KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Sept – The return of Asian football will celebrate the medical workers who have been the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic when the AFC Champions League restarts in the West Region in Qatar on Monday, September 14, 2020.
The four stadiums where the centralised matches are scheduled to kick-off in Doha will be dressed with the slogan – #FootballForHeroes – to pay tribute to the healthcare professionals – working tirelessly on the frontlines while reminding the Continent’s fans, players and match officials to remain vigilant in the fight against the pandemic.
The #FootballForHeroes video highlights the various messages from Asian football stars paying homage to the frontliners and healthcare professionals while also featuring the AFC doctors and medical practitioners from the highly-acclaimed #BreakTheChain series which was launched on March 26, 2020.
In addition to the #FootballForHeroes visuals taking their spots in strategic places across the stadiums, football fans will also be able to see a special tribute message which will be broadcasted live during the matches.
After more than six months since the suspension of the AFC Champions League on March 4, 2020, the excitement is now building as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC take on Iraq’s Al Shorta at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli Dubai are scheduled to battle Shahr Khodro FC from the Islamic Republic of Iran – with both matches scheduled to kick-off at 6:00pm (local time).
PETALING JAYA, 13 Sept – It has been a roller-coaster run for Negeri Sembilan in the Premier League since the M-League resumed officially on Aug 28 and head coach Sazali Saidon is caught in another fix for this weekend’s away match against Perak II.
After a 2-0 defeat to leaders Penang away Negeri Sembilan bounced back with a 2-1 win over Selangor 2 at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Saturday – a win that threw the team a lifeline for a place in the Malaysia Cup.
“It was a far much better performance from the team compared to the match against Penang. However, it came with a high cost when skipper Norhafiz Zamani (Misbah) walked off with a hamstring injury after about 20 minutes,” said Sazali.
“It is a big blow to the team’s defense. Shahrom (Kalam) is already out after suffering a similar injury in the match against Penang. Perak 2 is wounded and it makes our task all the more difficult in Manjung.
“We will try to buildup on our momentum (after the win over Selangor 2) and get a positive result against Perak 2. The match against Selangor 2 was one of the best performances from us and hopefully, things can only get better despite the injuries.”
Perak 2 was beaten by Kelantan 1-0 at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.
The three points off Selangor 2 took Negeri to seventh place in the league standings with nine points.
Sazali sees the win over the higher-ranked Selangor 2 as a “confidence booster” but will first take stock of the team’s injury woes on Monday when the training resumes.
Brazilian forward Almir Neto scored a brace for Negri against the highly touted Selangor outfit with goals in the 30th and 87th minutes. Quintin Cheng had earlier given Selangor 2 the lead on 29 minutes.
Last year Negri finished sixth in the Premier League. In the FA Cup, Negri was a second-round casualty, and in the Malaysia Cup failed to get past the group stage.
Penang leads the Premier League with 17 points from seven matches – ahead of second-placed Kuala Lumpur on goal difference. The Panthers scored an impressive 3-2 win over JDT II at the Larkin Stadium have a goal tally of 16-5 against the City Boys who have a 15-6 tally.
Kuala Lumpur whipped Terengganu 2 with a big 4-1 win to keep pace with Penang. Terengganu 2 is third on 12 points.
KOTA ISKANDAR, 13 Sept – Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) 2020 yang tertangguh akibat pandemik COVID-19 dijangka diadakan pada awal tahun depan.
Walau bagaimanapun, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Belia dan Sukan Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (gambar atas) memberitahu, tarikh baharu Sukma 2020 yang sepatutnya berlangsung Julai lalu akan diputuskan oleh Jawatankuasa Tertinggi Sukma dalam masa terdekat.
“Sukma ke-20 yang sepatutnya berlangsung di negeri ini pada Julai lalu sebelum diikuti Para Sukma yang sepatutnya berlangsung pada Ogos lalu terpaksa ditunda akibat penularan wabak COVID-19.
“Tarikh baharu akan diputuskan tidak lama lagi namun kita menjangkakan SUKMA Johor bakal berlangsung pada awal tahun hadapan,” katanya menjawab soalan Mohd. Khuzzan Abu Bakar (Semerah-PH) pada sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Johor hari ini.
Mengulas lanjut, Onn Hafiz berkata, jumlah peruntukan asal keseluruhan bagi menganjurkan Sukma 2020 adalah sebanyak RM617.9 juta.
Daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak RM150 juta adalah untuk pengurusan, manakala RM467.9 juta bagi pembangunan dan penambahbaikan infrastruktur temasya itu.
“Sebanyak RM37.9 juta sudah digunakan sebagai peruntukan pengurusan sejak Mac lalu.
“Peruntukan tambahan yang diperlukan pula akibat Sukma dianjakkan kepada tahun depan adalah sebanyak RM21.6 juta dan ia membabitkan perbelanjaan pengurusan,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, peruntukan tambahan itu diperlukan untuk keperluan peralatan tambahan di setiap venue sukan, penginapan dan pusat operasi Sukma bagi pematuhan prosedur standard operasi (SOP) dan pencegahan COVID-19 yang ditetapkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan.
JOHOR BAHRU 12 Sept – Muar, the fourth biggest town in booming Johor after the city of Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat, and Kluang – is steeped in history and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both locals and foreigners.
This Royal Town often described as a laid-back pensioner’s paradise has plenty to offer. Not many are aware that Muar is an added boost to tourism in Johor after winning the ASEAN Cleanest Tourist City in 2018.
It was thanks to the Muar Municipal Council’s hard work in promoting cleanliness through gotong-royong, recycling activities, and preservation of canal, rivers, and landscapes in the district.
Tourism in Johor is a major money-spinner and Muar has its own uniqueness in drawing tourists. It is rich in history and heritage apart from being famous for its food.
It is famous for its Otak-Otak, Mee Bandung Muar, Asam Pedas, Satay, Ikan Bakar, Laksa Johor, Nasi Ambeng, Lontong, Fried Oyster Omelette, and it’s famed 434 coffee made with freshly roasted beans.
The famous Otak-Otak Muar.
Not forgetting that Muar is probably the only town in the country that serves satay for breakfast and it is a must for visitors.
Visitors and locals are also drawn to Dataran Tanjung Emas roundabout and the fountain with a sculpture carrying the Johor Royal Crest of Arms which is a delight to watch when it is lighted up at night. Tanjung Emas is also where you can watch the beautiful sunset across the river mouth.
Mee Bandung Muar.
Muar was previously known as Bandar Maharani. The name was given by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1884.
It was named the Royal Town by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on Nov 24 2012, in conjunction with the Johor ruler’s birthday celebrations.
Pre-war buildings in Muar reflect their British, Chinese, Indian, Dutch Malay and, Peranakan elements in designs to preserve history.
An interesting point in its history, Muar, is the only city in the country which had its own railway system during the British colonial era and managed by the Muar State Railways (MSR) and was built in 1889 – the second railway system network built in the country after the first railway line from Taiping to Port Weld in Perak in 1885 – according to records in the National Archives.
The ferry is also part of Muar’s history. From 1884 to 1967 Muar Ferry Service connected Muar to other states in the north and operated from Pengkalan Tanjung Agas to Pengkalan Tanga Batu. It was terminated in 1967 when the Sultan Ismail Bridge was completed.
A new Muar Second Bride connection Parit Bunga in the north and Sabak Awor in the south was completed in 2005 to ease traffic congestion on Sultan Ismail Bridge and the town.
Muzium Bukit Kepong is a must-visit for visitors, both local and foreign, as it is steeped in history for the country’s fight against communists.
PETALING JAYA, 12 Sept – Kedah came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over gritty Felda United at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka on Saturday.
The win moved them into the second spot in the Super League on a night when Pahang defeated Police by a similar margin in Kuantan.
The Red Eagles scored twice through Kipre Tchetche (48th) and Hadin Azman (66th) after Syahmi Zamri had given the Fighters the lead after 46 minutes.
The full points saw the northern state on 13 points after seven matches – six points behind leaders Johor Daru Takzim (JDT) who have won the Super League title for the past six years and look good to make it seven in a row.
Perak slipped to third place with 11 points followed by Melaka United, Terengganu, Selangor, and UiTM FC all bunched on 10 points each, separated by goal difference.
However, the show was at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan where beleaguered Pahang put an end to a two-match losing run with a 2-1 win over the bottom-placed Police – giving coach Dollah Salleh a much-needed relief.
Brazilian Ivan Carlos got the first for the Elephants on 37 minutes before Halim Faisal got the second in the 74th minute, Police pulled one back through Amir Saiful Badeli in the 83rd minutes. Pahang has nine points from seven matches and next plays Felda away.
Petaling Jaya City FC shared the spoils with Sabah at the Petaling Jaya Stadium. The homesters grabbed the lead through their Brazilian striker Elizeu Araujo in the 51st minute before Sabah’s reliable Serbian Rodoljub Paunovic equalized after 87 minutes.
SULAIMAN (tengah) menyaksikan penyerahan cek replika daripada wakil penaja, Alvin Lim (kiri) kepada Presiden PKBM, Abu Samah dalam satu majlis ringkas di Melaka semalam.
MELAKA, 10 Sept – Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) menarik nafas lega selepas menerima penajaan RM50,000 untuk Kejohanan Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020 pada 18-20 September ini, sekali gus membuktikan persatuan tersebut masih mampu menarik minat penaja sekalipun berdepan pelbagai kemelut.
Paling menarik, Kerajaan Melaka turut berjanji akan membantu menyalurkan bantuan kewangan bagi memastikan Kejohanan Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020 yang diserahkan hak penganjurannya kepada Melaka pada saat terakhir berjalan lancar tanpa sebarang gangguan.
Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Utama Sulaiman Md Ali berjanji akan memperuntukkan bantuan kewangan sekalipun kerajaan negeri berdepan pelbagai masalah akibat pandemik Covid-19.
“Saya akan pastikan ada bantuan diberikan untuk penganjuran Kejohanan Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020. Bagaimana pun, saya mahu semua SOP (Prosedur Operasi Standard) dipatuhi kerana pandemik Covid-19 masih belum pulih sepenuhnya,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan PKBM semalam.
Penajaan RM50,000 diserahkan kepada PKBM semalam dan disaksikan oleh Sulaiman, Setiausaha Agung PKBM, Datuk Ashakari Abu Noor dan Pengarah Urusan Harp Tech Solution (M) Sdn Bhd, Alvin Lim.
Presiden PKBM, Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab gembira kerana masih ada pihak swasta tampil memberi penajaan dan menyifatkannya umpama penyambungan talian hayat terbaharu buat persatuan.
“Kami rasa seolah-olah kembali bernafas. Sepanjang Covid-19 kami tidak dapat menganjurkan sebarang kejohanan. Tiada kejohanan, bermakna kami tiada punca pendapatan.
“Apabila bersetuju untuk menganjurkan Kejohanan Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020, barulah kami sedar bahawa PKBM berdepan beban kewangan. Kita pilih Melaka kerana ia menawarkan laluan yang sesuai.
“Namun oleh kerana kejohanan ini harus diadakan pada setiap tahun mengikut arahan Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI), kita kena teruskan penganjuran. PKBM mungkin didenda jika gagal (menganjurkannya),” jelas Abu Samah.
Sebagai rekod, kejohanan edisi 2020 ini akan diadakan selama tiga hari bermula 18 September melibatkan acara lebuhraya, ujian masa individu dan ujian masa berpasukan.
Abu Samah yang juga Naib Presiden Kehormat Kesatuan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) turut meluahkan rasa bangga kerana PKBM mampu meneruskan tanggungjawab mengadakan kejohanan kebangsaan sesuai arahan UCI sekalipun tidak mempunyai kedudukan kewangan kukuh.
“Rasanya Kejohanan Lebuh Raya Kebangsaan Malaysia 2020 ini ialah antara kejohanan sukan paling awal diadakan dalam era PKPP (Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan).
“Justeru saya minta sokongan semua pihak bagi memastikan ia berjalan lancar.
“Selain bola sepak, rasanya belum ada sukan lain yang dianjurkan oleh mana-mana persatuan. Inilah cabaran getir yang digalas oleh kami. Kami harap agensi kerajaan sudi meringankan beban kami,” katanya.
PETALING JAYA, 9 Sept – Pahang head coach, Dollah Salleh is at his wits end after the Elephants suffered two defeats in a row since the Malaysian Super League (MFL) resumed on Aug 28 – losing 3-2 to six-time champions Johor Darul Takzim (JTD) at home and 1-0 to rookies UiTM away.
When naturalized, Malaysian Mohamadou Sumareh “disappeared” from training without news and went AWOL things have not gone Pahang’s way.
The two defeats on the trot have taken its toll on Dollah who has his back against the wall with injuries to strikers Dickson Nwakaeme (Nigerian) and Ivan Carlos (Brazilian). Dollah is resigned to name his team for the home match against Police.
Nwakaeme is nursing a knee injury while Carlos is down with an ankle injury and their absence has left a big vacuum upfront.
”Nothing has gone right for us since the league resumed. We had bad games against JDT and UiTM although we were very much into the match. However, we made glaring mistakes which cost us dearly,” said Dollah when contacted in Kuantan on Wednesday.
“I have no choice but to play the youngsters in my match plans and strategies…but sadly they have not been able to perform. That’s my predicament.
“Apalah nasib Dollah,” lamented the former national coach who guided Pahang to second place in the league last season the semi-finals in the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup. Pahang won the FA Cup in 2018.
Former international goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee made a horrendous mistake against UiTM from which scored the winner against Pahang. He could make way for another former international Helmi Eliza.
It has been a journey into the unknowns for the Elephants who are now in the eighth spot with six points from six matches. It is a do or die mission against Police this week and a win is very much needed to regain their confidence.
KUALA SELANGOR, 5 Sept – DPI Holdings Bhd (DPI) through its social responsibility is taking proactive measures to increase awareness among the local community on the importance of keeping their environment clean and safe.
Aspects related to cleanliness should be given serious attention and it should be made a living practice of everyone at all times.
ENGKU Mohd. Nazri (red shirt)
As the country now faces the Covid-19 pandemic, awareness of cleanliness should be enhanced to ensure the surrounding environment is less contaminated.
To assist the government’s efforts to increase awareness on environmental safety and hygiene aspects, DPI came forward to organise a Community Health Program which took place at the Selangor Technical Skills Development Center (STDC), Kuala Selangor yesterday.
The program focuses on educating and sharing awareness with the local community on the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene.
“Things related to environmental cleanliness are our shared responsibility. We wish to do our part to share its importance to keep our surroundings and people around us safe, ” explained the Executive Chairman and Managing Director of DPI, Peter Chai.
According to Peter Chai, due to the company’s concern over hygiene, it has taken the initiative to produce disinfectant hygiene products under the brand BactiX Surface Disinfectant.
It acts quickly to kill germs and bacteria and is non-flammable.
According to him, it is an alcohol-free product, has a long-lasting protective effect and acts quickly to kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. The product is also suitable to be used to wash stubborn surface dirt.
“This product has actually been in use in the aviation industry for a long time. We have obtained the right to manufacture as a hygiene product for the daily use of consumers. This BactiX Surface Disinfectant will be available in the market at the end of this month and for now we have yet to set a market price.”
“It will be sold at an affordable price and the quality is guaranteed. With the production of this product, it would address general concern regarding problems related to hygiene and health.
Today’s program is the first of its kind to inform consumers about our latest hygiene products. Our priority is to tell consumers out there about cleanliness,” explained Peter Chai.
He hopes to continue to hold awareness programs on environmental hygiene from time to time with the local community so that it becomes a daily routine for each individual at all times.
At the ceremony, the participants were also briefed by an officer from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), Engku Mohd. Nazri Engku Mansor.
Engku Nazri shared knowledge related to health and also the steps that should be understood by the local community on how to maintain a clean and safe environment. According to Engku Nazri, local communities do not only increase their awareness of hygiene and health when the country faces the Covid-19 pandemic, but it should be practised at all times.
“Health or hygiene should be practised all times and not just for certain times. It is important to be familiar with the measures recommended by KKM in accordance with living life in the new norm.
If we look at the current situation, when the country is still facing the Covid-19 pandemic, then a clean environment is very important for everyone, and the product by DPI is very suitable as it is designed for various hygiene uses ” explained Engku Nazri.
A total of 150 participants attended the event which was conducted in accordance with KKM Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Participants also witnessed a demonstration by officials from DPI on how to use BactiX Surface Disinfectant hygiene products with proper methods.
In conjunction with the event, DPI has donated the hygiene products to students and staff of STDC and also Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan Selangor (YBK).
Among the guests of honor present were a member of the Board of Directors of DPI, Datuk Seri Nurmala Abd Rahim, STDC Academic Affairs and Industrial Relations Manager, Norzilawati Md Said and YBK Deputy General Manager, Bashruddin Mohd Noor.
PETALING JAYA, 8 Sept – India’s hopes in the Uber Cup Finals soared considerably with the return of P.V. Sindu who had earlier cited “personal reasons” for pulling out from the team while Covid-19 fears continue to hog the limelight worldwide.
Thailand became the latest team after Chinese Taipei to pull out from this year’s Thomas and Uber Cup Finals. Others who have reportedly withdrawn from the world team championships scheduled to be held in Aarhus, Denmark from Oct 3-11 are Australia and Russia.
Sindhu, 25, has made some changes to her personal commitments, to join the team in Denmark, following a discussion between, Badminton Association of India president Himanta Biswa Sarma, her father Ramana, and herself.
India’s hopes of a medal in the Uber Cup further soared when Commonwealth Games champion Saina Nehwal joined the training squad.
India is drawn in Group D with 14-time winners China, France, and Germany.
”We have a favorable draw and best chance to take a shot at the title,” Himanta was quoted in the Indian media.
However, it is not the same for India’s Thomas Cup team after the country’s No 1 men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty withdrew from the team after the former was tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently under house quarantine.
At the same time reports have filtered out from India that Satwik and Chirag could well be on the plane to Denmark – depending on the outcome of Satwik’s test this Saturday. However, it will be another 10 days before the pair can resume training.
India will now count on Olympians Manu Attri-Sumeet Reddy and MR Arjun-Druv Kapila in the men’s doubles.
The Indians are seeded fifth and have 2016 Thomas Cup champions and home favorites Denmark, Germany, and newcomers Algeria have company for their challenge in Group C.
PETALING JAYA, 8 Sept – Naturalized Malaysian Mohamadou Sumareh has been a hot name in Malaysian of late and the 25-year-old striker has not done the game any good – especially the national team where he is a vital cog.
Now reportedly with Thai Premier League club Police Tero FC, the Gambia-born Sumareh is set to be engulfed in a lengthy battle with his former team Pahang – the team that fought for him to get his Malaysian citizenship.
The Elephants, Pahang is known, is not taking the matter lightly although the management admitted that there was some delay in paying the salaries of their players. That matter has now been resolved before Pahang played six-time champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in their opening match when the M-League resumed on Aug 28.
While the rest of Pahang players had the patience to take a wait and see attitude on the salary issues, Sumareh went AWOL and did not attend the team’s training for more than a month – leaving coach Dollah Salleh in a lurch.
Pahang suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Southern Tigers at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan. There was more to come when the East Coast giants fell to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to UiTM away.
The two defeats on the trot have left Pahang in the eighth position in the 12-team league with only six points from six matches. Without a doubt, Pahang is feeling the heat of Sumareh’s absence made worse with injuries to players like Dickson Nwakaeme.
Sumareh alone does not make a team but he has thrown a spanner in Dollah’s match plans. If Pahang takes legal action or hands the player a lengthy ban the Harimau Malaya will also have a domino effect. This is something national football coach Tan Cheng Hoe could ill afford as Malaysia is still in the running in the World Cup 2022/Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers in Group G.
The Harimau Malaya have three more matches, now postponed to next year March – against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) away, Vietnam (home) and Thailand (away).
Clause 8.7 of his contract provides for termination of his contract for non-payment of salary. It also allows the player to negotiate with any new club and released unconditionally on a free transfer.
Having spent 12 years in Malaysia, Sumareh you are simply ungrateful for what Pahang and Malaysia has done for your football career. You are also ungrateful to all those who helped you achieve star status and what you are today.
Sumareh you forgot there was room for negotiations but you chose to decide otherwise and disappeared without news. Pahang was not the only team hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic when sponsors either dumped the teams or could not fulfil their promises.
You left without a word and this has hurt all those who played a big role in your meteoric rise in the game in this region. Maybe you have the backing of certain parties but you will have plenty to answer that when Pahang seeks justice.
For now your action is summed up as disheartening and disappointment. You left a big mess and it could be messier in time to come. Pahang is not going to take it lying down with what you did.
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Mei – Miss Borneo Antarabangsa 2026 bukan sekadar acara pertandingan kecantikan, sebaliknya hadir dengan aspirasi besar untuk mengangkat warisan budaya dan...
Walau bagaimanapun, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Belia dan Sukan Johor, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (gambar atas) memberitahu, tarikh baharu Sukma 2020 yang sepatutnya berlangsung Julai lalu akan diputuskan oleh Jawatankuasa Tertinggi Sukma dalam masa terdekat.
