Friday, June 26, 2009

Malaysia Open part of ATP tour

From left Mandarin Oriental general manager Jonas Schuermann, deputy Sports Minister, Wee Jack Seng, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Datin Paduka Rosmah Mansor, IMG Asia tennis chief, Nick Freyer and LTAM president, Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff

Now, the ball's ultimate destination is...

Tennis fans, make a date at Putra Stadium on Sept 28-Oct 4 for the Malaysia Open is now part of the ATP calendar. As I write this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is at the main table about to officially launch the tournament which offers a total cash prize money of US$960,000. Expected to feature are David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco.

Updated - Najib was given a note prior to his speech that French Open runner-up Robin Soderling has confirmed his participation.

My only question to our beloved Prime Minister and my fellow Johannian, is why is tennis not part of the Malaysia Games or popularly known as Sukma in Malacca next year?

Updated - The PM did answer this from a question by Malay Mail's Haresh Deol: "We are going to review this." The Cabinet Committee on Sports Development, which may be chaired either by Najib or his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, may well put this on the agenda when they convene next.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

are you sure

Anonymous said...

emmmm anyway good luck la

hcfoo said...

Razmee, my new FB friend... Rizal is very sure ;)

Purple Haze said...

It seems that ever so often, there is some corporation willing to dish out the funds to stage tennis events like these.

And yet, the standard of Malaysian tennis has not gone anywhere.

Is it possible that these same corporations allocate some money to develop tennis from the grassroots ? Or maybe tak glamour enough ?

Bilal Rabah said...

Bro,
My sincere advise to LTAM is do house improvement first. Please establish back their so-called Tennis Academy in NTC, Jln.Duta. For how many years, LTAM is still sleeping in developing tennis especially after the best player in local so far have produced retires, namely Selvam, Adam Malik etc etc..
Another thing is that LTAM must have a wide pool of national coaches at all level which they must seriously involved in national program. If not, they will get 'extra income' from personal coaching in NTC during training time.
I don't know what exactly ARL boss got in his mind, whether he can to do some money or to produce tennis champion.
I'm sure LTAM is still heading to MSN to get financial assistance for their on-going so-called development program. Heard they are asking more money from MSN.
Please, can anyone of you out there advise the LTAM boss.
Another thing bro, hopely LTAM is not asking any money frm KBS or MSN for organising the ATP Tour unless there is an instruction frm higher authority..Am not too sure wether ARL boss and other GLC's boss can donate some dime and nickle for this Tour.
Wallahu'alam.

Anonymous said...

Setuju bonar dgn Bilal bin Rabah. BTW bila lagi people like ARL boss & mind u plus LTAM superemo can rub shoulder or standing on the same stage with Rosmah, Najib & the rest. What u have to do is just smiling! SHaking hand with people & introduce yourself as LTAM PRESIDENT! I'M THE ORG. COMM. CHAIRMAN! Well later you will be recognized all over the world, & will be invited for the next Wimbledon or US Open by virtue of M'SIA OPEN ORG. COMM. CHAIRMAN etc etc Well if I'm the LTAM President I'll step down coz' my game not even recognized by SUKMA!! LTAM is basically...non existent. Selvam pls offer yourself as the new president...

Anonymous said...

Selvam as the new president? You must be joking. I hope he doesn't ask for a wildcard to play at the ATP.

sukankini said...

malaysian tennis legends...

gladys loke, khaterine leong (50-an)

radhika menon, suresh menon (70-an)
adam malik,khoo chin bee (90-an)
adam jaya, v. selvam (2001)

who's next...

Anonymous said...

Rizal,how much is the tournament going to cost and who is sponsoring?

Anonymous said...

malaysian tennis legends...

1980- V.Selvam
1990- V.Selvam
2000 - V. Selvam
2010 - ??? (likely V.Selvam)

what a joke.....

rizal hashim said...

Bilal bin Rabah, you seem ignorant of history. Datuk Razak if I'm not mistaken took over as president of LTAM in late 2005. He has inherited a lot of problems from his predecessors. If you go to LTAM there is a development program taking place, the issue is whether the process which requires patience, perseverance and sincerity and above all technical ability can really produce players of calibre. I wonder why did you not point fingers at the previous set of office-bearers comprising luminaries like former Chief Secretary of the Govt, Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohamad, or former Deputy Prime Minister Ghafar Baba?

Anonymous, V Selvam did not dominate the scene in 1980s. And you forgot Adam Malik? I just met his father Datuk Malik Salleh at Mahbob on Saturday!