Category: Sports

KUALA LUMPUR, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria confirmed that a total of 18 national athletes from seven sports have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics as of today.

He said, before the closing date at the end of June, OCM expects about 10 more athletes will qualify for the 33rd edition of the Olympics which will take place from July 26 to August 11.

“Among what we expect is from archery for individual and team events, which will compete in the final qualifying tournament in Antalya, Turkiye from June 14 to 17.

“We also have reallocation of unused quota in diving, and universality places or better known as wildcards for swimming and athletics. So we expect the contingent will be around 28,” he said at a press conference after the 209th OCM executive council meeting here today.

According to the criteria set by World Archery, as many as three team event slots (9 athletes) and two individual event slots will be up for grab for countries that have not yet qualified
for the Olympics during the tournament in Antalya.

In addition, qualifications for the two highest ranked teams in the world are also offered on June 24, while two wildcard tickets for individual events will also be determined on the same date.

The latest eight athletes to confirm their slots to the prestigious games are from the national badminton camp – men’s singles players Lee Zii Jia, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan-M Thinaah (women’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) and Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles) – after the qualifying rankings closed yesterday.

However, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is expected to issue its confirmation tomorrow.

Other athletes who will carry the nation’s challenge to the Olympics this time are track cyclists Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri who will compete in the keirin and sprint events, as well as Nur Aisyah Mohd Zubir (highway cyclist).

They will be accompanied by Khair
ulnizam Mohd Afendy, Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (both sailing), Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (weightlifting), Johnathan Wong (shooting), Ariana Nur Dania Mohd Zairi (archery), and Bertrand Rhodict Lises (diving).

Meanwhile, Mohamad Norza said the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has postponed the Olympic Solidarity forum for the East and Southeast Asian Olympic Committees in Kuala Lumpur from early May to June 1- 2.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will send a resolution from the main sports stakeholders to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) to appeal to the government to continue organising the 34th SEA Games in 2027.

Its president, Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the matter was unanimously agreed upon by all representatives from the national sports associations (NSA) who attended the 209th OCM executive council meeting, today.

He said the resolution, which is the hope of all sports people in the country, will be sent in the form of a letter to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in the near future.

Asked about the purpose of the resolution, Mohamad Norza said it was due to concerns over the fate of the Games after the government decided to reject the offer of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in place of the original organiser, Victoria of Australia, last month.

“This resolution is harmless. We are just putting forward the voices of the grassroo
ts, putting up an appealing voice to the government requesting the government to ensure the plan of having the SEA Games in 2027 is on track.

“We don’t want to have any distraction on the plan as it involves our image and pride. After they heard about the Commonwealth Games, there are questions asking us, when we want to face the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF), we should have the level of confidence that the government is with us,” he said after chairing the meeting here. today.

He said OCM also does not want national athletes who are waiting to compete in the SEA Games, to worry if there is a disruption in their programme and training.

The SEAGF council members meeting during the Hanoi SEA Games in May 2022, unanimously agreed to grant the right to host the 2027 SEA Games to Malaysia following the withdrawal of Brunei, while Thailand and Singapore were each given permission to host the games in 2025 and 2029.

The 2027 SEA Games will be Malaysia’s seventh time hosting the biennial games, after hosting in 19
65, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2017.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Norza suggested that the 2027 SEA Games be organised in other states such as Sarawak, thus breaking the tradition of only being concentrated in the Klang Valley.

“When I made a courtesy call on (Sarawak Premier) Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, we did discuss on post- Sukma (Malaysian Games), that Sarawak should play a role in hosting the SEA Games because they have the facilities. I do believe, we can move from the traditional template of just doing it in Kuala Lumpur by sharing with other states, one of them can be Sarawak,” he said.

Sarawak will host Sukma 2024 from August 17 to 24.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CHENGDU, Time to leave the Viking warriors stunned on the battlefield.

With the cards seemingly stacked against them, Malaysia knows that only a win against Denmark in a crucial Group D tie tomorrow would take them to top the group and pave a smoother path in the quarter-finals draw.

Team captain and men’s doubles player Soh Wooi Yik has rallied his teammates to be confident when they take on their next opponent during the world’s most prestigious badminton team tournament at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre.

‘It’s surely going to be a tough game for us and we must be fully prepared for tomorrow. I have a responsibility to also earn a point and try my best for Malaysia,’ he told Malaysian media here.

In anticipation of a possible showdown against the world number four Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Wooi Yik vowed that he and his partner, Aaron Chia, will put 100 per cent effort into outplaying their rival.

Aaron-Wooi Yik boasts quite a favourable record against Astrup-Rasmussen, picking up
six wins in nine meetings so far.

Though Malaysia looked more stable in the doubles department, professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia will be crucial to score a point for the understrength men’s singles camp.

However, a formidable challenge awaits him as he will likely go head-to-head against the world number one Viktor Axelsen in the opening match.

Axelsen had won five while Zii Jia emerged victorious three times based on their previous eight meetings .

Zii Jia, who is gearing up to play Axelsen, also puts trust in his other teammates to shine against the Danes.

‘Anything is possible now but what’s important is that I believe in my teammates,’ he said.

In the meantime, Axelsen had refrained himself from dwelling too much on a potential bout against the world number 10 Zii Jia while emphasising the tough competition Malaysia presents.

Meanwhile, his teammate and third singles, Rasmus Gemke, will do everything he can to ensure Denmark overthrow Malaysia and become Group D champion.

The last encounter betwe
en both teams saw Denmark edged Malaysia 3-2 in the final Group D match of the Thomas Cup 2022 in Bangkok.

Malaysia kicked off the Thomas Cup 2024 in style with a convincing 5-0 win each against Hong Kong last Saturday followed by minnows Algeria, yesterday.

Denmark, on the other hand, opened their group campaign with similar dominance, defeating Algeria last Saturday and Hong Kong yesterday with an identical scoreline.

Thomas Cup 2024 runs until May 5.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CHENGDU, The Indian badminton team remained undaunted by the pressure of defending the Thomas Cup title, with players determined to emerge as champions once more here in China.

With memories of their historic triumph of clinching the maiden Thomas Cup title in Bangkok two years ago still fresh on their mind, India’s top men’s doubles player, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy said his teammates are all ‘pumped up’ to take on the world again.

‘Everyone is so pumped up and taking this competition seriously. There are no pressure (defending Thomas Cup).

‘We take it as a challenge, want to do well and enjoy everything here. I believe we are getting back that rhythm (Thomas Cup 2022) and we can do something big here again,’ he told reporters at the mixed zone, here, today.

Satwiksairaj and partner Chirag Shetty had earlier delivered the second point for India against England in a rubber set win against Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, 21-17, 19-21, 21-15 in a Group C match at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre.

India then we
nt on to win the tie 5-0 and earned a quarter-finals berth.

India stunned 14-time champion, Indonesia, 3-0, to claim the trophy in the final of the last edition held in Impact Arena, Bangkok.

Meanwhile, their men’s singles shuttler, H.S. Prannoy will put the pressure aside and urged his teammates to put their heart and soul into ensuring the Thomas Cup remained home.

‘Obviously there are a lot of eyes on us since the last time (2022 triumph). There are a lot of tough teams out there and it’s going to be tougher for us in the next few days,’ he said.

Prannoy handed India the first point against England as he subdued Harry Huang, 21-15, 21-15.

India, who opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Thailand last Saturday, will involve in the repeat of last edition final against Indonesia this Wednesday to determine the Group C champion.

Thomas Cup 2024 will end on May 5.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

CHENGDU, Malaysia cruised into the quarterfinals of the 2024 Thomas Cup competition after whipping Algeria 5-0 in their second Group D match here, today.

For today’s match, the national camp made several changes, including fielding independent men’s singles player, Cheam June Wei and rising duo, Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri against the African region, regarded as minnows in the sport of badminton.

Malaysia’s second singles, Leong Jun Hao as well as two doubles players – Aaron Chia and Goh Szei Fei – were rested while team captain Soh Wooi Yik partnered Nur Izzuddin Rumsani as the second doubles of the day.

All Malaysian players had relatively enjoyed an easy passage against their opponents at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre.

Malaysia’s main singles player Lee Zii Jia who barely lost any sweat to give Malaysia an early lead by thumping Adel Hamek 21-8, 21-6 said the match served as a good warm up ahead of Wednesday’s final group fixture against 2016 champions, Denmark.

‘Considering that
tomorrow will be an off day for us, I requested to be fielded in the match today, so that it can serve as a preparation when facing Denmark,’ he told reporters at the mixed zone, here.

In the second match, June Wei had no problem to brush aside the challenge from Youcef Sabri Medel 21-9, 21-14 in 21 minutes to earn the second point for Malaysia.

The 27-year-old, who made his debut in the most prestigious badminton team tournament during the 2020 edition at Aarhus, Denmark, was elated to get a chance to play and prove his mettle in Chengdu.

He also shared that the team spirit was high following an outstanding 5-0 win against Hong Kong in Group D opener yesterday.

Meanwhile, it was a stroll in the park for Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal as they took just 17-minutes to outpower hapless Sifeddine Larbaoui-Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefoun 21-8, 21-3 and put Malaysia 3 Algeria 0.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency