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‘MY OWN JOURNEY’ – ZII JIA

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 – National No. 1 Lee Zii Jia is not getting carried away with his recent All-England men’s singles title that has become the talk of the badminton world after he blew away the top two ranked players along the way.

Instead, the 22-year-old who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Monday, is preparing for a journey that will teach him of the ”ups and downs” that he has to endure in his badminton career.

It is just the beginning and this year alone he has gone through the lows and highs – getting flak for his disappointing outing in Bangkok (Yonex Thailand Open, Toyota Thailand Open and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals before surprising everyone with the All England title in Birmingham last week. A week earlier he reached the semi-finals in the Yonex Swiss Open in Basel.

”I am no successor to (Datuk Lee) Chong Wei. He is a legend. For me my journey has begun and I have to train hard and stay focused on my game. I will not be carried away just because I won the All England.

“Being humble is my way of looking forward to further improve my game. Yes. I beat Kento Momota (World No 1) and Viktor Axelsen (World No 2) in Birmingham. It gives me many positives impact in my game but as I said it’s a long journey to reach the top.

”Right now I wish to remain as Lee Zii Jia. I hope I will not be compared to Chong Wei. There is a wide gap between us,” said Zii Jia who will not be defending his SEA Games as the Badminton Association (BAM) has already decided to send the back-up players to the biennial games which be held in Hanoi this year.

For now Zii Jia is hell bent on writing his own story – beginning with the All England. Many have hailed Zii Jia as a medal prospect in the Tokyo Olympics and it will be another chapter in his story if he gets on the rostrum in the mega event.

ZII JIA MOVES UP TO NO.8 IN WORLD RANKING

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – National No 1, Lee Zii Jia is ranked No 8 in the latest ranking list issued by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following his win at last week’s Yonex All-England Championships in Birmingham.
The 22-year-old Zii Jia moved up two rungs with 69,389points after garnering 12,000 points for his win in the world’s oldest badminton tournament.
In the final, the Malaysian defeated Denmark’s defending champion, Viktor Axelsen 30-29, 20-22, 21-9.
Japan’s Kento Momota retained his No 1 spot with 109, 118 points despite his defeat to Zii Jia in the quarter-finals. Momota won the All-England title in 2019.
Axelsen remained at No 2 in the ranking list with 98,486 points – ahead of compatriot Anders Antonsen who is in the third spot with 94,875 points.
The women’s doubles pair of Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who won the Yonex Swiss Open and reached the quarter-finals in the All-England, moved up three rungs and are now ranked No 19 with 47,015 points.

AEON CREDIT PURPLE LEAGUE JUNIOR 2020 (ACPLJ 2020) IS BACK

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – Following the continuous reduction in the daily recorded cases of COVID-19, the AEON Credit Purple League Junior 2020 (ACPLJ 2020) will resume at end of this month for a period of 4 days from March 31st to April 3rd.

The tournament to be held in Kampar, Perak, which is under Recovery MCO phase will see the participation of approximately 400 players under the age of 18 from 40 clubs across the country.

The competition is divided into Under-18 men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and Under-15 men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, culminating with a total of 10 events.

In addition to winning prize medals for each event’s runners-up and semi-finalists, the champions can also contribute three points to the club, two points for runners-up and one point for semi-finalists.

The club with the highest cumulative score will be the overall champion. If two or more teams end up with same points, the winner will be determined by the one having the highest number of winners.

If the number of winners is also the same for those teams, then the title champion will be determined by the highest number of winners from the semi-finals and subsequent games count.

In addition to prize money for runners-up, semi-finalists and the overall champion team, the Under-18 champions will also be recruited to participate in an intensive training course hosted by the BAM.

The AEON Credit Purple League Junior 2020 (ACPLJ 2020) was originally scheduled to be held in October and November last year in four regions – Kampar, Muar, Port Dickson and Puchong where each region is represented by 16 winners from Group A and B who will battle out for the championship title in the finals in Putrajaya.

Nevertheless, the suspension of all sporting activities in the country in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak at the end of last year meant that the ACPLJ 2020 had to be postponed indefinitely.

This time around, with the lockdown relaxed, the Malaysia Purple League is returning to complete the ACPLJ 2020 run.

As always, the organiser will strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the government, including isolation of players, measurement of temperature before entering the stadium, no contact with the outside world during the game, no spectators, regular disinfection every day and social distancing, in a bid to ensure that the welfare and well-being of all players, officials and staff personnel are prioritized.

“It’s not easy to get back into the game,” said Ho Khek Mong, Chief Operating Officer of Purple League.

“Since last year’s tournament in Port Dickson, we have postponed the competition several times before we can now resume, five months apart. In order to avoid the postponement of the tournament again due to outbreak, we had to change the game system. Since the pandemic situation has improved, it is better to complete this league quickly than playing the wait-and-see game.”

“I hope the younger generation of players will cherish this rare opportunity to play and prove themselves, and I hope the audience too, will give us their support. Please remember to follow our official Youtube channel.”

The annual Purple League Junior (PLJ) Competition has entered its sixth year. Its purpose is to search for new young talents and provide a platform for promising youth to showcase their talent, gain competitive experience, and build confidence in badminton.

AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad has merged in as the main sponsor for the Purple League Junior for three years since 2019 as part of its corporate social responsibility in developing the local talents.

 

BEST OF THE BEST FOR CHENG HOE’S HARIMAU MALAYA

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – For naturalised Malaysians – Mohamadou Sumareh (Gambia) and Guilherme De Paula (Brazil) – it was different “strokes” when the national squad began its nine-day centralised training camp in Johor Bahru on Monday.
Johor Darul Takzim’s new signing Sumareh has been given three days leave from the training camp for medical treatment after a hamstring injury he sustained during the 2-2 draw against Perak FC in a Super League match in Ipoh on Sunday.
De Paula is a first-time call-up in the national squad and best remembered for the brace he scored against JDT before the Southern Tigers fought back to salvage a precious point.
JDT has 13 players in the national squad and many would have thought De Paula was in for a hot reception when he checked into the training camp.
Instead, the 34-year-old was rather surprised with the warm welcome he received from the JDT players and the rest of the trainees.
As a new addition to the national squad, De Paula was made to feel at home. The warm welcome not only warmed the heart of the Brazilian but also chief coach Tan Cheng Hoe and his coaching staff.
Tan Cheng Hoe

The Brazilian has the “finishing power” and Cheng Hoe knows what De Paula has in his game for the national team.

“His second goal against JDT speaks of his asset. After a change in Perak coach he took time to settle (under new coach Chong Yee Fatt’s style and system) and I am confident we could see him in the spotlight in the league,” said Cheng Hoe.
Yee Fatt took over the reins from Australian Mehmet Durakovic who terminated his contract with Perak on mutual understanding between both parties just before the Malaysian league kicked off on March 5.
De Paula sent a clear message that “age is not a factor” in his quest to be a key player in the national team.
Meanwhile, Cheng Hoe gave the thumbs up with JDT’s world class facilities that are at his disposal for Harimau Malaya’s training. It has been raining daily in Johor Bahru of late but Cheng Hoe is not complaining.
”We have the best training and medical facilities. The environment is superb and all the players are enjoying the best at the squad’s disposal. Sumareh is given three days leave before his injury is reviewed.
“It is not serious…just tightness that is bothering him. He should be okay and hopefully he recovers well to join the rest in training,” said Cheng Hoe.
Malaysia is preparing for the remaining matches in Group G in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asia Cup qualifiers which will be played on a carnival basis in the United Arab Emirates. Malaysia is currently second in the table standings after matches.
Vietnam heads the group with 11 points with Malaysia on nine followed by Thailand on eight and UAE (4 matches) on six. Indonesia is at the bottom with a point after five matches.

ZII JIA NEEDS TO KEEP HIS FEET ON THE GROUND

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 – It was a glorious victory and a glorious chapter for, both, Lee Zii Jia and Malaysian badminton when the 22-year-old lifted the much sought-after men’s singles title in the prestigious Yonex All-England championships – the oldest badminton tournament in the world.
On the way to the title, Zii Jia took down two of the top badminton players in the world – World No 1 Kento Momota of Japan in the quarter-finals and defending champion and No 2 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the final.
Momota, who went into the match with a 6-1 lead in seven previous meetings against the Malaysian, fell to a 16-21, 19-21 defeat. Axelsen went into the match with a 3-1 win-loss record against the Malaysian but it was all laid to rest with Zii Jia coming out tops with a 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 win for the biggest win in his badminton career which earned him his biggest paycheque (USD59,500)
The victory could reshape his badminton career. One win does not make him a star but he is certainly a star in the making if he keeps his feet firmly on the ground after winning the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 event.
Zii Jia should use the victory as the stepping stone of better things to come from the national No 1 who celebrates his 23rd birthday on March 29. The success in Birmingham is an early birthday present.
Victory did not come easy but Zii Jia did put in enough hardwork to overcome his flaws. His game at the All England showed his true badminton capabilities but it is just the beginning.
He was a flop in the Yonex Thailand Open, the Toyota Thailand Open and the 2020 World Tour Finals in Bangkok early this year.
 Let us not forget the All England was without players from China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and South Korea. At the same time, the Indonesian team was forced to withdraw because of Covid-19.
International media reports on ‘sports politic’ in BWF.

Zii Jia you have something in your game that has left Momota and company in awe – your backhand smash. That is your weapon which others don’t have.

Let’s not forget there are many others who made Zii Jia’s All England win possible and they should not be left out. They should be recognised and given due credit for their work – credit where it is due.
In typical Malaysian ”style” there are many who will jump on the bandwagon of success. There are many glory seekers who would want to share a piece of the cake. They only appear during success.
Enjoy the moment of glory but at the same time let us not glorify Zii Jia’s victory beyond limits.
Let’s not forget 2003 – the year when Hafiz Hashim won the All England – a year after winning the Commonwealth Games men’s singles gold medal in Manchester.
Hafiz was given a grand welcome in Kuala Lumpur and also when he returned to his hometown Kota Bharu. Badminton fans may still remember the “Tanjak” placed on his head but it also saw Hafiz’s badminton go down hill. He could not manage his success.
The social media is buzzing over Zii Jia’s victory with political parties hard at work to gain political mileage. We will hear more of political cybertroopers.
At the same time the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) should kick out “politics” and stay focused to take the game to a higher level. With the Tokyo Olympics around the corner it is time to cut out ”sports politics” in the association.

SARAWAK UNITED KEEP IT HOT AT THE TOP

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 – Sarawak United head coach E. Elavarasan is not taking away any credit from Terengganu II for the scoreless in Sunday’s Premier League match played at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka before the league takes a one-week break for the national team’s centralised training.
The Golden Hornbills, however, kept another clean slate and Elavarasan is pleased with that as the jostling for top places in the league is developing into a keen battle.
Negri Sembilan is on top with 13 points from five matches – four wins and a draw with a goal tally of 10 goals for and four against.
Sarawak United has 10 points and a game in hand from three wins and a draw and goal tally of 7-0. Selangor 2 is in the third spot with figures of 4-3-0-1 and a goal tally of 9-4 for nine points.
”Terengganu 2 played a very constructive game. At the same time, our defense did a good job to keep a clean sheet. This gives the team the confidence,” said Elavarasan, who has arranged a friendly match for the team during the break.
During the break, Elavarasan will be without international Norshahrul Idlan Talaha who reports for the national team’s centralised training under Tan Cheng Hoe in Johor Bahru today.
Elavarasan admitted that there are ”several loopholes to be plugged” for the team to face the challenges in the league.
 “Anyone fielded in the starting eleven needs to adapt to the match strategies if not it can upset the team’s rhythm. This shortcoming needs to be ironed out.”
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan scored two late goals for a 2-0 win over FAM/MSN Project Squad at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Paroi. R. Barathkumar opened the scoring on 73 minutes before Cameroon striker Alain Akono added the second in the 86th minute.

PLENTY OF DRAMA IN IPOH AS PERAK SHARE POINTS WITH JDT

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PETALING JAYA, 21 March – Guilherme De Paula scored a brace for Perak as seven-time Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim stormed back for a 2-2 draw at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh in Saturday’s Super League match that was marred by a near free for all during injury time.
Six minutes of added time was fully utilized by the Southern Tigers who earned a point from the penalty spot which was duly converted by Leandro Velazquez.
It was De Paula’s night. He was on fire – getting his first on 33 minutes and his second in the 58th minute which was a gem as he blasted a bullet past JDT keeper Farizal Marlias. JDT was lost in the game that also saw the emergence of Mohamadou Sumareh.
The Gambia-born naturalised Malaysian came in as a substitute for Ramadhan Saifullah after the break.
However, Sumareh was lost in the park, and he lasted only until the 69th minute and replaced by Akhyar Rashid.
Akhyar made a lot of difference in the JDT team and five minutes later he reduced the deficit for JDT – with a left-footed volley that took a wicked bounce and hit the back of the Perak net. The penalty saved the blushes for JDT.
However, JDT players were not happy with the match official, and several players were seen jostling the referee at the end of the match. Players from both sides also had to be restrained by stadium officials.
No details were available on what actually happened that resulted in the near fracas.

TUNEBOSS-PINK RACING TEAM ‘BUKAN ANAK BAHARU LAHIR KEMARIN SORE’

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SEPANG, 21 Mac – Tuneboss-Pink Racing Team. Ini pendatang baharu dalam kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia musim ni.

Ia baharu ditubuhkan akhir tahun lalu dan pemiliknya merupakan seorang YouTuber wanita, Nur Atikah Azwar, 25 tahun atau lebih dikenali sebagai Rider Helmet Pink.

Dia dianggap wanita termuda pertama yang memiliki pasukan sendiri pada kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia dan tahun lalu beliau pernah bersaing dalam kategori Pro Am.

Menariknya, pasukan ini diwakili dua pelumba wanita dan seorang pelumba lelaki yang masing-masingnya bersaing dalam kategori CP125 dan Wira.

Siti Norafizah Mohamad, 26, berasal dari Johor, memikul cabaran beraksi dalam kelas CP125 bersama Md Harith Farhan Baharin dari Terengganu manakala Siti Norsyafiyah Alia Saarizan yang berasal dari Perak menggalas cabaran dalam kelas Wira.

FIFI

Pada penampilan pertama di Cub Prix tahun ini, Tuneboss-Pink Racing tidak mengimpikan penyudah podium kerana mereka sedar dengan segala kekurangan yang ada pada pasukan.

Misi pertama mereka adalah untuk menimba pengalaman secukupnya dalam sukan dua roda berprestasi tinggi ini dan daripada situ, mereka akan menjadikannya sebagai strategi untuk merancang sesuatu yang lebih besar pada musim-musim akan datang.

Segalanya baharu – bermula daripada peringkat pengurusan kerana sebahagian besar kru pasukan merupakan muka baharu dalam Cub Prix. Lebih menarik, ketua mekanik juga merupakan tenaga muda yang mempunyai kepakaran tersendiri dalam aspek-aspek berkaitan motosikal.

Kelebihan mereka adalah keyakinan.

Minggu ini, pasukan tersebut melangkah ke gelanggang perlumbaan untuk memulakan kempen Pusingan 1 kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia di Litar Sepang Utara.

Siapa sangka, pasukan yang dianggap sebagai ‘anak yang baru lahir kemarin sore’ ini mencipta kejutan pada sesi kelayakan semalam.

Norafizah atau lebih popular dengan nama Fifi, muncul pelumba kedua terpantas dengan catatan masa 1:33.005 saat (s) ketinggalan beberapa saat di belakang pelumba OneXOX TKKR Racing Team, Md Hafiza Rofa.

Harith yang pertama kali menunggang jentera Yamaha sepanjang kariernya muncul pelumba ke-12 terpantas.

Hari ini pada perlumbaan akhir, dua pelumba Tuneboss-Pink Racing ini sekali lagi menampilkan aksi yang agak bertenaga, malah pada suatu ketika Fifi dilihat berjaya memimpin perlumbaan.

Ternyata, bersaing dengan barisan pelumba berpengalaman dalam kelas tersebut bukan halangan buat Fifi dan Harith kerana mereka masih mampu melontarkan cabaran sengit.

Kedua-duanya berjaya mengutip mata daripada perlumbaan akhir hari ini yang menyaksikan Fifi berjaya menduduki tempat kelima dengan catatan masa 11:11.040s manakala Harith menamatkan saingan di kedudukan kelapan dengan masa 11:11.372s.

Fifi pula memahat nama sebagai pelumba wanita terbaik dalam sejarah Cub Prix apabila berjaya menempatkan diri dalam kelompok lima terbaik.

Dia menjadi pelumba wanita pertama untuk berada di kedudukan lima terbaik dalam kelas CP125.

Perlumbaan tersebut dimenangi Md Syafiq Rosli dari pasukan PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor manakalan dua pelumba Ipone Yamaha YY Pang Racing Team, Md Fareez Afeez Abd Rahman dan Md Adib Rosley masing-masingnya menduduki tempat kedua dan ketiga.

Dengan keputusan tersebut, Fifi kini berada di kedudukan kelima keseluruhan dengan mengutip 11 mata manakala Harith di kedudukan kelapan dengan meraih 8 mata kejuaraan. Tuneboss-Pink Racing pula bermegah menghuni kedudukan ketiga keseluruhan bagi kategori berpasukan dengan mengumpul 19 mata.

Alia yang menggalas cabaran dalam kategori Wira juga tidak kurang hebatnya dan dia mampu menamatkan perlumbaan di kedudukan ke-17 dengan catatan masa 10:44.527s.

Ia satu permulaan yang sangat positif buat pasukan baharu yang masih cetek pengalaman dalam sukan dua roda negara.

“Prestasi para pelumba pada kejuaraan pembuka tirai ini memang di luar jangkaan saya. Mereka telah menampilkan komitmen yang tinggi. Apa yang mereka buktikan pada Pusingan 1 ini telah melonjakkan semangat kami baik pelumba mahupun barisan mekanik untuk bekerja lebih keras lagi selepas ini.

“Kejayaan meraih mata pada aksi Pusingan 1 ini dianggap sebagai kejayaan luar biasa buat pasukan kami yang baharu membuat penampilan di Cub Prix musim ini. InsyaAllah, kami berharap momentum seperti ini dapat dipertahankan dalam misi untuk melakukan lebih banyak kejutan pada perlumbaan akan datang,” jelas pengurus pasukan, Nur Atikah.

Selepas ini, mereka akan sekali lagi kembali ke gelanggang untuk bersaing pada aksi Pusingan 2 yang dijadualkan berlangsung di Litar Sepang Utara pada 3-4 April nanti.

ZII JIA’S GLORY IN BIRMINGHAM

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 – It was a test of character and determination as Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia dethroned defending champion and World No 2, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a 74-minute thriller to win the men’s singles title in the prestigious Yonex All-England.
The 22-year-old Kedahan defeating the Dane 30-29, 20-22, 21-9, earned himself an early birthday present.
Zii Jia celebrates his 23rd birthday on March 29 and also earned his biggest pay cheque of USD59,500 which came with the title.
His win ended Malaysia’s four-year wait in Birmingham after former World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei won the title in 2017.
And Chong Wei also played an inspiring role in Zii Jia’s win with his guidance and preparations for the biggie after he was heavily criticized for his poor performance in the Yonex Thailand Open, the Toyota Thailand Open and World Tour Finals in Bangkok early this year.
Axelsen took the court with a 3-l lead over Zii Jia in their four previous meetings. However, Zii Jia gave his confidence a big boost when he knocked out current World No 1 and two-time world champion Kento Momota of Japan in the quarter-finals 21-16, 21-19.
Zii Jia was also hungry for success and handled the pressure well in Birmingham. He had lost to Axelsen in the semi-finals in All-England debut last year.
He came to Birmingham this year after making the semi-finals in the Yonex Swiss Open in Basel a week earlier.

ZII JIA IN HIS BIGGEST FINAL

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 – After his semi-final effort last year, Lee Zii Jia went one step further this time to reach the final of this year’s All-England when he downed Dutchman Mark Caljouw 21-13-, 21-17 in 44 minutes at Arena Birmingham on Saturday.
In the final, which is on Sunday, the 22-year Malaysian will face either defending champion Viktor Axelsen or Anders Antonsen who face each other in the all-Denmark second-final later in the day.
Zii Jia who ousted World No 1 and two-time world champion Kento Momota of Japan 21-16, 21-19 in the quarter-finals, however, looked tired somewhat against Caljouw but did enough to reach the final.
Tey Seu Bok

”This happens after you play a tough match (against Momota) but he still did well against the Dutch player,” said coach Datuk Tey Seu Bok after the match.

Zii Jia, who also reached the semi-finals in the Yonex Swiss Open, has shown vast improvement in his game after a disappointing run in Bangkok when competing in the Yonex Thailand Open and the Toyota Thailand Open. He also lost all his matches in the World Tour Finals in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for third seeds Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in the mixed doubles. The Malaysians went down to unseeded Yuki Kaneko-Misaki Matsutomo of Japan in the semi-finals 14-21, 20-22 in 42 minutes.
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