Two-time Mr Asia Bujang Taha dies

Two-time Mr Asia and one of Sarawak's best known bodybuilders, Bujang Taha, died last night at the Sarawak general hospital, reportedly due to complications brought about by mouth cancer and infection to his lungs.

The 77-year-old Bujang, who won the Mr Asia titles back-to-back in the bantamweight category in 1980 and 1981 died at 10.47pm, according to his daughter in-law Suzana Ibrahim.

His body was brought back to his house in Kampung Tanjong, Petra Jaya, prior to burial this morning.

Bujang was admitted to hospital last week for asthma.

“The family accepts his passing,” Suzana said.

Bujang, however, died without fulfilling his wish to see his long-time friend, Datuk Malek Noor.

Malek was delayed as he reportedly could only fly to Kuching today.

It was supposed to have been a reunion of sorts for the two decorated bodybuilders whom Bernama had described “were like brothers”.

News of Bujang's illness and admission into hospital went viral in the social media.

It was through postings in Facebook that Malek, the six-time Mr Asia in the heavyweight category, got to know that Bujang was ill.

Bujang first represented Sarawak in the Mr Malaysia competition in 1975 where he won in the Master category.

That same year, he was picked for the last South East Asian Peninsula (SEAP) Games in Bangkok where he won gold.

In the renamed South East Asian (SEA) Games four years later, Bujang won silver and in the next two years, he was unbeatable as Mr Asia in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Asian Amateur Championships.

Bujang, however, failed to make it a hat-trick of wins when he only finished a runner-up in the 1982 competition.

In the waning days of his international career, he won the silver medal at the 1983 Asian Games and bronze in the 1987 SEA Games in Jakarta before capping it with a silver two years later in the same Games which was held in Kuala Lumpur.

Three years ago, Bujang lost almost all his medals, trophies and sporting memorabilia he had collected over the years when a fire razed his home. – October 13, 2014.

Bujang Taha Masuk Hospital Kerana Asma

KUCHING, 8 Okt (Bernama) -- Bekas jaguh bina badan negara Bujang Taha kini dirawat di Hospital Umum Sarawak (HUS) kerana menghidap asma.

Beliau mendapat rawatan sudah hampir seminggu dan dinasihati doktor agar kurang bercakap.

"Saya sudah dapatkan rawatan di HUS hampir seminggu. Semalam doktor tebuk untuk keluarkan air di bahagian paru-paru saya. Nak tengok?," katanya berjenaka dan menambah sejak dirawat, anak serta cucunya bergilir-gilir menjaga beliau.

Bujang, 77, merasa teruja kerana keadaanya turut disebarkan menerusi laman Facebook yang turut mendapat respons seorang lagi bekas jaguh bina badan negara, Datuk Malek Noor serta bekas Pengerusi Eksekutif Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (Yakeb) Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaafar yang juga bekas ratu pecut negara.

Bujang berkata Malik berjanji akan datang melawatnya.

Beliau berkata seorang lagi bekas atlet bina badan negara dari Sarawak iaitu Solomon Ismanto juga sedang dirawat di HUS.

Sempena perayaan Jubli Emas Kemerdekaan Sarawak baru-baru ini, Bujang diberi Pingat Terpuji Jubli Emas (P.T.E) bersama dua lagi bekas atlet negara kelahiran Sarawak iaitu Watson Nyambek (pelari pecut) dan Sapok Biki (tinju).

Pada kemuncak kariernya, Bujang memenangi gelaran Mr Asia sebanyak empat kali iaitu pada 1980, 1982, 1983 dan 1986 selain memenangi dua pingat emas pada Sukan SEA di Kuala Lumpur pada 1977 dan di Jakarta pada 1979.

Beliau pernah bertanding Mr Universe di Belgium pada 1982.

Bekas Ketua Skuad Kebangsaan Era 60-an Meninggal Dunia Akibat Sesak Nafas

IPOH, 17 Ogos (Bernama) -- Bekas ketua skuad kebangsaan era 60-an dan 70-an Abdullah Yeop Noordin meninggal dunia akibat sesak nafas ketika dalam perjalanan ke Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun di sini, awal pagi tadi.

Abdullah, yang berusia 74 tahun, meninggal dunia pada 2.05 pagi.

Allahyarham meninggalkan isteri Zoraida Kamaruzzaman, 71, serta lima anak iaitu Arnez, 49, Arneza, 48, Ariez, 47, Arieza, 43, dan Nor Azam, 38, serta 12 cucu dan empat cicit.

Arneza berkata jenazah bapanya dikebumikan pada 11.45 pagi tadi di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Tasek Bercham selepas disembahyangkan di Masjid Kampung Tersusun Bercham Tasek.

Menurutnya bapanya mengalami batuk teruk ketika sedang menonton televisyen di rumahnya di Taman Gerbang Bercham Selamat di sini pada 12.30 tengah malam.

"Bapa saya menghidap penyakit kencing manis dan darah tinggi, namun pemeriksaan baru-baru ini menunjukkan kedua-dua penyakitnya itu terkawal. Beliau hanya dirawat untuk batuknya baru-baru ini," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama hari ini.

Beliau berkata bapanya, yang juga merupakan Pengajar Kokurikulum Bola Sepak di Universiti Teknologi Petronas sejak 15 tahun lepas, mengalami batuk teruk sejak dua hari lepas sehingga menyebabkannya sukar bernafas.

Allahyarham, yang dahulunya digelar 'harimau berantai' kerana corak permainannya yang hebat, pernah berkhidmat seabgai Pegawai Sukan di Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNP) selepas menjadi jurulatih pasukan Perak selama setahun pada 1988.

Abdullah pernah sepasukan dengan allahyarham Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat, allahyarham Datuk Muhammad Mokhtar Dahari dan mendiang R.Arumugam.

Koh Eng Tong “Iron Man of Malaya”

In 1950, the British Government in Malaya organised a team of four weightlifters to participate at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand for the first time under the Union Jack. This was the first time weightlifting was introduced at the Games, known then as the British Empire Games. Without any funding from sports organisations, the four weightlifters paid for their own expenses to participate at the Games.

Nobody expected Koh Eng Tong, one of Malaya’s pioneer and foremost professional photographers, to win the Featherweight category. Eng Tong won the very first Commonwealth Games gold for the country, lifting 310.5 kg (684.5 lbs). He was ranked one of the top ten Featherweight Lifters in the World the following year.

Eng Tong started practicing weightlifting at the age of 14 in his backyard. A weakling as a child, he one day decided that he had been bullied enough, and started building his body. His brother in law used to wield a cane to get Eng Tong to lift the iron weights. This strength of character and discipline took him far on his journey as a sportsman and businessman.

He took part in the Federation Weight Lifting Championship in 1941, clinching third place. In 1948, he made his international debut at the All China Olympic Meet, representing Malaya in Shanghai and won the Gold. That same year, Eng Tong was offered to compete at the world championships in Paris under the Singapore flag. Malaya at that time was not affiliated to the World Weight Lifting Federation. Tempting as the offer was, he declined because of the loyalty he felt for his country. 

Eng Tong was also part of the first Malayan contingent to make an appearance at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Later that year he was crowned “Champion of Champions” at the National Weightlifting Championship. Two years later, he retired from active competition.

Koh Eng Tong passed away in 2006, leaving behind a golden legacy of discipline, loyalty and dedication that will serve as a benchmark for all present and future Malaysian athletes.

“One should never be mean or cruel if one wants to live happily” ~ Koh Eng Tong

1950 Weightlifting Team

Toh Fook Hung (Bantam weight - Gold), Koh Eng Tong (Feather weight - Gold), Thong Saw Oak (Light weight - Silver), Tan Kim Bee (Light heavyweight - Bronze) 

AHF To Establish Hall Of Fame To Commemorate Sultan Azlan Shah

 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Father of Malaysian Hockey, the late Sultan Azlan Shah, will be immortalised at the Asian Hockey Federation's (AHF) Hall of Fame at the Raja Ashman Shah Hockey Academy, Ipoh, Perak.

Acting AHF President Tan Sri P. Alagendra said AHF council members have agreed to form a committee for the Hall of Fame expected to be ready latest by December.

"We've all agreed to immortalise memories and contributions of Sultan Azlan Shah in raising the name of national hockey to the world in the Hall of Fame.

"No one is more eligible to receive this honour than him. We want the younger generation to know and remember his role in hockey," he told reporters after chairing the 66th AHF Council Meeting.

The committee, to be chaired by P. Alagendra, aims to commemorate those names which contributed to hockey in the region.

Alagendra was appointed as acting president in the meeting following Sultan Azlan Shah's demise on May 28, with the new president to be chosen during the AHF Congress scheduled on Aug 31.

Sultan Azlan Shah was AHF president for the past 20 years and had achieved much to uphold hockey in the region as well as established the Asian Hockey Academy.

Sultan Azlan, who was appointed as International Hockey Federation (FIH) Vice-President for two terms in 1992, loved hockey since his years in school and had never tired in improving national hockey for the past 41 years and until the national team finally stood at par with the world's best teams.

Sultan Azlan Shah who had represented the Perak hockey team, which is among the best teams, was former Malaysian Hockey Confederation Vice-President in 1973 before leading it for two decades, and was then appointed as its Honorary Adviser.

More needs to be done for our retired athletes

Filepic shows the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak receiving a RM50,000 donation for the National Athletes Welfare Foundation from Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan in 2010. 

THE future seems bright if you’re not standing in a national athlete’s shoes.
But, the reality is, although I had some plans when I retired from badminton, they were daunting when it came time to act on them.

After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as I stared into the face of retirement, I felt quite lost.
I wanted to turn pro and start a business but the process was challenging - at least from the onset.

As a successful badminton player, I knew my worth and my strengths, but as I left the courts and went out into the real world, it was a different ball game altogether.

It might still be manageable if one sticks to the sport or starts a business related to it. There is a slight advantage too if one is popular. Otherwise, it is a tough zone and quite intimidating too.
Fortunately, I had good advice from some seniors, friends and my supportive family.

After going through some hardships, my badminton centre and other businesses (owned with some partners) have picked up and are doing much better than I had expected.
I have been lucky.

Not all athletes successfully make that transition from sport to retirement. There seems to be a lack of proper direction and transition plans for athletes to fall back on after they call it a day.
A few things may have improved since I left but I believe we need something more concrete for our athletes when they retire.

After all, these athletes have served their country to the best of their abilities, sometimes even risking health and injury.

All national athletes are warriors although they fight in different war zones to keep the nation’s flag flying high. These athletes leave the scene - some earlier than others - for various reasons, but most of them give the same amount of hours in training and commitment.
Don’t these athletes deserve appreciation and benefits?

I have a few suggestions for the national sports associations (NSAs), National Sports Council and the government, to help athletes transition from their glory days to the reality of retirement.
A pension scheme involves big money and the details need to be sorted out, including how it would be distributed.

In Malaysia, Olympic Games medallists draw a monthly salary for life. That is great but what about the others?

Some athletes from non-Olympic sports like squash, karate and bowling have given up their childhood and teenage life and sacrificed their time and talent too in pursuit of sports excellence - are they less of an athlete?

I agree that a lot of thought needs to go into this pension proposal but I believe it is workable.
Even a small amount will go a long way for the athletes as they re-construct their lives outside the sports field.

I would also suggest that the NSAs or governement create options for studies, medical and insurance.
A lot of young players come into their chosen sports field with so much hope and dreams. Some make it but some don’t. And some walk out of the sports centre - without knowing what the future holds for them.

A structure could be put in place whereby an athlete gets to choose to further his college studies for free after his lifespan as an athlete is over. This option is a great way for the government to reward these athletes for their contributions.

The move would also give the athletes’ parents assurance that their children will not end up as dropouts if they do not excel in sports. It will encourage parents to motivate their children to choose sports as a career.

Athletes should also enjoy medical and insurance benefits even after they stop serving the nation. Most of the time, their insurance coverage is phased out when their sporting career fizzles out. I think, that is not right.

There is YAKEB (National Athletes Welfare Foundation) which looks into the athletes’ welfare. I appreciate what they do but their scope is still very limited.
It is my hope that the government or NSAs will show some appreciation for our national athletes beyond their glory days.

While this pension and retirement benefits would be a means to sustain them, the athletes themselves should not completely depend on them.

They should always strive harder for better opportunities.
Do not choke when life gets tough - that is not the hallmark of an athlete.
Many athletes like me have a fighting spirit which is cultivated from a young age. We have been taught to pick ourselves up when we fall.

We have also been taught to remain humble no matter how big a success is.
It is my hope that our athletes hold on to these teachings and showcase the right attitude as they continue with their life’s journey after retirement.

Former badminton singles player Wong Choong Hann won the gold medal at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the silver at the 2003 Birmingham World Championships, and with the Malaysian team he bagged the silver at the Thomas Cup in Guangzhou in 2002 and Hong Kong in 1998.

 

 

Skuad hoki catat sejarah baharu

SKUAD hoki negara mencipta kejutan selepas menamatkan saingan Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 di tempat ketiga.

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SKUAD negara menutup tirai Kejohanan Hoki Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 di Kuantan, Pahang kelmarin dengan kejayaan tempat ketiga sekali gus memahat sejarah baharu arena hoki tanah air.
Sebelum ini, pencapaian terbaik skuad negara pada kejohanan tersebut ialah menduduki tempat keempat sebanyak dua kali iaitu di Quilmes, Argentina pada 2012 dan di laman sendiri pada edisi 2001 yang lalu.

Malah, skuad negara juga difahamkan telah melonjak satu anak tangga daripada ranking ke-13 kepada ranking ke-12 dunia ekoran kejayaan yang dilakarkan pada edisi Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 kali ini.

Menurut ketua jurulatih, Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah, sejarah baharu yang dilakarkan ini serta perubahan ranking dunia merupakan satu pencapaian yang sangat membanggakan.
“Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah) iaitu Presiden Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia memberitahu saya bahawa jumlah pungutan mata kita telah membolehkan kita memintas kedudukan Afrika Selatan (pasukan di ranking ke-12 dunia).

“Mungkin belum rasmi tetapi daripada apa yang dititahkan Tengku Abdullah, jelas ia merupakan satu kebanggaan kepada negara.

“Skuad ini juga merupakan skuad negara yang pertama berjaya mendapat gangsa dalam mana-mana kejohanan anjuran FIH (Persekutuan Hoki Antarabangsa). Kejayaan ini adalah sejarah baharu kepada negara,” katanya ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Bagaimanapun, Dhaarma Raj tidak terlepas untuk meluahkan kekecewaan sejurus menyaksikan skuad bimbingannya ‘terlepas’ tiket final gara-gara tewas kepada Kanada menerusi penentuan pukulan penalti pada aksi separuh akhir Sabtu lalu.

Menurutnya, skuad negara berpeluang mara ke final dan boleh menewaskan Kanada berdasarkan kemampuan dan potensi sebenar setiap pemain.

“Bagi pandangan peribadi saya, saya memang kecewa gagal ke final. Kita sudah berjaya menewaskan New Zealand (ranking keenam dunia) dan laluan sudah terbuka luas untuk sekurang-kurangnya menjadi naib juara ataupun juara.

“Saya tidak kata Kanada pasukan yang lemah tetapi berdasarkan kemampuan kita, kita boleh kalahkan Kanada. Tiada kesilapan mana-mana pemain kerana kita adalah pasukan yang jauh lebih baik.

“Kita patut memenangi perlawanan tersebut (menentang Kanada) dan banyak peluang yang diperoleh. Saya rasa jika kita sempurnakannya, situasi itu akan berubah (penentuan pukulan penalti).
“Apa pun, tempat ketiga yang diraih pada kali ini adalah satu sejarah baharu dalam sukan hoki negara. Saya harap semua pemain dapat memperbaiki kelemahan masing-masing jika kita berhasrat meraih emas pada Sukan Asia nanti,” jelasnya.

Berakhirnya Cabaran Juara-Juara 1, skuad negara akan mengharungi tiga lagi kejohanan utama pada tahun ini iaitu Piala Dunia di The Hague, Belanda (31 Mei ini), Sukan Komanwel di Glasgow, Scotland (Julai) dan Sukan Asia di Incheon, Korea Selatan pada September depan.