Day: June 2, 2024

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MOHD ALI NAMED RECIPIENT OF SAM-100 PLUS 2023 SPORTS LEADERSHIP AWARD


KUALA LUMPUR, Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam has been named the recipient of the Sports Leadership Award at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS 2023 Awards Ceremony this Thursday.

SAM vice-president Mohd Hazreen Mubarak said the selection of Mohd Ali, who once headed the Malaysian Karate Federation (MAKAF) and Malaysian Silat Association (PESAKA), was in recognition of his contributions to the sports of self-defence.

‘Mohd Ali’s involvement in sports is undeniable. This was proven through his leadership in gaining greater recognition for MAKAF and PESAKA at the international level,” he said in a SAM statement today.

When he was leading MAKAF, karate was known as a ”gold mine” for Malaysia at the SEA Games and Asian Games and the country also registered their best achievement of one silver and one bronze at the 2014 World Karate Federation (WKF) Championships in Germany.

Mohd Ali’s leadership was also recognised on the global stage, as evident from his selection a
s a member of the WKF Executive Committee.

SAM also announced the selection of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) for the Dynamic Sports Association Award.

“MTBC’s selection is based on its success and commitment in producing new talent to ensure tenpin bowling remains a contributor of gold medals on the international stage.

“MTBC’s determination in unearthing young talent is also a factor for Malaysia’s continuing success,’ it said.

Apart from honouring outstanding athletes, the SAM-100PLUS 2023 Awards Ceremony also offers awards worth more than RM50,000 for sports journalists.

There are six categories of awards – Best News Report (Print Media), Best News Report (Electronic Media), Best Commentary (Print Media), Best Commentary (Electronic Media), Best Special Report (Open) and Best Sports Photography.

The overall winner in the sports journalism category will receive the Siebel Award and walk away with a RM7,000 cash prize and a trophy.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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NATIONAL RUGBY SQUAD START ARC 2024 CAMPAIGN ON WRONG FOOTING AFTER GOING DOING 5-55 TO SOUTH KOREA


KUALA LUMPUR, The National Rugby (15s) team started their campaign in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) 2024 on a disappointing note after going down 5-55 to South Korea in their opening match in Incheon today.

The National squad known as the Bunga Raya 15s, managed only one ‘try’ in the match through Mohad Shobrey Amok in the 48th minute.

South Korea, ranked 30th in the world managed nine ‘try’ through Hwang Jeongwook, Lee Jinkyu, Kim Chan Ju, Lee Hyeonje, Jeong Yeonsik and Lee Yongun and made five ‘conversion’ through Ko Seungjae.

The loss has put Malaysia in a difficult spot as the National squad is scheduled to host the match against defending champion Hong Kong at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang on June 8.

Malaysia will close their ARC 2024 campaign against United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on June 21.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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DANIEL READY TO PLAY AS WING-BACK TO GIVE HARIMAU MALAYA MORE BITE


PETALING JAYA, Harimau Malaya left-back Daniel Ting is ready to take on a more attacking role to make up for the absence of several wingers in the two crucial Group D matches in the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers this month.

While he may face competition for the position, the 31-year-old said he does not mind playing as a wing-back if head coach Kim Pan Gon wants him to do so as he’s used to playing further up the pitch for Sabah FC.

‘I’ve played a more attacking and higher role with Sabah, but we also have other younger players coming through, so I feel like we’ve got a lot of options to replace the missing boys,’ he told reporters at the training session here today.

The national team have been plagued by injuries, with wingers Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim and Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi; strikers Darren Lok, Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad and Romel Morales; and first-choice goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed all on the crock list.

Despite the setback, Daniel remains optimistic about Ma
laysia’s chances of securing all three points in the June 6 match against Kyrgyzstan at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.

Daniel said world number 138 Malaysia had demonstrated their ability in the 4-3 victory against the world number 100 Kyrgyzstan when they met at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last November.

‘We can’t go there (to Bishkek) thinking that we’re going to lose. Of course, we want to win every single game, so we’ve got to go there (with a) positive (mindset).

‘We’ve been working hard in training this week. Now, the whole team is together, so we can really get down and work on the tactics set by the coach,’ he said.

After the match against Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia will conclude their Group D campaign by hosting Taiwan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 11.

After four matches, Malaysia are in third spot in the four-team standings with six points. Kyrgyzstan sit atop the table with nine points, with Oman (nine points) second on goal difference and Taiwan last with no points
.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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30 DAYS VISA EXEMPTION TO CHINA WILL BENEFIT MALAYSIAN CRAFT ENTREPRENEURS


BEIJING, China’s decision to extend the visa exemption period for Malaysian tourists from 15 to 30 days will benefit Malaysian entrepreneurs, especially those involved in the country’s handicrafts and textiles.

Malaysian Crafts Council (MCC) founding president and executive director Nik Faiz Nik M Amin said that he welcomed the initiative as the industry players had difficulty getting visas to China before.

‘Sometimes we have to visit China on an ad hoc basis. It was very difficult for us to get visa approval before.

‘With the extension to 30 days, it makes us even more happy, because China is a big country and it allows us to visit several places,’ he told Bernama.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that China had agreed to extend the Malaysian tourist visa exemption period from 15 to 30 days.

He said that the agreement was reached during his courtesy call on Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wed
nesday and implementation will be made after the agreement on the matter is signed during the premier’s visit to Malaysia this month.

Nik Faiz, a batik entrepreneur through his brand, Ruzzgahara, which is based in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, said that he has been discovering the Chinese market for the past eight years through his batik products.

“The market in China is huge. Although China is one of the largest silk producers in the world, their demand (for silk batik) is very large, and the purchasing power is very high. It would open up opportunities for me to expand into various crafts further,’ he added.

In addition to batik, Nik Faiz also sees the potential of Malaysian handicraft products, such as woven textiles and songket, in China, because both have a wide demand, even though there are almost similar Chinese products in the market.

‘They accept the variety, not only (products) in their own country, but also from Malaysia,’ he added.

Meanwhile, art activist Arja Lee, is of the view that the 30-day visa
exemption is something which should be maintained by the two countries.

‘For me, it is access for more Malaysians to visit China regularly, not only for vacation, but also to diversify cooperation between Malaysia and China,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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MALAYSIA’S DEVELOPMENT MUST BE CENTRED ON STRENGTH, SPIRIT, ESSENCE OF ISLAM – PM


SHAH ALAM, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Muslims in the country to make Malaysia a MADANI nation that is centred on the strength, spirit and essence of Islam.

He said the country’s development must also be achieved and driven not only by exploring discoveries but must be rooted in the strength of Islamic faith and morals.

“…and as our shared responsibility, let’s live by increasing the sincerity of ‘al-amal lillahi taala’ and, at the same time, embrace this spirit in our daily lives in this country,’ he said.

He said this in a brief speech at the ‘Darul Ehsan Berselawat’ programme in conjunction with the Turath Islami Festival (FTI) Selangor at the Shah Alam Stadium grounds here tonight.

Also present at the closing of the FTI programme, which was attended by about 50,000 people, were Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and former Grand Mufti of Egypt Prof Dr Ali Jum’ah.

The second FTI, held from May 26, aimed to aimed to revive the turath or the study of classical Isla
mic texts in the daily lives of Muslims in the region.

Anwar also called on Muslims to return to embodying and practising the spirit of Islam in all circumstances and places.

He said such efforts must from a sincere conscience, be it at home, school, office or when carrying out duties in ministries or as government officers.

The Prime Minister also thanked Amirudin and the Selangor government for their initiative in organising the ‘Darul Ehsan Berselawat’ programme, thus invigorating the determination of Muslims to appreciate and honour Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency