went down fighting. This is the spirit I want from the players.”
In the men's “competiton,” Group B's Kuan Beng Hong chalked up a surprise when he beat Wong Choong Hann 15-11, 16-17, 15-4 while national number one Lee Chong Wei downed Roslin Hashim 15-7, 9-15, 15-12.
Mohd Hafiz Hashim kept a clean singles record for Group B when he beat Lee Tsuen Seng 15-8, 13-15, 15-13 after an hour-long battle.
“These matches were held to gauge if the players are ready to do battle in the European meets. The players have been coping well with the training and it is up to them to fight in a competition atmosphere now.
“We'll see how they fare in the German Open. I hope their level of performance will get better when it comes to the All-England.”
“UBER CUP”
Group B 5 Group A 0: Tan Zhao Rong bt Wong Mew Choo 15-7, 15-10; Lim Chin Loon bt Anita Raj Kaur 15-8, 15-8; Chin Tze Seong bt Ooi Yu Hang 15-2, 15-3; Tze Seong-Mohd Hazwan Jamaluddin bt Wong Pei Tty-Ooi Sock Ai 15-7, 17-16; Yeoh Kay Loon-Lim Chin Loon bt See Phui Leng-Fong Chew Yen 15-10, 15-9.
“THOMAS CUP”
Group B 4 Group A 1: Kuan Beng Hong bt Wong Choong Hann 15-11, 16-17, 15-4; Lee Chong Wei bt Roslin Hashim 15-7, 9-15, 15-12; Mohd Hafiz Hashim bt Lee Tsuen Seng 15-8, 13-15, 15-13; Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat lost to Choong Tan Fook-Chew Choon Eng 11-15, 9-15; Ong Soon Hock-Tan Bin Shen bt Lin Woon Fui-Mohd Zakry 15-8, 15-2.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
KK Age group tourney begins this Friday
Venue: Likas Sports Complex
Time:7pm
Let the competition begin!
Time:7pm
Let the competition begin!
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