Friday, December 30, 2011

Hockey team get NSI offer to set up camp at Bath

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Institute (NSI) have offered the Malaysian hockey team the chance to set up camp at the University of Bath before the Olympic qualifier in Dublin from March 10-18.

“There is a hockey facility at Bath which is ideal for the team to use to acclimatise to the conditions in the UK. We have offered it to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and are waiting to hear from them,” said NSI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz yesterday.

In August, the national shuttlers, led by world number one Lee Chong Wei, utilised the facilities at Bath to prepare for the World Cham­pionships in London.

The NSI are already helping the hockey team. Several experts are with the squad and a few of their officers are expected to accompany the players to Dublin.

The team are now preparing for a six-match series with China here from Jan 11-20.
A similar series with India in New Delhi from Jan 27-Feb 4 has been cancelled after the Indians requested for a change in dates.

National team manager George Koshy said they were unable to respond to NSI’s offer as they have yet to finalise their programme for February.

“We are still hoping to arrange more matches. The problem is we need matches and we do not have enough at the moment. As we are in the midst of the holiday season there is no way we can confirm anything at the moment,” said Gerorge.

“But the plan is to leave about 10 days before the Dublin tournament. We can set up camp in Bath but we have to ensure we can play matches at the nearby areas. We have written to Britain for matches and are waiting for a reply. Once the matches are confirmed, it will be clearer where we want to set up camp,” added George.

George said Wales had agreed to play with Malaysia in Cardiff.
“But if we play Wales, then it does not make sense to stay at Bath as that will involve a lot of travelling.
“So, we are keeping the Wales’ offer open for now. We will confirm it once our programme is finalised,” he said.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

National Athletes Can Still Qualify For London Olympics - NSC

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National athletes under the 'Road To London 2012' programme can still qualify for next year's London Oylmpics, said National Sports Council (NSC) Athletes Division director Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

He said several qualifying meets had been identified to enable all athletes in the programme to qualify for the London Games, which will kick off at the end of July next year.

"Although the London Olympics is getting near, just 212 days away, it does not mean time has run out for national athletes to qualify (for the London Olympics)," he told Bernama here.

So far seven national athletes have qualified for the London Olympics with four of them from the archery squad, namely Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim.

The others are divers Bryan Nikson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee.

Ahmad Shapawi said the NSC had lined up several competitions for the women's archery squad to enable the lady archers make the cut.

They have the World Championships in the United States in July to qualify with the Grand Prix Asia in Thailand, World Cup first series (China) and World Cup second series (Turkey) as pre-cursors.

As for the national shuttlers and cyclists, Ahmad Shapawi said, they still had until May next year to qualify while the Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar in February would be the final chance for the national shooters.

Meanwhile, the national men's hockey squad will know whether they get to compete in the London Games after the Oylmpic Qualifiers in Ireland in March next year.

Under the 'Road To London 2012' programme, the NSC are betting on the core sports of badminton, cycling (track), diving, shooting, archery and hockey to bring home Malaysia's first ever gold medal from the Olympics at the London Games.

Eei Hui/Pei Tty To Call It Quits If They Fail To Qualify For Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- National women's doubles pair Chin Ee Hui/Wong Pei Tty may call it quits if they fail to qualify for the London Olympics next year.

The former world's number one women's pair, now ranked 20th following a knee injury suffered by Pei Tty, however, will discuss their future with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

"Our age is catching up on us. If the BAM still needs our services, maybe we can play for one or two more years. Otherwise, we hope we will be appointed coaches," Ee Hui said here.

Only 16 pairs will make it to the London Olympics from July 27 to Aug 12.

Pei Tty, 30, and Eei Hui, 29, were ranked world's number one pair in May 2009 after winning the Indonesian Open win that year.

They had just returned from the India Open where they were ousted in the semi-finals last week.

In the last two Olympics, they fared badly as they were eliminated in early rounds in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.

Eei Hui and Pei Tty will start their 2012 campaign with the Korea Open Super Series from Jan 3 to 8 before taking part in the Malaysia Open Super Series at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 10 to 15.

Raihan, Afifi, Aricco Continue Search For Ticket To London Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National weightlifters who failed to make an impact at the World Weightlifting Championships in France last month, will continue their search for a ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) honorary secretary Adzhar Derani said national weightlifters would continue their search for a ticket to London at the Asia Weightlifting Championships in South Korea in April.

He said Raihan Yusuf (women), Mohammad Afifi Jamaluddin and Aricco Jumitih (men) who competed in France last month faced an uphill task against world class weightlifters from Russia and Ukraine.

"We believe they will have a better chance in South Korea although weightlifters from China and the Middle East countries will be the favourites," he told Bernama when contacted today.

Raihan competes in the women's 58kg category while Mohammad Afifi and Aricco are down to compete in the men's 69kg category.

Adzhar said Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim, 30, would not be among those to South Korea due to lack of preparations.

Amirul had competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but did not win any medals although he managed to break the national record with a lift of 265kg.

Masziyaton Seeks Sponsors To Qualify For Olympics

ALOR SETAR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- National mountain biker Masziyaton Mohd Radzi will probably have to forget about competing at the Olympic Games 2012 after failing to get sponsorship to participate in three more qualifying tournaments in Europe.

Masziyaton, 23, said it was vital for her to compete in the three tournaments to earn the 200 points required to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London.

"So far I've earned 135 points and I need to participate in three more overseas tournaments to earn another 65 points and qualify for the Olympic Games," she told reporters here Tuesday.

She said she needed sponsorship of RM76,000 to enable her to take part in cycling tournaments in Italy, the United Kingdom and Switzerland which were scheduled to begin in April next year.

Masziyaton, who clinched a silver medal in the mountain bike cross country event at the recently concluded Indonesian SEA Games, said she was determined to win a medal for Malaysia in the same event at the London Olympics next year.

Last year, she emerged as the winner in the cross country event of the Women's Elite Category at the inaugural Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC).

Meanwhile, Kedah cycling sports coordinator Nor Alfizar Othman, who is also Masziyaton's coach, said Masziyaton's participation in the three tournaments in Europe was vital if she is to qualify for the London Olympics.

Nevertheless, he said early preparations were also being carried out to help Masziyaton and another national cyclist, Mohd Fattah Amri Zaid, to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, in case they did not make it to the London Olympics.

Earlier, Masziyaton and Mohd Fattah attended the presentation ceremony of a sponsorship cheque of RM50,000 from Bina Darul Aman Berhad (BDB) to the Kedah Cycling Association.

The sponsorship was to enable the association to purchase new equipment to face the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and other tournaments.

The cheque was presented by BDB director Datuk Paduka Mohd Saad Endut to Kedah Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Hamdan Mohamed Khalib.

At a press conference later, Hamdan said the state government was hoping more government-linked companies would emulate BDB in sponsoring sport associations in the state in a bid to develop young talents.

"I hope the Kedah Sports Council will hold meetings with the state government's subsidiaries to enable them to choose and focus on one sport to be developed," he said.

So far, he said, the Kedah State Development Corporation had been the largest contributors in sports development in Kedah, with an annual sponsorship of RM3 million to the state's football team.

Wembley Arena Neutral Ground For Shuttlers, Says Sieh Kok Chi

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Wembley Arena, the badminton venue for the 2012 London Olympics, will not be a lucky hunting ground for any shuttler to bag the men's singles gold, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Sieh said as most of the badminton tournaments in the United Kingdom were usually hosted in Birmingham, Wembley Arena with a sitting capacity for 12,500 peoples might be a neutral battleground for world number one men's singles Datuk Lee Chong Wei and his arch-nemesis Lin Dan of China.

"Yes, Lin Dan beat Chong Wei in the 2011 World Championships that was held at the Wembley Arena, in August.

"But Lin Dan needed three sets to beat the Malaysian and I hope Chong Wei can reverse the result if both of them meet in the Olympics men's singles final, next year," he told Bernama, recently.

Lin Dan tamed Chong Wei 20-22, 21-14, 23-21 during the tournament held at the Wembley Arena.

The Wembley Arena built in 1934 and renovated in 2006 is famous for international musical concerts but will be turned to be the venue for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics for the 2012 London Olympics.

The summer Olympics will be held around the city of London from July 27 to Aug 12, next year.

Sieh said on paper, Lin Dan had th eadvantage after winning the 2011 World Championship at the Olympic venue but as favourite, the pressure might turn againts him.

He cited the story of Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia who won the men's singles crown although the favourite during the 2004 Athens Olympics was Peter Gade from Denmark.

The Indonesian beat the Dane at the quarterfinals defeating Shon Seung-mo from South Korea 15-8, 15-7 to win the men's singles gold.

"So, I think, no one can claim that Wembley Arena will be his lucky hunting ground.

It all depends on the shuttlers strategy, physical and mental strength to win the elusive Olympic gold," he said.

Malaysia are banking on Chong Wei to win Malaysia's first ever gold medal in the Olympics.

Shabery Wants Misbun And BAM To Reconcile For The Sake Of Badminton

KEMAMAN, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and Datuk Misbun Sidek to find a formula so that their reconciliation can benefit Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the country's badminton as a whole.

Ahmad Shabery said both (BAM and Misbun) must set aside their pride and emphasize on the importance of the country's badminton.

"This is not about anyone's personal pride. Misbun may feel apprehensive about coming back and BAM may feel that such a move would be swallowing their pride but what is important is the country's badminton," he told Bernama when commenting on Chong Wei's wish to seek advise from Misbun.

Chong Wei had indicated last Wednesday that he wouldn't mind receiving assistance from Misbun, who quit BAM last Dec 31, if it could bolster his Olympic dreams.

However, a local daily reported that Misbun seemed non-committal to such a move, adding that the former coach had said that BAM had enough experts to determine Chong Wei's success towards winning an Olympic gold medal.

The recent performances of Chong Wei, the world number one, had raised concern, especially during the Hong Kong Open, China Open and the Super Series Masters Final where he failed to make the grade.

Ahmad Shabery said the matter must be given serious consideration.

"The issue now is not about who is right or who is wrong or whose pride it is going to affect. For the sake of the country, there must be room for talks to find a formula that can benefit.

"Our main objective is to see Chong Wei a gold medal in the Olympics," he said.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Gandingan Koo-Tan tak cukup bisa


Prestasi Koo Kien Keat (kiri)-Tan Boon Heong semakin membimbangkan ekoran tewas dalam semua tiga perlawanan kumpulan Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Masters Akhir di Liuzhou, China minggu lalu.


KUALA LUMPUR - Kegagalan Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong menamatkan perlawanan dengan kemenangan walaupun sudah mendahului lawan, dikenalpasti sebagai masalah membelenggu beregu utama negara itu.

Demikian penjelasan ketua jurulatih beregu lelaki negara berhubung persembahan hambar pasangan itu yang tewas dalam kesemua tiga perlawanan kumpulan Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Masters Akhir di Liuzhou, China minggu lalu.

“Mereka mampu bermain dengan baik dan memimpin perlawanan namun kemaraan tersekat pada situasi getir dan tidak cukup tajam untuk melengkapkan kemenangan,” katanya, merujuk kepada aksi pembukaan Kien Keat-Boon Heong menentang beregu handalan Korea Selatan, Jung Jae-Sung-Lee Young-Dae.

Pada set penentuan, Kien Keat-Boon Heong mendahului perlawanan sehinggalah kedudukan terikat 15-15 sebelum membiarkan lawan mengutip tiga mata berturut-turut dan seterusnya memenanginya.

Begitu juga sewaktu pertemuan dengan beregu Indonesia, Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano, yang mana mereka yang menang set pertama dan berada di ambang kemenangan set berikutnya pada kedudukan 19-16, namun akhirnya tewas 19-21.

Berikutan itu, Kim Her memberitahu, Pang Cheh Chang yang bertanggungjawab melatih Kien Keat-Boon Heong akan merangka pelan baru untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut.

“Pang (Cheh Chang), dibantu Yoo (Yong-Sung) akan duduk berbincang dengan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) bagi mencari punca serta penyelesaiannya.

“Mungkin kerana Koo-Tan terlalu letih pada penghujung permainan atau pun silap strategi? Kita akan cuba mencari jalan membantu dua pemain ini,” tambahnya.

Kim Her bagaimanapun sedar masa kurang mengizinkan kerana tugasan Kien Keat-Boon Heong seterusnya adalah Terbuka Korea pada 3-8 Januari depan, justeru Cheh Chang tidak harus mengambil masa terlalu lama.
Walaupun berasa teragak-agak apabila diajukan soalan sama ada Kien Keat-Boon Heong masih boleh dianggap prospek emas, Kim Her berkata: “Saya tetap percayakan Pang, saya yakin dia mampu membimbing Koo-Tan untuk bangkit selepas ini.”

Layak ke kejohanan Dunia



AKSI Leong Mun Yee Leong (bawah) dan Pandelela Rinong pada Kejohanan Dunia di Shanghai Julai lalu. - AFP



KUALA LUMPUR -Berkedudukan ranking ketiga dunia, Pandelela Rinong dan Leong Mun Yee akan sekali lagi meraih hak untuk beraksi pada pertandingan berprestij Siri Terjun Dunia Persekutuan Akuatik Antarabangsa (FINA) tahun depan.

Siri Terjun Dunia yang mula dianjurkan FINA sejak 2007 merupakan pertandingan jemputan yang dikhaskan hanya untuk 10 penerjun terbaik dunia dalam setiap disiplin.

Ini sekali gus melayakkan Pandelela dan Mun Yee yang menghuni ranking ketiga acara 10m platform seirama, untuk berentap dengan sekumpulan penerjun elit dunia. Ia baik untuk mengukur sejauh mana peluang mereka meraih pingat pada Olimpik nanti.

Pandelela juga dijangka menerima jemputan untuk beraksi dalam acara 10m platform individu kerana pemenang pingat emas Sukan Komanwel berada pada ranking ketiga dunia, di belakang dua jaguh sensasi China, Hu Yadan dan Chen Ruolin.

Sema seperti tahun ini, Siri Terjun Dunia 2012 turut menampilkan empat pusingan bermula di Dubai pada 16-17 Mac, diikuti Beijing (Mac 23-24), Moscow (13-14 April) dan Tijuana, Mexico (20-21 April).
Gandingan Pandelela-Mun Yee sememangnya kian menjadi sejak mereka berdua melakar kejutan memungut gangsa di Kejohanan Dunia Rome pada 2009.

Kejayaan Pandelela-Mun Yee meraih naib juara pada pusingan pertama Siri Terjun Dunia di Beijing, Februari lalu adalah bukti terbaik mereka sebenarnya setanding dengan lain-lain pencabar kecuali China yang jelas berada di kelas tersendiri.

Kejayaan paling manis adalah apabila mereka mencipta sejarah menjuarai Grand Prix Terbuka Jerman di Rostock pada Mei.

Biarpun masih belum lagi mengesahkan tiket Olimpik selepas sekadar menamatkan saingan di tempat kelima (tiga pasangan terbaik layak) pada Kejohanan Dunia Shanghai pada Julai, pasangan harapan negara diramal tidak menghadapi masalah untuk layak menerusi Piala Dunia di London Februari depan.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Faizal optimis hoki ke Olimpik

KUALA LUMPUR - Penyerang utama skuad hoki negara, Faizal Shaari optimis dengan peluang Malaysia melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik London tahun depan menerusi saingan kelayakkan di Dublin, Ireland, 10-18 Mac depan.

Malaysia diundi sekumpulan dengan tuan rumah, Korea Selatan, Rusia, Chile dan Ukraine.
Status gergasi Asia yang dimiliki Korea Selatan serta kelebihan Ireland selaku tuan rumah tidak menggusarkan Faizal.

"Rekod pertemuan terbaru dengan Korea Selatan membuktikan kami mampu menyaingi mereka. Kami mengikat mereka seri pada Sukan Asia dan menang dengan mereka 3-1 pada kejohanan Piala Sultan Azlan Shah.

"Ireland pula, sebelum ini kami berentap dengan mereka dalam lima perlawanan ujian yang mana kami menang dua kali dan seri sekali.

"Korea Selatan dan Ireland adalah pencabar utama kami di Dublin nanti, namun saya tetap yakin kerana sudah masak corak permainan mereka, jadi kita ada ramuan untuk menang," katanya.

Menurut Faizal, apa yang lebih penting adalah dia dan rakan sepasukan mengelak dari lalai pada penghujung perlawanan, seperti mana yang berlaku ketika perlawanan dengan India pada suku akhir Cabaran Juara baru-baru ini.

Biar pun selesa mendahului 4-2 pada satu ketika, India berjaya menyamakan kedudukan pada lima minit terakhir sebelum melengkapkan kemenangan 5-4 pada masa tambahan.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Cost of too many battles

AS far as former international Datuk James Selvaraj is concerned, Lee Chong Wei was physically drained in the last two months from playing too many tournaments. This factor was exploited by his China rivals Lin Dan and Chen Long.

  Chong Wei has had a stellar year until the World Championships in London in August where Lin Dan narrowly beat him.  After that, physical and mental exhaustion took its toll on the World No 1 and he started cracking after that.

  Since his World Championships triumph, Lin Dan had beaten Chong Wei twice while Chen Long was the surprise package with the 22-year-old World No 3 beating Chong Wei three times in their last four meetings beginning with the Japan Open in September.

  Selvaraj, who is also the BAM high performance director, said the fact that Chong Wei's hectic schedule of playing 19 tournaments, has taken its toll on him.

  Chen Long subdued the Malaysian in the semi-finals of the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou in three games while Lin Dan captured the title yesterday with a one-sided victory over Chen Long.

   "Chong Wei was a different player at the beginning of the year, very fit and deceptive but he has played one too many and gone into overdrive. He is 29 and was totally drained out over the last two months because of the hectic schedule," said Selvaraj.

   "He has to focus only on the main tournaments next year and spend more time on preparations in the seven months leading up to the London Olympics. He must cut down on tournaments and I have already proposed this to the coaching and training committee.

"Chong Wei has learnt a lot from in the last few tournaments and he must be fully watchful of not just Lin Dan. Chen Long has improved so much that he is on par and sometimes even better than Chong Wei.

"Both Lin Dan and Chen Long know how to counter Chong Wei and they seem to be well prepared in waiting for his returns and could dictate terms. Chen Long is powerful, young and uses his height to maximum effect.

"China are fortunate to have several players who are on par and have different styles to cater to the sparring of Lin Dan and Chen Long.

  "We don't have that luxury but Chong Wei can gain through higher intensity and an improvement in his fitness level. For example, coaches can use three against one sessions to keep the pressure on Chong Wei where he gets quality sparring.

"Video analysis is very important where Chong Wei can go through his current matches with the two China shuttlers and come up with new tactics to outwit them."

 Former national player Foo Kok Keong urged Chong Wei to  bounce back and work towards his goal, which is to win the Olympic gold.

  "Chong Wei has stated that the Olympics is his priority and he shouldn't be disheartened by his recent defeats. He must not lose heart but keep fighting and continue his hardwork. Olympic glory is what he wants and he must keep battling," said Kok Keong.

  But time seems to be running out for men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who suffered another blow after  losing all three matches in the World Super Series Finals.

  Cheah Soon Kit, who won silver in the Olympics with Yap Kim Hock in 1996, said the duo must overcome their main weakness, which is fitness, if they wish to bounce back.

Fitness has been one of Soon Kit's strong points as the shuttler managed to sustain a long career without major injuries and was the first Malaysian shuttler to play in three Olympics.

"Kien Keat and Boon Heong must overcome the most basic weakness which is their fitness. If they can improve on this aspect, I think they can challenge the top pairs again," said Soon Kit.

"The intensity and speed of the men's doubles these days have gone up several notches and a higher level of fitness is needed to compete on the world stage.

  "They have also been down for long and this is where the coaches can help. Sometimes, the players lose their way even when they are trying very hard and the coaches can contribute by encouraging the players and continuously motivating them."

BAM bimbang prestasi pemain No.1 negara

GAYA permainan jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei bukan lagi menjadi ancaman kepada pemain China.

Dalam beberapa kejohanan kebelakangan ini, pemain perseorangan No. 1 dunia itu sering 'diperbudakkan' oleh musuh tradisinya dari negara Tembok Besar itu.

Bukan setakat Lin Dan yang berjaya meleburkan aksi cemerlang Chong Wei, malah pemain muda China pun nampaknya mampu menggulingkan reputasi pemain kelahiran Pulau Pinang itu.

Pemain China dikatakan sudah bijak membaca gaya permainan Chong Wei dan kelemahan yang ada pada pemain utama negara itu dipergunakan oleh pemain lawan untuk menewaskannya.

Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) sudah menyedari hakikat tersebut dan tanpa berlengah lagi, badan induk sukan badminton negara mengambil langkah drastik untuk memulihkan 'semangat' Chong Wei.

Sebagai langkah awal, BAM akan bekerjasama dengan Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) untuk merangka satu program khas buat Chong Wei dan pemain lainnya yang lebih mengutamakan kepada aspek kekuatan mental dan teknikal.

Presiden BAM, Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh (gambar) berkata, ia merupakan satu langkah baharu bagi membantu Chong Wei mengubah strategi permainan agar ia sukar dibaca oleh pihak lawan.

"Kali ini kami dan ISN akan membantu Chong Wei dari segi teknikal iaitu cuba mempertingkatkan gaya permainan Chong Wei agar dia mampu memberi saingan kepada pencabar-pencabar utamanya.

"ISN mempunyai kelengkapan yang baik dari segi saintifik untuk melihat permainan Chong Wei sekali gus menganalisis gaya permainannya," katanya pada sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat exco BAM di Bukit Kiara, semalam.

Tambah Nadzmi lagi, dengan adanya bantuan ISN dalam program latihan Chong Wei, kami yakin beliau mampu melakar kejayaan di Sukan Olimpik nanti.

Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai pula berkata, kami telah berbincang dengan pihak ISN sebelum ini dan telah merancang untuk melakukan satu program latihan kepada Chong Wei.

"Ia merupakan satu latihan intensif yang lebih mengutamakan aspek teknikal tetapi kami juga mahu meningkatkan tahap fizikalnya," katanya.

Semalam, Chong Wei dihampakan pemain muda China, Chen Long pada peringkat separuh akhir Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Dunia Akhir di Luizhou, China.

Chong Wei tewas dalam permainan tiga set 16-21, 21-16, 18-21.

Menurut Chin Chai, cara permainan Chong Wei seperti sudah dibaca oleh pihak lawan terutamanya dari China kerana kita boleh lihat Lin Dan dan Cheng Long menggunakan gaya agak sama ketika menewaskan pemain No. 1 negara ini.

Chin Chai berkata, setiap kali ketika perlawanan membabitkan Chong Wei, hampir enam kamera telah digunakan untuk merakam pergerakan Chong Wei untuk melihat strategi permainannya.

"Kita sudah tahu puncanya dan kita sedang berusaha untuk mencari penyelesaiannya. Saya berharap dengan bantuan ISN kali ini, kita mampu menentang mereka semula.

"Sebenarnya, Chong Wei sudah berada di tahap yang sangat tinggi tetapi kita perlu berusaha sedikit sahaja lagi untuk membantunya," jelasnya.

Ketika ditanya mengenai persediaan BAM untuk menghadapi Piala Thomas dan Piala Uber yang akan berlangsung pada Februari 2012 di Macau, Presiden BAM menjelaskan bahawa pemain-pemain yang akan terpilih akan disenaraikan pada akhir Januari.

"Kami akan menghantar pasukan yang terbaik berdasarkan prestasi mereka sehingga Januari tahun depan, kita tiada masa lagi untuk melakukan percubaan atau pendedahan kepada mereka," kata Nadzmi.
Beliau turut mengumumkan bahawa BAM telah berjaya memenangi bidaan untuk menganjurkan Piala Sudirman 2013.

Chong Wei now has two China players to worry about in battle for supremacy

LIUZHOU: Nevermind that Lee Chong Wei did not become a world champion this year. Nevermind that he failed to bring the curtain down this season with his fourth Super Series Masters Finals title here.
Throughout the year, come what may, the 29-year-old Chong Wei has toiled to maintain his World No. 1 ranking and done the nation proud.

He single-handedly carried the flag, reaching 11 consecutive finals, winning seven titles and reaching three semi-finals - a feat that deserves thunderous applause, if not a standing ovation.

Deadly comrades: China’s Lin Dan (right) posing with his compatriot Chen Long after winning the Super Series Masters Finals men’s singles title in Liuzhou yesterday. – AFP
 
He doggedly played his heart out to keep the excitement of his keen rivalry with China’s Lin Dan, and now a vibrant Chen Long, alive.

Sports thrive on such epic contests and the badminton world can expect more fiery clashes in the New Year as the battle for supremacy has now become a three-cornered battle among Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long ahead of the London Olympics.

It is true that Chong Wei’s form and confidence dropped somewhat after the heart-wrenching loss to Lin Dan in the World Championships final at Wembley in August.

Who would not be devastated after coming so close to being crowned the nation’s first badminton world champion.
In the last four months, Chong Wei has been trying hard to regain his grip but the defeats by Chen Long and the continued battering from Lin Dan have not made it easy.

The 22-year-old Chen Long, a surprise first round casualty to Kevin Cordon of Guatemala at the world meet, has stormed back with his guns blazing to show that he is ready to rule the world.
The good news is that Chong Wei knows exactly what needs to be done to counter Lin Dan and Chen Long ahead of the Olympics.

He is ready to minimise his mistakes and add more precision to his game; be selective in his tournaments; pump up more power and speed; continue to give 100% in training and stay injury free. But knowing one’s faults is easy, the hard part is rectifying them, as Chong We is all too aware.

”I didn’t have strong finishes towards the end of the season but that’s all right.
“Sometimes, defeats like these make one even stronger,” said Chong Wei
“I will play in several tournaments in the early part of the new year and spend more time training ahead of the Olympics,” said Chong Wei, who will compete in the South Korea Open (Jan 3-8) and Malaysia Open (Jan 11-15) next month.

It is clear that Chong Wei is not pressing the panic button just yet but if there is one party that should be alarmed it is the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

Where are BAM’s Chen Longs? Where are the successors to Chong Wei, who is 29 after all?
BAM are still hiding behind the success of Chong Wei, who has carried the weight almost single-handedly for several years. The grim truth is none of the back-up players are close to Chong Wei’s standard.

It is disturbing as the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament is just two months away. Who will play alongside Chong Wei? Maybe World No. 34 Mohd Hafiz Hashim and No. 42 Wong Choong Hann, who are surprisingly still ranked higher than all the BAM back-up players despite leaving the national team some time ago.

There is one player - professional club KLRC’s Zulfadli Zulfadli - who did the country proud by winning the Asian and world junior titles this year. For now, he seems to be the only bright spark but he has yet to make the transition to senior ranks.

To be fair, BAM have promised to look into the matter by giving more to their grassroots programme.
They have also, finally, decided to try something new by providing exposure to the youngsters by sending them out for more tournaments next year. Hopefully, it will see the birth of a new breed of resilient players like Chong Wei.

Chu Sian To Use Three International Competitions To Prepare For London Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Olympics bound national elite archer Cheng Chu Sian hopes to use three international competitions to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

Chu Sian, crowned Olympian of the Year by the Olympic Council of Malaysia yesterday said the three competitions identified were the first Asian Grand Prix Championships in Bangkok, Thailand from Feb 15-19, Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai, China from April 10-15 and Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Ogden, United States from June 17-23.

"I hope to do my best in all three competitions which will feature some of the best archers in the world," the 25-year-old archer told Bernama here Saturday.

"National coach Lee Jae Hyung has asked me to maintain my performance although he has not set any specific target that will add on to the pressure since many world class archers will be competing," he said.

Chu Sian, winner of two gold medals in the recently concluded SEA Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, said he was undergoing centralised training at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil to prepare for the three major championships.

The archer who had also featured in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics on merit, together with Haziq Kamaruddin and Khairul Anuar Mohamad after beating a trio from Poland in the Recurve team event of the World Archery Championships in Torino, Italy back in July.

He added that women archers are also expected to compete in the three championships since no woman archer has qualified for the London Olympics.

Suryani sasar pingat Olimpik

PENEMBAK negara, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi kini mengalihkan tumpuan untuk menghadiahkan kilauan pingat di Sukan Olimpik London 2012, sekiranya berjaya menempah tiket ke temasya berprestij itu.
Selepas melakar kejayaan bergelar Olimpian Wanita Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Jumaat lalu, atlet berusia 29 tahun itu semakin bersemangat untuk melakukan yang terbaik untuk negara.

“Apapun terlebih dulu saya perlu berjaya di medan kelayakan ke London sebelum meletakkan sebarang sasaran.
“Tumpuan saya selepas ini, pastinya untuk tampil cemerlang di Kejohanan Menembak Asia di Doha, bulan depan yang menjadi medan terakhir melayakkan diri ke Olimpik. Kalau ada rezeki pasti takkan ke mana.

“Sekiranya berjaya melayakkan diri, sudah tentu saya ingin melakar kejayaan di London pula. Siapa yang enggan membawa pulang pingat emas? Saya akan berusaha melakukan yang terbaik,” katanya.

Kejayaan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) itu membidik dua emas dalam acara 50m rifle tiga posisi dan 10m air rifle pada temasya Sukan Sea Indonesia, bulan lalu, turut meyakinkan Setiausaha Kehormat MOM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi terhadap kemampuannya ke Olimpik.

“Saya optimis Nur Suryani ada peluang ke Olimpik. Meskipun arena sukan menembak sukar untuk diramalkan tapi keyakinan saya itu bersandarkan prestasinya yang amat konsisten,” kata Kok Chi.

Sementara itu, Nur Suryani mengakui kejayaannya banyak didorong suaminya, Marhazli Mhotar.

“Kegembiraan mendirikan rumah tangga sejak Mac lalu banyak menyokong kejayaan ini. “Suami sentiasa memberi sokongan moral serta psikologi bagi membolehkan saya kekal fokus terutama ketika beraksi di lapangan menembak. “Daripada kehidupan seharian dan sokongannya (suami), saya adaptasikannya kepada sukan itu sendiri dan itulah membuatkan saya boleh memberi tumpuan lebih ketika beraksi.

“Syukur kerana rezeki saya tahun ini bertambah baik dan ia membuktikan hasil usaha saya sebelum ini membuahkan hasil,” katanya yang turut menerima Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan (Shakam) sebanyak RM15,000, minggu lalu.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Pandelela is already feeling the pressure ahead of the Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR: A tough training regime and a short tomboy haircut – these are some of the things Pandelela Rinong (pic) has been put through by diving coach Yang Zhuliang in a bid to help her win Malaysia’s first-ever gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

The 18-year-old Kuching-born Pandelela, who has qualified for the women’s 10m platform event for the London Games, has also sacrificed her pre-university studies since January to focus on the world’s biggest multi-sports Games.

Pandelela, who will be featuring in her second Olympics, is already feeling the pressure although the Games are seven months away.
“Coach Yang is pushing me hard in training daily as he believes I have the potential to not only win a medal but the gold,” said Pandelela.

“I’ve definitely improved on my diving technique but the coach wants me to further improve it to achieve the elusive gold.

“This has put me under a lot of pressure as I will be up against the world best divers at the Olympics.
“It’s tough to win an Olympic medal, let alone the gold,” added Pandelela, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Pandelela said that she also had to cut her hair short because her coach felt that her long hair distracted her from executing the somersaults perfectly.

“The coach says that all the Chinese women divers had short hair. Although I have cut mine short, he is still unhappy and wants me to trim it further,” said Pandelela, who was the first Malaysian woman diver to win the gold medal in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Pandelela will get to train in Dali, China, for two weeks next month in preparation for the World Championships in London in February.

“I will use the world meet to qualify for two more events in the Olympics – the 3m springboard and 10m platform synchnorised,” said Pandelela, who will also feature in the four legs of the FINA World Series next year in preparation for the London Olympics.

Meanwhile, Carlsberg Malaysia announced yesterday its annual sponsorship of RM30,000 for the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM)-Carlsberg athletes’ retirement scheme for this year.

The scheme, which currently has RM3.07mil, is meant for the 88 Malaysian athletes who have won medals at the past Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Another Chong Wei and Lin Dan final will be fitting climax to season

LIUZHOU: Legend has it that eight dragons emerged from the sprawling Liu Jiang (Liu River) which flows through this beautiful city. Today, eight dragons from the badminton world will emerge to do battle for the prestigious Super Series Masters Finals men’s singles title.

They are world number one Lee Chong Wei; China’s Lin Dan and Chen Long; Indonesia Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso; Denmark’s Peter-Gade Christensen; and Japan’s Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki.
But the focus will be on the two most gifted and celebrated dragons of the era – Chong Wei and four-time world champion Lin Dan – as a final between them will be a fitting climax to the 12-leg Super Series season.
A meeting between archrivals Chong Wei and Lin Dan in the final is very much a possibility but young Chen Long could spoil the party.

In the draw released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday, top seed Chong Wei is in Group A with the evergreen Christensen, Simon and Sasaki. In Group B with Lin Dan are Chen Long, Taufik and Kenichi. The top two will play in the crossover semi-finals.

Gracious in defeat: Lee Chong Wei shaking hands with Lin Dan after losing to the China No. 1 in the World Championships final in October.
 
National coach Tey Seu Bock agreed a final showdown between Chong Wei and Lin Dan was what most fans wanted.

“And for Chong Wei to win the match,” he said with a broad smile.
“But in all honestly, it is going to be hard for Chong Wei. Both Lin Dan and Chen Long will have the crowd’s backing.

“The group matches won’t be easy either. Chong Wei has three in his group who can last the pace.
“Peter has shown that age is not a factor while both Simon and Sasaki are vibrant players full of energy.”
Seu Bock feels that the Masters Finals will also serve as a prelude to what could transpire at next year’s Olympic Games in London.

“I see three names – Chong Wei, Lin Dan and Chen Long – leap before my eyes when I think of the Olympic Games. The format will be similiar as the players have to go through the group stages first.”
At the Olympics, the qualifiers will be divided into 16 groups with only the group winners advancing to the elimination round.

On Chong Wei’s condition, Seu Bock said: “It has been a long and tiring but successful year for him. Let’s hope he has enough in the tank to end it well.”

Chong Wei was awarded the BWF Male Player of the Year award during a welcome dinner for the players on Monday. Despite losing to Lin Dan in the world championship, Chong Wei stood tall in winning five titles and reaching 11 consecutive finals.

The top female award went to China’s reigning world champions Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yuyang for reaching 12 consecutive finals and winning seven Super Series titles, which included all five Premier meets.

In the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s hopes rest on Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong who are out to redeem themselves with a good showing to make up for a disappointing year.


Pandelela and Mun Yee get to compete again at Diving World Series

PETALING JAYA: Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee will keep the Malaysian flag flying again in the FINA Diving World Series next year.

The duo are the only Malaysians to make the top 10 of the world rankings for 2011 and that guarantees them berths in the prestigious series.

The 2012 calendar for the series, which is for the top ranked 10 divers in the respective disciplines, features competitions in Dubai (March 16-17), Beijing (March 23-24), Moscow (April 13-14) and Tijuana, Mexico, (April 20-21).

Pandelela is ranked third behind two Chinese divers – Hu Yadan and the world and Olympic champion Chen Ruolin – in the women’s 10m platform individual event.

Fellow Sarawakian Traisy Vivien, who won her first SEA Games gold medal in Indonesia last month, is ranked 16th.

The 17-year-old Pandelela, who made history as Malaysia’s first Commonwealth Games diving gold medallist in New Delhi last year, rode on several breakthrough achievements to finish ahead of 2009 world champion Paola Espinosa in the world rankings for the season.

Pandelela started with silver medals in the 10m platform individual and synchro with Mun Yee at the World Series leg in Beijing in February.

Pandelela then scored a historic first for Malaysia by partnering Mun Yee to the synchro gold at the German Open in May where she also took silver in the 10m platform individual.

Pandelela was also the silver medallist at the World University Games in Shenzhen in August and has already qualified for the London Olympics after finishing fifth in the World Championships in Shanghai this year.
The performances of Pandelela and Mun Yee also saw Malaysia ranked third behind China and Australia in the women’s 10m platform synchro ahead of Canada.

Germany, Ukraine, Britain, Mexico, Russia and United States make up the top 10 rankings for women’s 10m platform synchro.

ARCHERY / YEAR IN REVIEW: Sport has best year ever

Quartet making it to London 2012 on merit is the highlight

Year in review
(Clockwise from right) Khairul Anuar Mohammad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Cheng Chu Sian, Nur Amirah Mohamed, Shahira Abdul Halim, Nurul Syafiqah Hashim and Fairuz SM Rahim. 

WITHOUT doubt, this has been one of the most successful years Malaysian archery has experienced in its history. 

A record four Malaysian archers qualified for the 2012 London Olympics and several outstanding performances in international tournaments gave rise to hope for a better future for the sport in the country.

   Khairul Anuar Mohammad, Haziq Kamaruddin and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim emerged as the next breed of potential champions and along with the experienced Cheng Chu Sian, they could still be treading unchartered waters next year.

   Khairul, 20, and Haziq, 18, combined with Chu Sian to secure Malaysia three Olympic qualification spots at the World Championships in Germany while Syafiqah became the first Malaysian woman archer since Mon Redee Sut Txi in 2004 to qualify for the Olympics at the Asian qualifying tournament in Iran.

   But it did not stop there as rookie Khairul had a season he will find difficult to forget after also winning the Asian Championships title, reaching the final of a World Cup in Shanghai and taking bronze at the Olympic test event, the London Archery Classic.

   The archers then ended the year on a high as Chu Sian led the recurve men to two gold medals at the Indonesia Sea Games.

   But none of this could have been imagined just 12 months ago when the archers had a poor outing at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games and the Guangzhou Asian Games.

   National recurve coach Lee Jae Hyung made the bold decision to drop several seniors from the elite squad and promote the juniors and what a masterstroke that proved to be.

   The likes of Wan Khalmizam Wan Abd Aziz and Nazrin Aizat Mat Nasir, whose performances were inconsistent at best, and the retirement of S. Anbarasi paved the way for the next generation to shine.

   Khairul, Haziq and Syafiqah have been the main beneficiaries and proved Jea Hyung's decision to go with youth was the right one.

   Khairul is now Malaysia's highest ranked archer at No 7 in the world -- the highest a Malaysian has gone since Chu Sian reached No 9 two years ago.

   Chu Sian has since slipped to 40th while Haziq is not far behind at 45th but a few others lurk behind the trio to put them on their guard.

   Izzuddin Rahim, Fazli Hisham Fauzi and Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra will be hoping for a chance to stake a claim to one of three Olympic spots, ensuring a lively contest before the Olympics in July.

   Similarly, Syafiqah is not assured of a place in London as Shahira Abdul Halim, the highest ranked Malaysian woman recurve archer at No 84 in the world, Adibah Tajuddin and Nur Amirah Mohamed are all in contention.

   In the lead-up to London, the archers will be sent to several major tournaments including the Asian Archery Grand Prix in Bangkok and Kazahkstan and World Cup events in Shanghai, Antalya and Ogden, United States.

   With a team world ranking of ninth, Malaysia stand their best chance of an Olympic medal in the men's recurve event.

   At Beijing 2008, nerves seemed to get the better of the trio of Chu Sian, Marbawi Sulaiman and Khalmizam, an area which will need to be sorted out before London.

   One discipline that has often be neglected but has shown improvement lately is compound archery after Zaki Mahazan finished runner-up at the Asian Championships.

   Zaki also claimed silver at the Sea Games in a reminder to both the National Sports Council and the National Archery Association of Malaysia that there is untapped talent in compound archery.

   Because compound archery is not an Olympic sport and only recently made it on the Commonwealth Games programme, it has largely slipped below the radar but the performances of Zaki and Datin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh should at least bring some much-needed attention to the event.

   On the local front, the National Archery Circuit continues to play a leading role in identifying talent.

   Khairul, Haziq and Syafiqah were all first noticed here and have gone on to make their mark internationally in a major boost for the sport in the country.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Fatehah not resting on her laurels

THE London Olympics awaits Fatehah Mustapa, but she's not easing her foot off the pedal by any means, aiming for the best form of her life before hitting the Games on July 27-Aug 12 next year.

  According to coach John Beasley's calculations, Fatehah has all but booked her spot in London 2012 as the first ever woman cyclist to represent Malaysia in an Olympics.

  Fatehah, 21, completed another superb  performance in the Caracol de Pista event in Medellin, Colombia,  over the weekend, where she finished third in the 200m sprint and fourth in the scratch race.

  That followed her fifth place finish in the keirin in the second round of the UCI World Cup in Cali the previous week. She also finished ninth in the scratch race there to book her spot in the World Championships in that event.

  "John says the Olympic spot is already sealed.

  "I'm very happy about that and can't wait to get to London. But at the same time, I'm not going to take things for granted," said Fatehah, before she headed to Melbourne from Medellin yesterday.

  "My training will have to be upped from now. I want more points to qualify comfortably and with an improved ranking.

  "I want to qualify as the top ranked Asian rider.

  "I'll also  trying to qualify for the 200m sprint after this."

  It has been the best month in Fatehah's career thus far, following up her triple gold medal sweep at the Sea Games in Indonesia last month with her feats in Colombia.

  Now  among the top women's keirin riders, Fatehah will  be entering the Olympics with a real shot at bagging a medal, which is something she remains optimistic about.

  "To win a medal is going to be very difficult because each country will be strong,  come the Olympics," said Fatehah.

  "But the keirin is also unpredictable.

  "With a bit of luck and if I'm in a good position, I might be in with a chance to win a medal."

Malaysian riders bag gold and bronzes in Medellin meet

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top track cyclists closed the season on a high as they collected one gold and two bronze medals in the Gran Caracol Da Pista invitational meet in Medellin, Colombia, over the weekend.

The decision to stay back, after the Cali round of the World Cup the previous week, to compete in the Gran Caracol Da Pista proved right as Josiah Ng blazed his way to a surprise gold in the scratch while Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa finished with bronze in the respective men’s and women’s sprint.

Josiah finished ahead of Holland riders Roy Van Den Berg and Albert Hugo to win the 10km scratch race.
Azizul continued with his impressive comeback by taking a well deserved bronze in the men’s sprint won by 2009 world champion Maximilian Levy of Germany.

Azizul had reached the keirin final in Cali but a crash spoiled his hopes of a podium finish and he eventually placed fifth. The two-time World Championship finalist was riding in only his second competition since suffering a career threatening calf injury in Manchester in February.

It was also a most satisfying campaign for top national woman cyclist Fatehah. The 22-year-old, who reached the keirin final at the World Cup in Cali, made it to the podium in the sprint discipline won by Frenchwoman Sandie Clair.

Fatehah also finished fourth in the women’s scratch race and her performances indicate she is on the right track to realise her dream to be the first Malaysian woman to ride at the Olympics in London next year.
Fatehah shone in her second SEA Games appearance with three gold medals in the sprint, team sprint and 500m time trial in Indonesia last month and track team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad was impressed with her progress.

“It was good for her to end the year with a medal in her first outing in Colombia. This was a high quality meet as they only invited the top riders to stay back after the World Cup,” he said.

“Fatehah has really matured and is slowly making her mark in the World Cup series. We hope she can keep up the good work next year.”

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Asum lega Daniel kian pulih

MESKIPUN bahang ke saingan kelayakan terakhir Olimpik 2012 sudah mula dirasai skuad terjun tetapi Kesatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (Asum) boleh menarik nafas lega apabila renang hanya akan diadakan pada Mei.
Dengan saingan kelayakan skuad terjun diadakan Februari ini, Asum menyifatkan jurang waktu itu sebagai tempoh terbaik buat persediaan anak emas mereka, Daniel Bego (gambar) pulih sepenuhnya.

Tempoh ini disifatkan landasan terbaik bagi Daniel berdepan saingan ke medan lebih penting, Olimpik di London, selepas melayakkan diri dalam tiga acara di Beijing 2008.
“Setakat ini Daniel semakin pulih, tiada masalah susulan dan dia menjalani latihan ringan setiap hari. Saya yakin berbekal latihan serta penjagaan rapi dan fisioterapi, dia (Daniel) mampu melepasi kelayakan ke Olimpik.

“Malah, kami juga masih belum menetapkan sebarang kejohanan untuknya tahun depan. Setakat ini, mungkin semua saingan setakat dalam negeri saja,” kata Setiausaha Kehormat Asum, Edwin Chong.

Daniel, 21, yang juga penyumbang pingat emas terbanyak negara di temasya Sukan Sea Laos dua tahun lalu terpaksa disisihkan saat akhir dari beraksi di Indonesia, bulan lalu kerana dikhuatiri menjejaskan pemulihan bahunya yang baru dibedah.

aguh renang yang meraih lima pingat emas di Laos itu mengalami masalah ‘Hook Acromium’ sejak tiga tahun lalu yang menyebabkan tulang di atas bahunya menyekat kuakan penuh 360 darjah hingga menghalangnya melakukan catatan masa lebih pantas. Dia menjalani dua pembedahan bahu kiri April dan Mei lalu.

“Meskipun keadaannya beransur pulih dan pembedahan di kedua-dua bahu agak memakan masa tapi saya yakin Daniel mampu melepasinya kerana dia adalah atlet yang tabah dan mempunyai semangat juang tinggi,” katanya.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tahap kecergasan Chong Wei menurun



CHONG WEI kini menjalani proses pemulihan bagi mengembalikan tahap kecergasannya.



PRESTASI jaguh perseorangan badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan kembali berada di puncak menjelang Mac atau April tahun depan.

Jurulatih perseorangan negara, Tey Seu Bock berkata, ketika ini Chong Wei masih lagi dalam proses pemulihan selepas mengharungi banyak kejohanan sepanjang tahun ini.

Jelasnya, dalam masa terdekat ini, agak sukar buat Chong Wei untuk kembali ke tahap terbaiknya kerana pemain berusia 29 tahun itu memerlukan masa bagi menjalani proses pemulihan terutama fizikalnya.
"Saya tidak nafikan, Chong Wei ketika ini memang keletihan selepas apa yang dilalui sepanjang tahun ini.
"Saya tidak mahu memberikan sebarang tekanan kepada Chong Wei. Biarlah dia menjalani proses pemulihan secara berperingkat kerana jika terlalu tertekan, ia boleh mengundang risiko buat dirinya," jelas Seu Bock.
Andai dibuat penilaian berdasarkan kenyataan yang diberikan Seu Bock itu, Chong Wei berkemungkinan gagal dalam misinya untuk mempertahankan kejuaraan pada Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Akhir di Liu Zhou, China bermula 12 Disember ini.

Malah, peluangnya untuk merangkul kejuaraan ketujuh pada Terbuka Malaysia 2012 Januari tahun depan juga agak tipis.

Ini kerana, prestasinya masih belum kembali berada pada tahap sebenar bagi mengharungi dua kejohanan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, Seu Bock menjelaskan bahawa apa yang paling penting ketika ini adalah persiapan Chong Wei bagi memburu pingat emas pertama buat kontinjen Malaysia pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.

"Saya tak cakap Siri Super Akhir dan Terbuka Malaysia tidak penting buat Chong Wei. Dia akan beraksi seperti biasa dalam dua kejohanan tersebut tetapi saya lebih memikirkan mengenai persiapan ke Sukan Olimpik nanti.

"Saya tidak mahu mengambil sebarang risiko. Seperti saya katakan, Chong Wei memerlukan masa untuk kembali berada pada tahap terbaiknya.

"Jadi, saya menjangkakan dia akan berada pada tahap prestasi terbaik pada Mac atau April dan mengekalkannya sehingga berlangsungnya Sukan Olimpik.

"Jika kita lihat, prestasi Chong Wei tahun ini mula berada di puncak ketika dia memenangi Seluruh England Mac lalu dan selepas itu aksinya cukup konsisten sehinggalah Terbuka China bulan lalu.
"Sebab itu, jika boleh saya mahu dia melakukan perkara yang sama tahun depan kerana Sukan Olimpik akan bermula pada Julai," kata Seu Bock.

Sebelum ini, faktor keletihan dianggap sebagai punca terhadap kemerosotan prestasi Chong Wei sehingga memaksa pemain No. 1 dunia itu menarik diri daripada beraksi pada Grand Prix (GP) Emas Terbuka Macau minggu lalu.

Ini kerana, Chong Wei terpaksa mengharungi jadual kejohanan yang padat sehingga menyaksikan dia gagal mara ke pentas final apabila tewas pada peringkat separuh akhir Terbuka Hong Kong pada 20 November dan Terbuka China lima hari kemudian.

Paling memeritkan, dia tewas kepada seteru utama, Lin Dan.


Seu Bock: No cause for alarm

LEE Chong Wei may not be able to win the World Super Series Finals in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18 but national coach Tey Seu Bock is unperturbed by the current dip in form of the World No 1.

   Having reached 10 straight finals in as many months, Chong Wei suffered a double blow in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open and China Open to Lin Dan.

   However, Seu Bock said it is virtually impossible for any shuttler, including Lin Dan, to do what Chong Wei had done until October and that the tough schedule will only end after the Super Series Finals.

   Chong Wei is expected to cross swords again with Lin Dan, the third seed, and his new challenger from China, the second-seeded Chen Long, but Seu Bock will not be particularly bothered even if his charge returns without the title.

   "Chong Wei has reached 10 finals in a row while Lin Dan has been withdrawing from competitions and has also lost early in several events. Chen Long only started doing well after the World Championships (in August)," said Seu Bock yesterday.

   "Chong Wei's workload has been heavy and he is exhausted. Even if he loses in the Super Series Finals, it is not the time to panic as our main objective, the London Olympics, is another nine months away.

   "It is better that Chong Wei suffers a few disappointments now rather than go through a lean patch next year when the Olympics draws closer.

   "He should be able to return to top condition again by February.

"We are not putting any pressure on him to win every time he plays.

   "Chong Wei is not at his best while Lin Dan and Chen Long are in peak condition.

"If Chong Wei can still beat them or take them the distance in Liuzhou,  it will be good enough."

    Chong Wei will have less than 10 days to prepare for the Super Series Finals while Lin Dan is expected to go for a hat-trick after winning in China and Hong Kong.

   But as far as Seu Bock is concerned, the Olympics remains the main goal, so the minor pitfalls along the way will not distract Chong Wei.

Monday, December 5, 2011

HOCKEY: Olympic qualification fiasco

THE Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is peeved that the sport's governing body, the International Hockey Federation (FIH), has allowed Spain an automatic ticket to the 2012 London Olympics.

 This ridiculous scenario emerged after South Africa failed to qualify for the final of the Champions Challenge I when they went down 4-2 to India in Saturday's semi-finals.

 South Africa had qualified for the Olympics by virtue of being the African continent champions, but their Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee had set the team a condition of playing in the final of the Champions Challenge I if they want to play in the Olympics.

   Spain had lost their European Qualifier ticket to Belgium and had been slated to play in the Japan Olympic Qualifier in April, but a private deal will now see them play in the Olympics while South Africa will play in the Japan Qualifier.

    "This scenario is simply mind boggling as this private deal was never communicated or circulated to all teams who will be playing in the Olympic Qualifiers in India, Ireland and Japan," said MHF general manager Maninderjit Singh.

    Immediately after the deal was known to Maninderjit, he sent an e-mail to the FIH whose president Leandro Negre is from Spain, asking for justification and clarification.

    Part of the e-mail read: "As you remember that I also wrote an e-mail protesting why Oceania were given two slots with only two teams playing in the Oceania Cup (Fiji pulled out prior to the event).

    "I suggested that the second placed team in the Asian Games (Malaysia) and the second placed team in Oceania play a best of three matches to decide the slot.

    "The answer I received from you (FIH) was that the mechanism has been endorsed between International Olympic Committee and FIH and any changes could not be made or else we may face legal challenges. What about this scenario now?"

     MHF is  of the opinion that Egypt, the second placed team in the African qualifier, should be given the ticket instead of Spain.

    Also, Malaysia want to know why the slot was given to Europe, and not Pan-America or Asia.

Maninderjit also suggested in his e-mail that the three Olympic Qualifiers offer four tickets to the Olympics, with three going to the respective champions, and the fourth to the best placed team -- instead of handing it on a platter to Spain.

Fatehah takes a step closer to qualifying for the Olympics

PETALING JAYA: Fatehah Mustapa took a big step towards becoming the first Malaysian female cyclist to compete at the Olympics after claiming a place in the keirin final at the Track World Cup in Cali on Saturday.
It was also a satisfying campaign for Malaysia on the final day as Azizulhasni Awang continued with his remarkable comeback by finishing an impressive fifth in the men’s sprint.

Despite a tiring campaign at the Indonesia SEA Games last month, where she delivered three gold medals, a tenacious Fatehah battled on to reach the final in her pet event in what was her first World Cup meet for the year.
The 22-year-old failed to earn automatic qualification after finishing second in her first round heat and had to win the repechage to advance.

She survived the nerve-jangling repechage involving five riders and went on to book a place in the final after finishing third in the second round heat behind Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite and Russia’s Ekaterina Gnidenko.

Fatehah finished sixth in the final won by Krupeckaite but had the satisfaction of picking up five more points for Olympic qualification in keirin.

Malaysia were ranked 12th in the country rankings in women’s keirin prior to the meet in Cali.
Track team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said Fatehah, who made the scratch final on Thursday, is on the right track to realising her dream to compete in the London Olympics.

Fatehah, who also reached the World Championships final in Holland early this year, won gold medals in the sprint, team sprint and 500m time trial at the SEA Games.

“It was a world class performance in making the final again and she earned good points towards Olympic qualification,” said Naim.

“Qualification is through nation rankings and the top two Asian countries in the top 16 automatically qualify for the Olympics.

“Fatehah may only need to make another final in either Beijing or London and she is on her way,” he said.
The Beijing leg of the World Cup takes place next month while London will host the fourth and final round of the season at the newly built velodrome that will host the Olympics track cycling competitions.

Azizul, who finished fifth in the men’s keirin on Friday, made significant progress in the sprint as he cleared the top 16 knockout stages for the first time in more than a year.

Azizul posted the 12th fastest time of 10.315 in qualification but Malaysian veteran Josiah Ng failed to follow suit after finishing 20th on 10.404.

Azizul overcame Michael D’Almeida of France to reach the quarter-finals but his charge for a place in the medal rounds ended with defeat to German Enders Rene.

Azizul, however, bounced back to win the fifth to eight placing shoot-out involving three other riders to cap an impressive recovery after sustaining a career threatening calf injury in Manchester in February.

CYCLING: Fatehah in good form

FATEHAH Mustapa moved a step closer towards becoming the first Malaysian woman cyclist to qualify for the Olympics when she finished sixth in the keirin final in Round Two of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia, early yesterday.

UCI World Cup
Fatehah Mustapa finished sixth in the keirin at the UCI World Cup in Colombia yesterday.

That result came on the back of Fatehah's ninth place in the women's scratch race on Saturday which booked her spot in the World Championships in that event.

   Fresh from her triple gold medal haul at the Sea Games in Indonesia just a week earlier, Fatehah looks in good form to seal Olympic qualification in the women's keirin in the third round of the World Cup in Beijing next month.

   National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said the team, trimmed to just three main riders to focus on Olympic qualification, have had a good start to the UCI World Cup season with Azizul Hasni Awang also showing good form upon his return from injury.

   "Azizul won the classification race to finish fifth in the 200m sprint in Cali. He also finished fifth in the keirin, while Josiah Ng also collected points in that event. So, overall, with Fatehah showing that she too is ready to step up, we are looking good to pass the first hurdle of confirming our Olympic spots," said Naim.

   Having qualified 14th, Azizul beat France's Mickael d'Almeida in the last 16 stage and made it to the quarter-finals of the 200m sprint where he lost to Germany's Rene Enders.

He then beat Philip Njisane of Trinidad and Tobago, Hersony Canelon of Venezuela and Poland's Damien Zielinski in the classification heat to finish fifth.

   "We're pretty confident Azizul will be back to his best soon. But what is more impressive is Fatehah's rise this season. She has really matured and is slowly making her mark in the World Cup series this year.

"We were really expecting her to make a serious attempt for the 2016 Olympics. An Olympic spot would nevertheless be a boost for women's cycling," said Naim.

Fatehah hampiri Olimpik 2012



FATEHAH Mustapha kini semakin hampir untuk menjadi pelumba basikal wanita pertama negara layak beraksi pada temasya sukan terbesar dunia - Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London yang akan bermula Julai tahun depan.

Berdasarkan prestasi semasa, Fatehah ketika ini berada pada landasan tepat untuk merealisasikan impian tersebut.
Buktinya, dia kini muncul satu-satunya pelumba wanita dari Asia yang berjaya mengumpul mata bagi melayakkannya beraksi pada temasya berprestij dunia itu berbanding pencabar terdekatnya dari Hong Kong, Jepun dan China.

Semalam, pelumba kelahiran Terengganu itu tampil bergaya apabila berjaya menamatkan saingan di tempat keenam dalam acara keirin pada aksi final Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Piala Dunia Klasik Siri 2
di Cali, Columbia.
Kejayaan itu sekali gus membolehkan Fatehah mengutip lima mata dalam misinya beraksi
di bumi London kelak.

Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Datuk Naim Mohamad berkata, sekiranya Fatehah mampu mengekalkan rentak kecemerlangan tersebut tidak mustahil dia mampu menjadi pelumba wanita pertama negara beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik.
“Mengikut peraturan yang ditetapkan, hanya dua pelumba yang mengutip mata tertinggi dalam satu-satu acara dari Asia layak beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik nanti.

“Setakat ini, hanya Fatehah sahaja yang berjaya mengutip mata. Pencabar-pencabarnya dari Hong Kong, Jepun dan China masih belum memperoleh sebarang mata. Jadi, saya lihat peluang Fatehah kini sangat cerah.
“Apa yang saya harapkan adalah Fatehah perlu bekerja keras selepas ini agar dia dapat memastikan prestasinya sentiasa berada pada tahap terbaik dalam setiap kejohanan yang menawarkan mata bagi membolehkan dia layak ke Sukan Olimpik,” kata Naim ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Selain Fatehah, jaguh acara trek negara, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang turut mengumpul tujuh mata manakala seorang lagi pelumba, Josiah Ng (sembilan mata).
Peluang buat pelumba-pelumba negara untuk terus mengumpul mata bakal hadir pada Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Piala Dunia Klasik Siri 3

di Beijing, China, Januari tahun depan dan Siri 4 di London sebulan kemudian.
Percubaan terakhir buat semua pelumba untuk mengumpul mata bagi layak ke Sukan Olimpik ialah pada Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Trek Dunia di Melbourne, Australia pada April tahun depan.


Friday, December 2, 2011

Uphill task for shuttlers

Chong Wei, doubles pair only Malaysian challengers as China look to dominate

World Super Series Finals
Koo Kien Keat (right) and Tan Boon Heong will have to produce their best in the World Super Series Finals.

LEE Chong Wei's objective to win the World Super Series Finals crown for the fourth consecutive time will be severely tested  by the in-form Lin Dan in front of his home crowd in Liuzhou, China on Dec 14-18.
Chong Wei and men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the only Malaysians to qualify for the final tournament of the year while China have the maximum two entries for each of the five events.

Lin Dan chose to withdraw from the Super Series Finals over the last three years and Chong Wei capitalised on his absence to secure a hat-trick.

However, Lin Dan seems to have regained his form since winning  his fourth World Championships title  in London by beating Chong Wei in the final in August and  upstaged the Malaysian en route to the Hong Kong and China Open titles last month.

Lin Dan rarely loses to his rivals at home and Chong Wei has never beaten him in China and it will take a superhuman effort from the World No 1 in Liuzhou.

Others who have qualified are Chen Long of China, Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, Japanese duo Kenichi Tago and Sho Sasaki as well as Indonesians Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso.

Chong Wei and Lin Dan are expected to battle it out in the final.

The men's doubles will be a toss between China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea while another Korean pair Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong are the darkhorses.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, winners in 2008, have not overcome their wretched form and will be lucky if they can make it to the semi-final stage.

China will be aiming for a clean sweep as this is something they have never achieved in the Super Series Finals and only Jae Sung-Yong Dae are capable of denying the hosts in the men's doubles.

CYCLING: Azizul on the prowl

World No 1 returns to favourite hunting ground in Cali

  THE second round of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia this weekend will give Azizul Hasni Awang a chance to regain his confidence in his comeback.
  The 23-year-old still holds on to his World No 1 spot in the keirin despite a lacklustre return to racing in the opening round of the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan on Nov 4-6.

  In his first competition since recovering from a  career threatening calf injury sustained in the final round of last season's World Cup in Manchester, Azizul went out in the first round repechages of the keirin.

  Josiah Ng won the repechage heat in which Azizul was eliminated and went on to finish fourth in the final. Though Josiah has only a  slim chance of qualifying for an individual spot in the Olympics, the points did add to the nation's rankings.

  Fatehah Mustapa is also in Cali, having delivered on her three-gold medal target in the Sea Games in Jakarta last week and will now look to cement her spot with Malaysia currently 12th in the women's keirin rankings.

  National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said there was no particular concern with Azizul's poor showing in Astana and expectations are that he will produce improvements in Cali.

  "It was a good warm-up for Azizul in Astana and Josiah also showed that he is still able to step up a gear and rank among the best," said Naim.

  "It is still early days and our sights are on the Olympics in London. Cali is Azizul's favourite hunting ground and he has many admirers among the cycling fans there, so he won't be short of supporters there.

  "At the same time, we're not pressuring Azizul to quickly start producing  results. He has time and he's not in danger of losing the Olympic spot and neither is his ranking threatened."

  The squad  arrived in Cali on Saturday to  acclimatise and prepare for the meet.

  Naim said Azizul is  expected to be back at his best when he heads to the third round of the World Cup in Beijing, the scene of his  first ever World Cup gold medal in 2008, on Jan 13-15.

  "We expect that Beijing will be where we will see Azizul back at his best. After that, we head to London for the final round of the World Cup which will be held on the same velodrome that hosts the Olympics," said Naim.

  "The World Championships in Melbourne will be his first big target, before we take a break and prepare for the Olympics."

PKBM cari pelumba Olimpik


Muhammad Adiq Husainie Othman (kiri) dan Anuar Manan antara calon yang bersaing untuk mengisi dua slot pelumba lebuh raya ke Sukan Olimpik tahun depan.


KUALA LUMPUR - Kegagalan pelumba lebuh raya kebangsaan pada Sukan SEA XXVI baru-baru ini tidak mengugat keyakinan Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), sebaliknya percaya boleh kembali meletakkan skuad berbasikal negara pada landasan tepat menjelang Sukan Olimpik 2012.

PKBM juga yakin untuk melahir dua pelumba berbisa dalam masa singkat bagi dipertaruhkan di kota London nanti, walaupun prestasi pelumba negara dalam acara lepas beramai-ramai elit lelaki di Jakarta membayangkan Malaysia sukar menampilkan nama besar pada temasya sukan terbesar di dunia itu nanti.
Presiden PKBM, Abu Samah Wahab menjelaskan buat permulaan, pihaknya akan menjadikan Kejohanan Grand Prix Kebangsaan Sirkit Negeri Sembilan yang diadakan esok, sebagai medan untuk kembali mengenal pasti calon pelumba berkaliber bagi menyertai acara lebuh raya pada hari pembukaan Sukan Olimpik 2012.

Sambil menegaskan bahawa pasukan lebuh raya masih perlu dihormati kerana layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 secara merit, Naib Presiden Persekutuan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) itu menegaskan keupayaan layak ke London menjadi bukti terpenting betapa skuad lebuh raya masih mempunyai masa depan yang cerah.

"Kita layak secara merit untuk hantar dua pelumba sertai acara lebuh raya di London. Malaysia adalah antara empat negara Asia iaitu Jepun, Kazakhstan dan Uzbekistan yang layak secara merit ke Olimpik 2012.

"Ia bukti pasukan lebuh raya kita masih mempunyai masa depan cerah. Bukan mudah untuk layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012. Perlu juga diingatkan bahawa negara kuasa besar Asia seperti Korea Selatan juga tidak layak ke Sukan Olimpik 2012.

"Justeru, kita perlu lupakan kegagalan pelumba negara di Sukan SEA. Saya percaya ada hikmah di sebalik kegagalan tersebut.

"Dahulu kita selalu menang pingat emas. Sekarang kita sudah tiga kali gagal raih pingat emas Sukan SEA.
"Ini satu cabaran besar untuk PKBM. Kami akan terus berusaha untuk perbaiki kelemahan ini," katanya dalam satu kenyataan semalam.

Abu Samah juga mengarah dua jurulatih kebangsaan, Graham Seers dan Syed Mohamad Hussain Syed Mazlan segera mengenal pasti dua calon pelumba yang bakal dihantar berlumba di London nanti.

"Kita masih mempunyai waktu untuk kenal pasti siapakah yang patut dihantar ke London. Mereka patut mula memantau prestasi Mohamad Adiq Hussainie (Othman), Amir Rusli (Mustafa; Ng Yong Li atau Anuar (Manan)," katanya.

Fatehah buru mata Olimpik 2012


FATEHAH Mustapa mahu meneruskan kecemerlangan Sukan SEA XXVI dengan meraih tiga pingat emas pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Cali, Colombia hari ini.


KUALA LUMPUR – Pelumba basikal trek negara, Fatehah Mustapa berharap dapat mengekalkan rentak kecemerlangannya pada Sukan SEA XXVI menjelang saingan Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Cali, Colombia hari ini.

Pemenang tiga pingat emas pada temasya dwitahunan itu berkata, walaupun penat selepas menyertai Sukan SEA, dia tetap bersemangat untuk melakukan yang terbaik dalam aksi pertamanya pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik bagi musim 2011/12.

“Saya mungkin akan mengambil bahagian dalam dua atau tiga acara, antaranya pecut, keirin dan scratch. Tumpuan khusus diberikan kepada acara keirin untuk sekurang-kurangnya mara ke akhir,” katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia.

Di Jakarta bulan lepas, Fatehah cemerlang meraih emas dalam acara 500m ujian masa individu, pecut dan pecut berpasukan.

Sebaik sahaja menamatkan saingan Sukan SEA, dia terus pulang ke Melbourne untuk persiapan ke Siri Piala Dunia Klasik.

“Saya bukan penat kerana baru sahaja menamatkan saingan Sukan SEA, tetapi terpaksa menempuhi perjalanan yang jauh untuk tiba di Cali. Sebelum ke sini kami berlepas dari Melbourne menuju ke Los Angeles seterusnya ke Miami dan tiba di Cali.

“Saya berharap dapat mengekalkan momentum Sukan SEA walaupun penat ke sana ke mari merentasi beberapa benua. Saya perlu memantapkan diri dengan menyesuaikan keadaan trek dan mempersiapkan diri di gimnasium,” katanya.

Selain Fatehah dua lagi pelumba negara yang akan mengambil bahagian pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik kedua selepas Astana, Kazakhstan bulan lepas iaitu Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang dan Josiah Ng. Azizulhasni, mewakili Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) manakala Josiah mewakili Malaysia.

Mantapkan mental Chong Wei: Tengku Kamil

KEKUATAN mental perlu diberi penekanan jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei jika mahu memenangi pingat emas Sukan Olimpik London tahun depan.

Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tengku Kamil Ismail Tengku Idris Shah, berkata berdasarkan prestasi semasa, Chong Wei dilihat tidak menghadapi masalah besar terutama dari segi kecergasan fizikal.

Namun, menurutnya, kekuatan mental dilihat menjadi halangan utamanya meraih kejayaan terutama membabitkan pertemuan dengan jaguh dunia, Lin Dan dari China.
“Pada pandangan peribadi saya, Chong Wei bukan saja perlu memberi tumpuan dari segi kecergasan fizikal tetapi mental harus diberi keutamaan jika mahu mencipta kejayaan besar terutama di pentas Sukan Olimpik.

“Jika dia (Chong Wei) dapat menanganinya, saya percaya pemain badminton seperti Lin Dan mampu ditewaskan,” katanya semalam.

Tengku Kamil Ismail berkata demikian ketika mengulas kegagalan Chong Wei menewaskan Lin Dan pada separuh akhir Terbuka China dan Terbuka Hong Kong baru-baru ini.

Kekalahan itu menyaksikan Chong Wei masih gagal menundukkan musuh ketatnya itu yang jelas sukar dijinakkan, sekaligus memberi petanda awal bahawa jaguh China itu bakal mempertahankan pingas emas seperti yang dilakukan pada Sukan Olimpik Beijing 2008.

Bagi memastikan prestasi Chong Wei berada pada tahap terbaik, menurut Tengku Kamil Ismail, dia diharap hanya memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan besar seperti Super Siri sahaja.

“Dengan memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan lebih berprestij, tempoh rehat Chong Wei lebih panjang berbanding jika dia menyertai semua kejohanan.

“Bagi saya, dia perlu memberi tumpuan pada kejohanan Super Siri. Saya harap kejohanan terdekat yang seharusnya menjadi tumpuan adalah Terbuka Korea dan Terbuka Malaysia Januari depan,” katanya.

Program Chong Wei dirombak




KUALA LUMPUR - Demi memastikan prospek pingat emas Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 tidak terjejas dan Datuk Lee Chong Wei dapat berada pada prestasi terbaik pada hari pertandingan, semua program yang melibatkan jaguh No. 1 dunia itu sepanjang tahun depan akan dikaji semula.

Pada usia yang bakal mencecah 30 tahun, Chong Wei tidak mampu lagi menerima lambakan kejohanan bagi membolehkan tenaganya berada pada tahap tertinggi apabila temasya London bermula dari 27 Julai hingga 12 Ogos.

Begitupun dalam masa yang sama, dia memerlukan kejohanan berkualiti dan mencukupi untuk memastikan kedudukannya sebagai pemain No. 1 dunia tidak terjejas, kerana jika dia mengalami kejatuhan ranking, ia berpotensi mengundang undian sukar.

Dalam kata lain, Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan (C&T) Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) yang bermesyuarat pada 14 Disember ini perlu bijak merangka program Chong Wei untuk melindungi prospek emas Malaysia itu, selain memikirkan cara bagaimana dia dapat menangani ancaman tiga jaguh China, Lin Dan, Chen Jin dan Chen Long.

Chong Wei mengharungi jadual pertandingan yang terlalu padat tahun ini hingga akhirnya memaksa dia menarik diri daripada kejohanan kegemarannya, Terbuka Macau yang bermula semalam pada saat akhir alasan keletihan.

Juara All England itu bertanding dalam dua kejohanan utama iaitu Siri Super Terbuka Hong Kong (15-20 November) dan Siri Super Premier Terbuka China (22-27 November) secara berturut-turut, di mana dia kalah kepada Lin Dan pada separuh akhir kedua-dua saingan.

Melihat kekalahan itu dan keadaan Chong Wei, mengundang resah peminat serta pemerhati badminton negara ketika Sukan Olimpik tinggal tujuh bulan.

Perkara yang menimbulkan persoalan, apakah dia mampu menangani Lin Dan yang semakin menunjukkan peningkatan, malah China juga memasang strategi dengan meletakkan Chen Long dan Chen Jin sebagai halangan.

Timbalan Presiden BAM, Datuk Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid mengakui, pendekatan Chong Wei perlu dikaji semula kerana pemain itu tidak lagi semuda dulu, justeru apa juga program yang diatur perlu turut mengambil kira faktor usia.

"C&T akan melihat semula program Chong Wei dan memikirkan apa yang terbaik untuk pemain itu dalam masa mesyuarat terdekat. Pelbagai faktor akan diambil kira, terutama umur tetapi apa juga perancangan, keutamaan haruslah kepada Sukan Olimpik 2012,'' kata Al-Amin pada sidang akhbar pelancaran logo baru Kejohanan Badminton Maybank Terbuka Malaysia di Menara Maybank, di sini semalam.

Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai juga mengakui, CTC perlu teliti dan bijak merangka program pemain No. 1 dunia itu demi mengelak situasi 'yang dikejar tak dapat, yang dikendong berciciran'.
"Sudah tentu Chong Wei perlu lebih kolektif memilih kejohanan tahun depan dengan hanya beraksi dalam kejohanan utama dan mengetepikan pertandingan yang tidak begitu penting, masalahnya ada sekurang-kurangnya beberapa kejohanan utama menuju ke tarikh akhir kelayakan Olimpik, jadi kita perlu teliti menentukan apakah kejohanan yang akan disertai.

"Perlu diingat, kita bukan saja melindungi prestasi pemain ini dan mengelakkannya daripada keletihan, tetapi kita juga kena memastikan Chong Wei dapat mengekalkan kedudukan No. 1 dunia sehingga tarikh undian. Hanya ranking yang baik menjamin undian yang baik,'' kata Chin Chai.

Dalam tempoh empat bulan sebelum tarikh tutup kelayakan, terdapat enam kejohanan utama berlangsung bermula dengan Terbuka Korea (3-8 Januari), Terbuka Malaysia (10-15 Januari), kelayakan Piala Thomas (14-19 Februari), All England (6-11 Mac), Kejohanan Asia (17-22 April) dan Terbuka India (24-29 April).
Kelayakan Sukan Olimpik London akan ditutup pada 29 April depan, manakala status pilihan dibuat berdasarkan ranking 3 Mei, 2012. Bermakna, Chong Wei perlu berada pada kedudukan No. 1 dunia apabila ranking 3 Mei diumumkan untuk membolehkannya menerima undian yang baik.