Day: June 30, 2024

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RIB INJURY FAILS TO STOP TRIATHLETE ESTHER FROM FINISHING SECOND AT SEATF C’SHIPS


KUALA LUMPUR: June 30 (Bernama): Not even a rib injury could stop Esther Joy Chen from finishing second in the triathlon event at the Southeast Asia Triathlon Federation (SEATF) Championships in Lumut, Perak today.

The competition, held at Marina Island Pangkor in conjunction with the 2024 Perak Sports Festival, saw Esther complete the challenge with an overall time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 54 seconds (s) to finish behind 2021 SEA Games bronze medallist Raven Alcoseba of the Philippines (1:18.10s), with Malaysia’s Cindy Sui taking bronze in 1:22.32s.

Although she failed to defend her title, Esther was still satisfied with her achievement today.

“I was not very confident about the championships this time because I was involved in a cycling accident several weeks ago and injured my ribs.

“Despite that, I completed the race and stayed in title contention. This is still quite a good achievement,’ she said in a statement today.

Filipino Andrew Remolino dominated the men’s event to secure victory in 1:10.32s,
pipping compatriot Matthew Hermosa (1:10.42s) and Malaysian Martyn Lim (1:12.06s).

The third edition of the SEATF championships requires participants to complete three heats separately, with different routine combinations, namely swim 300 metres (m)-cycle 5 kilometres (km)-run 2.5 km for the first heat; run 2.5km-cycle 5km-swim 300m for the second heat; and swim 300m-run 2.5km-cycle 5km for the third heat. Participants must complete all the combinations within an hour and a half.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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CHRISTOPHER RAJ READY TO STEP DOWN IF MALAYSIA FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR 2025 U-17 ASIA CUP


KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-16 team manager (U-16) Christopher Raj is ready to step down if Malaysia fails to qualify for the finals at the 2025 Asia Cup Under-17 Qualifier that is scheduled in Laos from Oct 19-26.

Christopher assured that the young squad will bounce back from the disappointment of failing to get past the group stages at the 2024 ASEAN Under-16 tournament that was held in Surakarta, Indonesia.

‘Last year, the National U-17 squad managed to qualify for the 2023 Asia Cup Under-17 tournament. Therefore it will not be an impossible task to achieve a similar success.

‘However, if the team fails, I will step down and allow someone else to take over the responsibility of hoisting the National squad to the highest level and continue the mission to the World Cup,’ he said in a statement today.

Admitting that the failure in Indonesia was a bitter pill to swallow, Christopher added that he would take full responsibility for the results and achievements of coach Javier Jorda Ribera’s boys.

Yesterda
y, Malaysia lost 1-3 to Thailand in their final Group C action, a result that saw Malaysia fail to advance to the next stage (semifinal) after finishing third in the group with three points.

Champions of the three respective groups and the best positioned second placed team move into the semifinals, namely Group C winner Australia who managed seven points, the same as Thailand but with better goal average while Timor Leste finished last in the group.

Malaysia started the ASEAN Cup campaign in style by whipping Timor Leste 5-0 on June 23, but lost 0-2 to Australia on Wednesday, before yesterday’s outcome.

The last time Malaysia qualified for the semifinals was during the 2019 edition by emerging as the group winner after having edged Thailand 2-1.

In the 2025 Asia Cup Under-17 qualifier, Malaysia are drawn in Group H with Laos, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.

Ten group winners and five best placed runner-up teams will advance to the finals scheduled from April 3-20 in Saudi Arabia.

Source: BERNAMA New
s Agency

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SABAH SET 40-GOLD TARGET FOR SARAWAK SUKMA


KOTA KINABALU, Sabah are targeting 40 gold medals in the 21st edition of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) to be held in Sarawak from Aug 17-24.

Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said the target is achievable based on the current performance of their athletes.

“We have been preparing since last year and now over 1,000 athletes are undergoing training. However, only about 700 of them will compete at the Games,’ he told reporters after officiating the launching of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Sabah KBS Unity Sports closing ceremony here today.

Swimming and taekwondo are among the sports targeted to deliver the goods and help Sabah achieve the target.

Sabah finished sixth at the 2022 SUKMA in Johor with a medal haul of 30 golds, 29 silvers and 39 bronzes.

The 21st SUKMA in Sarawak will have 37 sports, comprising 488 events and involving 12,619 athletes and officials.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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GENTING CRASH: MOTAC TO SUSPEND TRAVEL AGENCY’S LICENCE


KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) will temporarily suspend the licence of the travel agency involved in the Genting Highlands bus crash if investigations reveal the company failed to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said a comprehensive investigation is underway, including on the travel agency and its subsidiary, to identify any breach of SOPs.

‘If the investigation finds that they (the travel agency) are at fault, their licence will be revoked immediately,’ he told a press conference after visiting the crash victims at Kuala Lumpur Hospital this morning, along with Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.

Eight victims are currently receiving treatment at the hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.

In the incident at about 11 am yesterday, two Chinese nationals were killed while several others were injured when the tour bus skidded and hit the road divider at KM16.5 of Jalan Turun Genting Highlands on its wa
y to the federal capital.

Tiong further said that a special meeting involving MOTAC, the Transport Ministry and the Road Transport Department is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the probe.

‘I want to seek explanations from both parties because based on complaints received, the tourists had to change buses three times during their six-day trip.

‘This suggests that the buses are not well-maintained, including issues with air-conditioning and unusual noises,’ he said.

— BERNAMA

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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SABAH-MM2H PROGRAMME TO START ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM TOMORROW


KOTA KINABALU, The Sabah state cabinet has approved the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme, and it will begin accepting applications from participants starting tomorrow, July 1.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the Sabah-MM2H programme has also received approval from the Federal government and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), with an expected approval timeline of around eight to ten weeks.

Liew said the Sabah MM2H programme is applicable only within the state, emphasising that participants are prohibited from using the permit to work in Malaysia.

“Affordable homes are not eligible under this programme. Affordable housing is reserved for local Sabahans and is not intended for foreign investment through this programme,” she said.

“We will also ensure there is no subletting of these permits. A committee will oversee these matters,” she told a press conference after the programme’s launch here today.

Liew also outlined the require
ments, stating that applicants must be at least 30 years old, come from countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia, meet fixed deposit and financial prerequisites, and are restricted to purchasing high-rise properties valued at least RM600,000.

Earlier in her speech, she positioned the Sabah-MM2H programme not only as a means to attract individuals to establish Sabah as their second home but also as a catalyst for cultural exchange, economic vitality, and sustainable community development.

She emphasised that participants will also have the opportunity to own property in Sabah, access quality healthcare services, and enroll their children in reputable educational institutions, among other benefits.

‘Sabah-MM2H participants are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in our rich cultural tapestry, contribute to our local economy, and build lasting connections within our vibrant community of residents and fellow expatriates,” Liew added.

— BERNAMA

Source: BERNAMA News Agency