Day: May 18, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) is awaiting the handover of its headquarters in Putrajaya from the building developer, which is slated to be done in the next few months.

AFF in a statement said the federation was informed that the developer is undertaking final rectification and touch-up works for the building.

“AFF is looking forward to the building’s handover which is scheduled to take place in the next few months,” it said in a statement today.

Earlier, the status of the federation’s headquarters came into question after the premises appeared deserted, as depicted in a viral TikTok video posted by user yb_carlosbasri yesterday.

The nearly two-minute video showed yb_carlosbasri conducting a survey of the location, revealing the premises to be seemingly abandoned and overgrown with vegetation, with stagnant water pooling in several areas of the premises.

“Look at the beautifully constructed building, the ownership is not the main concern; what’s important is why we haven’t managed this
building and brought sports to life.

“…overgrown with vegetation, beautiful building, if functional, it would certainly elevate the quality of our national sports…Putrajaya has an image; buildings shouldn’t be left to decay, everything needs to be ‘up’ and functional,” he remarked.

The video has garnered over 170,000 views, nearly 6,000 likes, and received more than 300 comments from TikTok users.

The AFF headquarters is part of the ‘Soccer City’ project in Putrajaya, spanning over 17 hectares in Precinct 5, which also includes the development of a football stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators owned by the Asian Football Confederation, the headquarters of the Football Association of Malaysia, and the national football squad training centre.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: Team Xorn triumphed over Team Yums 3-0 to clinch the title of Jaguh All Star 2024, which brought together stars from the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Malaysia Professional League (MPL) in Serdang near here today.

The grand final at the Subang Jaya City Council Stadium in Serdang Jaya saw Team Xorn dominate the first game, making it difficult for Team Yums to challenge them.

Although the following two games were more competitive, Team Xorn, led by HomeBois star Mohammad Zul Hisham Mohd Noor, managed to withstand the pressure from their opponents to take home the cash prize of RM30,000 in a nearly two-hour-long competition.

Earlier, Team Xorn advanced to the final after narrowly defeating Team Rippo, 2-1, while Team Yums qualified for the final by overcoming Team Ciku, also 2-1, in the semifinals.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Xorn, who was also named the most valuable player in the final, personally felt that Team Rippo posed a greater threat to them in the semifinals compared to Team Y
ums’ performance in the grand final.

“The key to our success was that all the players on my team were really chasing the chance to win the lucrative cash prize in this tournament.

“Team Rippo truly gave us a hard time and almost jeopardised our chances of winning the RM30,000. Although Team Yums was supposed to be stronger (in the final), it turned out the other way, and we were fortunate to win in the semifinals,” he said.

As the runners-up, Team Yums took home a cash prize of RM10,000, while Team Rippo and Team Ciku each received RM5,000.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BANGKOK, Malaysia’s number one men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is on track to clinch his first title of the year after eliminating the tournament’s eighth seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei to book a place in the final of Thailand Open at the Nimibutr Stadium here today.

The world number 10 men’s singles ace defeated Tien Chen 18-21, 21-12 and 21-13 in 66 minutes.

After the match, Zii Jia said he is happy with his performance today despite have to come back from a set down to win the game.

“My overall performance has improved and I just hope that I can win in the tomorrow final, knowing that it is going to be a tough match-up against Angus Ng,” he told media here today.

Sixth seed Zii Jia will take on Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong tomorrow after the latter defeated the home favourite and former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-14, 18-21 and 21-19.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia trounced China 2-0 in their Group B opening match in the premier category of the regu event at the 2024 ISTAF Sepak Takraw World Cup today.

The Malaysian regu of Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong), Farhan Adam (apit kiri) and Mohamad Azlan Alias (apit kanan) wasted no time in winning the first set 15-6 at Titiwangsa Stadium here, and made two changes, swapping in Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim for Mohamad Azlan and Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam for Mohammad Syahir in the second set to beat China’s Ai Liang, Qin Hao and Fan Xu 15-7 to settle the match.

Malaysia will go up against Brunei in their second Group B match tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Farhan described today’s win as something that was not that easy as they had yet to settle down to a suitable rhythm.

‘To me it’s not easy (to face China), InsyaAllah, we will raise our game in our next match,’ he said.

In other opening matches today, powerhouse Thailand brushed aside Vietnam 15-7,15-8 and will meet Indonesia in their next Group A mat
ch, while India beat Japan 15-10,15-7, and will play Myanmar in their second Group D match.

In Group C, South Korea meanwhile beat the Philippines 15-12,8-15,15-11 and will play Singapore next.

All second group matches will be played tomorrow.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SIBU, Sarawak, as the host of the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) starting on Aug 17, aims to set a record in the prestigious Games by becoming overall champions to enhance its image as a sports powerhouse in the country.

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, said that for Sarawak to achieve this, the competing athletes need to win as many gold medals as possible.

At the 20th edition of SUKMA in Kuala Lumpur in 2022, Sarawak ranked fourth out of 15 contingents, with a total of 32 gold, 43 silver, and 52 bronze medals.

‘Our biggest hope is to see the outstanding success of Sarawak athletes in winning as many gold medals as possible, thereby setting a tournament record and certainly enhancing Sarawak’s image as a sports powerhouse in Malaysia.

‘I hereby urge all Sarawakians across the state to come out and celebrate this prestigious event by giving full support and encouragement to Sarawak athletes competing in all arenas.

“Additionally, please
also cheer for athletes from other states who are competing,” he said during the launch of the Baton Run programme for the 21st SUKMA in Sibu Division at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here today.

Earlier, the Baton Run for the 21st SUKMA started at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang, covering three kilometres around Sibu town with the participation of 650 people.

The Sibu Division is the fifth destination for the baton run, which will continue to other divisions until reaching Kuching Division.

Tiang said that the 21st edition of SUKMA in Sarawak this year is the largest in the history of the event, involving 37 types of sports with 488 events being contested, which is expected to have a positive impact on the development of sports in the country.

At the same time, he said, Sarawak also aims to make the 21st edition of SUKMA the best and most successful ever held.

It is estimated that over 12,000 athletes and officials will participate, while more than 2,000 athletes and officials for Para SUKMA representing 13 state
s, the Federal Territories, and Brunei will take part.

Tiang said that the 21st SUKMA will also see nine divisions in Sarawak as competition venues, compared to the 2016 SUKMA, which only involved the Kuching, Sibu, and Miri Divisions.

This is so that athletes from other states can experience the rich multi-ethnic culture, natural beauty, and rapid development that Sarawak has to offer.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency