Home Blog Page 105

SELANGOR HOPE TO GET OLUSEGUN SOON

0
KUALA LUMPUR – It has been ”smooth going” for 33-times Malaysia Cup champions Selangor since the Malaysian Football League teams were given the green light to resume training after complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC) to check the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
However, the Red Giants, the 33-times winners of the Malaysia Cup, will only get down to ”field training” much later – June 22 to be exact – but head coach B. Satianathan is pleased with what he has seen of his players who have cleared have done the swab test.
Selangor has also put in place ring all the other standard operating procedures (SOP) as laid down by the Health Ministry and the NSC.
Satianathan is pleased to note that his players have been “very disciplined” in their self-training during the movement control order (MCO) which came into force on March 18.
”Frankly, Selangor players – both local and foreigners – gave me a surprise when I saw them. Several of them have added more muscle…which means they carried out their self-training programs diligently.
“This is a plus point for the team,” said Satianathan, a former national coach who also revealed that Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun is still in Nigeria (Lagos).
“I have kept in touch with Ifedayo…he has been training on his own and is in good shape.”
According to Satianathan the Nigerian had returned home on March 16 after Selangor’s match against Kedah to visit his ailing mother. He was given permission to visit his mother as there was a two-week break in the league after the match against Kedah.
“This was before the government implemented the MCO due to Covid-19. Unfortunately, international traveling was also clamped down and Ifedayo is still stuck in Lagos.”
Satianathan added that efforts are being made with the relevant authorities to bring the striker back and the coach is hoping to get a “positive result” as Selangor keeps pace with leaders Johor Darul Takzim in the Super League.
The Red Giants are five points off the pace after four matches. Six-time Super League champions JDT top the table with 10 points followed by Perak in the second spot on eight points, Pahang third (six points) followed by Sabah, Felda United, and Selangor on five points each.
The league has been shortened to one round with seven more matches to play. The Malaysia Cup will be played on a knockout format.

DANA RM10 JUTA UNTUK PERSATUAN SUKAN MENERUSI INISIATIF PRIHATIN

0

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Jun –  Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) memperuntukkan dana berjumlah RM10 juta kepada persatuan sukan kebangsaan menerusi Inisiatif Prihatin Sukan 2020 bagi membantu mereka yang terkesan dengan Covid-19.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican berkata, langkah proaktif itu diambil bagi membantu persatuan sukan tanah air, terutamanya pemegang taruh yang berdaftar di bawah Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Sukan (PJS).

Menurut laporan Bernama, di bawah inisiatif itu, peruntukan akan dibahagikan kepada tiga kategori iaitu, RM2 juta sebagai bantuan pengurusan kepada persatuan sukan kebangsaan yang berdaftar di bawah PJS; keduanya, bantuan menjalankan program dan aktiviti persatuan sukan (RM5 juta); dan ketiganya, bantuan bagi program pendigitalan serta projek penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) persatuan (RM3 juta).

“Bantuan pengurusan kepada persatuan sukan kebangsaan yang berkelayakan, akan diberikan bantuan secara ‘one-off’ berjumlah RM5,000 hingga RM10,000 dan dijangka memberikan manfaat kepada hampir 200 persatuan sukan kebangsaan di seluruh negara,” katanya.

Reezal berkata, bantuan menjalankan program dan aktiviti pula adalah untuk persatuan sukan dan rekreasi di semua peringkat, di mana ia terbuka kepada semua persatuan sukan yang berdaftar di bawah PJS.

Katanya, bantuan ini bertujuan untuk menggalakkan program dan aktiviti semasa dan pasca Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB), seperti program cabaran maya (virtual) serta pembelajaran dalam talian – ia terhad kepada jumlah maksima RM20,000 bagi setiap persatuan yang layak.

Reezal berkata, bantuan program pendigitalan serta projek penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) persatuan sukan dan rekreasi di semua peringkat, terbuka kepada semua persatuan sukan yang berdaftar di bawah PJS pula bertujuan menggalakkan projek pendigitalan seperti pembangunan laman web atau media sosial dan kandungan media digital seperti video.

“Persatuan sukan juga boleh mencadangkan projek R&D untuk inovasi, teknologi sukan atau untuk tujuan pengkomersilan produk dan perkhidmatan sukan masing-masing, termasuk dengan kerjasama universiti, agensi berkaitan atau pihak swasta. Jumlah maksimum yang boleh dipohon adalah RM30,000 bagi setiap persatuan sukan yang layak untuk kategori program pendigitalan atau R&D,” katanya.

Persatuan sukan kebangsaan boleh membuat permohonan dalam talian melalui pautan laman web rasmi KBS http://www.kbs.gov.my/inisiatifprihatinsukan2020.html.

MFL: LATIHAN FASA PERTAMA JADI PENENTU

0

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Jun – Sesi latihan fasa pertama bakal menjadi penentu buat pasukan-pasukan dalam Liga Malaysia (Liga M) sebelum sesi kedua dibenarkan.

Demikian tegas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Liga Bola Sepak Malaysia (MFL), Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan badan tersebut hari ini.

Menurut Ab Ghani, pelaksanaan latihan fasa kedua yang membenarkan latihan dengan kontak menjadi lebih cerah, apabila semua pasukan patuh mengikut Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) dalam sesi latihan fasa pertama.

“Sesi latihan fasa pertama amat penting, kerana ia ujian kepada semua pihak untuk mengikuti SOP yang telah ditetapkan kepada pasukan dan jika berjaya, ini akan membolehkan sesi latihan fasa kedua dapat dilaksanakan. SOP penting untuk kita mengurangkan atau tidak memberi ruang terhadapa penularan Covid-19.

“Apa yang penting adalah untuk membuktikan kepada kerajaan bahawa latihan bola sepak dikendalikan pasukan dengan pemantauan MFL, tidak berdepan sebarang masalah. Jika semua pasukan boleh memberi kerjasama serta mengikut SOP yang telah ditetapkan, MFL akan teruskan dengan permohonan latihan fasa kedua,” jelas Ab Ghani.

Ab Ghani berkata, latihan fasa kedua membenarkan pasukan dan pemain melakukan latihan seperti biasa dalam mempersiapkan pasukan menghadapi saingan Liga M 2020, yang bakal bersambung pada September depan.

Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) sebelum ini memberi kebenaran kepada semua sukan berpasukan dan sukan tempur memulakan latihan tanpa sentuhan badan, dengan melakukan jarak sosial tiga hingga lima meter bermula Isnin lepas.

Justeru, MFL menggariskan empat perkara wajib yang perlu dipatuhi setiap pasukan, sebelum dibenar untuk kembali mengendalikan sesi latihan buat kali pertama, sejak penangguhan Liga M 2020 pada Mac lepas.

Dalam kenyataan tersebut, Ab Ghani menjelaskan bahawa MFL telah meluluskan lima daripada tujuh permohonan dan pengesahan pematuhan SOP, untuk kembali memulakan sesi latihan.

“MFL terpaksa menangguhkan permohonan daripda dua pasukan kerana didapati masih ada dokumen yang belum lengkap bagi membolehkan mereka memulakan latihan.

Setakat ini, lima pasukan yang menerima kelulusan menjalani latihan fasa pertama adalah Johor Darul Ta’zim, Selangor, UiTM FC, Negeri Sembilan, dan Selangor 2.

 

 

 

 

 

CADANGAN MEMPERKENALKAN GAJI BULANAN BAKAL MELEGAKAN PELUMBA KELAS CP150

0

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Jika cadangan untuk memperkenalkan sistem gaji bulanan kepada para pelumba kelas CP150 di Kejuaraan Cub Pix Malaysia Petronas dapat direalisasikan, ia pasti berita yang melegakan dalam kalangan wira-wira litar negara itu.

Langkah tersebut dilihat bakal membantu beban para pelumba terutama yang beraksi dalam kelas CP150 yang paling terjejas teruk akibat pandemik Covid-19 ketika ini.

Cadangan berkenaan dicapai dalam satu mesyuarat melibatkan para pengurus pasukan serta pemegang taruh kejuaraan itu di ibu negara baru-baru ini.

Dalam perbincangan tersebut kedua-dua belah pihak memutuskan untuk merombak sistem pembayaran kepada pelumba yang diamalkan ketika ini dan digantikan dengan sistem gaji minimum secara bulanan.

Ketika ini, para pelumba menikmati imbuhan mereka menerusi setiap perlumbaan yang mereka harungi.

Cadangan pembaharuan yang bakal dilakukan itu hanya tertumpukan kepada para pelumba kelas CP150 kerana ia merupakan kelas profesional yang menyaksikan para pelumba beraksi secara penuh masa.

Berlumba adalah profesi serta punca pendapatan mereka dan langkah untuk memperkenalkan gaji bulanan adalah untuk memastikan para pelumba kelas CP150 terus menerima bayaran sekiranya perlumbaan dibatalkan, seperti mana yang berlaku sepanjang Covid-19.

Begitupun, mesyuarat tersebut belum memutuskan bila ia akan dilaksanakan kerana banyak lagi aspek perlu diperhalusi agar kedua-dua belah pihak, sama ada pelumba mahupun pasukan menikmati faedah daripada cadangan tersebut.

Setiap pasukan pula perlu mengukuhkan sumber pendapatan kewangan masing-masing agar kebajikan untuk kedua-dua belah pihak (pelumba dan pasukan) terjaga dengan sempurna serta lancar.

Antara yang hadir pada mesyuarat tersebut termasuk wakil daripada pasukan Honda RCB Solaralert Cilik, Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor, Ipone Yamaha YY Pang, Idemitsu Honda Yuzy Racing, Hi-Rev SCK Honda Racing dan Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing.

Ekoran penularan wabak Covid-10 sejak Mac lalu, Kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia Petronas 2020 telah dihentikan sejak pusingan pembukaan di Litar Lumba Tangkak, Johor pada bulan Mac selepas kerajaan memutuskan untuk melarang sebarang perhimpunan massa.

 

 

 

 

ODD TO TRAIN WITHOUT HUMAN TOUCH – SAZALI SAIDON

0
JOHOR BAHRU, JUNE 16 – It was a day of mixed feelings for Negeri Sembilan head coach, Sazali Saidon at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi when his team got down to training on Tuesday.
For one, he was a happy man because the Premier League outfit became the first team to be given the green light by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to train after fulfilling the tough criteria set by the Ministry of Health and the National Security Council to check the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
The training was conducted at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi – Negeri’s home venue.
“It was odd in many ways. As we all know and are used to the normal football training where the contact is a norm. The players do high fives and hugs to celebrate whatever is done on the pitch…let it be in training or a match.
“Here we had to strictly follow the order to stay away from contact and it was ‘kekok’ (odd) to see the players going through their paces without any celebrations,” said Sazali when contacted in Seremban on Tuesday.
Sazali said the 45-minute training session saw players in three groups of 10-each with four coaches. This routine will be repeated on Wednesday.
“We have to get used to this new normal way to get ourselves prepared for the league when it resumes in September. I believe it is a matter of time we get over this odd way to train.”
In the same breath Sazali, a former international, was happy that his team scored a “first” by becoming the first team to resume training since the MFL came to a standstill on March 16 – two days before the government’s nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) came into force.
Sazali also revealed that some “rustiness” was evident in the players’ fitness but he is not too concerned as this was expected after nearly three months of lockdown.
For now, Sazali and the Deer can celebrate the new normal training as they bid for a top-five finish in the Premier League which will be good enough to give the team a place in the Malaysia Cup competition.

NURSHANEEM SHINES IN USA

0
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 – “Syukur Alhamdullilah, Sharneem. You made it with GPA 4.0 into the President List of Spring 2020! So so proud of you”.
This was the statement from a proud mother of Nurshaneem Iman Shamsuddin, Rowena Abdullah commenting on the daughter’s achievement in scoring GPA 4.0 to get into the president’s list of spring 2020.
Nursharneem, born and raised in Sabah turned 21 in February and is currently studying in Lees-McRae College, North Carolina, and is into her second year – focusing, both, on academics and sports.
Here, Nursharneem gives an insight into her college life.
”I have played tennis. Basically my whole tennis life started when I picked up my racquet at the age of four-years-old. Not forgetting how important academics is, I always try to balance my time to do both. Having the excellence to do both, my parents worked hard to finance my studies abroad.
”My parents are always supportive of me when it comes to what I want to be in the future. I never have the pressure of choosing my career in life. Although I know I want to be involved in sports, especially tennis.
“I am taking up Sports Management and minoring in Sports Coaching. Lees-McRae College was a perfect choice even though the school size is small but the learning process and the connections between faculty and student is what matters the most.
“My classes are from 10 am-1 pm on Mondays/Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays it is from 9 am-12 pm. I am only taking 5 classes this semester. My coach (Rodger Acklin) was an ex-air force lieutenant who is strict but passionate – and has pushed me to a level that I thought I could not. reach.
“Our schedule has limitations due to NCAA rules. Therefore, we only train from 5.30 pm-7.30 pm; 1 and half hour on-court training and other half-hour is conditioning. On top of that we are expected to run 1/2 mile a day to keep up with our stamina and strength.
“We train five days a week and Saturday is optional, Sunday is a rest day. Playing college tennis is different from playing junior oropen tournaments. There is no individualism in college tennis. Everyone has a task to make the team better – help each other as a team not condemn one another if they lost.
”I am close to all my teammates as I am the joy of the team. Making a person smile can never hurt one’s feelings. Teamwork makes the dream work. Balancing both academics and sports is not easy, but it is doable. Hopefully, I can impact and empower someone to do better than I did.
”I hope tennis players back at home in Sabah can also be successful in both academics and sports because you can gain knowledge from anywhere but information that you learn in getting an education cannot be converted into knowledge – it’s not just about textbooks, but how a person’s critical thinking can develop a perspective in life.”
Nurshaneem in a message to Sabah Tennis Association (STA) president Johnson Koh, mentioned that she is very excited, happy, and grateful for the achievements in the academic sophomore year 2019.
Nurshaneem’s dream was realized when she was personally spotted and picked by Nick Bollettieri himself in a coaching clinic hosted by the world-renowned coach in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.
After her good results in the Malaysian SPM and the SAT exam results she was enrolled in the college.
She got her financial support from the Sports Ministry through NSC and the Sabah education ministry.  All these sponsors deem her qualified to be sponsored through her father’s hard work in chasing the relevant authorities and her credentials.
Nurshaneem confided to Johnson Koh that she is second in the college singles ranking and top in the doubles ranking.
”STA is also proud that a Sabah girl can go to the USA and put a proud dot for Sabah in that college. She is very grateful for what is for her now, and more importantly remembers her roots,” said Johnson from Sandakan.

NEGERI SEMBILAN FIRST TO EMBARK ON TRAINING

0

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 – Premier League outfit, Negeri Sembilan has fulfilled the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) criteria laid down by the authorities to become the first team to resume training for the Malaysian Football League.
Negeri has submitted the results of the swab test for the players and team officials, approved by the team doctor, apart from appointing a coordinator who will monitor the team’s compliance with the SOP.
The team has also submitted the name of the training center, and the venue has been registered with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Head coach, Sazali Saidon is one happy man and ready to take his team through the paces although it will be done under strict SOP.
Negeri is currently placed 10th in the 12-team Premier League when the MFL suspended the league on March 16 – two days before the lockdown on March 18 to check the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will not be easy getting things in order but there is time to work things out for the seven remaining matches in the shortened league,” said the former international who hails from Johor Bahru.
“Our focus will be on the Malaysia Cup. This means we need to be in the top five to qualify for the Malaysia Cup. It is within our reach although we have to get positive results in the remaining seven league matches.
“The players have been training on their own during the MCO (Movement Control Order) but it is not the same when you train with the rest of the team.”
Sazali is also happy that his team does not have any issues with the late payment of salaries. To him, it is a “plus factor” as the players will be in the right frame of mind to be fully focused when they embark on the much-awaited journey.
Four matches into the season, Negeri won only once – a 2-0 win over UKM for their only points but Sazali is not too concerned with the statistics.

 

 

JOHOR HOCKEY IRKED BY MHC TO HOLD AGE GROUP TOURNAMENTS

0
JOHOR BAHRU, 14 June – Why the big rush to organise the National Under-14 and Under-16 competitions when the nation is still struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic which has brought sports to a virtual standstill worldwide.
The Johor Hockey Association (JHA) wants the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) not to rush into things and confuse matters as the “well being and safety of all stakeholders is of utmost priority” as it involves school-going children.
JHA acting president, Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah in a statement said: “The JHA fully supports the initiative of ‘Return to Hockey’ but let us adhere to the regulations imposed by the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health who have stated that no contact and no competitions as the key narratives.”
The MHC recently said that plans are also afoot to hold the National Junior League and this is made of teams from schools – and the directive is ”crystal clear” that no physical activity is permitted.
”We, therefore, seek more clarity with regards to the eligibility of players, especially those in schools, before any measures are undertaken to proceed with the tournaments.”
As for the Razak Cup – the premier hockey tournament in the country is mainly for adults.
”As such we humbly appeal to the (MHC) Competitions Committee to refrain from making public any plans to hold competitions so as to avoid confusion amongst the hockey fraternity that it is safe to return.
”Therefore, while we welcome the efforts of MHC to complete their calendar, we urge caution and that discussion is held with the Ministry of Education to first determine if schoolchildren will be allowed to participate in these tournaments,” added Manjit.

JANGAN AMBIL MUDAH KEBEBASAN – MKN

0

KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) hari ini menjelaskan bahawa pengangkutan awam khususnya sektor penerbangan dibenarkan beroperasi kapasiti penuh.

Dalam satu kenyataan ringkas menerusi aplikasi SMS MKN, badan keselamatan negara itu menegaskan bahawa pihak terbabit perlu atau wajib memenuhi SOP yang telah ditetapkan.

Para pengguna pengangkutan awam wajib memakai pelitup muka, mengambil suhu bdan serta sentiasa menggunakan cecair pembasmi kuman.

Jika didapati gagal mematuhi SOP yang telah di tetapkan, pihak MKN tidak teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan.

Dalam perkembangan lain, badan keselamatan negara itu turut mengingatkan orang ramai agar tidak mengambil kesempatan kebebasan rentas negeri.

Semua pihak wajar mengamalkan kawalan kendiri serta mematuhi SOP yang telah ditetapkan ketika berada di kampung halaman.

 

 

PENGUSAHA HOTEL GUSAR MENUNGGU SEPTEMBER

0
Presiden Persatuan Hotel Budget Malaysia (Mybha), Emmy Suraya Hussein

Oleh KHALID NOORSHAH

KUALA LUMPUR – Pengusaha-pengusaha hotel bajet tempatan gusar dengan nasib mereka kerana tiga bulan mendatang akan menentukan kelangsungan mereka dalam industri pelancongan negara.
Presiden Persatuan Hotel Budget Malaysia (MYBHA), Emmy Suraya Hussein berkata, menurut kajian Pelancongan Malaysia, rakyat tempatan rata-rata akan hanya bersedia untuk keluar melancong antara September hingga Disember ini.
MYBHA kini dianggotai oleh 1,656 hotel bertaraf dua dan tiga bintang dan hotel bertaraf orkid yang berdaftar dengan Kementerian Pelancongan, Kesenian dan Kebudayaan (Motac) dengan tenaga pekerja seramai 84,000 di seluruh negara.
“Sementara menunggu September kami masih perlu menanggung kos operasi di mana kos terbesar ialah upah pekerja. Kami seboleh-bolehnya tidak mahu memberhentikan pekerja, oleh itu bantuan kerajaan amat dialu-alukan bagi membolehkan kami bertahan,” katanya.
Menurut beliau, di bawah Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi (Penjana), syarikat perusahan kecil sederhana (PKS) seperti hotel budget tidak lagi menikmati subsidi gaji pekerja RM1,200 seorang seperti dahulu tetapi subsidi itu kini dikurangkan kepada RM600 sahaja seorang pekerja.
“Sudahlah kami tidak mempunyai sebarang pendapatan dalam tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP), bantuan yang kami terima pun dikurangkan dan kami kini kena mencari wang tambahan untuk bayar kekurangan baki gaji pekerja, maka kami sememangnya mengharapkan kerajaan prihatin akan kedudukan kami.
“Kami kini menanti dengan penuh debaran apakah jenis bantuan yang akan ditawarkan kepada kami pada bulan Julai ini di bawah Skim Pembiayaan Pelancongan Penjana bernilai RM1 bilion bagi sektor pelancongan,” kata beliau.
Peruntukan RM1 bilion di bawah Skim Pembiayaan Pelancongan Penjana itu ialah untuk membiayai inisiatif transformasi oleh PKS dalam sektor pelancongan agar terus berdaya saing dalam era kebiasaan baharu. Perincian dana itu akan diumumkan oleh Bank Negara pada Julai ini.
Skim itu ialah satu daripada 40 inisiatif bernilai RM35 bilion yang diumumkan oleh kerajaan pada 5 Jun lalu di bawah Penjana termasuk RM10 bilion suntikan fiskal langsung daripada kerajaan untuk memulih dan merangsangkan semula ekonomi negara.
Emmy Suraya berkata, Mybha mengharapkan peruntukan RM1 bilion itu akan mengambil kira dana bantuan khas yang akan membantu aliran tunai hotel di samping memudahkan bank memberi pinjaman kepada para pengusaha hotel.
“Pada masa ini, bank tidak mesra hotel. Apabila kita mohon pinjaman, bank menolak atas alasan perniagaan hotel berisiko tinggi. Jadi dengan adanya dana bantuan khas itu, adalah peluang untuk para pengusaha hotel bertahan sehingga industri pelancongan pulih semula,” tambah beliau.
Mybha juga, katanya, ingin mencadangkan kepada kerajaan-kerajaan negeri membantu industri pelancongan dengan mengikut langkah Kerajaan Persekutuan yang telah memansuhkan sementara cukai pelancongan dengan memansuhkan sementara cukai warisan umpamanya seperti yang dikenakan oleh Pulau Pinang, Melaka dan Kelantan.
“Walaupun cukai-cukai ini tidak seberapa jumlahnya tetapi bagi pelancong tempatan, pengecualian cukai itu akan memberikan kelegaan dan galakan untuk mereka keluar melancong,” katanya sambil menambah Mybha juga memohon cukai tanah dan cukai pintu turut dikecualikan untuk setengah tahun kedua ini.
Menurut Emmy Suraya, kos kedua tertinggi ialah bil elektrik dan walaupun diskaun 15% diberi, banyak hotel budget tidak menikmatinya kerana ia dikira berdasarkan penggunaan watt oleh itu Mybha memohon diberi diskaun 50% bagi tempoh setahun supaya lebihan wang itu boleh digunakan untuk membayar gaji pekerja.
Katanya, sebelum penguatkuasaan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) pada 18 March lalu, keahlian Mybha ialah 2,300 hotel dengan tenaga kerja seramai 120,000 orang.

Latest Article

TVS RACING INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: RAMDAN AT A CLASS OF HIS OWN...

0
SEPANG, April 12 – “I have always dreamed of winning while racing in my home country, and today that wish came true,” said national...

LTdL KEKAL DI BAWAH KBS