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BAM CAVES IN AND GIVE ZII JIA BLESSINGS TO TURN PROFESSIONAL

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 – National No 1 Lee Zii Jia scored a morale boosting “victory” when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria gave his “blessings” for the player to turn professional.
The two parties struck a “win-win” deal that will benefit both the player and the national badminton body.
This came a day after the 23-year-old Zii Jia filed an appeal on the two-year ban slapped on him for quitting the national team a week ago.
The ban, described as “cruel” in the badminton world, including an international cry that earned him massive backing from around the world, gained momentum by the day. The ban is described as “extremely harsh” as badminton is his livelihood.
Zii Jia, who hails from Kedah, is Malaysia’s hope for a podium finish at the 2024 Tokyo Olympics after a disastrous outing a the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, last year.
Much was expected from the Malaysian in Tokyo after he won the prestigious All-England title in March this year. He is also the reigning SEA Games champion.
The BAM came down hard on the player after he quit the BAM stable but it drew criticism all round.
The social media fully supported Zii Jia for his bid to turn professional to take his badminton career to a higher level.
It is believed he has received a lucrative deal from sponsors that is too good to turn down – far better than what he is getting from the BAM.
BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Jaharberdeen Yunoos confirmed that the win-win deal will benefit both parties. The details will be officially announced next week.
Earlier today, Zii Jia and his parents met Tan Sri Norza in a private meeting to sort out the matter on Zii Jia’s ban.

THE MESS IN MALAYSIAN SPORTS GET MESSIER

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 – Expect some shocks when the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) – two of the giant sports bodies in the country hold their press conferences on Friday (Jan 21).
The FAM and the BAM are in the limelight for various reasons. The national football team (Harimau Malaya) flopped at the recent AFF Suzuki Cup championships in Singapore and failed to reach the semi-finals.
As for badminton, reigning All-England and SEA Games champion Lee Zii Jia dropped a bombshell when he quit BAM to become a professional.
Although pressure, as the national No 1, has been cited as his main reason there is no denying that there are other reasons that led to the shock move.
What happens at BAM’s press conference at 4pm on Friday is left to be seen as BAM president has picked his deputy Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Yunoos to handle Zii Jia’s case after getting the mandate from the council members.
National football head coach Tan Cheng Hoe turned “gentleman” and took the blame for Malaysia’s failure in the AFF Suzuki Cup.
On Thursday, FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin met Cheng Hoe’s coaching team – S. Balachandran (his assistant), Azmin Azram Aziz (goalkeepers coach) and Martin Stano (fitness coach).
You maybe expecting some “tidying up” in the two associations after the shocks but be prepared for more shocks as there will be massive cover-ups.
Scapegoats have been found and the real culprits plus the “hidden hands” with clout will continue to enjoy the perks in their respective positions.
It has become a culture in Malaysian sports – it does not pay for the sacrifices one makes in bringing glory to the nation. It has been proven many times and will continue to go this way because it is “new” Malaysia.
So let’s wait and see Jan 21 – could be ‘Bangsat Day’ for some but you must also be prepared for more dirty linen to be washed in public. Some have taken to social media to be blunt and have openly named the culprits.

BLACK DAY FOR MALAYSIAN BADMINTON – THANKS TO A CRUEL BAM

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) showed no mercy when the national badminton body handed Lee Zii Jia a two-year ban when the top national shuttler decided to turn professional.
It was a double blow for Malaysian badminton when two-time junior champion Goh Jin Wei was also handed a two-year ban when she quit the BAM and later joined KLRC as a professional.
This did not go down well with the BAM after Jin Wei had voiced her intention to return to the national team.
For Zii Jia, it is certainly not the end of his career. Neither it is for Jin Wei as they have other avenues to follow their professional career.
However, the BAM has failed to look into other grouses that has plagued the national body. BAM must take stock of this as it is taking a serious toll on the national players due to several factors.
Without doubt it is clear that ”politics” has rocked the BAM and it is not going this flame is not likely to smother after BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Yunoos revealed the verdict on Friday following a council meeting days earlier.
Sports politics seem to have gained a strong foothold not only BAM but also in several other national associations.
Many did not expect the harsh verdict as Malaysian shuttlers have been struggling of late. But who cares as long as there is money to be made by of the those who run in the BAM.
If one is take a hard look at these ”politicians” in sports, they do not have national pride as long as they ride on the motto “Make Hay while the Sun Shines”.

ZII JIA ‘BOMBSHELL’ WAS EXPECTED

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 – Early this month Hubmedia had written to expect more hot-news from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and it turned out to be true when national No 1 shuttler Lee Zii Jia was confirmed to have sent in his letter to quit the national badminton stable.
BAM president, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria confirmed the matter on Wednesday (Jan 19) and the BAM council has already taken a decision which will be announced by his deputy Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Yunoos at 4pm on Friday (Jan 21).
A visibly upset Norza drove home a strong message that BAM took Zii Jia – who is their “main asset” – under their wing since was 13 years old without revealing much more on the bombshell from the Kedahan.
While Norza and his council are reeling from the shock news, the badminton supremo should take immediate steps to stop more from leaving the BAM.
Apart from money, it is unhappiness that has added to the mess.
Norza who is also the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, should take steps to put the BAM in order.
According to reports, Zii Jia has claimed that he could not take the pressure heaped on him when compared to former World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
However, there is more to Zii Jia’s decision to quit. The “politics” in the BAM, especially in the coaching setup, is a serious matter that has created a very unhealthy environment.
Recently, the BAM restructured coaching setup but the damage has already been done.
BAM’s former coaching director Wong Choong Hann is now solely in charge of the singles while the doubles coaching director is Rexy Mainaky.
The Indonesia, who is a Malaysian permanent resident, rejoined BAM on Dec 1 last year after a nine-year absence.
Fingers are being pointed at certain personalities for the present predicament in the BAM. Experienced coaches were chopped while inexperienced ones brought in. It did not go down well with many and some players have also quit to become professionals.
Let’s wait and see what happens on Friday.

JOO VEN EARNS PLUM SECOND ROUND TIE AGAINST WORLD CHAMPION KEAN YEW

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PETALING JAYA, Jan 11 – Malaysian professional Soong Joo Ven demolished India’s Chirag Sen 21-8, 21-7 in the first round in the USD400,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open in New Delhi in the season’s opening BWF World Tour event on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Malaysian needed only 28 minutes at the K.D. Jadhav Hall in New Delhi to earn a second-round match against newly world champion Loh Kean Yew.
The 24-year-old Penang-born Kean Yew, needed 50 minutes to clear his first round hurdle to clinch a come-from-behind 16-21, 21-4, 21-14 win over Canadian Sheng Xiaodong.
Kean Yew had a fantastic season last year and also won the Dutch Open and the Hylo Open in Germany.
While Joo Ven celebrated, another Malaysian professional Cheam June Wei came unstuck against hard-hitting Russian Sergey Sirant who won a closely fought match 22-20, 21-18 in 43 minutes.
It was also a winning start for mixed doubles top seeds Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing who marched into the second round with an easy 21-10, 21-11 match in 25 minutes over India’s Pratik Ranade-Kanika Kanwal.
The Malaysians next face another Indian pair Siiddharth Jakhar-Mega Morchana Bora.
Another mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei also strolled into the second round by knocking out India’s M.R. Arjun-Treesa Jolly with a 21-11, 21-6 win.
The third seeded Malaysians face another Indian hurdle Sai Pratheek K.-Gayatri Gopichand Pullela next.
In the mixed doubles Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, seeded three, staved off India’s Ravikrishna PS-Sankar Udayakumar 21-91, 21-14 to advance. Their second round opponents are Indians Ukarsh Arora-Akshan Shetty.
Newly formed professional pair Nur Azriyn Ayub-Lim Khim Wah gave a good account of themselves before bowing out 21-13, 17-21, 15-21 to Indian sixth seeds M.R. Arjun-Dhruv Kapila.

SABAH FC – A TRUE MALAYSIAN OUTFIT UNDER KIM SWEE

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PETALING JAYA, Jan 11 – Sabah FC’s newly appointed head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee – who brands himself as a “field man” which led to him quitting his job as the Technical Director of the FA of Malaysia (FAM) – is a much followed man in this year’s Malaysian League.
The Melaka-born former international has embarked on a journey to take Sabah football out of the doldrums.
Kim Swee is no new comer to Sabah football, having played for the East Malaysian outfit from 1994-1998.
During this period he helped the Rhinos win the FA Cup in 1995 and the League Cup the following year.
Putting that aside, not many have noticed that Sabah’s new-look team for the new season is truly Malaysian in many ways.
Putting aside the foreign players, Kim Swee has picked players which truly describes Malaysia as the melting pot of various races, religions and cultures.
Isn’t that sweet? Yes. It is and truly heart warming too to see names like Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Dominic Tan, Baddrol Bakhtiar, Rizal Ghazali have lighted up the Sabah football scene.
Not to forget names likes N. Thanabalan, Damien Lim, Tommy Mawat, plus the locals who make up the various ethnic races in Sabah which has added the truly Malaysian flavor.
Long serving Korean Park Tae Su – who speaks fluent Bahasa – has penned  another season with the Rhinos – his fourth year with the team.
Sabah have also added two Johor Darul Takzim players – Irfan Fazail and Stuart Wilkin to their stable. Both players are on loan.
With former Australian international and ex-Sabah player Scott Ollerenshaw at helm as the Technical Director of Sabah FC, it gives Sabah football a big boost – more so when the Sabah FA is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin – another personality who made things happen for Kim Swee.
Sabah finished ninth in the 12-team Super League and reached the Malaysia Cup quarte-finals before falling to Melaka United 3-1 on aggregate – losing 0-1 at home at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu and 1-2 away at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka.
Kim Swee has instilled the inspiration and belief in the team and many of the rivals have taken note of this. There is more life in the team now. The rivals are aware of this and that the Rhinos will be a team to watch this season.
The shrewd Kim Swee has plugged the loopholes that will suit his system and style of play and get the best out of his players.

‘SCAPEGOAT’ CHENG HOE QUITS – SHAME ON YOU FAM

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 – Power, greed and shameless is nothing new in Malaysia. We all have seen this happening in Malaysia on all fronts that comes the destruction. Football is no different.
Tan Cheng Hoe’s resignation as the national football coach on Monday sums up the ills in the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
When you have the lust for power you not only become shameless but it also brings selfishness and greed. With that goes pride and dignity.
If you think Malaysian football will undergo a revolution after Cheng Hoe’s exit?
There is no guarantee on that. Instead, the most popular sport in the country is headed into the dumps or is it already in the dumps?
Was Cheng Hoe at fault? It is there for everyone to see that he has been made the scapegoat.
Scapegoats, from politics to sports, are nothing new in Malaysia. HubMedia has touched on this topic often in past reports. It has struck true again.
His resignation comes after Malaysia’s failure to reach the semi-finals in the recently concluded AFF Suzuki Cup in Singapore.
Malaysia lost to Vietnam (0-3), Indonesia (1-4) in the last two Group B matches. Malaysia had earlier beaten Cambodia (3-1) and Laos (4-0).   Cheng Hoe has quit – a very wise decision. Unlike others, who still cling on to power, Cheng Hoe has kept his pride and dignity intact.
Although he is aware that nothing went right for the team in Singapore because of other factors that contributed to the AFF failure, he has taken responsibility.
You cannot fight those with clout and those “hidden hands” as they are shameless.
By resigning you have kept your pride and dignity intact. You knew that you will not win your battle against those who have made you the scapegoat as they have no pride and dignity and they are shameless.
In Malaysia, on all fronts, you have the shameless ones who ride on their position apart from those who camouflage themselves by dropping names. Witch hunt in Malaysia is as common as buying nasi lemak, roti canai or kuih muih at a warong.
FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin should take a cue from Le Khanh Hai, the president of the Vietnam Football Federation, who resigned after defending champions Vietnam fell in the semi-finals.
Hamidin should resign and also his deputy Datuk Yusoff Mahadi, who is also the national football team manager.
The duo should be held responsible for Malaysia’s failure in Singapore. Both are a party to the flop in the AFF Suzuki.
Both, Hamidin and Yusoff, have destroyed Malaysian football and the game is set to take bigger tumbles if they remain in their posts.
The FAM is a happy hunting ground to make hay while the sun shines. They earn big fat pay cheques, not forgetting the fat allowances plus other perks.
Cheng Hoe’s resignation does not solve the mess in the FAM. Hamidin, Yusoff and their
YES MEN should also go for the sake of Malaysian football.
It has been revealed that Hamidin is looking at bigger things at bigger stage. The FAM is just a tool for him to campaign in his bid to move up the ladder.
We are proud of you Cheng Hoe.
For now, Cheng Hoe, wants to take a rest before deciding on his future.
“Last year was not a good year for me,” said Cheng Hoe from Penang, adding that his family has given him full support in his decision to quit.
The end line is SHAME ON YOU FAM!!! – rab

EXPECT MORE ‘HOT NEWS’ FROM BAM

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 – National women’s doubles head coach Chan Chong Ming – who was brought in by former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann, has gone when he resigned from his post at the end of last month.
Chong Ming’s resignation came in the wake of a coaching shakeup in the BAM,  which will see the national badminton body with two coaching directors.
The singles department will come under Choong Hann while Indonesian Rexy Mainaky will handle the doubles department.
The BAM, however, is not done yet in its coaching revamp and more “shakeups” are expected in the coming days. It will not only involve coaches but also some players
as they are said to have failed to achieve their KPI.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh, who is also the chairman of the coaching and training committee, is expected to announce the changes in the next couple of days.
Rexy, 53, who is a Malaysian permanent resident, rejoined the BAM stable on December 1  doubles after a nine-year absence. His last stint was with the Badminton Association of Thailand.
Chong Ming, a former national doubles player, was rather diplomatic in giving his reasons for quitting BAM, saying that his resignation is more because of family and business commitments. However, there are other reasons that forced him to quit.
In actual fact, the BAM boat is “rocking” due to the politics in the association. There there are no signs that it will end any soon.
In all probability it can only get worse when you have some of them heading departments in the BAM.
They (department heads in the BAM) do not even know their job but have been “calling the shots” with arrogance, despite being rookies in their post. As heads of the department they have been given some power, but this power is being grossly abused with arrogance.
It has led to BAM losing some experienced staff and it could pose a serious problem when tournaments are held.
There is a new episode to the BAM SHOW.

SABAH TENNIS HOPING FOR A SMOOTHER RIDE IN 2022

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 – Despite the limitations due to the Movement Control Order (MCO)), the Sabah Tennis Association (Sabah Tennis) managed to squeeze in some ”activities” in 2021 after being grounded in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The year 2021 was another year of limited activities and there were no tournaments of special gatherings on big scale except for ”tennis friendlies” between Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu in Sandakan.
However, the Sabah Tennis managed to ‘score’ when it managed to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was postponed from April to September due to the pandemic.
The AGM finally took place via Google Meet on 15th September 2021.
It was an achievement for Sabah Tennis when the AGM took place so as not to contravene the rules as advised by the Sports Commissioner.
On the election front, incumbent Johnson Koh was re-elected for the 8th term – which means the businessman has been at the helm of Sabah Tennis for 14 years.
What made it sweeter for Johnson Koh was that he was re-elected without a contest although he was ready to step down.
However, there was a change in vice-president when incumbent Christopher Lim did not contest for the post due to personal and job commitments.
Kota Kinabalu District Tennis Association (KKDTA) president Datuk Idrus Shafie was elected as the new vice president. He won uncontested.
The 5 committee members were also elected opposed :
  1. Abdul Rashid Ghani – Keningau.
  2. Jamad  Ahmad – Semporna.
  3. Madeezuan Madzi – Kuala Penyu.
  4. Tangaah Mahmuddin Onon – Kota Belud.
  5. Claire Godon – Kota Kinabalu – (Female Nomination)

As stipulated in the constitution the president appointed Tito Latoja as the Honorary Secretary and Tony Wong as the Honorary Treasurer to continue the STA’s current position. 

To get things moving for the new season, Sabah Tennis held two Exco meetings. One was held virtually in October and the second one was held in attendance on the 15th  December in Kota Kinabalu.

According to Johnson Koh, the 2022 calendar for Sabah Tennis was adopted in the  recent EXCO meeting and will see the full year activities in 2022 if the conditions permit. Among the most important on the calendar are the State inter affiliates tournament, the  ATF Under-14 tournament and the  International Team Tennis invitational tournament. 

 

IS ZII JIA QUITTING BAM?

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is hot news again, within hours of announcing a major re-structuring exercise in its coaching set-up on Tuesday which will see incumbent coaching director Wong Choong Hann handling the singles department while Indonesian Rexy Mainaky the doubles department.
In the news this time is Malaysia’s top shuttler Lee Zii Jia. A news portal had reported that the 23-year-old from Kedah is set to leave the BAM and become professional player following lucrative offers from sponsors.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh, however, has denied the report and said in a Facebook posting that he is “unaware” of the developments involving the said player.
“Zii Jia is 100 per cent focused on his mission, the Paris 2024 Olympics. His determination and vision remains the same,” said Kenny, who is also the chairman of the BAM Coaching and Training Committee.
Zii Jia, the reigning All-England champion, jolted the badminton world by winning the prestigious event in Birmingham, has since then been battling a roller-coaster run in his badminton career. He is also the reigning SEA Games champion.
After his success in winning the All-England, Zii Jia was hailed as a potential gold medal winner at the Tokyo Olympics. Instead, he came back empty handed.
He has been struggling in his game – mainly attributed to lack of mental strength as was seen during the recent hectic three months, including the Sudirman Cup and the Thomas Cup Finals in Europe.
On the Indonesia-leg of the tour, Zii Jia was Malaysia’s hope in the Indonesia Masters, the Indonesian Open and the season-ending World Tour Finals in Bali.
Zii Jia was also Malaysia’s hope in the World Championships in Huelva, Spain but was blistered out in the quarter-finals when he retired against Denmark’s Anders Antonsen in the rubber game.
According to Datuk Kenny, Zii Jia himself is surprised with the report in the news portal on him turning professional.
“I spoke to Zii Jia on the matter. The player expressed surprise on the news report,” said Kenny.
While the matter has been put to rest for now with Kenny’s statement, it is left to be seen what is coming next from the BAM stable.
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