Zol for Guangzhou, Nadzmi for New Delhi

The year 2010 is not centred mainly on the FIFA World Cup. Local sports enthusiasts would also be keeping tabs on our performance in the Guangzhou Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Olympic Council of Malaysia has set the wheels in motion by naming National Sports Council director general Datuk Zolkples Embong as the chef-de-mission for Guangzhou, while the man he proposed to be the BA of Malaysia chief, Datuk Nadzmi Salleh, who is also chairman of Proton Holdings, will lead the contingent to New Delhi.

OCM president, Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, speaking to sportsnews.olympic.org.my, will seek Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek's blessings on Zolkples' appointment.

Zolkples who was the deputy CDM for the Busan Asiad in 2002, is the first NSC DG be given the honour to head a contingent to the Asiad. Previous CDMs were former quartermiler and founding secretary for OCM and MAAU, N.M. Vasagam (Manila 1954), S.M. Yong (Tokyo 1958), Oh Boon Tat (Jakarta 1962), Tan Sri Jamil Rais (Bangkok 1966), Lee Kuan Yew (Bangkok 1970), Tunku Adnan Tunku Besar Burhanuddin (Tehran 1974), Tan Sri Mohamad Rahmat (Bangkok 1978), Datuk Wan Mansor (New Delhi 1982), Tun Hamid Omar (Seoul 1986), Datuk Alex Lee (Beijing 1990), Datuk Taha Ariffin (Hiroshima 1994), Prof Datuk Zakaria Ahmad and Norminshah Sabirin (Bangkok 1998), Datuk Khalid Yunus (Busan 2002) and Datuk Abdullah Sani Karim (Doha 2006).

Nadzmi follows in the footsteps of Khaw Kai Boh (Cardiff 1954), Oh Boon Tat (Perth 1960 and Kingston 1966), Sum Kok Seng (Edinburgh 1970), Tunku Adnan (Christchurch 1974), Thong Poh Nyen (Edmonton 1978), Tan Sri Khir Johari (Brisbane 1982), Tan Sri Elyas Omar (Auckland 1990), Ally Ong (Victoria 1994), Datuk Khalid Yunus (Kuala Lumpur 1998), W.Y. Chin (Manchester 2002) and Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee (Melbourne 2006).

Thong Poh Nyen

Exit Kedah, enter Azraai

Kedah's exit from the Malaysia Cup last night may hasten Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah's entry into the FA of Malaysia set-up.

Despite notching their third successive win in Group E with a hefty 4-0 victory over Penang, Kedah crashed out of the country's centrepiece event after failing to be one of the three best runners-up from the five groups.

With the Kedah FA seemingly unable to provide the support Azraai craved, especially in terms of getting a few players on-loan, the former international midfielder is expected to take up a new challenge at Wisma FAM.

The three best runners-up were Perlis, Terengganu and Kuala Muda Naza. They are in the company of the respective group champions, KL Plus, Negeri Sembilan, Johor FC, Selangor and Kelantan.

Quarterfinal line-up

KL Plus v Kelantan

Negeri Sembilan v KM Naza

Johor FC v Perlis

Selangor v Terengganu

Could it be a Selangor-Kelantan final?

Young tigers to the fore

PRESS RELEASE

100PLUS-FAM NATIONAL FOOTBALL AWARDS 2009

HARIMAU MUDA TO THE FORE IN 100PLUS-FAM NATIONAL FOOTBALL AWARDS

PETALING JAYA (13 October, 2009): The inclusion of three Harimau Muda players for the Most Promising Player in the 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2009 is no surprise to Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, the general secretary of the FA of Malaysia (FAM).

As he pointed out, the three Under-21 lads from Harimau Muda have been consistent performers in the run up to their win of the second-tier Premier League this year and they deserved to be recognised.

Out of the five players nominated by the judging panel for the Most Promising Player award, Mohd Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fandi Othman and Ahmad Aminuddin Shaharuddin from Harimau Muda lead.

The other two players in contention for the award this year Syazwan Zainol from Perlis and Irfan Ghani from Johor.

“The three players from Harimau Muda played really well this year and they should be recognised for their effort,” said Datuk Azzuddin.

“The formula of having the Harimau Muda playing in the Premier League has proven to be very good and we are looking at forming an even younger squad (the U19) next year.

“The players should look at the 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2009 as a yardstick to gauge their performance and look at areas where they can make improvement.”

Apart from being in the run for the Most Promising Player award, Muslim is also in contention for the Best Defender award while Harimau Muda team-mates K. Gurusamy is in the Best Midfielder and Shakir Ali in the Best Striker categories.

The judging panel comprise of representatives from the Malaysian Coaches Association, the media and also the FA of Malaysia (FAM).

The 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2009 will be held on 4 November 2009 at the PJ Hilton.

For the 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards 2009, there will be a total of ten awards to be given out.

And following the absence of the award for Best Foreign Player, the judging panel has decided to introduce a new award which is for Best Club.

The FAM will decide the winners for Best Club, Best Football Association and Best Fan Club with the remaining seven awards to be decided by the judging panel.

The 100PLUS-FAM National Football Awards is among several football programmes and competitions supported by 100PLUS, Malaysia's leading isotonic beverage.

The others include the 100PLUS Super Cup Champions School and the Ministry of Education League Cup (MELC).

100PLUS-FAM NATIONAL FOOTBALL AWARDS 2009

- SHORTLIST


1. BEST GOALKEEPER

1. Farizal Marlias (PERLIS)

2. Hamsani Ahmad (SELANGOR)

3. Shahrizan Ismail (KELANTAN)

2. BEST DEFENDER

1. Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak (NEGERI SEMBILAN)

2. Khairul Anuar Baharum (SELANGOR)

3. Norhafiz Zamani Misbah (KL PLUS FC)

4. V. Thirumurugan (KEDAH)

5. Azizi Mat Rose (KUALA MUDA NAZA FC)

6. Nazrul Erwan Makmor (FELDA UNITED FC)

7. Sabre Mat Abu (KEDAH)

8. Mohd Muslim Ahmad (HARIMAU MUDA)

9. K. Soleey (PERLIS)

10. Rosdi Talib (T-TEAM)


3. BEST MIDFIELDER

1. Nurul Azwan Roya (JOHOR FC)

2. Idris Karim (NEGERI SEMBILAN)

3. Mohd Amri Yahyah (SELANGOR)

4. Ahmad Fauzi Shaari (KEDAH)

5. K. Gurusamy (HARIMAU MUDA)

6. Mohd Bunyamin Omar (MyTEAM)

7. Safiq Rahim (KL PLUS FC)

8. Azi Shahril Azmi (PERLIS)

9. Zairil Fitri Ishak (KELANTAN)

10. Ashaari Samsudin (TERENGGANU)


4. BEST STRIKER

1. Khyril Muhymeen Zambri (KEDAH)

2. Eddy Helmi Manan (JOHOR FC)

3. Mohd Safee Sali (SELANGOR)

4. Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak (NEGERI SEMBILAN)

5. Mohd Nizaruddin Yusof (PERLIS)

6. Farderin Kadir (KUALA MUDA NAZA)

7. Indra Putra Mahayuddin (KELANTAN)

8. Zamri Hassan (PROTON FC)

9. Shakir Ali (HARIMAU MUDA)

10. Haris Safwan Kamal (T-TEAM)

5. BEST COACH

1. K. Devan (SELANGOR)

2. Irfan Bakti Abu Salim (PERLIS)

3. Ramlan Rashid (JOHOR FC)

4. Che Ku Marzuki (T-TEAM)

6. MOST PROMISING PLAYER

1. Syazwan Zainol (PERLIS)

2. Irfan Ghani (JOHOR)

3. Mohd Muslim Ahmad (HARIMAU MUDA)

4. Mohd Fandi Othman (HARIMAU MUDA)

5. Ahmad Aminuddin Shaharuddin (HARIMAU MUDA)


7. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

8. BEST FAN CLUB

9. BEST FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

10. BEST CLUB

Lotus trio - Trulli, Sato and Fairuz?

Made in Japan

Italian stallion. FotoSports/WireImage.com

Veteran Italian speed merchant Jarno Trulli and Japan's Takuma Sato as well as Malaysia's own Fairuz Fauzy are likely to be in the scheme of things for the 1Malaysia F1 team, oopss sorry, Lotus FI team.

Sato, Japan's best known F1 product, is job-hunting since his Honda-backed Aguri team folded in April 2008.

He does not fancy a reserve role, so the Japanese could well be starting on the grid alongside Trulli. Fairuz? Test driver perhaps?

Yesterday's Malay Mail page 1

Kaki libas berkumpul

Backpage lead atau story utama muka belakang yang pertama untuk aku di Berita Harian ialah kisah regu emas dikumpul semula pada 1992. Ceritanya berkisar kepada usaha Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM) memujuk Rehan Mat Din dan Abdul Malek Shamsuddin - dua anggota regu yang memenangi emas Sukan SEA 1989 dan Sukan Asia 1990 di sisi tekong Nordin Sabaruddin - untuk menyarung semula jersi negara.

"Apa ada brother?" Hah, ada back page story?" tanya pengarang sukan, Zian Johari. Aku diam. Bukan macam sesetengah orang yang pandai menjual kerja-kerja mereka, aku sekadar mengetuk story.

Tidak berapa yakin menyusun ayat, aku meminta pertolongan Saodi Mat Atar, kini setiausaha akhbar Menteri Besar Johor. Saodi dianggap abang long meja sukan di sisi Badrulhisham Othman dek kerana reputasinya sebagai ahli fikir dan contactnya dengan officialdom.

"Aku tahu macam mana story ini boleh go backpage...kita main sentimen, Zian cukup suka ni...kita tambah background," kata Saodi. Selaku junior dan budak hingusan, akupun akur.

Ikut tradisi Berita Harian, byline backpage kena belanja desk minum petang. Dari kantin NSTP, aku mengangkat jag teh tarik dan teh o menaiki tangga hingga ke tingkat empat. Mujur dah biasa buat benda yang sama setiap Rabu apabila team Jaguh bermesyuarat dipengerusikan Zian.

Susulan itu, aku dikerah oleh Zian untuk buat follow-up dengan Rehan. Agak lama Rehan keberatan untuk ditemu bual. Hanya selepas beberapa minggu aku berjaya melembutkan hatinya, lalu kisahnya dikongsi bersama dalam kolum Soal Jawab.

Nostalgia ini bertujuan menghidupkan semula memori aku menjelang temasya Libas hujung bulan ini.

Dari kiri - Nordin Sabaruddin (tekong emas yang muncul juara Sukan SEA 1989, Sukan Asia 1990), Ku Halim Ku Musa, Rehan Mat Din (killer top sezaman Nordin), Ahmad Jais Baharum (tekong emas Sukan Asia Hiroshima 1994), Baharom Johar dan Rosli Ab Rahman

Killer era penghujung 80-an, Raziman Hassan (kanan) kini berambut panjang bersembang dengan Sahak Yassin

SIARAN AKHBAR

KUALA LUMPUR – Ibarat satu majlis pertemuan semula atau reunion, Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) menyeru semua bintang legenda dari seluruh pelosok Malaysia, hadir beramai-ramai untuk memeriahkan sebuah kejohanan sepak takraw khas untuk mereka, Libas Memori pada 31 Oktober ini.

Kompleks Sukan MSN, Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur bakal menyaksikan kejohanan yang bertujuan merapatkan semula silaturahim jagoan silam, bekas jurulatih mahupun pegawai dan penggiat sepak takraw sambil mengembalikan populariti dan kegemilangan sukan ini.

Pemain yang pernah mewakili negara sejak era 60-an hingga akhir 2002, amat dialu-alukan menyertai Libas yang turut menghidangkan peluang keemasan buat para peminat setia sepak takraw mengimbas semula kehebatan servis deras dan libasan padu mereka.

Jagoan silam yang dijangka hadir ialah Esmon Bajuri, Sahak Md. Yassin, Jusri Rick, Azman Ismail, Adnan Saidin, Zahir Awang, Ibrahim Abu Bakar, Shaari Hashim, Raziman Hassan, Rosli Ab. Rahman, Nordin Sabaruddin, Rehan Mat Din, Ku Halim Ku Musa, Baharom Johar dan ramai lagi.

Ganjaran hampir RM5,000 selain piala dan pingat, menanti juara, naib juara dan yang regu yang kalah separuh akhir dalam kejohanan berformat antara regu dari pukul 9 pagi hingga 5 petang ini.

Turut diundang menyaingi bintang legenda juara Sukan SEA, Sukan Asia, Kejohanan Sedunia MAS-Utusan-RTM dan Piala Raja Thai ini ialah ialah beberapa regu pegawai dan petugas Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM), kakitangan MSN dan Kelab Sepak Takraw Media Malaysia (Keris).

Libas Memori diinspirasi daripada kejayaan Libas - Liga Sepak Takraw Jemputan Bersama Keris-PSM-Harta Maintenance Sdn. Bhd. di gelanggang sama pada 9 Ogos lalu yang disertai regu bintang legenda, wakil media massa, PSM, MSN dan artis tanah air.

Bintang legenda sama ada pemain, jurulatih dan bekas pegawai PSM yang berminat menyertainya, boleh menghubungi Setiausaha Kejohanan Sepak Takraw Libas Memori, Hazani Hashim, 019-2526960 atau Abdul Hafiz Ahmad, 019-2121778 untuk keterangan lanjut.

Wildcard duo

Loose cannon acts as Mick Doohan's minder

The Press invite. Creative

Tamiya model kits, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola...and loose cannon's fling with motorbikes ended when the novice rider lost control of Bang Long's kapcai at Jalan Pawang. Luckily man and machine escaped unhurt. These days loose cannon is more comfortable driving his nine-year old Iswara. And his love for Tamiya plastic kits and radio controlled cars has been chucked into the memory scrapheap.

Cherished in his thought is the privilege of being the sidekick to Jamhariah Jaafar for the 1994 Moto GP, years before the F1 juggernaut reached Malaysian shores. Abdul Ghafar Ismail, assistant to Hishamuddin Aun at the Berita Harian sports desk then, gave loose cannon's race report the thumbs up.

Loose cannon will not be at the Moto GP on Oct 24 and 25. But two Malaysians - Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin - are the two wildcard entries for the 125cc race. Read the Bernama report below. Again there's the AirAsia branding, courtesy to one of the best marketers around, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

SEPANG, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Two local riders would cherish their lifetime dreams of riding in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) when they were given wildcard entries for the race in Sepang on Oct 24 and 25.

Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin would represent the country in the 125cc race of the MotoGP, after coming through the wildcard programme with flying colours.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali said both riders would represent Air Asia Racing Team which uses expertise from Italian outfit Ongetta ISPA.

"Initially there were plans to field only one rider, but the determination and competency showed by both riders throughout the six months of training under the programme, forced us to include both of them," he told reporters here on Monday.

Razlan said dropping either one of them would be a big loss to the country's motorsports aspirations because both possess tremendous potential although Elly is 25 and Zulfahmi is just 18.

The last time Malaysia was represented in a MotoGP was when M. Meganathan competed in the 2003 edition in the 125cc while Shahrul Yuzy Ahmad Zaini competed in 2002.

"This is just the beginning and SIC is working towards securing more wildcard places for local riders through discussions with Dorna, who hold the rights for the World MotoGP.

"Maybe after this local riders will be able to compete in other races held abroad. Setting up a local team for the cause is on the cards. However, everything is still in the preliminary discussion stage, including talks on the extension of SIC's contract to host the MotoGP at SIC," he said.

The last Malaysian team that featured in the MotoGP was Team Petronas Sprinta TVK Yamaha in 2000.

Meanwhile, Air Asia Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said it would be a proud moment to see a local rider on the starting grid of the MotoGP this year.

"It will be a good example and Malaysians must be proud of their participation," he said.

For Perlis-born Elly, being selected to represent the country in the prestigious MotoGP has given him a major responsibility and hopes to do his best to make the grade.

"My first mission will be to complete the race and if possible snatch a point by finishing within the 15 spot. That will be a fantastic start for a wildcard.

"I feel more comfortable and at ease with my motorcycle now. I will use the next two weeks before the race to train hard and get used to it," he said.

Elly added that apart from getting used to his machine, he also need to be focused and maintain his physical and mental condition.

The Sepang race is the 16th round of the World MotoGP.

Kelab Met reunion

The occasion - Raya open house.
The venue - Mohd Zian Johari's residence at UK Perdana
In a nutshell - place for Zian's old Cabinet of Berita Harian/Harian Metro's movers and shakers to catch up.

Getting eight former sports journalists, two of them having occupied the Berita Harian's sports editor's post and another the same position at Utusan Malaysia, to be in the same living room was a rare occasion indeed.

Zian, sports editor of Berita Harian 1988-1994, played host to:

Razali Yahya, winner of the MPI awards in 1985 for his investigative piece on the misappropriation of funds involving a top cop, later bureau chief at Kuantan and BH sports editor 2000-2002

Rodly Nayan, former editor of Mingguan Bola Sepak and Arena Bola Sepak and later sub-editor of Berita Harian, also a former MPI award winner, now a publisher in his own right

Haji Johari Mohd, former BH and HM sports reporter, now HM executive editor

Haji Ali Mansor Aman, who retired as the HM assistant editor

Zubairi Zabidin, former HM special projects editor

Haji Jalil Hussin, former executive sub-editor at BH

Ismail Ahmad, former Utusan Malaysia sports editor

Zainuddin Ayip, former Berita Minggu editor

Rahim Lajis, former BH sports reporter, Kuching bureau chief and later Utusan Malaysia's sub-editor, now Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) general secretary

as well as loose cannon

Twice Haji Ali Mansor Aman became an assistant to Zian, first as BH assistant sports editor and later assistant editor of Harian Metro. Here Ali is pictured with former special projects editor of HM, Zubairi Zabidin

One of Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah's confidante, Ismail Ahmad, or Iba to many. A former sports editor of Utusan Malaysia, he later worked at Berita Harian and used to sub loose cannon's copies. When loose cannon met Hamzah last year, Ismail's name was, naturally, mentioned

Zian and Razali Yahya, members of the legendary Berita Harian sports desk in the 80s. Both went on to occupy the coveted sports editor's seat

Zian and Zain Ayip

Zian's trusted lieutenants - Haji Johari Mohd who is now Harian Metro's executive editor, Rodly Nayan, Ismail Ahmad, Hj Jalil Husin

Recalling the days when Zian was the shining star in NSTP

Razali Yahya sells his story to Zian, Rahim Lajis and Zian's bro-in-law, Afandi Majid. "During our time it was normal for New Straits Times to translate our stories!"

The storyteller as animated as ever..."you came to my in-laws place in Rengam with your girlfriend" he recalled. "Oh but I ended up marrying someone else!"

Harian Metro's ascenscion to the top of the charts took place during Zian's tenure. Due credit was given by the top management but not Tun Razak's former press secretary, Abdullah Ahmad "Dollah Kok Lanas". Tak percaya? Ask the Equinas CEO/former Media Prima CEO/NSTP director on the right

Or this MRCB CEO/NSTP director

The sports desk was known for its solidarity and espirit de corp. Break of fast at Zian's old place 1993. The BH sports desk team of early 90s. Standing from left: Azizah, Mohd Ali Majid, Solmi Ahmad, V. Ashok, Saufi Hamzah, Zulkifli Ibrahim, Rodly Nayan, Ismail Ahmad, Shahruddin Ramli, Rahimuddin Razak, Lukman Salleh, loose cannon, Nasir Ahmad, Abdul Rahim Zain, Norbakti Alias, Badrulhisham Othman. Middle row from left Kak Pah, Ishak Dalib, Md Zali Kasran, Zian Johari, Kak Mizar, Yati. Seated from left Jamhariah Jaafar, Veena Rusli, Aspara Rusli and Natasha Rusli...when Zian was made the Harian Metro editor in April 1994, he gradually instilled the sense of belonging to the paper by establishing Kelab Met

The BH sports desk team were called Jagoan. Class of 1993 - Back row: Abdul Rahim Zain, who was a former NS Malays/ITM footballer, Saufi Hamzah, Mior, Solmi Ahmad. Front row: Rosli Safar, Rodly Nayan, loose cannon (either mascot of the team or centre of attention as usual), Nasir Ab Wahab and Ishak Dalib. With his Liam Brady-like skills a thing of the past, Zian's role was reduced to becoming the team manager