Kathirvale among eight inducted into OCM Hall of Fame

Former greats: Kathirvale (fourth from left) with the others inducted into the OCM- Hall of Fame and OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar (left) and Danyal.

EIGHTY-TWO-year-old S. Kathirvale had reasons to be elated when he was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) - Hall of Fame at the Coca-Cola Olympian of the Year ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Kathirvale, a former FIFA referee and FIH umpire, said he was pleased to be on stage with some of the top officials and athletes in Malaysia.

“I started being involved as a match official, in both hockey and football, when I was 28. It was very challenging then and there were days when abuses were hurled at me. But today, the OCM had made me proud with this honour,’’ said Kathirvale.

Besides Kathirvale, the OCM also honoured Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk W.Y. Chin, Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee, S. Jahendran, Datuk Thomas Lee, Marina Chin and Karu Selvaratnam.

Khalid, Chin, Yong Wee and Jahendran had served in the OCM. Khalid and Chin were vice- presidents while Yong Wee and Jahendran were treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively. Former athletes — Marina Chin and Karu Selvaratnam — also made it to the Hall of Fame.

Marina, now the principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), won three gold medals in the 1977 and 1979 SEAP Games. She was also named as the Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977. Karu has the honour of having represented Malaysia in athletics and cricket.

Organising chairman Datuk Danyal Balagopal said the awards were a recognition for the recipients’ contribution to sports.

“All the winners have an impressive track record as administrators and athletes. They deserve to be given the honour to be inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame,’’ said Danyal, who is also the OCM vice-president.
BJSS netball coach Choo Kon Lee was presented with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sports Diploma.

The Olympian of the Year awards went to shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi and archer Cheng Chu Sian. Both were impressive in the recent SEA Games in Indonesia. Nur Suryani won the 10m air rifle and 50m three position gold medals while Chu Sian won the individual and team events.


Both Nur Suryani and Chu Sian were rewarded with RM10,000 and a medallion each.
 
Roll of Honour
Olympian of the Year (women): Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (shooting).
Olympian of the Year (men): Cheng Chu Sian (archery)

IOC Women and Sport Diploma: Choo Kon Lee (netball)

IOC Trophy (Sport and Social Responsibility); Saujana Golf and Country Club

Hall of Fame: Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk W.Y. Chin, Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee. S. Jahendran, Datuk Thomas Lee, S. Kathirvale, Marina Chin, Karu Selvaratnam.

Tahniah! Datuk Santokh Singh

Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah conferring the ‘Darjah Datuk Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’ award, which carries the title ‘Datuk’, on former national footballer Datuk Santokh Singh at Istana Alam Shah in Klang yesterday

PM Hails Nicol David As Malaysia's Most Successful Sports Icon

Nicol David showing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak her World Open trophy at his office in Putrajaya yesterday. Bernama pic

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hailed national squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David on Monday as the country's most successful sports icon, saying her ability to defend the world title for six consecutive years is unmatched.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a courtesy call by the World No. 1 squash player at his office here, Najib expressed the hope that her success would spur other athletes to similarly excel in their respective sports.

"On behalf of the government and the people Malaysia, I would like to extend heartiest congratulations to Nicol," he said.

Present were Nicol's parents, Desmond David and Anne Marie David, as well as CIMP Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak.

"Nicol should be made a role model because she is the most successful sports icon in our country's history," he said.

He wished Nicol all the best and more success in the future, and said that it would set a high benchmark for the country's sports, especially in squash.

Nicol described the meeting with the prime minister as a truly meaningful event for her and her parents.

"It was a great honour for me and family to get the recognition from the government and Malaysians. Thank you for the all support," she said.

Nicol wajar dijulang tokoh sukan

Nicol David bersama dengan ibu bapanya, Ann Marie dan Desmond David memegang trofi Kejohanan Skuasy Piala Dunia yang mana tercatat nama beliau sebanyak enam kali sebagai pemenang selepas pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak di Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Putrajaya, semalam. - BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA - Ratu skuasy negara Datuk Nicol Ann David wajar dijulang sebagai tokoh sukan paling berjaya dalam sejarah negara apabila mampu mempertahankan gelaran Pemain Terbaik Dunia sebanyak enam kali berturut-turut, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Perdana Menteri berkata, kejayaan yang dicapai Nicol itu adalah satu pencapaian yang belum pernah dicapai oleh sesiapa dalam sejarah negara.

"Saya bagi pihak kerajaan dan rakyat Malaysia ingin mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada Nicol," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menerima kunjungan pemain No. 1 dunia itu di pejabat beliau di sini, semalam.

Turut hadir ayah dan ibu Nicol, Desmond David dan Anne Marie David serta Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan CIMB Datuk Seri Nazir Razak.
Najib berkata, diharapkan kejayaan Nicol itu, akan menjadi pendorong serta penguat semangat kepada atlet sukan bukan sahaja dalam arena skuasy tetapi juga sukan lain.

"Nicol juga patut dijadikan contoh ikutan, beliau merupakan seorang ikon sukan yang paling berjaya dalam sejarah negara kita," katanya.

"Diharapkan Nicol akan terus mencipta kejayaan yang lebih cemerlang pada masa akan datang, seterusnya meletakkan satu penanda aras yang tinggi untuk sukan negara terutamanya skuasy, kata beliau.
Sementara Nicol berkata, pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri hari ini, merupakan satu peluang yang amat bermakna buat diri dan kedua-dua ibu bapanya.

"Ia adalah satu penghormatan untuk saya dan keluarga untuk mendapatkan pengiktirafan daripada kerajaan dan rakyat Malaysia, terima kasih atas segala sokongan," katanya. - Bernama

Aaliyah creates SEA Games history

Malaysia's eight-year-old Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah created waves at the Jakabaring Lake here when she grabbed gold in the women's tricks category at the 26th SEA Games today (17/11/11), becoming the youngest athlete to ever win a gold medal in the history of the games.

She skiied confidently through her first round routine, scoring 2,810 points, and nailed a one-leg trick in the second round to earn 2,960 points.

Being much shorter and smaller than the other contestants, her appearance at the lake had drawn attention from spectators and the media.

Aaliyah said she felt excited to win the gold medal for Malaysia.

"I was confident all the way. I almost lost my balance in the first round but luckily I didn't," she sheepishly told reporters.

Thailand's Sareeya Promsuntisit won silver with 2,410 points in the first round and 2,570 in the second, while another Malaysian, Phillipa Yoong-Barly, netted bronze with 1,890 (first round) and 1860 points (second round).

Aaliyah's father, Hanifah Yoong, said his daughter had been water skiing since she was five.

"We don't want to push her too hard because she's still a child . We don't want her to be pressured. But she enjoys training very much, it's like she's addicted to the sport," he said.

He said Aaliyah underwent training five days a week and still had time to play with her friends. -- BERNAMA.

In sports, a tougher road to fame

Building a successful sports career may mean spending many years abroad, an option which most of our budding athletes are reluctant to consider

Minutes after she captured a record sixth World Open crown last Sunday in Rotterdam, squash queen Nicol David took to the microphone and declared: "Winning a world title is huge in Malaysia."
She is right.

The 28-year-old Penang lass, who has won every world title since 2005 with the exception of 2008, was quick to add that the country was always gunning to have more people in sports.

In reality, getting more and more Malaysians just like her onto the global stage -- and collecting major titles -- is posing a bigger challenge now than ever before.

Our biggest hurdles, I think, are the glaring lack of a sports culture, unlike the Australians for example, stiffer competition from other active sporting nations, our hit-and-miss sports policy and inadequate funding.

The constant pressure on children to do well in public examinations is also taking a toll on sports. Sports also arguably offers a less secure future than a desk job and parents are unwilling to sacrifice their children's education for sports.

"We complain that Malaysia is not doing well (in sports). But how many parents want their kids to be professional athletes?" asks a friend of mine who works in the Youth and Sports Ministry.

 "I, for one, don't want my kids to go through painful training regimes."

Sharing the limelight with Nicol last Sunday was shuttler Zulfadli Zulkifli, who upset favourite Viktor Axelsen of Denmark to clinch the world junior title in Taipei.

A jubilant 18-year-old Zulfadli  told this newspaper that he would not rest on his laurels. "My aim next year is to break into the top 100 and start doing well in open tournaments."

Building a successful sports career may mean spending many years abroad, an option which most of our budding athletes are reluctant to consider.    

My colleague at the sports desk reminded me that Nicol wouldn't be the player she is today had she stayed in Malaysia.

Similarly, this is also the case for cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang and his teammates who took up the challenge and moved to Melbourne. They are now winning medals at the world stage.

Badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei was quite fortunate as he had good sparring partners when he was an up-and-coming player.

Funding is also a pressing issue. Currently, it is still very much government driven.

There was a sharp spike in federal allocations when we won the bid to host the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.

 Since then, sports bodies and associations, irrespective of how successful they are, are unable to wean off their reliance on government finances.

We always wonder why Germany excels in sports.

One Malaysian who grew up there noted that in Germany, schools in the same neighbourhood form a sports club and share the facilities. In Malaysia, each school tries to have facilities and coaches (mostly untrained) for every sport!

As such, sports should start in schools and the community. Just like in Australia or Germany, where it is a way of life.

The Youth and Sports Ministry, which has declared 2011-2012 as Sports Industry Year, wants to turn sports into big business to help lift the standards of sports in the country.

It wants more private sector investment in sports via sponsorships, training, infrastructure development, event management, merchandising, production of apparel, sports equipment, sports nutrition and many more.

In terms of gross national income, our sports industry was worth an estimated RM30.2 billion in 2009, or five per cent of the total gross domestic product.

Commentators doubt whether the ministry's plan can take off. "Do we have the ingredients to develop a thriving sports industry?" asks a former sports writer. "The industry can only go big if there is a market.

"Banks were big in sports at one time. They were the biggest employers of sportsmen and sportswomen. Unfortunately, most banks have merged and now sports does not feature highly on their list of priorities.

"Inter-bank championships in the 1980s drew greater interest than national meets. Even government departments and government-linked companies have stopped or reduced hiring of sportsmen and sportswomen. Maybe Tenaga Nasional still, but then it is limited to only hockey," he noted.

Once the current crop of top-notch players bow out of the world arena, we will once again be devoid of our own sporting kings and queens.

Developing new ones will take years and a lot of sweat and tears. We have to act  now.

Otherwise, we will  end up as a mere spectator nation.

Hilang Sebutir Permata Sukan Memanah

ULU TIRAM - Jenazah Pemanah elit paralimpik negara, Mohd Salam Sidik, 28, selamat disemadikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Sungai Tiram, di sini, kira-kira jam 11 malam, semalam.

Turut berada di tanah perkuburan berkenaan adalah kedua ibu bapanya, adik beradik, saudara mara, jiran, rakan seperjuangan dalam bidang sukan dan kakitangan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).
Jenazah Allahyarham selamat di bawa pulang ke rumahnya di Kampung Sungai Tiram, di sini, terlebih dahulu, selepas mendapat kebenaran pihak hospital sekitar jam 10 malam untuk diberikan penghormatan terakhir.

Terdahulu, Allahyarham Mohd Salam mengadu sakit kepala dan berehat di kediaman atlet Casa I, MSN sebelum disedari tenat oleh rakannya.

Beliau meninggal dunia pada pukul 1 petang ketika dalam perjalanan ke HUKM, semalam.

Sepanjang kerjayanya sebagai atlet, Mohd. Salam pernah beraksi di Sukan Paralimpik Athens (2004) dan Beijing (2008).

Beliau juga pernah menduduki ranking No. 1 dunia Kesatuan Memanah Antarabangsa (FITA) pada tahun 2009.

 Al-Fatihah!

Zulfadli pengganti Chong Wei

ZULFADLI akan menamatkan karie selaku pemain remaja pada tahun ini.

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JUARA remaja dunia, juara remaja Asia, juara Sukan Komanwel Remaja dan juara remaja kebangsaan.
Itulah pencapaian bintang badminton muda negara, Zulfadli Zulkifli yang dilakarnya sepanjang tahun ini.
Simboliknya, kesemua kejayaan tersebut dilakar ketika dia bakal menamatkan karier selaku pemain remaja pada tahun ini.

Ini kerana, usia Zulfadli bakal menjangkau 19 tahun pada tahun depan.
Berdasarkan pencapaian itu, dia kini disebut-sebut sebagai calon paling sesuai bagi menggantikan tempat jaguh perseorangan negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei andai dia bersara kelak.
Bagaimanapun, bagi Zulfadli yang bernaung di bawah Kelab Raket Kuala Lumpur (KLRC), dia tidak mahu terburu-buru untuk memikirkan sasaran itu.

Sebaliknya, dia meletakkan sasaran dua hingga tiga tahun lagi untuk menggalas cabaran sebagai pemain No. 1 negara di pentas antarabangsa kerana masih banyak perlu diperbaiki terutama dalam corak permainannya.
"Saya tipu kalau saya katakan saya langsung tidak memasang impian untuk menjadi pemain No. 1 negara. Mana-mana pemain sekalipun pasti memikirkan perkara yang sama seperti saya.

"Namun, bukan mudah sebenarnya untuk bergelar pemain No. 1 negara. Banyak perkara yang perlu diperbaikinya terutama dalam corak permainan. Saya perlu bersedia dari semua aspek.
"Dalam tempoh terdekat ini, memang sukar untuk saya untuk menggalas cabaran sebagai pemain No. 1 negara tetapi saya meletakkan sasaran selama dua hingga tiga tahun lagi daripada sekarang," kata Zulfadli ketika dihubungi Kosmo! kelmarin.

TPM ucap tahniah buat Nicol, jaguh badminton

PUTRAJAYA - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin semalam mengucapkan tahniah kepada Datuk Nicol David, dan tiga pemain badminton remaja, Zulfadli Zulkifli, Nelson Heg serta Teo Ee Yi atas kejayaan yang dilakar di Belanda dan Taiwan, kelmarin.

Menurut Timbalan Perdana Menteri, kejayaan Nicol amat membanggakan apabila berjaya melakar sejarah baru skuasy wanita dunia dengan merangkul kejuaraan kali keenam, sekal gus memadam rekod milik mentornya, Sarah Fitz-Gerald dari Australia yang sebelum ini memegang lima gelaran.

''Jelas kejuaraan yang diperolehi beliau dalam masa 29 minit menewaskan pilihan kedua, Jenny Duncalf dari England mempamer kewibawaan Datuk Nicol yang tiada tolok bandingannya di dalam dunia sukan skuasy," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini, semalam.

Muhyiddin pada masa yang sama turut mengucapkan tahniah kepada jaguh badminton negara, Zulfadli dan beregu Nelson-Ee Yi yang merangkul kejuaraan berganda perseorangan dan beregu lelaki Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia di Taiwan.

"Syabas dan jutaan tahniah diucapkan kepada Zulfadli kerana telah mengharumkan nama Malaysia dan mencipta sejarah apabila muncul sebagai pemain Malaysia pertama menjuarai acara perseorangan lelaki Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia.

"Tahniah juga diucapkan kepada pasangan beregu Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi yang memberi kejuaraan berganda kepada pasukan badminton Malaysia," katanya lagi.
Muhyiddin berkata, beliau berdoa agar kejayaan mereka menjadi pencetus kepada lebih banyak kejayaan yang bakal dicipta atlet negara dalam mana-mana pertandingan yang disertai.

Beliau yakin rakyat Malaysia berbangga dengan kejayaan yang dimiliki oleh wira dan wirawati sukan negara.
"Tentunya tanpa usaha gigih dan latihan berterusan, kecekalan jiwa serta kesabaran yang terpaksa dilalui oleh jaguh-jaguh sukan ini, kemenangan diperolehi tidak mudah dicapai.

"Tidak diupakan juga kejuaraan mereka berkat dorongan serta doa dari ahli keluarga, para jurulatih, pengurus-pengurus pasukan dan semestinya semua peminat sukan negara," katanya.

Zulfadli, Nelson-Ee Yi pastikan kegemilangan

TEO Ee Yi (kiri) dan Nelson Heg melengkapkan kegemilangan skuad badminton negara pada Kejohanan Remaja Dunia selepas merangkul kejuaraan beregu lelaki di Taiwan, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Selepas melakar sejarah merangkul kejuaraan berpasukan buat kali pertama, Zulfadli Zulkifli dan beregu, Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi melengkapkan hari gemilang Malaysia dengan dengan merangkul gelaran berganda individu pada Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia di Taiwan, semalam.

Zulfadli mencipta sejarah muncul pemain negara sulung bergelar juara remaja dunia perseorangan lelaki selepas menewaskan juara bertahan yang juga pilihan utama, Viktor Axelsen dari Denmark 21-18, 9-21, 21-19.

Empat bulan selepas dinobatkan sebagai juara Asia, pemain yang bernaung di bawah kelab KLRC itu berjaya merealisasikan apa yang gagal dilakukan Yeoh Kay Bin pada 1998 dan Iskandar Zulkanain Zainuddin, dua tahun lalu.

"Alhamdulillah, saya rasa bersyukur kerana mencipta nama untuk Malaysia meraih gelaran sulung perseorangan lelaki dan lebih bermakna pada sambutan Aidiladha.

"Kemenangan ini saya tujukan sudah pasti kepada bapa yang juga jurulatih peribadi saya, Zukiffli Sidek, ibu serta adik-adik. Tidak lupa juga kepada penaja saya, KLRC dan Forza," katanya dalam satu pesanan ringkas kepada Utusan Malaysia semalam.

Zulfadli bermula garang pada set pertama untuk selesa mendahului 17-9, namun hilang rentak seketika dan memberi ruang untuk Axelsen mengejar sehingga 17-14. Mujur pemain berusia 18 tahun itu tenang untuk menghabiskan set pembukaan dengan kemenangan 21-18.

Cerita set kedua penuh berat sebelah menyaksikan Zulfadli gagal menyaingi pemainan agresi Axelsen yang meraih 11 mata menerusi smash untuk menang mudah 21-9.

Set penentuan berlangsung sengit dengan kedua-dua pemain mengejar antara satu sama lain untuk terikat 8-8 sebelum Axelsen mula meningkatkan permainan untuk membuka jurang 12-8.
Namun, Zulfadli bangkit merapatkan kedudukan pada 12-13, sebelum pertarungan kembali sengit sehingga 18-18. Dia akhirnya menang 21-19.

Dua jam selepas itu, tiba giliran Nelson-Ee Yi menghadiahkan keceriaan berganda buat kem Malaysia apabila menumpaskan pasangan tuan rumah, Huang Po Jui-Lin Chia Yu 21-17, 21-17.
Nelson-Ee Yi berjaya menebus kehampaan tahun lalu apabila terpaksa berpuas hati muncul naib juara selepas dikalahkan rakan senegara, Ow Yao Han-Yew Hong Kheng.

Lebih manis ia memastikan kejuaraan beregu lelaki kekal menjadi milik Malaysia untuk tahun keempat berturut-turut selepas Yao Han-Hong Kheng (2010), Chooi Kah Ming-Yao Han (2009) dan Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang (2008).

Sejak kejohanan diperkenalkan pada 1992, kita memang gah dalam acara beregu lelaki.
Statistik terbukti dengan Malaysia menguasai tujuh kali acara itu daripada 13 edisi keseluruhannya termasuk tahun ini.

Jeremy Gan-Chang Chong Ming menjadi juara beregu lelaki pertama Malaysia pada pada 1996. diikuti Chong Ming-Teo Kok Seng (1997) dan Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong (2004).

Malaysia juga pernah dua kali muncul juara beregu campuran menerusi gandingan Chong Ming- Joanne Quay pada 1996, sebelum diulangi oleh beregu berbakat, Lim Khim wah-Ng Hui Lin, empat tahun lalu.

Di puncak dunia!

NICOL David mencipta rekod menjuarai gelaran dunia kali keenam selepas mudah menewaskan pemain No. 2 dunia, Jenny Duncalf 11-2, 11-5, 11-0 di Rotterdam, Belanda semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Semalam merupakan hari gemilang buat sukan tanah air, apabila jaguh skuasy, Datuk Nicol David memahat rekod muncul juara dunia buat kali keenam di Rotterdam, hanya beberapa jam selepas Zulfadli Zulkifli dan Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi merangkul kejuaraan berganda perseorangan lelaki dan beregu lelaki Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia di Taiwan.

Pemain No. 1 dunia, Nicol membuktikan mengapa dia layak diiktiraf dalam Dewan Kemasyuran (Hall of Fame) Persatuan Skuasy Dunia (WSF) apabila mudah membenam pemain No. 2 dunia, Jenny Duncalf dari England 11-2, 11-5, 11-0 untuk ditabal sebagai juara.
Nicol, 28, mengesahkan statusnya selaku pemain terbaik sepanjang zaman dalam sejarah skuasy wanita dunia apabila melakar rekod baru dengan memintas rekod lama milik mentornya, Sarah Fitz Gerald dari Australia yang muncul juara lima kali.

Malah semalam, Nicol hanya memerlukan 29 minit untuk menumpaskan Duncalf, biarpun jaguh England itu antara pemain terbaik dunia.

"Fikiran saya kosong sekarang, saya tidak memikirkan apa-apa...saya hilang kata-kata.
"Memenangi gelaran dunia ialah sesuatu yang besar dan penuh bermakna untuk dirisaya. Saya gembira untuk menujukan kejayaan ini kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia,"kata Nicol yang beraksi di depan kedua-dua ibu-bapanya, Desmond David dan Ann Marie.

Tewas tiga kali tahun ini, dua kepada Laura Massaro dan sekali di tangan Kasey Brown, Nicol dilihat mungkin sudah mula menunjukkan tanda kemerosotan, namun persembahan garang yang dipamerkannya semalam langsung tidak menunjukkan dirinya berada penghujung karier.

Tidak dapat dipastikan apakah faktor yang mempengaruhi Jenny sehingga tewas sebegitu mudah, namun jika statistik lampau diambil kira, Jenny mungkin dibelenggu dengan fakta bahawa dia cuma menang dua kali dalam 28 pertemuan antara kedua-dua mereka.

Nicol turut memberi sokongan agar skuasy dapat menjadi acara Sukan Olimpik, menerusi komen ringkas: "Saya sanggup menggadaikan enam gelaran dunia yang dimiliki untuk satu pingat emas Olimpik."

Terdahulu, anak muda berusia 18 tahun, Zulfadli melakar sejarah dengan menghadiahkan gelaran sulung Malaysia dalam perseorangan lelaki pada Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Dunia selepas menumpaskan Viktor Axelsen dari Denmark 21-18, 9-21, 21-19.

Nelson-Ee Yi memberi kejuaraan berganda dengan menewaskan pasangan tuan rumah Po Jui Huang dan Chia Yu Lin 21-17, 21-17.

Nicol tempa nama dalam Dewan Kemasyhuran WSF

Nicol David tergolong antara pemain terhebat sepanjang zaman apabila namanya akan dimasukkan ke dalam senarai Dewan Kemasyhuran Persekutuan Skuasy Dunia.

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KUALA LUMPUR - Pemain wanita No. 1 dunia, Datuk Nicol David kini tergolong antara pemain paling terulung sepanjang zaman apabila namanya akan dimasukkan ke dalam senarai Dewan Kemasyhuran (Hall of Fame) Persekutuan Skuasy Dunia (WSF).

Nicol, 28, akan diberi penghormatan pada satu majlis makan malam sempena Kejohanan Terbuka Dunia dan Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan WSF di Rotterdam, esok.

"Untuk diiktiraf pencapaian saya setaraf seperti sekumpulan pemain handalan dalam sejarah tatkala saya masih aktif bertanding, perasaannya adalah tak dapat digambarkan.

"Ia sungguh menakjubkan dan saya berasa amat bangga. Meskipun telah bermain dalam sirkit profesional untuk lebih 10 tahun, anugerah ini tidak bermakna saya merancang untuk bersara," ujar Nicol kegembiraan sebaik dimaklumkan berita baik itu.

Gadis kelahiran Pulau Pinang itu juga mengintai rekod gelaran keenam Terbuka Dunia yang sedang rancak berlangsung di bandar raya Belanda tersebut minggu ini.

Nicol yang memiliki 55 gelaran Jelajah Dunia, telah pun menyamai rekod mentornya, Sarah Fitz-Gerald dengan merangkul gelaran dunia kelima tahun lalu.

Pada Mac lalu, Nicol memintas bekas jaguh Australia, Michelle Martin untuk menjadi pemain kedua paling lama memegang status pemain No.1 Persatuan Pemain Skuasy Wanita Antarabangsa (WISPA) sepanjang zaman.

Memasuki bulan ini, Nicol sudah menjangkau bulan ke-67 (sejak Ogos 2006) di persada ranking WISPA, namun masih jauh perlu mengejar Susan Devoy dari New Zealand yang gah dengan rekod 105 bulan.
Nicol bakal menjadi pemain ke-12 dalam senarai dewan kemasyuran yang juga menampilkan Michelle, Sarah dan Susan bagi pemain wanita selain dua legenda Pakistan, Jahanghir Khan dan Jansher Khan untuk lelaki.

Former MHF secretary Aryaduray dies at 86

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian sports lost another great administrator when K. Aryaduray (pic), one of Malaysian Hockey Federation’s (MHF) founder members, died after a short illness at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre here yesterday.

He was 86.

Aryaduray was the first secretary of the Malayan Hockey Federation (as it was known back in 1953), which took over from the then Malayan Hockey Council (formed in 1948 and which had control of the game in Singapore and Malaya).
Aryaduray was the first secretary of the MHF, serving from 1953 to 1959.

He also had a hand in the forming of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), serving as a secretary as well.
The late N.M. Vasagam was the first secretary of the OCM and Aryaduray was his assistant. Aryaduray took over as secretary from 1957 to 1961.

Among the other posts that he had held were honorary secretary of the Selangor HA (1952-56); honorary secretary of the MHF (1953-59); honorary assistant secretary of the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (1953-56); honorary secretary of Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (1957-61); Member of the Board of Control, Merdeka Stadium (1957-59); Member of the Council of the Asian Games Federation (1957-61).
The national hockey team took part in the Olympic Games for the first time in Melbourne in 1956 and Aryaduray was the team manager. Malaysia finished ninth out of 12 teams.

Aryaduray also had the distinction of umpiring one of the classification matches at the Games held in Melbourne.

When Aryaduray relinquished his post as MHF secretary, his place was taken over by his protege Datuk G. Vijiyanathan.

“He was a quiet and reserved man. He roped me into hockey. He served in many capacities and had the honour of leading the OCM as well. I do not think that people of this generation will remember him. He was one of those officials who had served at a time when sports was just starting out in this country and who set the framework for what the game is today,” recalled Vijiyanathan.

In 2002, Aryaduray was inducted into the OCM’s Hall of Fame and he was quoted as saying that the “love and passion for the game was the main thing for sportsman and officials of that era”.

Aryaduray leaves behind five children and nine grandchildren to mourn his loss. His son A. Asohan is a former editor in The Star.

The funeral will be held later this week, after the return of his daughters from overseas. Those who wish to pay their respects can do so at No. 4, Lorong 8/3H, Petaling Jaya. For more information, contact 03-79559993.

Late Daud’s family gets compensation from Malaysian National Cycling Federation

PETALING JAYA: The family of the late Daud Ibrahim received RM15,000 in insurance compensation from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) yesterday.

Daud, an official of the Johor Cycling Association, died in a car accident on Nov 11 last year. He was 63.
Firdaus Ibrahim, Daud’s son, received the cheque on behalf of the family.

Daud won two medals at the 1970 Asian Games, claiming gold in the keirin and a bronze in the 1km time trial.
The next year, he delighted the Kuala Lumpur crowd with five titles at the South- East Asian (SEAP) Games.
He also represented the nation at the 1972 Olympics and 1974 Commonwealth Games.

20-Year-old Back Up Squad Bowler Dies Of Heart Failure

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- National back up squad bowler Khoo Beng Khai, 20, died of heart failure after collapsing at the National Sports Council (NSC) car park in Bukit Jalil, lWednesday night.

NSC director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said Khoo had collapsed while trying to park his car at 11.45pm after returning from supper with fellow bowlers.

"I was told that Khoo had just returned from supper at a nearby restaurant with four fellow bowlers. During the incident the friends panicked when Khoo suddenly collapsed.

"They managed to stop the car by applying the emergency brake (hand brake) before calling an ambulance," Zolkples told reporters after paying his last respects at the Serdang Hospital.

Khoo was pronounced dead at 1.15am after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts failed to revive him.

Zolkples said Khoo had not shown any signs of health problems because a medical check up done two months ago was good.

"Khoo demise is a big loss to bowling because he is a very determined and committed bowler who has vast potential and can go far," he said.

Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress honorary secretary Sidney Tung said the body of Khoo would be taken to his home town in Penang for burial on Saturday.

The late Khoo won the Youth Open at the 34th Canon Malaysia International Open Championships this year as well as the 11th Milo International Junior All Stars Bowling Championships in 2010.

Hammering the elusive GOLD

The name Ghenda Singh may not featureprominently in the pages of history books but the sheer grit and determination of this man will surely rank amongst the country's most famous sportsmen.

Genda was a hammer thrower who ruled supreme at national level and donned national colours with pride despite the fact that honours did not come his way from the international front.

What made Ghenda stand ahead and shoulders above the other, apart from his frame, was the fact that he was an active participant right until the age of 51 - or until he retired from the police force.

This is all the more remarkable as many of his compatriots in athletics had call it quits while being only in their 20s. As they went on to focus on thier families and jobs, Ghenda sacrificed his time and effort to bring honours to the nation.

R.I.P Ghenda Singh

Former national hammer thrower, Ghenda Singh Amar Singh passed away at the University Malaya Medical Centre on Sunday (9/10/11). He was 89.

I do not know Ghenda that well but I have been a close friend with his son Semret Singh, another national hammer thrower, since the 1980s. I know how much Semret looked up to his father and at this time, I would like to extend my deepest condolence to Semret and his brothers and sister.

Semret continued the tradition and won two Sea Games gold medals (1985 Bangkok and 1989 KL) and even broke his father's record of 44.14m after managing 51.644m at the Police Games in 1986.

The earlier record was set by Ghenda in 1966 in Ipoh.

Ghenda started competing in 1960 and retired after the 1977 KL Seap Games at the age of 55. A pectoral muscle tear did not stop him as he defied doctors' orders to compete in the 1977 Games. He won the bronze medal.

Ghenda leaves behind wife Mohinder Kaur, sons — Semret, Kulwant, Kaldip, Manohor, Mahinderjit — and daughter Persin Kaur to mourn his loss.

Those wishing to pay their last respects can do so at No 2, Jalan BRP 4/10, Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh, 47000, Selangor. The cottage will leave the house at 10.00am on Wednesday to Jalan Loke Yew Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur. - FAIR PLAY

Former Pahang star Azam is dead

FORMER Pahang footballer Azam Bakar, who guided the state to their first Malaysia Cup title in 1983, lost his battle against cancer yesterday.

The 54-year-old defender died at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan about 12.30pm after fighting liver cancer for more than two months, which eventually left him bedridden.

Azam, from Kampung Seberang Guai, Temerloh, was a member of the victorious Pahang team that also featured Rosmaini Mohd Shah, Datuk Jamal Nasir and Tajuddin Nor, who edged Selangor 3-2 after extra-time at Merdeka Stadium.

After donning state colours between 1978 and 1984, the father of four chose to hang up his boots and turned to coaching.

He became assistant to former chief coach Mike Brown who led Pahang to their second Malaysia Cup title in 1992.

He also served as assistant to former Pahang coach Jorgen E. Larsen and Fuzzeimi Ibrahim before signing up as coach for the Pahang Agriculture Development Authority side that featured in the 1995 Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) League.

Azam leaves behind wife, Zainab Arifin, 52 and four children, Azrul Syaffiq, 26, Alia Syafiqa, 23, Amirul Syafiqq, 21 and Aidil Syafiq, 16.

Present at the Bukit Ubi Muslim burial ground yesterday were former teammates, including Tajuddin, Abdullah Din and Terengganu T-Team coach Yunus Aliff. -- T.N. ALAGESH

Former National Footballer Seeks Help To Pay Medical Bills

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- A former national footballer, who played in the 1960s, is seeking help to pay for his medical expanses for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and kidney failure.

Wheelchair-bound Abu Hassan Mohamad, 74, who is also a Prisons Department pensioner, had his right leg amputated two weeks ago due to diabetes.

"I have to undergo dialysis treatment three times a week and admitted a few times a year at the Penang Hospital," he told reporters here Wednesday.

He is asking for help from the National Athlete Welfare Foundation, the Football Association of Malaysia, the Penang Football Association and the public as he had to spent almost his entire pension of about RM1,000 to pay his monthly medical bills.

Abu Hassan, who played as a left winger, was fielded when the national squad played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly against England B at Merdeka Stadium in 1978 and retired at the age of 35 before coaching the Penang squad.

He had played alongside Ghani Mihad, Dutton Harold, Datuk M Kuppan, S Govindarajo, Jalil Che Din and Kamaruddin Ahmad in the national squad besides donning Penang and Perak jerseys.

Abu Hassan, who resides at the Penang Development Corporation Flat in Lebuh Nipah, Sungai Nibong with his wife, Norsiah Mydin, 62, has three sons, who already have families of their own and they could not foot the medical bills.

Abu Hassan could be reached at 013-5042015.

Badminton legend David dies

Sunday September 11, 2011

GEORGE TOWN: (Three-time All-England doubles champion and former politician Datuk David Choong Ewe Leong died in his home in Jalan Pantai Molek off Jalan Tanjung Tokong here.

He was 82.

His brother Datuk Eddy Choong, 81, whom he partnered to win consecutive badminton titles from 1951, said David died at 6.30am yesterday after being in a coma for nine years following a stroke.

“The whole family is saddened by his death, but we have to accept it as God's will,” Eddy said.

Prominent champ: A portrait of David with his trophies during his heyday.

 

“We went through many hardships in life, such as the Japanese occupation. My brother was an intelligent person.

“Even in badminton, he was the brains while I was the brawn.”
Eddy recalled the pain each time he visited his brother in recent years. “It really hurt that he could not recognise me.”

David leaves behind three sons and a daughter.

The funeral is expected to take place in Pulau Tikus at 2pm tomorrow.

David also shared the All-England mixed doubles crown with June White Timperly in 1953. He was inducted into the International Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998.

The former Penang Free School student, who read law at Trinity College in Cambridge University, returned to Malaysia after Merdeka and joined MCA.

He was the party's former Penang Youth chief.

David was also a former state executive councillor having won the seat in the 1961 Penang City Council elections on an MCA ticket.

Negri mourns the demise of two internationals

TWO double internationals from Negri Sembilan, M. Joseph, 77, and Peter van Huizen, 75, have died.

Peter died on Sunday, while Joseph died yesterday morning.

Both were a rare breed who played hockey and football for the country, something present day sportsmen can't even dream of doing.

Peter only started playing hockey when he was 20, and that too by chance as he happened to be at the Negri Sembilan Padang and was invited to play for the Negri Sembilan Ceylonese Association (NSCA).

He went on to become a pillar between the posts in hockey and was among the 18 young men who represented Malaysia at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. Peter was voted world's Best Goalkeeper in 1956.

He also played football for Negri Sembilan Indians Association (NSIA) and Seremban Rangers, the Negri state team in 1952 and represented Malaysia at the 1959 SEAP Games in Bangkok.

Peter then started coaching Seremban Municipal Council in 1985 and among the goalkeepers he spotted and trained were Hamdan Hamzah, who played for the National Juniors in 1989, Osbert Pinto (a winger turned goalkeeper) and recent former international and goalkeepers' coach Nasihin Nubli.

And Joseph was also made of the same stuff, as he too represented the country in hockey and football.

He represented then Malaya in football from 1947 to 1953, while in hockey, he played in the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games.

After he retired, Joseph or fondly called 'One-eyed Jo', started coaching in the early 1980s and under his coaching were G. Torairaju, Tony Chia and Zainuddin Hussein.

Joseph kept himself active by playing in the NS League for NSCA as well as the state veterans' squad.

Negri Sembilan HA secretary P. Tamilselvan said both Peter and Joseph were prides of the state.

"Both of them were pillars of society as well as sports and it is a great loss to the state," said Tamilselvan.

Dua gol Supermokh pernah benam Arsenal

Aksi Mokhtar Dahari ketika menentang pasukan luar negara pada tahun 1980-an.

KUALA LUMPUR - Semalam genap dua dekad penyerang legenda bola sepak negara dan Asia era 70-an hingga 80-an, Allahyarham Datuk Mokhtar Dahari atau Supermokh kembali ke rahmatullah.
Menjelang perlawanan persahabatan dengan Arsenal di Bukit Jalil, esok, nama Supermokh kembali dikenang apabila beliau pernah mencipta sejarah dengan meledak dua gol untuk menewaskan kelab England itu 2-0 di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur pada 11 Mei 1975.

Anak jati Setapak, Kuala Lumpur ini menghembuskan nafas terakhir di Pusat Perubatan Subang Jaya, Selangor pada pukul 8.25 pagi 11 Julai 1991 ketika berusia 37 tahun akibat penyakit motor neurone.
Allahyarham meninggalkan seorang balu, Tengku Zarina Tengku Ibrahim dan tiga anak, Mohamad Redza yang juga bekas pemain bola sepak Selangor, Nur Azera dan Nur Arina.

Mokhtar dan Diego Maradona turut bertembung di Stadium Merdeka dalam perlawanan persahabatan antara Pilihan Selangor dengan Boca Juniors pada 1982, empat tahun sebelum bekas jagoan dan jurulatih Argentina itu menjulang Piala Dunia di Mexico.

Malah gol Mokhtar antaranya menerusi rembatan deras lagi tepat bak peluru ke atas England B di Stadium Merdeka pada 1978 mengagumkan ramai pemain, jurulatih, wartawan dan peminat dalam dan luar negara untuk mengikat lawan 1-1.

Gara-gara rembatan jarak jauh yang menewaskan Joe Corrigan itulah, gelaran Supermokh melekat padanya sehingga jurulatih England B, Bobby Robson berkata, "Gol itu sesuatu yang istimewa dan antara yang terbaik pernah saya saksikan."

Sepanjang mewakili Selangor dan Malaysia dari 1971 hingga 1987, Mokhtar menjaringkan 177 gol dalam Piala Malaysia dan 125 gol di pentas antarabangsa selain menjulang trofi itu 10 kali, Pestabola Merdeka, pingat emas Sukan Asia 1974 dan Sukan SEA 1979 di samping bergelar Olahragawan Kebangsaan 1976.
Allahyarham turut dianugerahkan sebagai Ahli Kelab Seabad Gabungan Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) 1999 manakala pada 8 Mei 2010, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan memberikan penghormatan kepadanya dengan menamakan salah satu gelanggang Kompleks Futsal Putrajaya, Gelanggang Mokhtar Dahari.

Selain itu Kumpulan Utusan pernah menerbitkan sebuah buku biografi khas untuk Allahyarham berjudul 'Mokhtar Dahari - Perginya Seorang Legenda Bola Sepak' dengan kata-kata pentingnya dipetik berbunyi, "saya bekerja keras untuk apa yang saya capai hari ini."

Di luar gelanggang, Supermokh turut berbakat sebagai penulis sukan dengan diundang sebagai kolumnis 'Mokhtar Dahari Menulis' dalam majalah terbitan Kumpulan Utusan, Dunia Sukan sekitar 1980-an selain mendukung watak kecil filem komedi, 'Mekanik' pada 1983.

Biografinya berjudul The Untold Truth About Supermokh turut ditayangkan menerusi National Geographic Channel pada 30 Ogos 2010.

Bakri Ibni bintang yang dilupakan

BAKRI berkhidmat secara percuma di Akademi Bolasepak Kelab Nuri bagi membimbing generasi muda.

MENGETAHUI calon yang akan ditemubual penulis bagi ruangan Nostalgia Jaguh minggu ini ialah bekas jaguh bola sepak negara, Bakri Ibni - namanya tidaklah seglamor 'Supermokh', Allahyarham Mokhtar Dahari, 'Tauke' Soh Chin Aun, mahu pun Hassan 'Lipas Kudung' Sani - maka sehari sebelum itu, terpaksalah penulis membuat sedikit homework untuk mengenalinya secara ringkas.

Tidak sukar untuk mencari latar belakang seseorang jaguh sukan. Anda hanya perlukan enjin pencarian Google, taipkan saja nama. Itulah yang dilakukan penulis dan terpaparlah hasil pencarian mengenai Bakri.
Baru penulis kenal rupa-rupanya beliau ialah pemain bola era 70-an dan 80-an, dan beliau juga anggota kesebelasan utama yang melakar kemenangan sensasi 2-1 ke atas Korea Selatan, sekaligus layak ke Olimpik 1980 di Moscow.

Lebih menarik, Bakri adalah salah seorang penjaring gol dalam nostalgia 6 April 1980 di Stadium Merdeka yang masih menjadi sebutan sehinggalah hari ini.

Bagaimanapun, butiran mengenai gol pembukaan yang dijaringkan Bakri gagal dicari dalam mana-mana laman web, yang diketahui ia dihasilkan pada minit ke-12.
Sebaliknya, gol kemenangan pada babak akhir permainan yang diilhamkan Hassan dengan larian pantas mengatasi dua pemain lawan sebelum meleretkan bola itu untuk disudahkan James Wong, dapat ditonton kerana ia dimuatnaik dalam laman Youtube.

Maka dengan itu, penulis berazam mahu memastikan jaringan gol Bakri juga harus diimbas semula untuk pengetahuan pembaca, bukan sekadar pada minit ke-12 seperti yang terpapar dalam kebanyakan laman web.
Jadi, soalan pertama penulis terhadap Bakri yang kini berusia 57 tahun, pada pertemuan Selasa lalu ialah bagaimanakah gol itu menjelma?

Bakri yang memakai kemeja dan berkopiah berkata: "Pada masa itu, saya meluru ke dalam kotak penalti begitu juga James. Satu hantaran jauh dari Shukor Salleh ditujukan kepada James, namun bola termuntah kepada saya yang berada di kanan gawang. James dikawal ketat oleh beberapa pertahanan lawan.
"Jadi saya mengambil kesempatan mengawal bola itu tapi pada masa sama penjaga gol Korea Selatan telah meluru keluar. Saya tenang menolak bola itu menewaskannya.

"Bek kanan Korea berlari ke arah gawangnya sendiri cuba mengeluarkan bola, namun sudah terlewat. Mereka cuba membantah gol itu tidak sah kerana mendakwa bola masih belum melepasi garis gol, namun penjaga garisan teguh dengan keputusannya...saya amat pasti dia jelas melihatnya, begitu juga penonton di stadium.

"Gol tersebut sememangnya cukup bermakna sepanjang karier bola sepak saya."
Korea Selatan menyamakan kedudukan menerusi Kim Gang-nan pada minit ke-58 sebelum gandingan Hassan dan James membuatkan puluhan ribu penyokong Malaysia di Stadium Merdeka bersorak kegembiraan pada malam tersebut.

Terdahulu, skuad negara ketika itu yang dididik Karl Heinz-Weigang pada peringkat kumpulan juga menewaskan Korea dengan 3-0, seri 1-1 dengan Jepun, membelasah Filipina 8-0 dan Indonesia juga dibaham 6-1.

Malaysia menamatkan saingan sebagai juara kumpulan tersebut, namun terpaksa berdepan perlawanan dengan naib juara, Korea menentukan siapa menempah satu lagi tiket mengiringi Syria dan Kuwait mewakili Asia.

Bagaimanapun, Bakri dan rakan-rakan tidak kesampaian beraksi di Rusia berikutan keputusan kerajaan menyahut seruan Amerika Syarikat memboikot temasya berkenaan. Tempat Malaysia digantikan Iraq.
Biarpun tidak jadi ke Olimpik, mereka telah dihantar menjelajah dunia termasuk ke New York, Switzerland dan Jerman.

"Yang paling menarik ialah ketika di Jerman. Weigang mengaturkan perlawanan persahabatan dengan sebuah kelab amatur di Frankfurt yang mana kami menang 11-0.
"Weigang mencabar kami, kalau boleh menang dengan jurang 11 gol, dia akan belanja kami makan di luar. Sebaik mendahului 9-0, kesebelasan utama kami dikeluarkan dan digantikan dengan pemain lebih junior seperti Wan Jamak Hassan.

"10 minit berlalu, jumlah jaringan masih tidak berubah dan entah kenapa, Weigang memasukkan semula Chin Aun untuk bermain sebagai penyerang. Ternyata Tauke memang unggul dan hebat, dia tambah dua gol untuk menjadikan kedudukan 11-0

"Di Zurich, kami bertemu kelab profesional Liga Swiss, Grasshoppers FC. Menyangka kami mudah diratah, mereka silap selepas kami mendahului 2-0. Perlawanan berkesudahan 2-2," ujarnya.
Mengenai latar belakang bola sepaknya pada peringkat awal, Bakri memberitahu, beliau bermain bola sepak secara kompetitif seawal usia 10 tahun.

"Ketika itu, saya bermain di bawah bimbingan Syed Yazid Abdan yang mengendalikan budak-budak di peringkat persekolahan. Saya juga membentuk nilai kepimpinan di dalam diri saya seawal itu, bayangkan saya diberi kepercayaan oleh jurulatih untuk mengemudi latihan seluruh pasukan ketika dia ada urusan lain.
"Untuk kejohanan Sekolah-sekolah ASEAN pertama pada 1969, saya dilantik mengetuai skuad bawah 15 tahun.

"Daripada peringkat sekolah rendah dan menengah mewakili telah negeri, saya kemudian menyertai skuad Singa Utara. Saya tidak pernah berpindah ke pasukan lain sehinggalah pada 1984, saya meninggalkan Perlis atas sebab tertentu dan menyertai Talasco untuk bersatu dengan Allahyarham Mokhtar," katanya.

Bakri juga memiliki kelayakan kejurulatihan dari England dan Jerman, di samping lesen A di Malaysia.
Biarpun pernah menjadi jurulatih skuad kebangsaan dan Perlis, bagi Bakri, saat paling seronok untuknya ialah ketika membimbing pasukan Bank Rakyat yang dianggotai rata-rata daripada golongan kerani, despatch dan pengawal keselamatan, tetapi masih berkeupayaan muncul juara saingan antara bank.

"Satu demi satu divisyen kami panjat, saya sangat bangga dengan pasukan saya kerana mampu bersaing dengan bank-bank lain yang sibuk membeli pemain sana sini. Selama enam tahun itu, saya mempunyai kebebasan penuh dalam mengendalikan pasukan itu," ujarnya.

Ketika ditanya sama ada dia berminat untuk melatih pasukan negeri, Bakri berkata: "Tidak untuk peringkat negeri dan kebangsaan, terlalu banyak campur tangan pihak lain," jawabnya ringkas tanpa mahu mengulas lanjut.

Sesungguhnya sehingga hari ini, cintanya terhadap bola sepak masih begitu mendalam. Selain sibuk berniaga, Bakri masih mencuri masa melibatkan diri dalam bola sepak di peringkat akar umbi.

"Sejak dua tahun lalu, saya menjadi jurulatih Akademi Bola Sepak Nuri secara percuma. Saya akan terus memainkan peranan dalam mengembangkan bola sepak negara, mudah-mudahan ada pemain berbakat daripada kelab ini diterjemahkan kepada pemain bertaraf dunia kelak," katanya mengakhiri perbualan.

Nordin bermula, berakhir di Manila

NORDIN (empat dari kiri) bersama anak-anak didiknya yang bernaung di bawah Nordin Jadi Athletic Club (NJAC) ketika sesi latihan di Stadium Larkin, Johor Bahru. - UTUSAN/RAJA JAAFAR ALI

LAGAK jalannya masih seperti dahulu, bertenaga dan penuh yakin. Biarpun tubuhnya kian dimamah usia, ketangkasannya menghayun kaki menyusuri trek lumba lari di Stadium Tan Sri Hassan Yunus, Larkin, Johor Bahru tetap seperti zaman kegemilangannya pada 1980-an.

Semasa era kemasyhurannya, sebut sahaja nama Nordin Jadi, pasti segenap lapisan masyarakat mengenali wajah atlet tinggi lampai yang mengharumkan nama negara dengan memenangi emas dalam acara 400 meter pada Sukan SEA di Bangkok, Thailand pada 1985.

Nordin mencatat 47.18 saat untuk menewaskan lawannya dari Filipina, Romeo Gido (47.50) dan I. Wayan Budi (48.03), sekali gus memadamkan memori pahit berpuas hati dengan pingat perak di Sukan SEA edisi sebelumnya di Singapura.

Walaupun disanjung, namun Nordin tidak sesekali alpa dengan kejayaan itu, malah semangat juangnya terus berkobar-kobar dengan memenangi beberapa kejohanan sama ada di dalam atau luar negara selepas itu.
Semasa ditemui Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini, anak kelahiran Bukit Gambir, Muar yang kini berusia 49 tahun itu tetap bersemangat bercerita perkembangan terbaru serta mengimbau kembali nostalgia silam yang tetap 'membalut' perjalanan hidupnya sehingga kini.

Bapa kepada empat cahaya mata ini tidak segera menjawab apabila ditanya kenangan manis semasa masih bergelar atlet, sebaliknya melirikkan senyumnya sambil membayangkan setiap momen manis ketika beraksi di pentas balapan.

Nyata lirikan itu penuh makna dan menurutnya, kenangan yang tidak boleh dilupakan semasa beraksi pada pentas Sukan Olimpik 1984 di Los Angeles, Amerika Syarikat.

"Itulah kali pertama saya masuk Sukan Olimpik. Ketika itu saya berjuang dalam dua acara iaitu 200 meter dan 400 meter. Bayangkan penyertaan pertama membuatkan saya terpaksa berentap dengan jaguh dunia yang lain, namun demi negara dan sukan tercinta, saya tekad untuk berjuang sedaya upaya.

"Pada waktu itu, saya sekadar mampu bertempur sehingga saringan kedua iaitu mendapat tempat kelima dalam acara 200 meter dengan catatan masa 21.88 saat, manakala bagi 400 meter merakam masa 47.12 saat," katanya.

Menurutnya, walaupun tidak berjaya meraih pingat dalam kedua-dua acara itu, namun penyertaan pada Sukan Olimpik tetap membanggakan kerana bukan semua atlet yang mampu bersaing ke peringkat berkenaan.

Bagi acara 200 meter, meskipun tidak berkesempatan berlari bersama jagoan pecut Amerika Syarikat, Carl Lewis, mahupun pemegang rekod dunia, Pietro Mennea dari Itali, pelari yang diundi bersama dalam saringan dua bukan calang-calang orang.

Salah seorangnya, Ralf Lubke dari Jerman Barat ialah pelari pecut yang melangkah ke aksi akhir dan meraih tempat kelima pada temasya tersebut.

Begitu juga dalam acara 400 meter, Nordin berpeluang berlari bersama juara 400 meter benua Afrika, Gabriel Tiacoh dari Ivory Coast, yang merupakan pemenang pingat perak acara berkenaan di Los Angeles.
Nyata penyertaan itu terus membakar semangatnya apabila turut sekali lagi melayakkan diri ke sukan yang sama bagi acara 400 meter di Seoul, Korea Selatan pada 1988.

"Biarpun gagal memenangi sebarang pingat, namun saya berjaya membaca cabaran negara untuk acara 400 meter dengan mendapat tempat keenam dan catatan masa 49.52 saat," katanya.

Dalam tawa yang masih bersisa mengenang kembali memori itu, Nordin yang pernah menerima Anugerah Olympiad pada 2005 berkata, penyertaannya dalam kedua-dua acara di Sukan Olimpik biarpun gagal memenangi sebarang pingat, tetapi dia tetap memberikan saingan kepada jaguh-jaguh dunia yang lain.
Seperkara lagi yang tidak mampu dilupakannya apabila dia sambil berseloroh memberitahu 'segalanya bermula dan berakhir di Manila'.

Menurutnya, penglibatannya dalam pentas sukan antarabangsa sebenarnya bermula apabila menyertai Sukan SEA di Manila, Filipina pada 1981.
"Lebih nostalgia, larian terakhir saya juga ketika beraksi pada Sukan SEA di Manila 10 tahun kemudian," katanya.

Walaupun kini tidak lagi bergelar atlet, cinta Nordin pada sukan olahraga tidak pernah padam dan kini dia meneruskan kerjaya dengan menubuhkan sebuah pusat latihan yang diberi nama Nordin Jadi Athletic Club (NJAC) yang beroperasi di Stadium Tan Sri Hassan Yunus, Larkin.

Ishtiaq pernah jadi kebanggaan Asia

ISHTIAQ sempat meluangkan masanya berbual mesra bersama atlet pelapis negara sebelum sesi latihan dimulakan di trek Majlis Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

NAMA Ishtiaq Mubarak sudah tidak asing lagi bagi peminat sukan olahraga tanahair, tambahan pula jaguh negara itu adalah antara bintang yang jarang diperoleh negara berikutan kejayaan gemilang yang pernah dilakar dalam acara 110 meter lari berpagar.

Beliau merupakan anak watan yang berjaya melangkah ke Sukan Olimpik sebanyak tiga kali iaitu pada 1968 di Mexico, 1972 di Munich dan yang paling manis adalah pada 1976 di Montreal.

Pada Temasya Olimpik 1976 itu Ishtiaq berjaya mara ke peringkat separuh akhir acara 110m lari berpagar iaitu peringkat paling tinggi buatnya. Malah sehingga kini masih belum ada lagi atlet olahraga tempatan yang mampu menyaingi pencapaian tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, sebelum melakar kejayaan tersebut, Ishtiaq telah melalui pelbagai cabaran yang cukup getir buatnya sebagai atlet olahraga.

Enam tahun sebelum ke Olimpik Montreal 1976, Ishtiaq terlibat dalam kemalangan sewaktu dalam perjalanan dari Seremban ke Kuala Lumpur yang mengakibatkan pemandu kenderaan yang dinaikinya terbunuh, manakala dia pula cedera parah.

Doktor yang merawat Ishtiaq memberitahunya bahawa dia perlu melupakan karier sebagai atlet berikutan kecederaan serius pada tulang pinggul dan rahang muka akibat kemalangan itu.

Keadaan yang dialami Ishtiaq itu sudah cukup membuatnya hampir berputus asa, namun semangat sebagai seorang atlet yang ada dalam tubuhnya membuatkan Ishtiaq kembali bangkit untuk mencabar keupayaannya ketika itu.

Pada tahun 1971 Ishtiaq kembali beraksi dalam Sukan SEA di Kuala Lumpur dan berbekalkan semangat juang tinggi dia berjaya memperoleh pingat emas.

Selepas itu, langkahnya semakin pantas dan keinginannya juga semakin tinggi iaitu ingin menawan Olimpik pada tahun 1972 selepas kecundang pada 1968.

Bagaimanapun, faktor kecederaan menjadi penghalang utama Ishtiaq selepas melangkah kaki ke Olimpik Munich 1972.

''Saya amat kecewa ketika itu kerana jika tidak mengalami kecederaan sudah tentu saya mampu menyumbang sesuatu buat negara.

''Namun itu tidak berakhir dengan kegagalan kerana selepas itu saya mula mengumpul pengalaman yang ada untuk dijadikan sebagai rujukan pada masa akan datang.

''Malah, saya juga sempat menjalani latihan di Jerman sebelum ke Olimpik Montreal 1976 bersama dengan seorang jurulatih kebangsaan yang juga warga Jerman.

''Banyak yang saya belajar antaranya catatan masa saya juga dapat diperbaiki selain berupaya mengawal teknik-teknik semasa lompatan dan larian,'' kata Ishtiaq.

Peluang latihan di Jerman dapat dimanfaatkan dengan baik oleh Ishtiaq apabila berjaya mara ke saingan separuh akhir yang ketika itu dikuasai oleh jaguh dunia dari Amerika Syarikat.

Ishtiaq berupaya mencatat 14.27 saat dalam saringan kedua untuk layak ke separuh akhir, namun ketika pertandingan, dia mencatat 14.21s dan tersingkir.

Kecemerlangan itu membolehkan Ishtiaq dipilih untuk mewakili benua Asia dalam Kejohanan Piala Dunia pertama yang berlangsung di Jerman pada 1977.

Pada kejohanan tersebut Ishtiaq sekadar memperoleh tempat keenam dalam acara 110m lari berpagar.
Kini Ishtiaq yang telah mencecah usia 63 tahun, hanya mampu berkongsi pengalaman dan kemahiran yang ada sebagai jurulatih kepada atlet pelapis dalam acara 110m lari berpagar.

Kepada atlet olahraga yang sedia ada kini, Ishtiaq ada pesanan yang mahu disampaikan.
''Atlet yang sedia ada kini mempunyai semangat serta kualiti yang tinggi dan janganlah sia-siakan masa depan karier anda sebagai atlet olahraga kerana sumbangan anda kepada negara akan terus diingat oleh negara ini.
''Saya tetap berkeyakinan akan ada atlet olahraga mampu mencapai tahap yang saya perolehi di Olimpik Montreal.

''Selagi saya masih berkemampuan untuk melatih, saya akan terus berjuang bagi memastikan akan ada bintang-bintang baru yang mampu bersinar dan yang penting fokus pada apa yang dilakukan,'' jelas Ishtiaq.

Prof. Dr. Helmut Digel (GER)

Date of birth	6 January 1944
Nationality	German
Civil status	Married - 1 child
Languages	German, English

ProfessionDirector of the Institute of Sports Science
Position held within the IAAF IAAF Vice President since 2001 IAAF Council Member since 1995 Vice Chairman of the IAAF Marketing/Promotion Commission Member of the IAAF Development Commission
Position held in National Federation Honorary President of DLV 1993-2001 President DLV (German Athletic Federation) 1994-date Vice-President of the German Olympic Committe
Active sports career:
Former First League Olympic Handball player Former Coach of an Olympic Handball Team
Past and present offices held
Professor of Sports Sciences at the Universities of Frankfurt and Tübingen and since 1985 at the University of Darmstadt. Head of the Scientific Council of the German Sports Federation (Deutscher Sportbund) Member of the Presidency of the German Sports Federation Member of the board of the Federal Institute of Sports Science (Cologne) Advisor to the government of Germany in its international co-operation policy on sport Author on sports systems & development in the following countries: Ecuador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru, Venezuela Helmut Digel, who guided the German Athletics Federation through the difficult early period of reunification, is now focussing on his work in the IAAF Council, specifically in the area of marketing and promotion How did you become involved in athletics? When I was a child, taking part in athletics competitions was a matter of course. High jump, shot put, long jump and sprint fascinated any kid in sport clubs. I myself participated in my regional championships. Later, however, I decided to play handball in the national league. But even then, I continued to compete in athletics.  What do you personally gain from athletics? Training and competition were of utmost importance to me for finding my identity. Doing exercise in a group, competing against others, showing what one is capable of, these are still very important aspects of pedagogy. Is there an athlete or a moment in particular that inspired you? For me personally, outstanding athletes were Manfred Germar, Martin Lauer, and Armin Hary. Willi Holdorf was an idol too after winning an Olympic gold medal in decathlon. Have you ever been involved in sport in a different way - as a coach or official for example? Since my early childhood, sport has been the most important part of my life. Besides athletics, I played table tennis in a regional league, later I was coach and I worked on an honorary basis in sporting bodies. You have one child. Is he or she active in the sports world? No question, also my son has focused on physical education in school. He is interested in badminton, but also in athletics he is quite strong. Tell us more about your career outside of the IAAF (Director of an Institute of Sports Science)… I studied the German language, cultural sciences, sociology, and sports science. Thus, I tried to build my professional career in sport. After my PhD I worked at many universities in the world and soon I was engaged as professor at the University of Frankfurt. From there, my way led me to the university of Darmstadt and then to my hometown university in Tübingern, where I have been directing the institute of sport science for two years now. What are your hobbies and interests? I am interested in many things. Unfortunately, I have not got enough time to follow my hobbies. I like skiing, tennis and jogging. I like folk music, but also musicals and in particular guitarists like Eric Clapton. As President of the DLV, how would you account for Germany's traditional success in athletics, and for the popularity of athletics in your country? As president of the German athletic federation I have tried to give the federation a new reform structure. It was of major importance to me that the federation entered into long-term partnerships with TV and strong business partners. I managed to do so in those 8 years. Staff has been renewed and communications has been improved. We can be proud of our success. You became President of the DLV (in 1993) during the unification period of Germany. What problems did you encounter in bringing two different athletics cultures or systems together? The process of unification will still go on for some more years, until equal conditions will be established in East and West. This applies also to sport and athletics. The process of unification has been mastered by our athletes first. Our national team has a real team spirit now. Overcoming the past is more difficult, in particular for the elder generation where ideological controversies still exist. Feeling nostalgic, some people are likely to forget the dictatorial past of the GDR. They glorify certain conditions and do not want to understand that the former GDR structure cannot be applied to an open democratic society. You have been DLV President for the past eight years (NDLR Mr Digel will not be standing for re-election). What do you believe your achievements were during this period and what is your legacy? Upon my election I pointed out that leading positions should be limited in duration for the sake of innovation and the empowerment of women. Therefore, after eight years, I have decided to step down as president, staying however within the DLV. In the past eight years we have achieved a lot. Our national teams have been very successful. After the first year which was not very strong (the DLV hosted the World Championships in Stuttgart in 1993 but its team members enjoyed only modest success), the coaches' structure was reformed, talent promotion was guided by a strict performance philosophy and we coped with the difficult issues like athletics for children and youth. The last couple of years, were finally marked by stability. Our youth team was very successful at the last World Youth Championships and our juniors were ranked first at the World Junior Championships in Chile. At the last World Championships in Seville our team ranked second. At the same time we have succeeded in optimising our economically relevant events, the indoor and outdoor championships, the DLV Gala, and our international combined events meeting. Now, we have got 100,000 spectators a year in the stadia and our TV audience amounts to more than 100 million. The financial situation is stable and the federation's headquarters is an architecturally interesting building owned by the DLV itself. As Vice-Chairman of the IAAF Marketing-Promotion Commission, do you feel that the IAAF is doing enough to promote athletics, and how do you think we can improve? The promotion of athletics has to be improved world-wide. This applies also to the promotion of our World Series, our World Championships, the World Cup and any other major event in athletics. In my opinion, communication tools have not been exhausted to the benefit of athletics. For this purpose, however, the IAAF is in need of reliable organisers in the hosting countries. Unfortunately, too often bidding candidates have promised what the event cannot deliver. Because of this there is a permanent danger of losing face with marketing and TV partners. This risk has to be minimised in the interest of a safe future for the IAAF. This will also enable us to find new business partners. For this purpose our agency ISL needs the support of all member federations. All parties involved have to understand that contracts are the basis of professionalism in sports marketing. Rights that have been granted once have to be respected. They cannot be questioned each time an organisation would like to, for selfish reasons. So, control will become very important to the IAAF. And before awarding attractive events to our members, much more detailed evaluations need to be made in order to avoid ambush marketing, false promises and inadequate sporting facilities. The IAAF, in collaboration with ISL, is making a significant investment in Internet development. Do you think that the importance of Internet is justified or exaggerated? Because it is such a new medium, discussions about Internet are sometimes difficult. Only a few people really have the knowledge to talk about the Internet's future. There are also really unrealistic expectations regarding the source of revenue the Internet may represent for federations. Nonetheless, the Internet is an interesting opportunity, also regarding the IAAF website. Completely new means of communication are possible and in particular the prospects for internal communication may be cost saving on a mid-and long-term basis. So, investments in Internet are urgently needed. I would recommend approaching precise projects. They should be planned and subjected to monitoring. Moreover, creative partnerships with internet experts would be useful. You are heavily involved in the development of sport in Germany and throughout the world, where does this passion for development stem from? Since the start of my studies, I have been interested in societies and social change, in comparing cultures and in development questions. Study trips led me at an early stage to visit the so called less developed countries and I soon realised just how unjust social conditions can be and how immense is the gulf between North and South in global terms. We must try to reduce the existing inequality between the continents with mid and long-term policies. Sport can play a prominent role in this respect as I have shown in many scientific evaluations and consultations offered to countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For me personally, the development activities of the IAAF are the most important investment for the future. I am glad about any success of athletes coming from so-called developing nations. When global athletics is increasingly composed of smaller nations and less developed countries, we can show that athletics is more than just a sport. However, I would like to add that the development question is not limited to poor and young nations. For quite a long time development has become a question, also for those of us working in the "old" world. * KBS mendapatkan khidmat perunding dari kerajaan Jerman Barat (pada masa itu) untuk membuat kajian kemungkinan pembinaan sebuah ISN. Akhirnya datanglah satu pasukan terdiri daripada dua orang pegawai yang diketuai oleh Prof. Helmut Diegel untuk menjalankan kajian berkenaan dan saya menjadi pegawai tempatan kepada pasukan berkenaan.	Kajian telah diselesaikan dan dicadangkan supaya sebuah institut sukan ditubuhkan dengan beberapa jabatan di dalamnya khususnya dalam bidang sains sukan.- Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad.

Doa Shabery Buat Malek Noor

Meskipun belum berkesempatan mengunjungi bekas jaguh bina badan negara, Dato’ Malek Noor yang diserang sakit jantung dua hari lepas, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek tetap mendoakan agar bekas Mr.Asia sebanyak 6 kali itu segera sembuh dan kembali aktif seperti sedia kala.

“..saya belum berkesempatan untuk melawat tetapi saya sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan, saya mengambil tahu keadaan beliau sejak beliau diserang sakit jantung", reaksi Shabery ketika ditanya Suara Sukan.

Gambar diambil ketika rombongan Yakeb tiba di Stadium Ipoh

Shabery berkata Malek Noor, yang terpaksa dikejarkan ke Hospital Pantai Ipoh pada Rabu selepas diserang sakit jantung ketika menyertai Perlawanan Bolasepak Amal antara Pilihan Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (YAKEB) dan Pilihan Menteri Besar Perak adalah salah seorang tokoh sukan disegani, dan yakin peminat Malek Noor di luar sana pastinya turut mendoakan kesihatan beliau.

Malek, 56 tahun sememangnya dikenali sebagai seorang yang cukup menghiburkan ekoran sifatnya yang sentiasa suka melawak, serta peribadinya yang suka merendah diri baru pulang dari mengerjakan umrah 19 Mac lalu, dan banyak terlibat dalam aktiviti bersama YAKEB sejak kebelakangan ini.

Ketika menyertai aktiviti YAKEB

Beliau yang juga bekas finalis Mr.Universe serta Pengarah Eksekutif Universal Fitness & Leisure, cukup popular pada era 1980-an dan pernah dinobatkan Olahragawan Kebangsaan pada 1986 dan 1990. 

Selain kejaguhannya dalam dunia bina badan, Malek juga dikenali sebagai pelakon - antara filem dibintanginya, Juara, Rimba Malam, Pendekar Mata Satu dan Sahabat.

**Gambar koleksi Arkib YAKEB 

Bicara Lagenda - Marina Chin

Bagi peminat sukan Olahraga, nama Marina Chin pastinya belum pudar daripada ingatan, ratu pecut dan lari berpagar yang mencipta nama di lapangan olahraga tanah air, lebih 30 tahun lalu dengan deretan pencapaian mengagumkan.

Melihat ‘portfolio’ Pengetua Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil ini, nyata penulis sendiri tergamam dan satu mukasurat pastinya tidak memadai untuk menceritakan episod pencapaian hebat lagenda Olahraga tanah air ini.

Menyingkap penglibatannya sebagai atlet, ianya bermula hanya sekadar satu kebetulan apabila beliau beraksi mewakili Sekolah Convent Sentul, pada Kejohanan Olahraga Antara Sekolah Zon Utara Selangor pada usia 16 tahun (1971) – itupun secara ‘suka-suka’.

 

Kemenangan dalam dua acara pecut - 100 dan 200 meter menyemarakkan semangat Marina untuk terlibat secara lebih serius dan penampilan pertamanya di pentas Sukan Sea berjaya membantu pasukan negara selaku tuan rumah meraih pingat emas dalam acara 4 x 400 meter pada tahun yang sama – kejayaan yang disifatkannya sebagai paling manis sepanjang bergelar atlet.

Pada March 1972, Marina memperbaharui rekod kebangsaan acara 200 meter dengan catatan 26.6 saat, 0.2 saat mengatasi rekod lama pada Kejohanan Allcomers Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Selangor di Stadium Merdeka.

Bergelar guru adalah impian yang menjadi kenyataan buat Marina, dan pada 1975, beliau yang merupakan guru pelatih di Maktab Perguruan Seri Kota, meraih pingat Perak lari berpagar 400 meter Kejohanan Olahraga Asia di Seoul, Korea Selatan.

Pada September tahun  yang sama, Marina meneruskan kecemerlangannya, apabila sekali lagi memperbaharui rekod kebangsaan, acara lari berpagar 100 meter dengan catatan 15.2 saat, serta acara 400 meter lari berpagar dengan catatan 64.9 saat di Kejohanan Olahraga Terbuka Singapura.

Ianya tidak terhenti di situ, tahun berikutnya, Marina meraih emas acara 100 meter lari berpagar dengan catatan 15.3 saat Kejohanan Olahraga Jemputan Filipina di Manila, dan seterusnya
memperbaharui rekod kebangsaan dengan catatan 28.4 saat dalam acara lari berpagar 200 meter pada
Kejohanan Olahraga Terbuka Malaysia di Alor Star, Kedah pada Ogos 1976.

Kejayaan demi kejayaan yang dilakar menyaksikannya dinobatkan selaku Olahragawati Kebangsaan dan Selangor untuk dua tahun berturut-turut, 1976 dan 1977.  

Pada Sukan Sea 1977, Marina meraih emas berganda acara 100 dan 200 meter, dan hampir menyamai pencapaian sifunya, M.Rajamani dengan meraih emas ketiga jika tidak gara-gara kerana kesilapan pengadilan.

Pada 1979 pula, gandingan Marina bersama Saik Oik Cum, V.Angamah dan Zaiton Othman menghadiahkan Malaysia pingat Perak acara 4x400 meter pada Kejohanan Antarabangsa Trek & Padang Asia Tokyo.

Beliau kemudiannya meraih emas acara lari berpagar 100 meter, dan 4x400 meter pada Kejohanan Sukan Sea ke-10 Jakarta, pada tahun yang sama.

Andai wajah manis yang menjadi rebutan ramai jejaka suatu ketika dahulu ini meneruskan kariernya, pastinya sejarah lebih gemilang tercipta, namun Marina memilih untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke Amerika Syarikat, pada 1980.

Sumbangannya bagaimanapun tidak terhenti di situ, pulang selepas menamatkan pengajiannya dalam bidang Sarjana Muda Sains dan Sarjana Kesusasteraan, Marina menyumbang khidmatnya di Kementerian Pendidikan, selain terlibat secara serius dalam pelbagai aktiviti dan seminar memartabatkan sukan olahraga tanah air bersama Majlis Sukan Negara.

Ditanya misi utamanya selaku Pengetua SSBJ ketika ini - melahirkan jaguh Olimpik dari kalangan pelajar SSBJ.