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BADMINTON UMPIRING ‘GURU’ SUDHAKAR VEMURI DIES OF COVID-19

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 – The badminton fraternity in the world is mourning the death of former international umpire, Sudhakar Vemuri who passed away in a hospital in Hyderabad, India today after being infected by the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19).
The 72-year-old was Badminton Asia Technical Officials Committee deputy chairman and was a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Umpire Assessment Panel.
He was a popular figure in badminton tournaments across the world – grooming future badminton umpires.
Badminton Asia can be proud of this soft-spoken Sudhakar who always brought his ‘acar’ (pickles) from India as he was a vegetarian, for his meal.
He also had extra two or three small bottles of the menu with him to be given to his friends.
Some of the tournament officials also had the luxury of tasting his home-cooked Hyderabad biryani when a tournament was held in the Indian city.
Described as Umpire Par Excellence, the ever-smiling, affable and helpful Sudhakar had excellent knowledge of the shuttle sport and put to ease many of the aspiring umpires who were assessed by Sudhakar in badminton tournaments around the world for their upgrading.
As their mentor, he had simple messages for those under “test” – one who never put any of them under pressure with his fatherly approach.
With his vast knowledge of the game and his good command of the English language, Sudhakar was an excellent ”teacher” for aspiring umpires who aimed to see the world through umpiring.
To him, the umpires need to have moral conduct and behavioral aspects as the key to a good umpiring decisions when they were assessed for upgrading. He had a hawk’s eye for mistakes which he jotted down in his notebook.
It is not a surprise that he was the first Asian to be awarded the BWF Distinguished Service Award (the highest award for badminton technical officials) in 2015 in recognition of his long and distinguished exemplary service to badminton at the international level.
He was also a three-time Olympian, having officiated at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Atlanta (1996), and Sydney in 2000 – a rare achievement and something Badminton Asia can be proud of.
”We lost a great mentor, a great teacher and a great human being. No one can substitute him. An irreparable loss to the world’s badminton fraternity. We lost a gem,” said Gaurav Khanna, chief coach of India’s Para-Badminton.
Sudhakar leaves behind a wife Subalakshimi, daughters Sowmya and Sindhura.
May his soul Rest in Peace.

AFTER THE ‘EMBARRASSMENT’ IN ASTAF, NOW THE ‘KICKS’ IN PSM

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 – The sport is at its lowest ebb and there are no signs of an end to the turmoil that has hit the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) following the 15-year ban slapped on its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail by the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF).
Several affiliates of PSM have pulled out from the national sepak takraw body and more are expected to follow suit after the Hari Raya holidays.
Kelantan was the first to pull out followed by Johor, Selangor and the latest Kedah.
The main reason given by the affiliates who have pulled out from PSM is that “they have lost faith” in the leadership of Ahmad Ismail, who has been blamed for the current mess. If this continues it will have a serious effect on the game in the country.
Just to recap the scenario, Malaysia suffered an embarrassing whitewash at the ASTAF elections in March with no Malaysian elected to the posts they contested.
It was a real embarrassment for Malaysia as PSM president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail was an incumbent deputy president of ASTAF.
The election results did not go down well with Ahmad Ismail, who was hell-bent on removing incumbent ASTAF president Datuk Halim Kader of Singapore from the post. Instead, it was a clean sweep by Halim Kader’s camp.
It was a bitter blow for Malaysia – a country that once reigned supreme in the popular rattan ball sport in the region.
Malaysia was a prime mover of the game as its popularity grew worldwide, especially among Asian countries.
Fed up with the intense politicking in PSM, affiliates of the national sepak takraw body, want to set up a rival body so that Malaysia can regain its status in the popular sport in the region. Kelantan, Johor, Selangor and Kedah have shown the way.
In the ASTAF elections, Halim Kader, who has helmed the Asian body for a decade, fought a three-cornered fight against Ahmad Ismail and Singapore’s Mohd Nasri Haron.
Halim Kader won hands down, securing 30 votes for the 2021-2025 term, while Ahmad Ismail and Mohd Nasri failed to get a single vote.
Ahmad Ismail claimed that the elections were rigged and alleged the elections of the new ASTAF office bearers were null and void.
ASTAF acted fast and called for disciplinary action to be taken against Ahmad Ismail. The ASTAF disciplinary panel found him guilty and slapped Ahmad Ismail with a 15-year ban on May 5 for violating several ASTAF bylaws and articles.
On top of that Ahmad Ismail will have to reimburse USD25,000 to cover the cost of covering the ASTAF disciplinary panel.
On the local front, Ahmad Ismail, a politician from Penang, irked several affiliates of PSM with his “politics” in the sport. His highhanded grip on the national body, was waiting to “explode” anytime soon.
The crisis that has engulfed PSM is not likely to end anytime soon.  Ahmad Ismail has also threatened legal action against ASTAF and it is left to be seen what will happen next.

SELAMAT JALAN HAZIQ, MOGA TENANG DI SANA

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KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Mei – Hubmedia ingin mengucapkan takziah kepada ahli keluarga Allahyarham Haziq Kamaruddin yang telah kembali ke ramahtullah di hospital Kajang awal pagi tadi.

Pemergian Allahyarham disahkan rakan sepasukannya, Zulfadhli Ruslan menerusi laman sosial Facebook miliknya pagi tadi.

Allahyarham yang berusia 27 tahun merupakan atlet senior memanah negara dan pernah beraksi dalam dua Sukan Olimpik iaitu di London 2012 dan Rio de Jeneiro 2016.

Sebelum ini, Allahyarham yang berasal dari Johor Baharu telah banyak mencipta kejayaan di peringkat antarabangsa dengan meraih pingat emas pada Kejohanan Memanah Asia 2011 di Tehran, Iran serta Sukan SEA 2015 Singapura dan Sukan SEA 2017 di Kuala Lumpur.

Pemergian Allahyarham merupakan satu kehilangan besar buat arena sukan negara dan sukan memanah khususnya.

Hubmedia mendoakan moga roh Allahyarham Haziq ditempatkan dalam kalangan orang beriman.

Al Fatihah (dibaca) – ‘Dari Allah kita datang, kepada Allah kita kembali’.

 

CHENG HOE SPEAKS UP ON HIS NATIONAL SQUAD SELECTION

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PETALING JAYA, May 11 – National football chief,  Tan Cheng Hoe came in for a lot of flak from social media when he announced his squad for Malaysia’s forthcoming matches in Group G of the World Cup 2022/Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month.
One name that hogged the limelight was Johor Darul Takzim’s Akhyar Rashid as many believe that there are others who should be given chance in the squad instead of the Kedah-born Akhyar.
Critics named Terengganu FC’s Hakimi Abdullah and Faisal Halim as the better choice for national call-up based on their current form with the Turtles.
On the other hand, Akhyar hardly gets any playing time with the Southern Tigers and at times he is not even on the bench in the star-studded JDT squad.
Akhyar

Cheng Hoe, speaking from Penang on Tuesday, however is not willing to be drawn into a confrontation with ‘football experts’ in the social media as he has his hands full to whip the Harimau Malaya into shape for their first international matches in nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

”There is a difference playing in the local league and international tournaments. The intensity level is totally different if we are to compare…and there are reasons when I picked the squad. A lot of factors are taken into account.
“One can shine for his team in the local league but he may not do the same in international matches. At the same time, we have to consider who can fit into our system and the sort of players needed in the squad,” said Cheng Hoe.
Cheng Hoe, however has given two youngsters a break in the senior squad. JDT’s Arif Aiman and Luqman Hakim who is with Belgium club KV Kortrijk.
Meanwhile, Cheng Hoe revealed that any hopes of defender Shahrul Saad getting a last-minute inclusion for the Middle East have disappeared after it was medically confirmed that the player will need more than a month to recover from his knee injury.
The Harimau Malaya squad includes four overseas-based players – Liridon Krasniqi (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Junior Eldstal (Chonburi FC, Thailand), Dominic Tan (Police Tero FC, Thailand) and Luqman Hakim (KV Kortrijk, Belgium).
The four will join the rest of the squad in Dubai on May 20. Malaysia will play two friendly matches – against Kuwait (May 23) and Bahrain (May 28) before playing in the three remaining matches in Group G of the World Cup 2022/Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers.
Malaysia’s remaining matches in Group G which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in June are against UAE (June 3), Vietnam (June 11) and Thailand on June 15.
Malaysia is currently second in the group standings with nine points – two behind leaders Vietnam on 11 points after five matches.
Thailand is third on eight points followed by UAE with six points (from four matches) while Indonesia is without a point after losing all five matches.

CHENG HOE SET HIS EYES ON YOUNG ARIF AIMAN

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PETALING JAYA, May 10 – With an impeccable game sense, young Arif Aiman Hanapi’s maturity despite his age stands out and this has caught the eye of national football head coach Tan Cheng Hoe.
Cheng Hoe is ready to give the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) striker a break with the national senior team.
The 18-year-old is already a mainstay of JDT’s first-team senior squad under Benjamin Mora and the future looks bright for the talented Pahang-born footballer when Cheng Hoe named Arif in the squad for the second phase of centralised training which begins on May 16.
The squad reports for training at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil – minus four overseas-based players – Liridon Krasniqi (Newcastle Jets, Australia), Junior Eldstal (Chonburi FC, Thailand), Dominic Tan (Police Tero FC, Thailand) and Luqman Hakim (KV Kortrijk, Belgium).
Tan Cheng Hoe

The four will join the rest of the squad in Dubai on May 20. Malaysia will play two friendly matches – against Kuwait (May 23) and Bahrain (May 28) before playing in the three Group G remaining matches in the World Cup 2022/Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers.

Malaysia’s remaining matches in Group G World Cup 2022/Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in June are against UAE (June 3), Vietnam (June 11) and Thailand on June 15.
Another newcomer for the second phase of centralised training is Penang goalkeeper Samuel Somerville who replaces the injured Khairul Fahmi Che Mat of Melaka United FC.
The goalkeeping department has been hit by a spate of injuries. Khairul is the second goalkeeper to be kayoed by injury after Terengganu’s Rahadiazli Rahalim cried off with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and is out for the rest of the season.
Somerville joins JDT’s Farizal Marlias and Selangor’s Khairul Azhan Khalid for the Middle East trip.
Others out because of injuries are striker Shahrel Fikri (Selangor FC) and defender Shahrul Saad who recently moved south from Perak FC to join Johor Darul Takzim during the second transfer window.
Cheng Hoe, however, is not letting the injuries stand in the way as he plots Malaysia’s campaign in the qualifiers.
Malaysia is currently second in the group standings with nine points – two behind leaders Vietnam on 11 points, after five matches.
Thailand is third on eight points, followed by UAE with six points (from four matches), while Indonesia is without a point after losing all five matches.

RED DAY FOR PENANG AT CITY STADIUM

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PETALING JAYA, May 9 – A dominant Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) romped to a 3-0 win over Penang FC at the City Stadium – sending clear signals to their rivals that they are on track for their eighth successive Super League title.
It was a miserable night for the Panthers at home with their ace in the pack Casagrande, who had a goal disallowed and was booked for questioning the referee’s decision, was sent off for an early shower with a second booking in the 88th minute for roughing up JDT’s Mauricio in an off the ball incident.
If that was not enough as chief coach Tomas Trucha too was red-carded for questioning the referee on the matter.
Putting that aside, JDT was in form and kept their rhythm in check – never looking back after national striker Safawi Rasid hammered the first goal past goalkeeper Bryan See after 15 minutes.
The Southern Tigers went into the break with a 2-0 lead when this season’s new Bergson da Silva kept his hot form – delivering his 11th goal from an assist by S. Kunanlan. The Brazilian is just one goal behind Selangor’s seasoned Ifedayo Olusegun.
Kedah’s Liberian hitman Kpah Sherman is hot on the heel with nine goals – with his latest coming in the 1-0 win over Sabah at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
The Liberian scored in the 79th minute in a rain-marred match that was delayed for nearly two hours.
JDT completed the scoring against Penang with naturalised Gambian-born Malaysian international Mohamodu Sumareh hitting target off a rebound from keeper Bryan See in the 51st minute.
With the win, JDT is on top with 30 points after 13 matches followed by Kedah on 26 points. Terengganu FC is third on 24 points from 12 matches and will play Selangor tonight at the Petaling Jaya Stadium. Penang is in fourth place with 22 points.
The league takes a nearly two-month break for international assignments with the Harimau Malaya completing their qualifying round Group G matches in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in June.

WHEN SHUKOR ADAN TURNED ‘GOD’ TO SAVE KL CITY

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PETALING JAYA, May 9 – Former international Shukor Adan has less than 20 minutes of action in the Super League but his four minutes against winless UiTM FC at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on Saturday made him a hero with a headed goal for a 1-1 draw.
The header has turned out to be controversial as he is seen to have used his hand to punch the ball into the net – which reminds us of the late Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal which gave Argentina a 2-1 win over England in the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico City.
UiTM FC with new signings in the second transfer window which opened on May 3, was a transformed side and had victory written all over – thanks to South Korean new signing Kwon Yong-Hyun’s 84th-minute goal.
However, Shukor, 41, who came off the bench to replace Iman Naszari in the 88th minute repaid coach Bojan Hodak’s faith in the veteran.
The Melaka-born Shukor made it count from a corner as he outjumped others and in the melee used his right hand to punch the ball into the net for the equaliser.
When the referee blew for a goal, the KL City players celebrated Shukor’s first goal of the season and mobbed him while the UiTM FC players were crestfallen.
For the record, before this Shukor saw only one minute of action as a substitute against Perak and JDT and 12 minutes against Penang.
“We were robbed of two points and this could have an adverse outcome on the team,” said UiTM FC coach Frank Bernhardt.
“I have vast experience in leagues in Europe, but I have never seen anything like this. It cost us our first win in 13 matches and it hurts. Our players gave everything on the field and deserve the win to turn things around.”

PRAY FOR SATHIANATHAN

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PETALING JAYA, May 8 – Former national coach B. Sathianathan has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently being treated at the Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching. The news comes as a shock to the football fraternity.
Sathianathan, who is now the Sarawak United technical director, is one of eight staff in the office, who have been tested positive.
The fighter he is, Sathianathan remains optimistic that he will recover soon from the virus, but he is more concerned about his wife and son. Although the results of the initial tests of the two returned negative, Sathianathan is keeping his fingers crossed on the matter.
Despite the virus, Sathianathan is also concerned about the performance of Sarawak United in the Premier League where the Golden Hornbills have set a hot pace.
Sarawak United regained their place at the top of the league standings with a thrilling 3-2 win over Kelantan United at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
The win was all the more thrilling as Sarawak United muffed a penalty and then scored an own goal for Kelantan United. Despite that, Sarawak United won the match with goals by Christie Jayaseelan (46th), Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (71st), and substitute Abdul Rahim Razak (80th).
Kelantan United goalscorers were Taylor Regan (own goal, 58th) and Gambian Alfussainey Gassama in the 68th minute.
Head coach E. Elavarasan, on behalf of the team, wished Sathianathan a speedy recovery – confident that Sathianathan will be back at work soon.
”Sarawak United dedicate the win over Kelantan United and the place at the top of league standings to Sathianathan. He is a known fighter, and just like him, the team has the fighting spirit to remain at the top in our bid of getting a promotion to the Super League,” said Elavarasan.
Sathia has this to say: ”The team (Sarawak United) has achieved some good positive results despite some shortcomings. I am proud of the team and so is the whole of Sarawak. Hopefully, there will be better things to come when the league resumes after the break.”
Hubmedia also wishes Sathianathan and speedy recovery and pray for him and others infected by the virus.

DRAMATIC WIN TAKES SARAWAK UNITED TO THE TOP IN PREMIER LEAGUE

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PETALING JAYA, May 7 – A muffed penalty and an own goal added spice to Sarawak United’s come-from-behind 3-2 win over Kelantan United in Friday’s Premier League thriller at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Kuala Terengganu.
With the win, the Golden Hornbills regained their place at the top of the league standings with 23 points from10 matches, after Negeri Sembilan was held to a scoreless draw by JDT II at the Larkin Stadium.
Negeri Sembilan has played one match more and is in second place with 22 points.
Terengganu II whipped FAM-MSN Project 6-1 to move up to third place on 19 points followed by JDT II and Kelantan in fourth and fifth place respectively, separated by goal difference.
International Norshahrul Idlan Talaha muffed a 14th-minute penalty after Nur Shamie Iszuan was brought down inside the box. Mat Yo crashed his spot-kick against the upright to save the day for Kelantan United.
However, the East Malaysian outfit was not to be denied the lead when former international Christie Jayaseelan found the net from a pass by South Korean midfielder Lee Chang-hoon in injury time before the break.
Kelantan United drew level after 58 minutes with a big dose of luck coming their way when goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee misjudged a header from skipper Taylor Regan.
Ten minutes later Kelantan United took the lead with their Gambian Alfussainey Gassama on target.
Sarawak United did not allow the setbacks in their way and came back with renewed urgency in their game.
They were rewarded for their strong comeback when substitute Abdul Rahim Razak beat goalkeeper Mohamad Fikri Che Soh via an assist from Rizqi Gopi in the 80th minute.
“The players showed character despite missing a penalty and an own goal. We fought back well and were duly rewarded for the efforts put in by the team.
”It was hard-earned important three points before the break in the league as we did not have our full team due to injuries. We have to work harder to remain at the top,” said chief coach E. Elavarasan.

PLENTY OF DRAMA IN ALOR SETAR AS JDT CLINCH 1-0 WIN

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PETALING JAYA, May 5 – It is tight at the top of the Super League but leaders Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) won against Kedah FC on Wednesday in a match that could prove crucial to their chances of mounting a title challenge for their eighth consecutive title.
The Southern Tigers earned a last-minute regulation time penalty when substitute Mohamadou Sumareh was felled inside the box by Kedah defender Renan Alves and referee Razlan Joffri Ali pointed to the spot.
JDT’s new signing Bergson Da Silva duly converted the spot-kick for his 10th goal of the season for the three points which kept the champions on the top of the league standings with 27 points from 12 matches.
Terengganu dislodged Kedah from the second spot following their 3-0 win over table proppers UiTM FC at the Sultan Zainal Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu.
The Turtles are now second on 24 points, with Kedah down one rung with 23 points, followed by Penang on 22 points after their 3-1 defeat to Kuala Lumpur City FC at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras.
The top of the table clash at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar was played behind closed doors due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed in the district because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it was not short of drama with scuffles between players on and off the pitch. JDT and Kedah FC officials were also involved in a drama of their own at the halftime break.
In the second half Kedah substitute, Azamuddin Akil and JDT’s Corbin Ong were going for each other and had to be stopped by their teammates.
Both teams muffed chances in the first half with Rabih Ataya, and Kpah Sherman guilty for Kedah while Safawi Rasid, Bergson, and Gonzalo Cabrera were the culprits for the visitors.
Kedah goalkeeper Shahril Saari was in his element and kept JDT at bay with some fine saves while at the other end JDT’s Farizal Marlias can be thankful for the post and the bar for stopping the ball from going in.
On the hour mark, Cabrera was knocked out cold after clattering into Alves and had to be stretchered out. He was replaced by Ariff Aiman.
At the KLFA Stadium in Cheras, it was the perfect birthday present for Kuala Lumpur City FC head coach Bojan Hodak when his team outplayed Penang FC 3-1 with skipper Paulo Josue hitting a grand hat-trick with goals in the 36th, 52nd (penalty), and 89th minutes. Penang scorer was Danial Ashraf.
Meanwhile, The Turtles were 2-0 up after 10 minutes of play with goals by David da Silva (8th) and Faisal Halim. Rahmat Makasuf scored the third in the 77th minute against winless UiTM FC.
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