OLYMPIC GAMES: Medal prospects still a struggle

OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar addressing the press at OCM Headquarters yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali

MALAYSIA'S list of athletes for the London Olympics  on July 27-Aug 12 is virtually finalised bar a few late bonus entries, but there is also cause for concern about the level of progress the country is making.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar believes, though the number of qualifiers and strength of the contingent has slightly improved, national sports associations (NSAs) have not been doing enough.

With the deadline for registration of athletes for the Olympics looming on July 9, Malaysia has 31 athletes from eight sports who will compete in 23 events confirmed in the contingent.

There could yet be additional qualifiers via either wild cards, special invitations or ongoing qualifying competitions in athletics, swimming, weightlifting, women's badminton and archery.

Though Tunku Imran cited the number of qualifiers as positive compared to some other nations of similar stature to the country, the still struggling nature of the contingent when medal prospects are mentioned, is cause for some concern.

"Compared to four years ago, our divers and cyclists are in a better position than we were before.

"Badminton is depleted, but we have to see how Lee Chong Wei recovers," said Tunku Imran, who spoke after the OCM's selection committee meeting yesterday.

"In badminton, men's doubles -- which was once our strong point -- have really dropped in rankings.

"In other sports, we don't see the next line of athletes really coming up and making an impact.

"This is why, on a whole, we are more or less just about where we were before.

"It's because the NSAs have mostly been focusing on their elite programmes and all the funding goes there and there's not much left for junior development.

"We need to be looking much more seriously at junior development programmes right from schools.

"For this the Education Ministry has only recently announced that it is getting back into sports.

"We've lost quite a few years because of that, but now the NSAs need to look at this more seriously and collaborate with the Education Ministry on junior programmes in schools because that is where we should begin to find the future."

Apart from badminton, cycling, diving and archery, the rest of the qualifiers, Tunku Imran said, are going to London because they qualified and deserve to get the exposure.

"All NSAs should start to look at the 2020 Olympics from now if we want to see an improvement of our fortunes.

"We should take the 2016 Olympics as a stepping stone and look at the Olympics in 2020 as where sports that can't deliver now, will be targeting medals.

"It is eight years away and it is possible that we could see our fortunes change."

Meanwhile, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation's (MNCF) much awaited decision on its selection of the two road cyclists for the Olympics has come to a stalemate with the federation seeking a delay to June 16 for the final decision.

MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad, did however, indicate to the selection committee that the top two candidates currently are Adiq Husainie Othman and Harrif Salleh.

 

Qualifiers

Archery:

Men's Individual and Team: Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin

Women's Individual: Nurul Syafiqah Hashim

Cycling

Men's Track: Azizulhasni Awang (200m sprint & keirin), Josiah Ng Onn Lam (keirin reserve)

Men's Road: Muhamad Adiq Husainie Othman, Mohd Harrif Saleh (subject to final confirmation by MNCF)

Women's Track: Fatehah Mustapa (keirin)

Diving

Bryan Nickson Lomas (3m springboard individual, 3m springboard synchronised & 10m platform individual), Huang Qiang (3m springboard synchronised), Yeoh Ken Nee (3m springboard individual), Pandelela Rinong (3m springboard synchronised, 10m platform individual & 10m platform synchronised), Cheong Jun Hoong (3m springboard individual & 3m springboard synchronised), Ng Yan Yee (3m springboard individual), Traisy Vivien Tukiet (10m platform individual), Leong Mun Yee (10m platform synchronised)

Fencing

Men's Sabre: Yu Peng Kean

Shooting

Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi (women's 10m Air Rifle)

Sailing

Men's Laser: Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy

Weightlifting

Women's Events: athletes to be confirmed by MWF

Badminton

Lee Chong Wei (men's singles), Koo Kien Keat, Tan Boon Heong (men's doubles), Chan Peng Soon, Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles), Tee Jing Yee (women's singles), Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty (women's doubles to be confirmed by BWF)

Sources: New Straits Times

‘Bila nak ubah’

SEMANGAT...Soon Kit (berdiri kanan), jurulatih dan penaja bersama pemain terpilih menyertai program Biasiswa Badminton Remaja.

“KALAU ada program, tentu ada hasilnya,” ujar Cheah Soon Kit mengenai kegagalan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) membentuk pasukan mantap pada kempen Piala Thomas, di Wuhan, China minggu lalu.

Soon Kit menganggap prestasi skuad Piala Thomas negara semakin merosot dan BAM tidak boleh menafikannya dengan menganggap pencapaian itu masih setara seperti dua tahun lalu.

“Ini masalahnya apabila mereka mengulangi perkara sama. Sampai bila baru boleh berubah,” kata Soon Kit yang ditemui pada Pelancaran Program Biasiswa Badminton Remaja Senheng-Samsung, di Akademi Looi, Datuk Lee Chong Wei Sports Arena, semalam.

Bekas jurulatih kebangsaan turut berada dalam pasukan menjuarai Piala Thomas 1992 , alasan dilaungkan BAM langsung tidak berubah nada, sama seperti dua tahun lalu dan membosankan.

Beliau menyelar BAM yang dianggap gagal membentuk pasukan mantap bersaing merebut piala berprestej itu.

“Pasukan kita adalah pemain yang sama dua tahun lalu. Muka baru diserapkan juga adalah pemain yang sudah berada dalam skuad kebangsaan pada 2010.

“Waktu itu kita bermain di tempat sendiri tapi gagal, saya rasa ia disebabkan ketiadaan program dan perancangan untuk memenangi Piala Thomas sekali gus menjadikan kita bukan pesaing lagi.

“Saya tidak mahu mengkritik tapi sebagai seorang yang pernah menjadi pemain di bawah BAM dan jurulatih di sana, mereka kerap menggunakan alasan sama dengan mengatakan ada program yang baik, ada perancangan teratur tapi hasilnya kita makin merudum, kalah kepada Jepun, kemudian Denmark.” Soon Kit juga menyelar BAM yang menggunakan alasan tumpuan kepada Olimpik dengan bergantung penuh kepada Chong Wei.

“Sepatutnya ada Chong Wei, pemain kita yang lain makin baik. Malah BAM seharusnya ada dua program berasingan, Olimpik London dan juga masa depan tapi mereka hanya mahu fokus pada Olimpik saja,” kata Soon Kit

 

Sumber: Metro

BWF rebrand and launch new logo: Modern, Strong, Efficient

Modern, strong, efficient - the Badminton World Federation (BWF) have launched its new corporate logo with these anchoring principles which symbolises the direction the Federation is taking the sport towards.

'Facelift' is the underlying theme in Wuhan where the 2012 Citroen BWF Thomas and Uber Cups Finals and the BWF Members Forum and Annual General Meeting are concurrently held.
Following the launch of the new BWF technical officials' attire sponsored by Doublestar at the Finals this week, the new BWF logo is unveiled today by the BWF President, Dr Kang Young Joong, at the 2nd BWF Members Forum.
Six years ago, the BWF have changed its name from International Badminton Federation to the Badminton World Federation. Then in 2007, the BWF launched a new logo depicting the new name.
At the BWF Annual General Meeting in Wuhan, a new 5-year strategic plan (2012-2016) for the sport was shared with the BWF Council, Members and observers who attended.
BWF President Dr Kang Young Joong said: "After working hard for the past five years and with an eye looking ahead to a more prosperous and stable future, that we have launched the new strategic plan to give all of us a clear guide to all our stakeholders on the direction, mission and vision of badminton safely through the next Olympic cycle."
"The plan is both dynamic and ambitious - it sets out the goals and directions that we want to take, together as a family, to develop badminton to the next level," Dr Kang added. "It is therefore timely to launch a new BWF brand identity that personifies the stability, ambition and synergy on BWF’s striving against higher goals – just like our athletes who have dedicated their lives to improve their skills and set higher goals for themselves."
Dr Kang concluded: "Mindful of the experiences of the past and lessons of the present, I am excited about the future and I seek the support of all the Member Associations to raise the standards that we set ourselves and embrace the challenges ahead of us. And the launch of our new logo is just one of many steps in that direction."

Doublestar gives BWF Technical Officials new look

Noticed anything different on court at the on-going 2012 BWF Citroen Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Wuhan?

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has unveiled this week in Wuhan a 'fresh' new look for its technical officials - referees, umpires, assessors.
An MOU has been signed between the BWF and Qingdao Doublestar Mingren Sporting Goods Co. Ltd, who will be the official apparel sponsor for all BWF-certified and accredited technical officials.
The generous full-kit contains long/short sleeves official attire, casual t-shirts, v-neck sweaters, track suits, shorts, socks and computer bags.
The official techincal officials attire has a classic mandarin-collar neckline cut. The referees will don the attire in its red-and-black design (pictured bottom) while the umpires and assessors will sport the blue-and-black design (pictured right).
"This invaluable partnership with Doublestar goes hand-in-hand with our rebranding efforts of our events in recent years to position badminton events at the forefront of excellent sports presentation," said BWF Deputy President Paisan Rangsikitpho.
He added: "This also acknowledges and highlights both the important role the technical officials plays in our sport as well as their significant presence at our events."
Tell us what you think of the new look! Tweet us @bwfmedia here.
Learn about the roles of the BWF technical officials and how you can join the team here.

International tournament referees at the 2012 Citroen BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals (From L to R: Ronny De Voss, Isabelle Jobard, Juniarto Suhandinata)

Pengorbanan Chong Wei

CHONG WEI bersama jurulatihnya, Tay Seu Bock ketika meninggalkan hotel penginapan mereka di Wuhan, China minggu lalu.

DATUK Lee Chong Wei sememangnya sudah banyak berkorban bagi mengharumkan nama Malaysia di pentas antarabangsa.

Pelbagai kejayaan telah dilakar jaguh badminton dunia itu dan semuanya untuk negara.

Kali ini, dia sekali lagi terpaksa berkorban bagi memastikan sandaran yang diletakkan di bahunya untuk membawa pulang pingat emas pertama Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London, Julai depan berjaya direalisasikan.

Meskipun dihantui masalah kecederaan serius di bahagian buku lali kanan, Chong Wei tetap menjalani latihan sebagai persiapan menghadapi temasya berprestij dunia itu di bumi London nanti.

Jurulatih perseorangan negara, Tey Seu Bock berkata, tiada istilah rehat buat pemain No. 1 dunia itu, sebaliknya dia akan tetap menjalani latihan ringan bagi mengekalkan tahap kecergasannya.

Katanya, mahu atau tidak, Chong Wei terpaksa mengharungi situasi tersebut bagi memastikan dirinya kekal cergas sebelum Sukan Olimpik membuka tirainya pada 27 Julai depan.

“Saya akan berbincang dengan pihak ISN (Institut Sukan Negara) bagi mengetahui lebih lanjut tentang kaedah terbaik buat Chong Wei untuk menjalani latihan ringan. Apa yang ISN kata boleh buat, saya akan buat dan begitu juga sebaliknya.

“Chong Wei masih boleh berdiri dan itu merupakan petanda yang cukup positif. Jika dia tidak boleh menggunakan kaki, kita akan fikirkan cara lain untuk menjalani latihan iaitu menggunakan anggota badannya yang lain.

“Mungkin ramai beranggapan ia bagai satu penyeksaan buat Chong Wei tetapi dia tidak mempunyai pilihan lain dalam misi meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik.

“Apa yang saya harapkan, rakyat Malaysia terus memberi sokongan kepada Chong Wei kerana peluang untuk meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik tetap ada,” kata Seu Bock ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Chong Wei mengalami kecederaan di buku lali kanan ketika menentang pemain Denmark, Peter Hoeg Gade pada aksi terakhir Kumpulan C kempen Piala Thomas 2012 di Pusat Sukan Gimnasium Wuhan, China, Selasa lalu.

Kecederaan yang dialaminya menyaksikan dia terpaksa menarik diri daripada menyertai kempen Piala Thomas.

Pada keesokan harinya, Chong Wei pulang ke tanah air dan mendapat rawatan daripada dua pakar ortopedik iaitu Dr. Saw Khay Yong dan Dr. Nicholas Geary di Pusat Perubatan Sukan Kuala Lumpur (KLSMC) dan dilaporkan akan pulih dalam masa empat minggu.

Pemain berusia 30 tahun itu akan menerima rawatan suntikan stem cell (sel tunjang) sebanyak tiga kali iaitu kaedah yang terbaik untuk pulih dengan cepat.

Mengulas lanjut, Seu Bock berkata, Chong Wei berkemungkinan besar akan keluar daripada KLSMC hari ini setelah menerima suntikan stem cell keduanya.

“Jika esok (hari ini) dia dibenarkan keluar daripada KLSMC, dia akan diberikan rehat satu hari pada Rabu (esok) sebelum menjalani proses pemulihan di ISN pada Khamis dan Jumaat.

“Bermula Isnin, dia akan kembali menjalani latihan. Mungkin minggu pertama dia akan menghabiskan masa menjalani latihan ringan di gimnasium bagi menguatkan semula otot-ototnya. Selepas itu nanti, barulah dia akan menjalani latihan di gelanggang.

“Namun, proses latihan itu nanti akan bergantung kepada tahap kecederaannya,” jelas Seu Bock.

Now for the Olympic gold

in Dan (below), cemented his position as arguably the greatest ever badminton player when he led China to a fifth consecutive Thomas Cup triumph and ninth overall on Sunday. 

The reigning world, Asian and Olympic champion, who is hoping to secure back-to-back Olympic gold medals when he competes in London later this year, send China on the way to victory when he outplayed Lee Hyun Il 21-14, 21-17 in 54 minutes.
China’s fifth consecutive Thomas Cup triumph matched the record set by Indonesia, who won five titles between 1994-2002.
“This is the sixth time I’m playing in the Thomas Cup and I now have five winners’ medal,” said Lin Dan. “There is a slight obligation to win for everyone as I know how important this tournament is to the country.”
He added: “I don't know how many more Thomas Cups I’ll play. This one is at home and I wanted to put on a good show.
“Every player gets nervous. When you’re young it’s because you’re excited, it’s the first time you wear your national colours. When you’re older, it’s because there’s a lot of expectation. I didn't sleep so well last night.”
He then warned his rivals he will not rest on his laurels with the Olympics just two months away.
“I know I will have a tough fight on my hands in London. There is (Lee) Chong Wei and Peter (Gade) to watch out for as well as my teammates. Everyone else will also be gunning for me,” said Lin Dan, who has won every major title there is to win in badminton.
“I will train very hard for London – just as hard as I did for 2008 when the Olympics were held in Beijing. I will go out and give my best as usual.”
Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng, like Lin Dan, world champions on four occasions, then increased China’s lead with a comfortable 21-16, 25-23 victory over scratch South Korea pair Lee Yong Dae-Kim Sa Rang (left).
Yong Dae’s usual partner Jung Jae Sung missed the Thomas Cup through injury, but will be fit for the Olympics and they are seen as the main threats to Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng’s golden dreams.
Next on court was Chen Long (right), who secured the title for China by brushing aside Shon Wan Ho 21-9, 21-13.
China’s head coach Li Yongbo was obviously delighted with the win and said: “Indonesia have done it before, so we just matched their record. I hope we can win the title in 2014 so that a new record will be set."
South Korea's coach Sung Han Kook had said the first singles was the key in the final.

No qualifying tournament for 2014 Thomas-Uber Cup Finals

Fortunately for Malaysia, there will no longer be a qualifying tournament for the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals in 2014.
The qualifiers have been scrapped and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will soon unveil a modified tournament.
The format of the Finals, which is expected to comprise 16 teams based on world ranking, was to be discussed during BWF’s six-day meeting, which ends on June 1.
Yesterday, BWF deputy president Paisan Rangsikitpho said the world body were committed to presenting a team event which was fair and competitive.
“In future, the teams for the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals will be selected solely on the world rankings. They do not have to qualify from another tournament,” said Rangsikitpho.
“There will be some modifications to the format though. We want continental representation but their participation will not be guaranteed as they will have to justify their place in the Finals,” he said.
The scheduling of the tournament will also be reviewed to give the players some breathing space and there will be evenly distributed matches so as not to tax the teams.
“The qualifying tournament is no longer interesting and there have been complaints that it lacked quality,” he said.
“It also saves us calendar time. Players have been complaining that there are too many tournaments. We have looked into all this.”
Courtesy of The Star

Thomas Cup: Lin Dan and Co set new marks with smashing win

CHINA’S superstar Lin Dan pulled off a historic feat en route to steering his country to their fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title at the Wuhan Sports Gymnasium Centre yesterday.

China blasted South Korea 3-0 in the final to equal Indonesia’s record of winning five-in-a-row and an impressive nine Cup triumphs in total.

The three points came from their Olympic medal hopefuls Lin Dan, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Chen Long, who all won in straight games.

For Lin Dan, the victory was his 16th major world title (Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, World Championships, Olympics and World Cup), surpassing women’s doubles shuttler Gao Ling’s feat of 15 to become the top Chinese player of all time.

Leading the way: Lin Dan in action against Korea’s Lee Hyun-il during their men’s singles match of the Thomas Cup final at Wuhan Sports Centre Sunday. Lin Dan won 21-14, 21-17. -GLENN GUAN/The Star

Despite the staggering achievement, China are not satisfied.

They want more and plans are already underway to go one better than Indonesia by winning their sixth Thomas Cup in a row and be officially recognised as the best and most consistent team in the world.

The good news is that their most successful players, Lin Dan and Cai Yun-Haifeng, will still be part of their plan. The trio have been in every Thomas Cup winning team since 2004 and are determined to stick around for one more.

The win over South Korea yesterday was expected as China had been impressive throughout the Finals. Lin Dan started the ball rolling with a superb burst of power to beat Lee Hyun-il 21-14, 21-17 in 54 minutes in front of 25,000 adoring fans.

There was a moment of anxiety in the second game when Hyun-il, who had trailed 3-12 at one stage, caught up at 17-17 but four sloppy mistakes by the Korean saw Lin Dan trooping out as the deserving winner.

Doubles superstars Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng extended the lead to 2-0 when they defeated the scratch pair of Lee Yong-dae and his new partner Kim Sa-rang 21-16, 25-23 in a thrilling game.

It had everything – fast paced action, fiery attacks, solid defence, amazing jabs and crafty netplay. But in the end, three weak service returns by the experienced Yong-dae at the crucial stage saw the China pair storming to victory as the fans erupted in joy.

All then waited with bated breath for Chen Long to slam dunk the winning point but he took his time, toying with his opponent Shon Wan-ho. He finally sealed it 21-9, 21-13 after a drab 52-minute slog.

Lin Dan, thrilled with his 16th major title, said it would not be his last Thomas Cup campaign.

Lin Dan (centre) holds aloft the Thomas Cup as his team-mates celebrate on the podium after defeating South Korea 3-0 in the final in Wuhan. -Reuters

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep going but I’m looking at winning it for the sixth time. I value my participation in this Finals as it was the last for Hyun-il, Peter (Gade Christensen and Taufik Hidayat. It has been great having such talented players for company,” he said.

“The Olympic Games are just two months away. I will compete in the Thailand and Indonesia Opens and do my best to be in the form that saw me winning the 2008 Beijing gold.”

China chief coach Li Yongbo said: “Lin Dan and Cai Yun-Haifeng let their experience do the talking and are great role models for the youngsters.

“These senior players have not told me of their retirement plans. I want them to stay on until the next Thomas Cup Finals. We will have a special programme for them. But I will respect their decision if they want to leave after the London Olympics. I guess, it all depends on the outcome in London. If they do well, they will stay on.

“We have done well to equal Indonesia’s record of five wins in a row. It isn’t easy to remain unbeaten for 10 years. But we want to surpass this record. Only when we win for the sixth time will I consider it a big success.”

There were more records for China yesterday. It was the Thomas Cup team’s first victory at home and a first double at home as their women’s counterpart had won the Uber Cup crown a day earlier.

Courtesy of The Star

Chong Wei tak patah semangat

AHMAD SHABERY (dua dari kanan) memerhatikan kaki Chong Wei sebaik sahaja pemain tersebut tiba di KLIA dari Wuhan, China semalam.

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JAGUH badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei kekal positif menge- nai peluang untuk meraih pingat emas pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 biarpun dihantui dengan masa- lah kecederaan serius di bahagian buku lali kanannya.
Pemain No. 1 dunia itu berkata, ke- cederaan tersebut secara tidak langsung telah memberikan kekuatan kepadanya untuk lebih bersedia bagi menghadapi temasya sukan terbesar dunia di bumi London nanti.
"Apa juga situasi sekalipun, saya perlu kuatkan diri saya, baik dari as- pek mental mahupun fizikal untuk menghadapi segala cabaran, apatah lagi Sukan Olimpik 2012 hanya tinggal kurang tiga bulan lagi untuk bermula.
"Memang buat masa ini kaki saya tidak boleh melakukan pergerakan, namun itu tidak bermakna saya tidak boleh menjalani latihan.
"Saya akan cuba mendapatkan kaedah terbaik untuk terus menjalani latihan dengan menggunakan tubuh badan saya.
"Saya akan mendapatkan rawatan lanjut di ISN (Institut Sukan Negara) untuk memulihkan kecederaan ini.
"Apa yang boleh saya katakan ialah saya akan tetap berjuang demi negara," kata Chong Wei ketika ditemui pemberita pada sidang akhbar sebaik tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) dari Wuhan, China semalam.
Turut hadir menyambut ketibaan Chong Wei semalam ialah Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ISN, Datuk Dr. Ramlan Abdul Aziz.
Terdahulu, Malaysia menerima tamparan hebat dalam misi mengutip pingat emas sulung Sukan Olimpik 2012 menerusi Chong Wei.
Ia ekoran kecederaan di bahagian buku lali kanan yang dialami jaguh negara itu ketika menentang Peter Hoeg Gade dari Denmark pada aksi terakhir Kumpulan C kempen Piala Thomas 2012 di Pusat Sukan Gimnasium Wuhan, China kelmarin.
Hasil ujian Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) yang dijalankan di salah sebuah hospital tempatan di Wuhan kelmarin mendapati otot di bahagian buku lali kanan Chong Wei koyak.
Pada Mac lalu, pemain No. 1 dunia itu mengalami kecederaan di bahagian bahu kanan ketika menentang seteru utamanya, Lin Dan dari China pada perlawanan akhir Seluruh England di Birmingham.
Dalam pada itu, Chong Wei turut menyuarakan kekecewaannya kerana tidak dapat membantu skuad negara bagi menghadapi China pada aksi suku akhir Piala Thomas semalam.
Dia terpaksa pulang lebih awal bagi menjalani rawatan lanjut di ISN.
Sementara itu, Dr. Ramlan berkata, langkah pertama yang akan dilakukan ISN adalah mengenal pasti kece- deraan yang dialami Chong Wei, termasuk menjalankan ujian MRI dengan lebih lanjut.
"Pada masa yang sama juga ISN akan bekerjasama dengan pakar-pakar perubatan sukan yang terbaik di negara ini, termasuk pakar radiologi dan ortopedik.
"Kami akan berbincang untuk mencari jalan terbaik bagi mengembali- kan kecergasan Chong Wei.
"Objektif utama sekarang adalah untuk membolehkan pemain itu kembali menjalani latihan secepat mungkin.
"Ini merupakan cabaran besar buat kami bagi memulihkan kecederaannya dan mencapai tahap kecergasan terbaik.
"Dengan berbaki 64 hari lagi sebe- lum Sukan Olimpik bermula, bukan sahaja dari aspek fizikal, malah semua aspek perlu dititikberatkan termasuk kecergasan dan pemakanan. Psikologi juga perlu diambil kira, inilah yang dikatakan perubatan dalam sukan," kata Ramlan.
Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London akan membuka tirainya pada 27 Julai depan.

BAM mengakui kelemahan

GANDINGAN Koo Kien Keat (kanan) dan Tan Boon Heong kurang menyengat pada kempen Piala Thomas.

TIADA pemain berbakat. Itu alasan yang diberikan Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Datuk Seri Mohd. Nadzmi Salleh selepas skuad negara gagal buat kali keenam dalam misi menjulang Piala Thomas.
Nadzmi berkata, dengan barisan pemain yang terhad, sukar bagi badan induk badminton negara itu membentuk skuad yang benar-benar mantap bagi menghadapi kejohanan berpasukan tersebut.
Mungkin alasan yang diberikan itu sudah 'lapuk' namun ia hakikat yang perlu ditelan oleh peminat-peminat sukan badminton tempatan.
"Kita perlu menerima hakikat bahawa kelompok pemain yang kita ada amat kecil. Kita berdepan masalah di peringkat akar umbi kerana persatuan badminton negeri tidak memberi sumbangan yang besar.
"Tidak dinafikan, kita memiliki pemain hebat yang di peringkat remaja namun mereka hanya mampu berada dalam kelompok yang digelar pemain berkelas dunia. Untuk berada pada tahap yang lebih tinggi, kita tidak ada.
"Jadi, sebelum merumus sesuatu perkara kita perlu lihat pada realiti sistem yang kita ada," kata Nadzmi.
Cabaran Malaysia pada saingan Piala Thomas 2012 berakhir selepas tumbang 0-3 kepada China pada aksi peringkat suku akhir di Pusat Sukan Gimnasium Wuhan, China kelmarin.
Kekalahan itu sekali gus menyaksikan skuad negara gagal mencapai sasaran yang diletakkan BAM untuk sekurang-kurangnya mara ke peringkat separuh akhir.
Dengan kegagalan itu juga, kini sudah genap 20 tahun skuad negara gagal membawa pulang trofi berprestij itu selepas kali terakhir memenanginya pada edisi 1992 di Kuala Lumpur.
Mengulas mengenai prestasi skuad negara di Wuhan, Nadzmi tetap memuji semangat juang yang dipamerkan barisan pemain negara.
Jelasnya, persembahan para pemain tidaklah seburuk yang disangka.
"Piala Thomas sentiasa dianggap penting oleh BAM tetapi kita perlu sedar bahawa sasaran utama adalah Sukan Olimpik 2012.
"Bagi saya, edisi kali ini skuad negara tidak bernasib baik kerana kecederaan yang dialami Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan terpaksa ditepikan daripada kejohanan.
"Ia secara tidak langsung telah menjejaskan moral pemain-pemain lain," jelas Nadzmi.
Kempen Piala Thomas kali ini meninggalkan kesan yang sangat mendalam buat skuad negara selepas Chong Wei mengalami masalah kecederaan serius di bahagian buku lali kanannya.
Dia mengalami kecederaan tersebut ketika menentang Peter Hoeg Gade dari Denmark pada aksi terakhir Kumpulan C, Selasa lalu.
Yang pasti, ia merupakan tamparan hebat buat Malaysia dalam misi mengutip pingat emas sulung temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 menerusi Chong Wei.
Dengan hanya berbaki 63 hari lagi sebelum Sukan Olimpik di London bermula, Chong Wei diharapkan dapat pulih secepat mungkin bagi menyalakan kembali impian rakyat Malaysia yang mahu menyaksikan pingat emas pertama menjelma di bumi London menerusi pemain No. 1 dunia itu.

Olympic fear for world No. 1

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei suffered an ankle injury which puts his participation in the London Olympics in doubt.

The Malaysian (left), was leading long-time rival Peter Gade of Denmark 2-1 in the opening game when he suffered the injury. There didn’t look to be any danger when he tried to retrieve a shot at the back of the court, but he landed awkwardly.

He had to concede a walkover and wasn’t around to watch his teammates lose 3-2 in a Group C tie of the Citroen BWF Thomas and Uber Cups Finals as he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Despite the loss, both Malaysia and Denmark have already qualified for the quarter-finals, but the Danes’ victory ensured them an easier tie in the last eighth.

Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh said: “It is still too early to say how bad the injury is. These things do happen in badminton and no one can predict how it will pan out.

“We are disappointed and we hope the injury will not be as bad as it looked.”

A visibly distraught Gade didn’t enjoy his victory, saying: “This is not how I wanted to win a match. I feel for Chong Wei and I hope he recovers in time for the Olympics.”

Liew Daren and Hafiz Hashim scored the points for Malaysia after beating Jan O Jorgensen and Viktor Axelsen respectively, while the other points for Denmark came via their doubles pairs – Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe and Jonas Rasmussen-Joachim Fischer Nielsen – who defeated scratch Malaysian pairs Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How and Koo Kien Keat-Goh V Shem.

But it was not all good news for Denmark as their Uber Cup team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Japan in a Group D match.

The European champions had grabbed an expected 2-0 lead via Tine Baun and Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl, who beat Sayaka Sato and Mizuki Fujii-Reika Kakiiwa (right), in the opening two matches.

However, Ai Goto, Mami Naito-Shizuka Matsuo and Eriko Hirose then turned the match on its head by beating Line Kjaersfeldt, Marie Roepke-Line Damkjaer Kruse and Lene Clausen to give the Asian team the victory.

South Korea defeated Germany in both the Thomas and Uber Cups, with the men edging their opponents 3-2 while the women scored a comprehensive 5-0 victory.

China, South Korea set up repeat final

China have the perfect chance for revenge on Saturday after they and defending champions South Korea reached the Uber Cup title decider with comfortable semi-final victories.

South Korea, who stunned the mighty Chinese girls 3-1 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, two years ago to win the title for the first time in history, crushed Japan 3-0 while the hosts hammered Thailand by the same margin.

Two years ago, Wang Yihan (right), suffered a surprised defeat in the opening singles as China failed in their bid to win the Uber Cup for a 12^th time.

Since that loss Wang Yihan has improved by leaps and bounds and is the reigning world champion and world No. 1.

After beating three-time world junior champion Inthanon Ratchanok 21-18, 21-15, she said: “We've prepared two years for the Uber Cup and we want this trophy more than anything else.

“My performance was so-so. The competition was very fierce. It is half a year since we last played each other and she has some new features in her game I am not familiar with.”

World champions Yu Yang-Wang Xiaoli then made it 2-0 with a comprehensive 21-16, 21-12 victory over Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul before former world No. 1 Wang Xin thrashed Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 21-17, 21-2.

Despite their loss, the Thais have much to be proud of as they were among the youngest teams in the Citroen BWF Thomas and Uber Cups Finals and this was their first ever appearance in a semi-final in either competition.

Earlier, South Korea cruised into the final when they defeated a visibly tired Japanese team, who only finished playing their quarter-final tie against Indonesia in the early hours of the morning.

“It’ would have been better if we can compete in the night or have one day to rest,” said Japanese head coach Park Joo Bong (above). “The tight schedule made it tough for us and South Korea. It's unfair.”

Sung Ji Hyun (below), who stunned Wang Yihan in the World Superseries Finals five months ago, defeated Sayaka Sato 21-15, 21-10 to give her country a great start.

“I have to be confident and patient against Wang (Yihan) if I play her in the final. I must not fight too hard or I will lose,” said Ji Hyun.

Kim Min Jung Kim-Ha Jung Eun suffered a scare against Reika Kakiiwa-Mizuki Fujii before edging a tight contest 21-13, 17-21, 21-14.

Bae Youn Joo then clinched the winning point by beating Eriko Hirose 21-15, 21-17.

BAM plan major structural revamp after the Olympics

A SPECIAL Project 2016 squad. New coaches. New methods. And a brand new attitude.

Expect major changes to take place when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) make another structural revamp after the London Olympics.

Special attention will be given to selected juniors and the BAM may also hunt for other coaches – like Zhou Mi, Park Joo-bong, Misbun Sidek, Wong Tat Meng and Li Mao – who can fit into their plans.

There will be workshops and brain-storming sessions to find the right method to train the players – whether to focus on centralised or de-centralised training and whether to adopt China or South Korea’s way of doing things.

One thing is for sure, some of the “dead” states will have to wake up and start producing talents.

BAM coaching and training committee chairman Ng Chin Chai said yesterday that Malaysia cannot depend on the current crop of the players for the 2016 Olympic Games.

He added that they will have to make drastic changes after Malaysia suffered another disappointing outing at the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan.

Some of the elite players, like Lee Chong Wei, may stick around for another year or two after the London Games to help with the transition period but priority will be given to selected juniors in the national team.

Chin Chai said there are about 12 shuttlers that he could pick to form a team for the future.

He was of course referring to Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Goh Soon Huat, Zulfadli Zulkifli (men’s singles); Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat, Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han (men’s doubles); Sonia Cheah, Yang Li Lian (women’s singles); and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean (women’s doubles).

“As the CNT chairman, I am responsible for our programme and product (players). I will be the first person to go if we continue to fail. There will be drastic changes after the Olympic Games in London to change our current set-up,” said Chin Chai.

“We have to look ahead – we have the Thomas Cup Finals two years down the road and the next big one – the 2016 Olympic Games. We cannot depend on the current crop of players – not most of them anyway – for 2016.

“We have a few potential juniors and they will come under Project 2016. We will scout for more coaches too.”

Asked what will happen to current coaches and players: “Some will have to go if they have not played their parts. Everything will be reviewed after the London Games.

“We need to instil a high level of discipline in the squad and give the coaches a free hand to work with the players.”

On re-energising the state BAs, Chin Chai said that “the foundation work has been laid”.

“All the states have been given RM2mil to strengthen their programmes. We have hired many Indonesian coaches for our states. We can see the fruit of their work, maybe, in eight years’ time,” he said.

“We are confident more talents will be identified ... but we (Chin Chai and the team) may not be around to see the seed take root and grow.”

For now, he said, the focus would be on Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying for the London Games.

Chong Wei needs to recover quickly from his ankle injury to be a genuine gold medal contender at the Games; Kien Keat-Boon Heong have to regain their old form to raise their chances of winning a medal; and Peng Soon-Liu Ying have to be more consistent to deliver the goods.

“We will not make any drastic changes now as it will disrupt our preparations for the London Games. For now, the focus will be on ending our wait for the first gold at the Olympics.”

Courtesy of The Star

Doubles ace may retire after Olympics

KOO Kien Keat has left it to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) and its coaches to decide on his partnership with Tan Boon Heong but believes the pair can still deliver.

Koo Kien Keat (front) and Tan Boon Heong are lacking confidence.

BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh  said on Wednesday that the pair have stagnated and should be split after the Olympics but men's doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her has not revealed his  plans for them.
"The decision to split us is beyond our control. I am also not sure whether I will continue playing and might retire after the Olympics. But it is still too early to say," said Kien Keat.

"I believe if we have the hunger to succeed after the Olympics, we can still perform as a pair."

However, Kim Her is more concerned about their challenge in London where their target is to win a medal but their current form suggests otherwise.

"Let us make a decision on Kien Keat-Boon Heong after the Olympics.

"They need to be more confident and need the support of everyone as they prepare for the Olympics," said Kim Her.

"But they must improve on their mental strength and also think positive. In terms of defence, they have improved but they need to be more aggressive.

"Their fitness level is much better but they lack confidence when playing top pairs.

"I will discuss with Pang Cheh Chang to come up with new ideas and methods to help them so that they will be well prepared for the Olympics."

Kim Her is also banking on Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah to be more consistent and start beating top pairs. He has also identified two other combinations --  Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi and Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming -- to groom for the 2016 Olympics.

Kim Her said both pairs have shown marked improvement and will be the ones to watch out for in the next two years.

The coach is also expected to request for an additional coach to help the national team after South Korean Yoo Yong Sung's departure.

Former women's doubles coach Chang Kim Wai, currently with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), could be roped in.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Thomas Cup: A Korean enigma

Malaysia will be in big trouble if South Korea take the Thomas Cup Finals seriously.
Former international Cheah Soon Kit said South Korea have better depth compared to Malaysia “but their success will depend very much on whether they want to go all out to win their first team title”.
Soon Kit says it would not surprise him if the Koreans treat the Finals in Wuhan from May 20-27 as a warm-up to the London Olympics.

Dangerous: South Korea’s second–ranked singles player Shon Wan–ho will be a big threat in Wuhan.

“South Korea have never won the Thomas Cup, but that has never bothered them. In fact, they don’t seem too keen to end the drought,” said Soon Kit, a member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning team.
“I have observed that the Koreans don’t show the same kind of aggression that Indonesia, Malaysia, Denmark and China do in the Cup.
“In South Korea, gold medallists at the Olympic Games and Asian Games are assured a lifetime pension. And whenever the Finals are in the same year as the Olympics or Asiad, they tend to give little focus to the Thomas Cup.”
Soon Kit believes that if South Korea decide to have a real crack at the team title, then they would surely be the favourites to beat Malaysia.

“Overall, Malaysia are good at winning only one point through Lee Chong Wei, who is a better overall player than the Koreans’ aging top shuttler Lee Hyun-il. It will be tough for Malaysia in all the others ties,” said Soon Kit.

Besides Chong Wei, the others in the Malaysian team are Liew Daren, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong.
The other singles players in the South Korean team are reigning India Open champion Shon Wan-ho, Hong Ji-hoon and Lee Dong-keun. But all eyes will be on their impressive doubles line-up of Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung, Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong and Kim Sa-rang-Kim Ki-jung.
Soon Kit expects South Korea to have a slight psychological edge following Wan-ho’s win over Chong Wei in the India Open final.
“Wan-ho will be oozing with confidence when he takes on Daren and I’m inclined to give the Koreans a sure point here,” he said.
“South Korea are very strong in the men’s doubles.
“Their first and second pairs have impressive records against our top pair of Koo-Tan. Our second pair have not beaten Sung-hyun-Yeon-seong before. The odds are surely against them.
“I think a move to scratch our doubles players will only further dilute our strength. The coaches must think wisely before making any decision to field a surprise line-up.”
On Hafiz’s chances against either Ji-hoon or Dong-keun, Soon Kit said: “Hafiz probably has a chance of winning but do you think the tie will come to the decider? If Malaysia’s doubles turn saviours then, maybe, we can hope for Hafiz to turn the tie around for us.”
Malaysia did well to beat South Korea at the Thomas Cup qualifying round in Macau in February, but it was against a team without the services of Jae-sung and Park Sung-hwan because of injuries.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong did well to beat Sung-hyun-Yeon-sung for the first time in seven meetings but it will be an uphill task against Yong-dae-Jae-sung. The Malaysians have only beaten Yong-dae-Jae-sung twice in 14 meetings.
Courtesy of The Star

BAM tampil skrip berbeza

SEHARI selepas bekas jurulatih beregu badminton lelaki negara, Yoo Yong-sung mendedahkan punca dia meletak jawatan, semalam giliran Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) pula tampil dengan skrip berbeza.
Pada satu sidang akhbar khas di Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur kelmarin, Yong-sung menjelaskan, keputusannya meletak jawatan adalah disebabkan BAM tidak membenarkannya melatih pemain yang sama secara tetap dan bukannya soal gaji.
Bagaimanapun, pendedahan mengejut yang dibuat Yong-sung itu dinafikan oleh Pengurus Besar BAM, Kenny Goh ketika ditemui pemberita di pejabat BAM di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara semalam.
Menurut Kenny, jurulatih kelahiran Korea Selatan itu telah diberi peranan untuk melatih gandingan muda negara, Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat secara tetap dua bulan sebelum tempoh percubaannya tamat.
“Pada awal pelantikan Yong-sung, BAM telah meletakkan tempoh percubaan selama enam bulan kepada beliau.
“Memang pada awalnya Yong- sung tidak ada pemain tetap untuk dilatih tetapi dalam hal ini, BAM menyerahkan segala keputusan dibuat oleh Tan Kim Her (ketua jurulatih beregu lelaki negara). Mungkin Kim Her ada perancangannya yang tersendiri.
“Namun, dua bulan sebelum tamat tempoh percubaannya itu, kita telah memberi peranan kepada Yong-sung untuk melatih Ee Yi-Nelson.
“Jadi, mengapa pula dia mempersoalkan BAM tidak memberikan pemain tetap untuk dilatihnya,” kata Kenny.
Menurut Kenny, kenyataan Yong- sung yang dia tidak pernah meminta kepada BAM untuk menaikkan gajinya adalah tidak benar.
“Pada awal Mac lalu, Yong-sung ada datang bertemu dengan saya dan Ng Chin Chai (Setiausaha Kehormat BAM) bagi meminta agar kadar gajinya dinaikkan dan membenarkan dia melatih pemain yang sama secara tetap.
“Namun, soal melatih pemain kami telah memaklumkan kepada Yong- sung bahawa pemain beregu lelaki sudah ditetapkan untuk jurulatih tertentu dengan ketetapan program latihan dan tugasan jurulatih bagi kejohanan antarabangsa.
“Soal gaji pula, kami telah mengadakan perbincangan semula dengan Yong-sung pada 24 April lalu yang mana dia sekali lagi meminta agar gajinya dinaikkan. Kali ini, dia meminta gaji dinaikkan sebanyak tiga kali ganda berbanding yang diterimanya ketika itu.
“Kami telah membawa perkara itu dalam mesyuarat Exco BAM pada 27 April lalu. Barisan Exco setuju untuk mengesahkan jawatannya selaku jurulatih tetapi tanpa sebarang kenaikan gaji,” jelas Kenny.
Di sebalik masalah yang timbul itu, Kenny memberitahu, komunikasi dianggap sebagai punca utama wujudnya isu tersebut.
“Saya rasa ini masalah ini timbul disebabkan faktor komunikasi. Yong-sung tidak fasih berbahasa Inggeris dan mungkin apa yang kami (BAM) maklumkan kepadanya dalam perbincangan-perbincangan sebelum ini tidak difahami sepenuhnya.
“Kami juga mengalami masalah yang sama kerana ada ketika kami juga tidak faham apa yang dikatakan oleh Yong-sung.
“BAM tidak mahu memperbesar- besarkan mengenai isu ini. Kami mahu memberi tumpuan penuh terhadap persiapan menghadapi Sukan Olimpik 2012 dan Piala Thomas yang akan bermula beberapa hari lagi.
“Apa pun, BAM mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Yong-sung atas khidmatnya selama ini,” jelas Kenny.

Bukan soal gaji - Yong-sung

YONG-SUNG ditemani isterinya, Song Eun young menjelaskan punca beliau meletakkan jawatan pada sidang akhbar di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

---

BEKAS jurulatih beregu lelaki, Yoo Yong-sung tampil menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) di sebalik isu peletakan jawatan beliau.
Yong-sung menerusi jurubahasanya berkata, kenyataan yang dikeluarkan Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai dan Pengurus Besar BAM, Kenny Goh bahawa peletakan jawatannya disebabkan badan induk itu tidak dapat memenuhi tuntutan gaji yang diminta adalah tidak benar.
Sebaliknya, jurulatih kelahiran Korea Selatan itu menjelaskan, punca utama beliau meletak jawatan adalah disebabkan BAM tidak memberi peluang kepada dirinya untuk melatih pemain yang sama secara tetap.
“Dalam hal ini, faktor gaji tidak timbul. Jika ingin bercakap soal gaji, saya menerima gaji yang lebih rendah di sini (Malaysia) sepanjang enam bulan dengan BAM, berbanding ketika menjadi jurulatih di Korea Selatan.
“Masalah utamanya ialah BAM tidak memberikan peluang kepada saya untuk melatih pemain yang sama secara tetap. Setiap hari saya melatih pemain yang berbeza dan lebih malang saya hanya ada tempoh 10 hingga 20 minit sahaja untuk melatih mereka.
“Saya tidak kisah jika BAM tidak membenarkan saya melatih pemain utama tetapi sekurang-kurangnya saya mahu melatih pemain yang sama secara tetap, kerana mahu berkongsi pengalaman yang dimiliki dengan pemain,” kata Yong sung ketika sidang akhbar khas yang diadakan di Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur semalam.
BAM mengesahkan bahawa Yong sung telah menyerahkan surat peletakan jawatan pada 30 April lalu dan memaklumkan, keputusan tersebut dibuat disebabkan jurulatih itu tidak bersetuju dengan pakej gaji baharu yang di tawarkan.
Mengulas lanjut, Yong-sung memberitahu, beliau ada mengadakan perbincangan dengan pengurusan BAM, namun kedua-dua pihak gagal mencari jalan penyelesaian terbaik.
“Saya ada mengadakan perbincangan dengan BAM (Chin Chai dan Kenny) mengenai perkara itu tetapi mereka tetap tidak bersetuju dengan permintaan saya.
“Sebab itu saya membuat keputusan untuk meletak jawatan kerana saya sudah tidak gembira berada di Malaysia.
“Sejurus saya mememberitahu mereka yang saya mahu meletak jawatan, mereka terus bertanya kepada saya berapa gaji yang saya mahukan tetapi sekali lagi saya tegaskan yang gaji bukan masalah utama,” jelas Yong-sung.
Beliau turut mendakwa bahawa BAM juga tidak membenarkannya ke Vietnam untuk bersama pemain-pemain muda negara beraksi dalam satu kejohanan pada Mac lalu.
Sepanjang tempoh enam bulan percubaan, BAM pada awalnya memberikan Yong-sung peranan untuk melatih beregu muda negara.
Beliau juga diminta membantu Kim Her serta jurulatih beregu lelaki, Pang Cheh Chang bagi mengembalikan semula ‘sengat’ Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

Sekitar PNBC Open Circuit 2012

PNBC Open Circuit 2012 telah di adakan dengan jayanya di Dewan Taman Desa Melati pada 13 Mei 2012. Seramai 18 orang telah mengambil bahagian, pertandingan diadakan secara liga, dan dua beregu terbaik dari setiap kumpulan layak ke semi final. Bemula jam 9.30 pagi, dan berakhir pada jam 2.00 petang. Berikut adalah senarai pemenang:

Juara : Cik Li/Khairul
Naib Juara : Hanif/Daroji
Semifinalis: Zahari/Meor & Muhlis/Helmie

Tahniah kepada pemenang dan semua yang telah menyertai. Bagi pihak penganjur, kami memohon maaf sekiranya ada kesilapan dan kesalahan yang telah dilakukan....jumpa lagi di masa yang akan datang!!!

Hadiah tahun ini....

Semifinalis

Naib Juara....Hanif/Daroji

Juara kita.....Cik Li/Khairul...tahniah!!!

Mereka yang sampai ke pengakhiran: Dari kiri: Azman, Khairul, Cik Li, Sani, Zakaria, Helmie, Meor, Zahari, Alwi, Daroji, Hanif (belakang), Muhlis

Guangzhou lokasi kem negara

SKUAD Piala Thomas negara yang diketuai pemain nombor satu dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan berlepas ke Guangzhou, China, esok bagi melakukan persediaan akhir sebelum menghadapi kejohanan itu di Wuhan bermula 20 hingga 27 Mei ini.

Ketua jurulatih acara perseorangan lelaki, Rashid Sidek berkata, skuad negara akan menjalani latihan fasa akhir selama lima hari di wilayah Guangzhou mulai Isnin ini.

Katanya pemilihan Guangzhou disebabkan kemudahan latihan yang lengkap di sana manakala tidak mengetahui kemudahan yang disediakan penganjur pada venue kejohanan di wilayah Wuhan.

Rashid berkata, pemain dapat memberi tumpuan penuh kepada latihan di Guangzhou berbanding di Wuhan yang mempunyai gangguan daripada peminat dan kehadiran pasukan dari negara bertanding.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas majlis menandatangani Memorandum Perjanjian (MoA) antara Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) dan pembekal perkhidmatan telekomunikasi, Maxis Berhad, semalam.

Presiden BAM, Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh menandatangani perjanjian itu manakala Maxis diwakili Ketua Pegawai Kewangannya, Nasution Mohamed.

Mengikut MoA itu, Maxis akan menyokong program pembangunan BAM seperti kemudahan latihan, memberi subsidi kepada pemain, bayaran untuk jurulatih serta kos penghantaran pemain negara bertanding di pelbagai kejohanan.

Rashid turut menyuarakan keyakinan skuad negara mampu mencapai sasaran ke peringkat separuh akhir Piala Thomas berdasarkan prestasi semasa pemain dalam beberapa kejohanan sebelum ini.

“Bagaimanapun Denmark mampu menjadi penghalang kepada Malaysia untuk mara ke separuh akhir,” katanya.

Metro

(Foto: Memori 1992) 

Nadzmi: Bond among Thomas Cup players will grow stronger in Guangzhou

The bond among the players will grow stronger when the Malaysian Thomas Cup team, led by World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, switch their training base from Kuala Lumpur to Guangzhou as part of their final preparations for the Finals in Wuhan from May 20-27.

That was the assurance given by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.

Nadzmi admitted that the team were not Malaysia’s strongest but they would go all out in every tie.

For the past few days, the atmosphere at centralised training at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara had been rather sombre with players and coaches minding their own programmes.

There was hardly any excitement and it seemed as though the team spirit was lacking.

Nadzmi, however, has denied claims that the team, comprising Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, are not united.

“The players have known each other for a long time and there should not be any problems in building camaraderie,” said Nadzmi, during a press conference after striking a deal with Maxis Berhad to support BAM’s elite and development programmes.

BAM coaching and training chairman Ng Chin Chai also assured that the situation would improve when the team stay together in Guangzhou during their centralised training from May 13-18.

“The players have been playing in so many competitions,” said Chin Chai

“The qualifying period for the Olympic Games ended last month and the players also featured in the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold. They were given a day’s rest before they resumed training.

“In Guangzhou, the team will be together in one home – they will eat and train together.”

Team manager Datuk Sayed Abu Bakar, who joined the squad for the first time yesterday, assured that all players will abide by the rules, stay focused and give their best in the Thomas Cup Finals.

Just three months ago, the team were in high spirits as they defied the odds to beat South Korea at the qualifiers in Macau to seal a ticket for the Finals.

The Malaysian team, whose target is to reach the semi-finals in Wuhan, will leave for China tomorrow.

At the last Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2010, Malaysia – who last won the Cup in 1992 – were whipped 0-3 by China in the semi-finals.

Courtesy of The Star

New major sponsor Maxis sign two-year deal worth millions with BAM

A timely entry of a new major sponsor set the stage for a trip down memory lane for badminton yesterday.

Maxis Berhad became the latest big sponsor of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) by signing a two-year deal worth millions. Although no details were given, it is believed the telecommunication giants will provide RM2mil per year. And BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh had the perfect combo to inspire the players to keep striving for excellence ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals and the Olympic Games.

After the signing ceremony, Nadzmi issued a challenge to the players to maintain badminton’s reputation as one of the country’s core sports.

Early this year, BAM had also worked out a partnership with Maybank via a multi-million deal.

With more money, comes greater accountability and responsibility and Nadzmi has challenged the players to live up to expectations by shining at the Thomas Cup in Wuhan from May 20-27 and the London Olympics from July 27-Aug 12.

The Thomas Cup team, comprising Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and their coaches turned up for BAM’s signing ceremony with the telco company at Menara Maxis in Kuala Lumpur.

“Our sport has always been scrutinised and criticised, but the sponsors keep on coming and supporting us. This is a testament of BAM’s success story,” said Nadzmi.

“But players in the BAM should not take this for granted. They must continue to work hard and achieve more, and ensure that the money will continue to be in the coffers. We are not fielding the best team for the Thomas Cup Finals, but they should go all out to meet the top four target. In the Olympics, all eyes will be on Chong Wei to win the gold. All this piles on the pressure but sometimes, with pressure, we can achieve more.”

Nadzmi also paid tribute to all the past badminton heroes for giving the sport a good name – something which have attracted many sponsors to BAM.

He highlighted all the victories of Thomas Cup teams in 1949, 1952, 1955, 1967, 1992 and the Olympic Games medallists – Razif Sidek-Jalani Sidek (1992 Barcelona, bronze), Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock (1996 Atlanta, silver), Rashid Sidek (1996 Atlanta, bronze) and Chong Wei (2008 Beijing, silver).

“They built the foundation for badminton and we are here today because of them.

“And we have many sponsors as our partners because of these past winners,” said Nadzmi.

“The current players must carry on from here, so that 20 years down the road we will still be talking about success stories in badminton,” he said.

Nadzmi added that BAM would focus more on development programmes.

“When I became BAM president, the association had a RM3mil deficit. We had to spend time clearing the debts and looking into short-term programmes.

“Now, with more sponsors, we can come out with long-term development programmes. This will ensure a brighter future.”

Others present at the ceremony were Maxis Berhad chairman Raja Tan Sri Datuk Seri Arshad Raja Uda, chief financial officer Nasution Mohd and senior vice president and head of enterprise and government business Fitri Abdullah.

Courtesy of The Star

PNBC Open 2012

PUTRA NILAI - Buat julung-julung kalinya, Putra Nilai Badminton Club (PNBC) akan mengadakan inter badminton tournament yang terbuka kepada semua ahli. Ia dikenali sebagai PNBC OPEN 2012. Berikut adalah maklumat berkaitan:

Masa : 9.30 pagi

Tarikh : 13 Mei 2012

Tempat: Dewan Desa Melati

Acara : Beregu sahaja

Kepada yang telah mendaftarkan diri, jangan lupa sila hadir, undian akan bermula jam 9.30 pagi.... hadiah kepada yang layak ke separuh akhir....

London 2012 Singles Qualification: Estonian edged-out Evans, Harrington’s heartache

After 363 days and 110 tournaments, the qualifiers for the 2012 Olympic Games from 52 Members Associations have been determined upon the publication of the BWF World Ranking on Thursday 3 May 2012.

This World Ranking has recorded the average points of the top 10 results of each athlete accumulated at BWF-sanctioned tournaments held between 3 May 2011 and 29 April 2012.
The two singles disciplines saw photo-finish moments at the end of the London 2012 Qualification race.
Men’s Singles: Official BWF Qualification List
In the men’s singles, a total of 40 places from 34 Members Associations have been awarded, with 38 spots awarded as per regulations and 2 provisional spots (*) were awarded to ensure the gender equity of 82 representatives of each gender is achieved.
The provisional spots were determined based on the number of male and female players who have qualified for more than one discipline, as such, 2 male and 8 female players have qualified in more than one of the five disciplines on 3 May.
2 Tripartite places were also awarded in the men’s singles discipline to Suriname’s Virgil Soeroredjo and Maldive’s Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed as per recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The 5 continents were also assured of representations by the Federation with Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei (Asia, pictured left), Denmark’s Peter Gade (Europe), Guatemala’s Kevin Cordon (Pan Am), Uganda’s Edwin Ekiring (Africa) and New Zealand’s James Eunson (Oceania) named as the top representative of each of the 5 continents on 3 May.
Peru's Rodrigo Pachecho Carrillo is given a provisional qualification spot based on 3 May’s World Ranking, while world number 66 Raul Must scooped the other and last spot.
The Estonian has pipped Ireland’s Scott Evans by just 55.08 points, which, puts the Irishman first on the reserve list. Reserves will only be sent an invitation if there's a withdrawal.
Women’s Singles: Official BWF Qualification List#
In the women’s singles, a total of 46 places from 42 Members Associations have been awarded, with 38 spots awarded as per regulations and 8 provisional spots (*) are currently awarded to ensure the gender equity as mentioned above.
No tripartite places were awarded in the women’s singles discipline.
The 5 continents were also assured of representations by the Federation with China’s Wang Yihan (Asia), Denmark’s Tine Baun (Europe, pictured right), Canada’s Michelle Li (Pan Am), Egypt’s Hadia Hosny (Africa) and New Zealand’s Michelle Chan (Oceania, pictured bottom left) named as the top representative of each of the 5 continents on 3 May.
Despite of the assured African continental qualification spot, Hadia Hosny has also taken the last of the 8 provisional women's singles invitations based on 3 May's World Rankings, edging out South Africa’s Kerry-Lee Harrington by just 45.506 points.
However, as South Africa have been awarded two continental qualification tickets in the doubles, then for Harrington to be London-bound via continental qualification (in the event if Hadia turns down her invitation), will mean South Africa will have to choose to forfeit one of the continental qualification invitations as each country is only entitled to a maximum of two continental qualification tickets.
Australia's Victoria Na has taken the first provisional qualifier spot based on 3 May's World Rankings, but unlike Harrington, even if Michelle Chan turns down her invitation then Victoria will take the last confirmed spot based on ranking regulations, as well as being Oceania's top representative without hindering the two Continental Qualification tickets that have been awarded to her teammates in the men's and women's doubles.
Singles Country Quota
With country quota in place, countries with more than 2 singles players qualified in the Top 16 such as Denmark in men’s singles, or more than 3 singles players qualified in the Top 4 such as China in women’s singles, will have to take their pick on the two (if Top 16) or three (if Top 4) to send to London.
2 singles players per country can qualify if they are ranked in the Top 16 on 3 May but a country can have up to 3 singles representatives if they are ranked in the Top 4 on 3 May.
Every other country will also have a decision to make as long as they have more than one singles player ranked above the last qualified player sans Continental Qualification.
All Member Associations have until 31 May to decide on their representatives for the 2012 London Olympic Games in accordance to the quota(s) decided by the BWF to balance having the best players and global diversity at the Games.
Withdrawals and reserves replacements are however possible until 20 July 2012. The live draw ceremony will be held on 23 July 2012 in London.
For further enquiries, do contact BWF Communications Officer Jan j.lin@bwfbadminton.org.
#Editor's note: A management decision was taken to clarify the women's singles qualification regulations on Friday 4 May afternoon, thereby resulting in a clearer standing on the women's singles Olympic qualification list that has been updated on the website.