PETALING JAYA, 23 Oct – Wounded Perak has not given up hopes of playing in next season’s AFC Cup but it takes a mammoth task on a winding journey to fulfill that hope – to win the prestigious Malaysia Cup.
The Bos Gauros last won the silverware in 2018 but could well play a role in this if the team gets a perfect draw as this year’s Malaysia Cup which will be played in a new format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country’s oldest football tournament will be played on a knockout basis with the first round matches for the 16 teams scheduled from Nov 6-8.
The quarter-finals will be from Nov 12-13 followed by the semi-finals on Nov 17. The final is slated for Nov 22.
Perak had heartbreak in their final Super League match which was against Kedah at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Oct 11.
The Bos Gauros lost 3-2 in a match which they needed to win while Kedah needed just a draw for second place in the league which came with a place in the AFC Cup.
Perak coach, Mehmet Durakovic is counting on his fired-up team after the league disappointment to go for the ”kill” in the Malaysia Cup.
However, in the same breath, the Australian is aware of the tough task the team has.
“It won’t be easy…this is the Malaysia Cup and it will be played in a different format. That (format) makes it all the more difficult. At the same time, there is something at stake for us to fight for (the Cup which comes with the AFC Cup slot,” said Durakovic.
”The team is training hard and we will do whatever is needed to do to take the opportunity we have to play in the Asian meet.”
PETALING JAYA, 22 Oct – Singaporean coach, Aidil Sharin Sahak has verbally accepted a new two year contract with Kedah which is expected to be signed soon after his existing contract expires at the end of this year.
Without doubt, the passport for a new contract came via Kedah’s place in the AFC Cup next season after he guided the Red Eagles as runners up in the Super League which was won by Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) for an unprecedented seventh year running.
Kedah beat Perak 3-2 in their last league match which was played at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh – a win which they needed although a draw would have been enough for Aidil and company.
Knowing that continuity is needed to carry Kedah in their challenge in the AFC Cup and also in the new M-League season, the Kedah management has verbally agreed to further improve the team – with about 90 percent of the players expected to be retained.
However, this will be decided when next month during the Malaysia Cup campaign but for sure Kedah players, both local and foreign, will be in demand for the new season after the Red Eagles came through a turbulent five months when the team was not paid the salaries.
It was ”smooth sailing” for the Red Eagles since the change of management with new supremo Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (who is also the Menteri Besar), settling a close to RM15 million in debts.
Despite the off the field issues, Kedah players were lauded for showing their professionalism on the field and did not let the team down.
Aidil has repeatedly said he loves the players and the Kedah fans which has a strong base although he was linked to Perak and later Selangor.
There were reportedly also several other offers from teams in the country and also overseas.
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct – Organisers of the BARFOOT & THOMPSON BWF World Junior Championships 2020 have today confirmed that the event has been cancelled.
The ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and uncertainty left BWF, Badminton New Zealand and
tournament organisers no choice but to cancel the event.
BWF Secretary General, Thomas Lund in a statement today said: “We are of course disappointed not to be able to stage the 2020 version of the BWF World Junior Championships, but the entry restrictions in place and complexities related to the Covid-19 situation makes it impossible for the event to be planned and therefore hosted in New Zealand in January 2021 as currently scheduled.”
With a host for the next edition already in place for later in 2021, and the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation expected to stretch into next year, postponement was not an option.
However, Badminton New Zealand are still committed to hosting the BWF World Junior
Championships and the BWF have accepted a proposal for them to stage the 2024 edition as a replacement for the edition lost.
Hosts for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 championships were already awarded by BWF Council in 2018, making 2024 the next available year.
“We would like to thank Badminton New Zealand, tournament organisers, its partners ATEED and the New Zealand Government, for their enthusiasm and commitment to staging the World Junior Championships,” said Lund.
“It only seems fair recognition of their efforts to stage these championships that we award them the 2024 edition.
“We appreciate that some junior players will turn 19 years old in 2021 and unfortunately miss out on a BWF World Junior Championships experience. We can only encourage them to continue to develop their talent as badminton athletes and start to enter open international events.
“It has been a difficult and extraordinary year during the pandemic but we all look forward to a more consistent junior international badminton calendar in 2021 and the next BWF World Junior Championships in China in October 2021.”
Badminton New Zealand Chief Executive Joe Hitchcock said: “Although we are tremendously disappointed with this news, it is the right decision to make due to the current situation. We know that the world was looking forward to visiting New Zealand and enjoying a truly inspiring event with the best young badminton players on the planet and we feel for all those impacted by this cancellation.
“We are, however, thrilled that fans and players from around the world will still be able to enjoy a uniquely Kiwi badminton experience, albeit a few years later than originally planned. We are particularly grateful to the BWF, Barfoot & Thompson and our event partners, who have been incredibly supportive and accommodating to ensure that we could get across the line to host the 2024 event,” Hitchcock said.
ATEED Head of Major Events, Richard Clarke, said: “Whilst the news is understandably
disappointing for the badminton community and Auckland as a host, we are delighted to hear that the event will not be lost to our region.
“The decision by the international governing body to award the 2024 event to New Zealand speaks volumes for our reputation as a world-class events destination and we cannot wait to extend our hospitality.”
The new date sets up an exciting period of international badminton events in Auckland, New Zealand, with the BARFOOT & THOMPSON BWF World Junior Championships secured for 2024 to be followed by the BARFOOT & THOMPSON BWF World Senior Championships in 2025.
JOHOR BAHRU, 20 Oct – The man who took cricket to the Felda schemes in Johor before the Kancil Programme “Catch ’em Young” policy went nationwide, Dato Dr. Harjit Singh is dead at the age of 70 when he succumbed to complications at the National Heart Institution (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on Monday following heart surgery.
The cricket legend breathed his last at about 11.45pm at IJN after a heart surgery and leaves behind his wife Kaldip Kaur, a retired nursing sister from Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Bahru and two sons – Dr Rajinder and Gurdeep, both of whom reside in Australia.
While Malaysian cricket is mourning the sudden demise of Dato Dr. Harjit, his passing is also felt by the many NGOs who looked upon him for help when it was needed most in time of the deed, especially the needy.
Who can forget the affable Dr. Harjit as his affability put many at ease no matter what the situation was and he never said “NO” to anyone.
Johor Hockey Association president Dato Manjit Majid Abdullah summed up Dr. Harjit’s sudden death as a “big loss” at all levels as he was very much involved in grooming young talent some of whom went on to don national colors.
”His dedication and passion for sports were second to none. He will be missed and it must be remembered he was the house doctor for the annual Sultan of Johor Cup International (Under-21) tournament since its inception in 2011,” said Dato Manjit.
It was Dr. Harjit who took the ‘bat and ball game’ to schools in the Felda schemes with his Kancil programme.
He made it a ”game of passion” among the newcomers and indirectly it became a matter of time before the Malay students were earning the accolades – thanks to Dr. Harjit.
Son of former engineer, the late Meva Singh who was a well known Selangor and Kilat Club cricketer, Dr. Harjit himself played for Johor and the national team. During the annual Saudara Cup between Malaysia and Singapore played in the republic, Dr. Harjit broke his leg while fielding and this was in 1980.
Former international cricketer K. Ramadas, who has worked with the Johor Cricket Council since 1989, is devastated by Dr. Harjit’s passing.
“Dr. Harjit is the one who brought me to work with him and he has been my boss since then. There are no words to describe his humbleness and I never saw him raise his voice against anyone even in anger,” said Ramadas.
Datin Jennifer Williams from Sarawak, who once arrived in Johor Bahru for the SOJC on official assignment without her medication had this to say: ”Such a nice man and I remember one year I forgot to bring my medication and he (Dr. Harjit) sorted it out for me. May his soul rest in peace.”
The long serving Dr. Harjit has been the president of the Johor Cricket Council (JCC) since 1987 and is the longest serving head in any sports association in the country – something which will be difficult to emulate by the present generation.
He also served the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) as the deputy president from 1990 to 2003 and was in charge of development which was closest to his heart.
For his contributions to the sport Dr. Harjit was inducted in the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Hall Fame in 2017. He was also a three-time winner of the Johor Sports Leadership Award – in 1989, 1995 and 2007.
Cricket will also remember him for building the first cricket academy in the Southeast Asia which is located in Mutiara Rini on the outskirts of the booming Johor Bahru City.
Dr. Harjit had a big hand in bringing the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup which was played at the academy in 2008.
While studying medicine in India, Dr. Harjit, who studied at the famous English College (now known as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) in Johor Bahru, played for Ranchi University and Dhanbad district in the local tournaments in India.
Tributes also poured in from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah and His Majesty Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Iskandar.
“Please convey my condolence to the family”
– KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“A very nice man. Condolences to the family, he took care of me when I was unwell in Johor Bahru during the late Almarhum’s time. Thank you and salam”
– Tengku Muda Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah.
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Oct – The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) commitment towards ensuring world class healthcare to the Continent’s teams and players was further underlined with the recognition of Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar as part of the AFC’s Medical Centre of Excellence network in a virtual ceremony held today.
Aspetar will now be part of the network of established medical centres under the AFC Medical Centre of Excellence which was launched in 2018 to provide better healthcare for the Continent’s footballers by recognising medical centres in Asia which demonstrate leadership in clinical research and education expertise as well as injury-prevention and management measures.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The AFC’s Vision and Mission has set out our objectives to ensure the success of our teams, players and officials and sports medicine plays an important role in this journey.
“As one of our long standing partners, Aspetar has already grown to take its position as one of the leaders in protecting the wellbeing of players and the AFC would like to thank Aspetar and the Qatar Football Association for sharing our belief and Vision.”
Echoing the AFC President’s message, AFC General Secretary, Datuk Windsor John, added: “World class teams and players require world class medical treatment and care and there has never been a sharper focus on the health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation of our players than during this pandemic.
“Asia is a vast Continent and sports medicine is a constantly evolving discipline, so it is vital that we continue to expand our network of AFC Medical Centres of Excellence to ensure that more players can gain greater access to the highest standards of medical attention and treatment.
“The AFC acknowledges the crucial role of Aspetar and all our Medical Centres of Excellence in raising the standards in sports science and medicine in Asia and their commitment to the care of players. We are confident that with this recognition, Aspetar will continue to elevate football and sports medicine through education and research collaboration in the Continent.”
As one of the AFC’s long standing partners, Aspetar continues to support the development of Asian football by contributing to sports medicine knowledge and scientific research, and by organising several key scientific events.
The AFC and Aspetar have also been collaborating on several projects for more than a decade, including the initiation of the AFC/Aspetar Injury and Illness Surveillance Study in 2017 and organising a series of medical conferences and workshops.
As the first FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence accredited in the Middle East, Aspetar’s partnership with the AFC has enabled major advances in the treatment and care of Asian footballers. This includes the development of football medicine, applied research and player education across the Continent as well as supporting players from the grassroots to the elite level.
Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Aspetar General Director, said: “It is an honour to receive such a high recognition of our work and expertise and to join such an exclusive network of sports medicine centres of excellence.
“We are one of the leading sports medicine centres in the world, we believe at Aspetar that we can bring our experience in sports medicine and sports science to serve football in Asia, there’s so much that can be done,” he added.
Aspetar is the world’s leading specialised sports medicine hospital and is one of few hospitals to have received both FIFA and IOC international recognition.
Allahyarham (kanan) ketika menerima kunjungan Pengerusi YAKEB, Datuk Noorul di kediamannya bulan lalu.
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Okt – Legenda bola sepak negara, Mohd. Shah Norbit, 69, meninggal dunia hari ini selepas berada dalam keadaan tenat akibat serangan angin ahmar sejak sebulan lalu.
Pemain yang pernah beraksi menentang Arsenal pada 1975 itu menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya pada pukul 6.15 petang ini dan Allahyarham meninggalkan seorang balu, Aini Muhamed, 66, dan tiga anak, Mohd Nazri, Mohd Nizam dan Mohd. Nizwan.
Menurut Pengerusi Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (Yakeb), Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed, Mohd. Shah yang sebelum ini terlantar di atas katil di kediamannya, Taman Desa Keramat, Ulu Kelang, Selangor juga menghidap pelbagai penyakit kritikal lain seperti kencing manis dan darah tinggi.
“Makan, minum dan ubat-ubatan buatnya juga hanya disalurkan menerusi tiub selain perlu memakai lampin yang turut kerap ditukar,” kata Noorul yang sebelum ini pernah menziarahi Mohd. Shah di kediamannya.
Yakeb dan beberapa pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) lain telah menghulurkan bantuan bagi meringankan kesempitan hidup pemenang pingat perak Sukan SEAP Bangkok 1975 ini yang berupa wang tunai, katil dan tilam khas.
Anak keduanya, Mohd. Nizam Mohd. Shah Alias berkata: “Sudah sebulan bapa saya diserang angin ahmar malah sejak seminggu lalu, keadaan kesihatannya didapati makin tenat.”
Mengimbas karier bola sepak Allahyarham, dia beraksi dalam satu pasukan dengan Datuk Namat Abdullah, Datuk Santokh Singh, Allahyarham Isa Bakar dan mendiang Wong Choon Wah yang menewaskan kelab Divisyen Satu England, Arsenal 2-0 hasil jaringan Allahyarham Datuk Mokhtar Dahari di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur pada 11 Mei 1975.
Pemain lain yang memperkuatkan skuad negara bimbingan mendiang Datuk M. Chandran dalam perlawanan persahabatan itu adalah mendiang Datuk R. Arumugam, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Vincent Clement Thambyrajah, Datuk Shukor Saleh dan Harun Jusoh.
Skuad negara juga diikat 1-1 oleh The Gunners kendalian mendiang Bertie Mee dan dibarisi bintang England seperti Brian Kidd, John Radford dan Peter Storey selepas jaringan Isa di Stadium Bandaraya, Pulau Pinang dalam perlawanan persahabatan kedua, 13 Mei 1975.
Mohd. Shah yang dianggap sebagai antara pemain serba boleh, pernah membantu skuad negara muncul naib juara Pestabola Merdeka dan meraih pingat perak Sukan SEAP 1975 setelah ditewaskan Korea Selatan 1-0 dan Thailand 2-1 dalam perlawanan akhir.
Allahyarham yang lahir di Kuala Kangsar, Perak pada 25 November 1951, menyarung jersi skuad kebangsaan dari tahun 1972 hingga 1976 selain menyerlah bersama Selangor selaku juara Piala Malaysia lima kali pada 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975 dan 1976.
Dia juga pernah menjadi penolong jurulatih Selangor kepada Datuk Khaidir Buyong sehingga 2000 sebelum melatih Melaka dari 2001 hingga 2003, skuad wanita Malaysia (2006-2008), Angkatan Tentera dan SPA mulai 2013.
Abangnya, Mohd. Zulkifli juga merupakan bekas pemain Selangor dan Malaysia pada era 60-an hingga 70-an selain seorang lagi saudara mereka, Mohd. Jamaluddin Akhir. – AH
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Okt – Perjalanannya dalam sukan permotoran tidak semudah yang dijangkakan.
Lahir daripada keluarga yang serba kekurangan, ia tidak pernah melunturkan minatnya untuk menceburkan diri dalam sukan permotoran.
Keinginannya untuk mendapatkan sebuah motosikal sendiri terlalu menebal tetapi kekangan kewangan yang dihadapinya ketika itu, dia gagal merealisasikan impian tersebut.
Namun, dia tetap tidak putus asa malah terus melangkah ke hadapan dan akhirnya membuat keputusan menyertai pasukan polis.
Dia berpendapat bahawa itu satu-satunya jalan terbaik bagi membolehkannya menunggang motosikal.
Impiannya adalah untuk menjadi anggota ‘outrider’ dalam pasukan polis, tetapi harapannya sekali lagi musnah.
Majikannya berpendapat bahawa dia layak ditugaskan sebagai seorang mekanik kerana kecekapannya dalam bidang tersebut.
Kerana kecewa, dia membuat keputusan berhenti sebagai anggota polis dan bekerja sebagai mekanik sehinggalah dia menghembus nafas terakhirnya awal tahun ini.
Itu serba sedikit perjalan karier Kuan Huah Chin atau lebih dikenali sebagai Bulldog Kuan.
Siapa yang tidak mengenalinya – dia adalah legenda sukan permotoran.
Memulakan karier perlumbaannya sejak tahun 1960an lagi, kehebatannya memang sukar digugat dalam setiap perlumbaan tempatan yang diharunginya.
Tiada siapa yang mampu menyainginya dalam kejuaraan motosikal tempaan yang ketika itu dianjurkan dalam keadaan yang serba sederhana kerana tidak memiliki kemudahan secanggih sekarang.
Kenapa dia dianggap sebagai Bulldog Kuan?
Ini kerana dia merupakan satu-satunya pelumba terhebat negara selain kemahirannya mengharungi litar jalanan yang sangat mencabar ketika itu meskipun ciri-ciri keselamatan amat jauh berbeza berbanding sekarang.
Keunggulannya sangat terserlah dan dia bersama rakan baiknya, Oh Kah Beng terus gagah menguasai perlumbaan tempatan sehinggalah ke tahun 1980an.
Malah, dia merupakan satu-satunya pelumba negara yang pernah beraksi dalam saingan MotoGP di awal kariernya sebagai pelumba.
Kerana cintakan sukan permotoran, Bulldog Kuan tidak pernah melepaskan peluang untuk menyertai beberapa kejuaraan di rantau Asia, malah dia sering berlumba di Singapura dan juga Indonesia.
Atas kejayaan yang dicapainya di pentas Asia, namanya semakin popular dalam kalangan pencinta sukan tersebut di rantau ini.
Lebih menarik, minatnya bukan sahaja berlumba tetapi turut memainkan peranan yang besar untuk mengembangkan sukan permotoran di negara ini.
Dia antara orang penting disebalik penganjuran Penang Grand Prix, satu-satunya kejuaraan antarabangsa di Pulau Pinang pada tahun 1969.
Matlamatnya adalah untuk mengembangkan sukan dua roda itu agar terus diminati oleh generasi muda.
Dia juga memainkan peranan sebagai presiden Penang Motor Sports Club yang telah menjadi penganjur kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia – satu-satunya kejuaraan yang masih kekal utuh sehingga ke hari ini.
Selepas persaraannya, dia tetap mendekatkan diri dengan sukan permotoran untuk memainkan peranan sebagai Clerk-of-Course (COC) selain menguruskan kedai motosikalnya di Georgetown – Bulldog Kuan Motor.
Kehebatannya dalam sukan permotoran tidak terhenti begitu sahaja, malah segala ilmu yang ada padanya diturunkan kepada anaknya, Kuan Meng Heng.
Seorang lagi anaknya, mendiang Kuan Meng Chin juga pernah beraksi dalam kejuaraan Cub Prix Malaysia.
Kini, segala pengorbanan, sumbangan mahupun kejayaan yang telah dicapai oleh Bulldog Kuan dalam sukan permotoran akan tetap menjadi satu kenangan yang sukar dilupakan.
Dia adalah legenda.
Pada usia 87 tahun, Bulldog Kuan menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya di kediamannya di York Road George Town, Pulau Pinang pada 20 Mac 2020.
JOHOR BAHRU, 17 Oct – With the Covid-19 forcing this year’s Sultan of Johor Cup to be canceled, the 10th edition of the annual Under-21 hockey invitational has been scheduled for September next year with four teams already confirmed.
Crowd pullers India, Australia, Great Britain, and host Malaysia are the early confirmed entries for the tournament which will be played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium from Sept 5-12.
Johor Hockey Association (JHA) President, Dato Manjit Majid Abdullah (pic below) said invitations have also been sent out to Germany, Belgium, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand while expecting the other two remaining teams to confirm their participation.
The much sought after tournament is a six-nation meet but calls have also been made to increase the number of teams.
However, the logistics and cost factor has been a major drawback.
”It is unfortunate that this year’s SOJC had to be postponed because of the pandemic but hopefully all will be in order next year. Teams have been deprived of hockey tournaments and we pray that borders will be open soon for next year’s sporting activities,” said Manjit.
Manjit was returned unopposed as the new JHA president at last Thursday’s biennial JHA elections.
A former vice-president of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), the widely traveled Manjit was also a national team manager in 1986.
The SOJC is the only annual international Under-21 tournament in the world and is featured in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar.
The tournament is the brainchild of the two royalties – the Sultan of Johor and the present Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah who was the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang then.
The tournament was born after Johor Bahru hosted the Junior World Cup Finals in 2009 together with Singapore and did not want to leave the stadium as a white elephant.
The Junior World Cup final was played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium which has world-class facilities.
Malaysia was the inaugural champions of the Sultan of Johor Cup after defeating Australia 3-2 in extra time with the score tied at 2-2 in regulation time.
Great Britain is the only team to have won the title three times (2015, 2018, 2019) while India (2013, 2014) and Australia (2016, 2017) have won the Cup twice each.
Germany won the title once and this was in 2012 with a 3-2 win over India in the final.
JOHOR BAHRU, 16 Oct – Newly elected Johor Hockey Association (JHA) President, Dato Manjit Majid Abdullah has started cracking the whip to reshape the sport in the state and make Johor a hockey powerhouse in the country.
Manjit revealed that it is a five-year program during which time Johor hopes to regain its status as a hockey giant in the country although the southern state has won the Razak Cup only three times.
Johor, however, has done well in the national age-group tournaments and has produced national hockey big names like Olympians Sarjit Singh, Yahya Atan, Nasihin Nubli, to name a few.
A. Arulselvaraj and Nasihin are currently the national chief coach for men and women with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.
Several others who coached the national teams were Balbir Singh, A. Harbhajan Singh, the late Puran Singh and the late Malek Khiew.
Puran was also an international rugby referee.
For a start, Johor will bring its once famous inter district tournament which was the hunting ground to tap young talent.
It is a tournament which will also be played on grass pitches as not all districts have artificial pitches but Manjit is confident that it will not be a hindrance to revive the tournament that used to bring out keen “hockey rivalry” between the districts.
Manjit also revealed that the state will organize an annual quadrangular in memory of former JHA President, Dato Suleiman Mohd. Noor who passed away in August 2017 at the age of 88.
”We will make it an annual affair and invite three state teams for the quadrangular. In the past, there used to be popular quadrangular tournaments in the country but somehow all disappeared from the Malaysian hockey scene.
”The Dato Suleiman Mohd. Noor quadrangular will get due recognition and Johor will make sure it becomes a much looked forward tournament annually,” said Manjit.
The former state secretary is also known as the ”Father of Johor Football” and credited for the Johor’s rise in Malaysian football.
Johor Darul Takzim’s indoor training center – The Dato Suleiman Mohd. Noor Indoor Training Center in Seri Gelam, Johor Bahru – is named after him for his contributions to the sport in Johor.
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Okt – Kejohanan Badminton Cabaran 100PLUS Ranking Junior Kebangsaan 2020 yang berakhir di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara hari ini telah mencapai objektif yang telah ditetapkan.
Demikian tegas Pengarah Pembangunan Remaja Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Datuk Misbun Sidek hari ini sebaik selesai saingan bagi peringkat kumpulan.
Kejohanan ini telah bermula sejak 12 Oktober lalu dan ia merupakan kejohanan pertama buat barisan pemain rmaja bawah usia 18 tahun selepas mereka kembali menjalani latihan pada Julai lalu.
Menurut Misbun, kejohanan ini telah memberi satu impak yang penting buat barisan kejurulatihan untuk menilai prestasi semasa pemain-pemain di bawah kendalian mereka.
“Kita anjurkan pertandingan ranking ini kerana hampir setahun tiada pertandingan ekoran Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) sejak Mac lalu. Jadi, inilah peluang buat para pemain pemain menguji tahap kemampuan mereka dan saya daripada kejohanan ini pertandingan kesemua pemain telah menunjukan persaingan kompetitif. Ini merupakan perkembangan yang bagus yang bagus,” jelas Misbun.
Misi utama Misbun serta barisan kejurulatihan pastinya menilai setiap aspek termasuk mengkaji sebarang kekurangan atau impak positif hasil latihan serta program yang dirangka bagi pasukan pembangunan, sekali gus mempersiapkan pemain untuk mengharungi saingan Kejohanan Remaja Dunia yang dijangka bermula pada awal tahun depan.
Bagi Misbun yang pernah melatih jaguh badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, saingan Cabaran 100PLUS Ranking Junior Kebangsaan 2020 bukan ukuran utama kerana masih banyak lagi yang perlu dilakukan dalam misi membentuk pemain yang lrbih berdaya saing.
Tambah Misbun lagi, beliau dapat merasakan ada beberapa pemain yang menonjol dan memiliki karakter seperti Datuk Lee Chong Wei di usia remajanya, namun ia bukan bermakna tugas pengendali berusia 60 tahun ini semakin mudah.
Ini kerana dia turut memberi fokus untuk membangunkan pemain-pemain yang berumur antara 13 hingga 15 tahun yang dilihat sesuai untuk digilap sebagai permata baharu badminton negara.
Malah, barisan kejurulatihan dan tenaga kerja BAM perlu memastikan pemain-pemain ini berada di landasan yang betul berdasarkan program dan jadual latihan yang disusun untuk memastikan segala aspek yang perlu diberikan diterima sepenuhnya oleh para pemain.
Selepas berakhirnya saingan peringkat pusingan 100PLUS Cabaran Ranking Junior Kebangsaan 2020, tiga pemain teratas bagi kategori perseorangan lelaki dan dua pemain teratas bagi perseorangan perempuan peringkat kumpulan A layak beraksi di playoff yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 3 hingga 6 November depan.
Mereka bakal bersaing dengan pemain-pemain senior di Akademi Badminton Malaysia, Bukit Kiara.
Saingan hari terakhir tertumpu kepada perebutan tiga slot bagi perseorangan lelaki kumpulan A untuk ke perlawanan playoff, sekali gus beraksi dengan pemain-pemain senior pada November nanti.
Hanya tiga pemain teratas perseorangan lelaki kumpulan A layak beraksi yang menyaksikan Justin Hoh dan Jacky Kok Jing Hong sah mengisi dua slot pertama sebelum Ong Ken Yon melengkapkan senarai tiga pemain yang akan ke saingan Playoff selepas mengumpul 7 mata.
Ong Ken Yon mengesahkan status untuk mengiringi Justin dan Jacky ke Playoff selepas menundukkan Ong Zhen Yi dalam pertarungan tiga set, 19-21, 21-16, 21-5.
Sementara dua pemain, V. Poopathi dan Anson Cheong mengisi dua kedudukan terbawah kumpulan A, sekali gus bakal beraksi di pusingan playoff bagi penentuan ranking pemain.
Dua pemain terbaik bagi kumpulan B, C dan D untuk kategori perseorangan lelaki dan perempuan akan bertarung dengan dua pemain tercorot kumpulan A, B, C dan D dalam perlawanan Playoff yang dijadualkan bermula pada 28 hingga 30 Oktober depan untuk menentukan ranking masing-masing.
100PLUS Cabaran Ranking Junior Kebangsaan 2020 merupakan pertandingan pertama yang dilangsungkan secara tertutup melibatkan pemain-pemain remaja selepas mereka dibenarkan kembali menjalani latihan secara berperingkat di ABM pada Julai lalu.
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Mei – Miss Borneo Antarabangsa 2026 bukan sekadar acara pertandingan kecantikan, sebaliknya hadir dengan aspirasi besar untuk mengangkat warisan budaya dan...
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Okt – Kejohanan Badminton Cabaran 100PLUS Ranking Junior Kebangsaan 2020 yang berakhir di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara hari ini telah mencapai objektif yang telah ditetapkan.
