Kisah R.Arumugam Bakal Dibukukan

SHAH ALAM: Kisah bekas penjaga gol kebangsaan mendiang Datuk R. Arumugam bakal dibukukan peminatnya dalam usaha mengetengahkan kegemilangan bola sepak negara pada era 70-an hingga 80-an kepada orang ramai, khususnya belia.

Datuk Sheikh Rajesh Sheikh Ahmad berkata antara lain, pihaknya berusaha mendapatkan maklumat mengenai Arumugam menerusi Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia dan rakan mendiang untuk dimuatkan dalam buku yang bertemakan "Semangat Bola Sepak Malaysia" itu.

"Saya mengharapkan penerbitan buku ini akan dijadikan sebagai bahan bacaan dan rujukan oleh golongan belia mengenai kegemilangan sukan bola sepak tanah air sekitar tahun 1970-an dan 80-an," katanya kepada pemberita pada sidang akhbar di sini Selasa.

Sheikh Rajesh, yang juga penganjur Kempen 'Saya Benci Rasuah Bola Sepak' Selangor, berkata buku itu akan diterbitkan selewat-lewatnya penghujung tahun ini.

"Selain diedarkan ke sekolah dan Institut Pengajian Tinggi, hasil jualan buku ini akan diserahkan kepada keluarga mendiang bagi mengurangkan beban mereka," katanya.

Sepanjang hayatnya, mendiang yang turut dikenali sebagai "Spiderman" kerana ketangkasan menjaga gawang gol, pernah membantu skuad negara merangkul pingat gangsa pada Sukan Asia 1974 di Tehran, Iran.

Arumugam, yang meninggal dunia pada 1988 ketika berusia 35 tahun akibat kemalangan jalan raya, merupakan anggota skuad kebangsaan yang layak ke Sukan Olimpik 1980 di Moscow, Rusia namun Malaysia tidak menyertainya kerana membuat bantahan serangan Soviet Union ke atas Afghanistan ketika itu.

Mengulas penganjuran kempen itu di Klang Ahad ini, Sheikh Rajesh, yang juga pengerusi sebuah kelab bola sepak swasta, berkata beberapa aktiviti dirancang bagi memeriahkannya.
"Antara aktiviti yang bakal dijalankan ialah Jelajah Fiesta bola sepak tujuh sebelah, persembahan artis dan juga gerai jualan.

"Selain itu, kita turut menyediakan kain rentang bersaiz besar bagi mengumpul sebanyak mungkin tandatangan daripada para belia yang hadir pada hari itu untuk menyatakan sokongan mereka terhadap kempen yang kita jalankan," katanya.

Kempen itu dilancarkan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Razali Ibrahim di Muar, Johor pada 1 April lepas dan ia bertujuan menghapuskan rasuah dalam sukan bola sepak.  

Book On 'Spiderman' Arumugam's Life Story To Be Published

SHAH ALAM, April 10 (Bernama) -- A book, describing the life story and achievements of the late Datuk R. Arumugam or better known as 'Spiderman' will be published soon.

Arumugam, born on Jan 31, 1953 in Port Klang with exceptionally long arms and brilliant saves, earned him the nickname "Spiderman".

Datuk Sheikh Rajesh Sheikh Ahmad who initiated the move to publish the book said to ensure the book was published, he would gather material and pictures from Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia as well as collect pictures and paper cuttings from friends and those who knew him.

"I hope the published book can be used as a reading material and reference for youths to relive the glory days of Malaysian football during the Golden Era of the 70s and 80s," he told reporters here Tuesday.

Mat Boeing — the speed legend

KELANA JAYA: The passing of former international M. Viatilingam has shocked many, especially Negri Sembilan coach Azraai Khor Abdullah.

The Kedahan died at around 5am yesterday in George Town after battling brain cancer for almost two months. He was 60.

Viatilingam and Azraai go a long way back as they were childhood friends who grew up playing football in Alor Semagom — a small village in Alor Star.

“In fact, Viatilingam and I were neighbours. We lived just one kilometre away from Darulaman Stadium,” recalled Azraai.

“We started playing football at the same time, when we were nine or 10-years-old and we went on to play for our kampung. Our team was known as the Hospital Rangers.”

Both lads went on to represent the state youth team in the Burnley Cup in 1968.

“The first Burnley Cup we played in 1968 was in Malacca followed by the 1969 (Negri Sembilan) and 1970 (Sarawak) editions. Both of us were promoted to the senior squad a year later and we both also joined LLM (now known as TNB) in 1972.”

However, Viatilingam first represented the country at the 1975 Bangkok Sea Games but joined Azraai in the King’s Cup tournament held at the Thai capital two weeks after the regional Games.

“We did many things together but he represented the country before I did. But we played alongside each other in the King’s Cup.”

Viatilingam’s final national cap was at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok while the defender last donned Kedah’s Hijau Kuning colours in 1982.
He retired from TNB in 2008.

“It’s really sad as his wife passed away months ago and he now leaves behind a son,” Azraai added.
Former internationals Reduan Abdullah, Datuk Soh Chin Aun and Datuk Santokh Singh also had fond memories of Viatilingam.

“We called him Mat Boeing as he was a very speedy player, just like the Boeing airplane,” said Reduan.
“It’s really sad to hear of his passing. He was a good player.”

Chin Aun was shocked when told of the news.
“I’m sad, really sad. I didn’t know about it,” said Chin Aun.

Santokh said he was informed of Viatilingam’s death yesterday, adding that the latter was a hard tackler but a nice man off the pitch.

“It’s a sad day for all of us,” Santokh added.

How Milo became the catalyst to sports development

The clarion call for sports in our country is “Malaysia Boleh” which, in a way, is synonymous with “Milo Boleh”.

And Milo, a fortified food drink from Nestle, has certainly made its mark in Malaysian sport. Probably most of us have gingerly lined up for the drink from a van or a container during our school’s sports day. And how we almost died of thirst when we don’t see the green-coloured van.

And Milo is certainly Nestle’s success story as it has transcended all boundaries to become a household name synonymous with children and sports in Malaysia.

Today, Nestle, a leading specialist in nutrition, health and wellness products, will be celebrating their 100th anniversary, a milestone which few companies in Malaysia can reach.

In retrospect, there’s always the Milo presence in any sports in our country. And then came the “Malaysia Boleh” slogan which was formulated by Milo in 1992.

Familiar sight: Children lining up to get a drink from the Milo van which visits schools on sports day.

 

It was coined after a brain-storming session between former Nestle sports marketing manager Datuk Dina Rizal and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Dina, who has been with the company for 30 years and who retired in 2003, fondly said reminiscently: “In 1992, former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah asked us to look at ways to encourage and support the Malaysian athletes during overseas competitions like the SEA Games. So after a brain-storming session, we came up with several slogans.

“At the end we selected “Malaysia Boleh”. It was to be launched for the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore. It involved getting signatures and messages of support from people of all walks of life – from the King to the common people. It proved to be a massive success with more than 1.5 million signatures collected.

“In 1998, for the Commonwealth Games which was held here in Kuala Lumpur, we managed to get a record five million people involved. I am sure it is still in the Guinness Book of Records.”

Schools, districts, states and even national level sports have Milo either as sponsors or partners in their development programmes. Many of today’s top athletes like bowler Shalin Zulkifli, world squash champion Datuk Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee and the swimming contingent have taken part in Milo events before bursting into the national scene.

So, what has made Nestle’s Milo such a popular brand and how did they reach out to the masses, especially the kids?
It was first introduced in 1950 and their early catch phrase was “It’s Marvellous What MILO Can Do For You” and then it evolved into “MILO Brings Out The Champion In You” in 2000. Currently, it is just two words – “Go Further” .

They have certainly gone further to walk the talk in helping, motivating and supporting sports in our country.
Ng Ping Loong, who took over from Dina, said that the success of the brand is also due to the policy in helping kids develop their skills in sports. Nestle’s commitment to the brand has never wavered and the policy to play a part in the development of sports is an ongoing process.

“We also believe that sports is a great way to bring people together and that there is a champion in every kid. The question is finding it and nurturing them to become one,” said Ping Loong.
Ping Loong said the hard work in promoting the Milo events has paid off.

“We are into almost all the development programmes in sports. And we plan to continue doing so. Nestle has a long-term interest and its 100 years in Malaysia is proof that we plan to stay much longer” he added.
Ping Loong wishes to invite readers to celebrate the 100th anniversary at Dataran Merdeka from 2pm to 10pm.

OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, who has dealt with Milo over 40 years, said there is no question about Milo’s ability to sustain their partnership in sports.

“I was the secretary of the Selangor Swimming Association in 1971 when I first dealt with them.
“And until today, we find that Milo has remain faithful to the sports development programmes.”

Former National Olympian Nashatar's Health Improves

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- The health of former national Olympian Datuk Nashatar Singh has shown signs of improvement after he was warded for a week at the Kuala Lumpur Gleaneagles Hospital.

The 73-year-old who went to the Olympics for two games, suffered back and nerve pains and needs a wheelchair to move about.

Currently, he is undergoing special physiotherapy as part of rehabilitation.

"Maybe, in a few days, I could go home after finishing my physiotherapy," Nashatar was quoted as saying, in a statement issued by the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb).

Among his greatest achievements were two gold medals (javelin) in the 1965 SEAP Kuala Lumpur, one gold (javelin) in Asian Games in Bangkok (1966), six gold medals (javelin) from 1967 to 1975 in Sea Games and also gold medal in shot put (1967).

Can Malaysia emulate 1966 feat of an All-England double?

BIRMINGHAM: Can Malaysia dare to dream of a double in the 114th edition of the All-England badminton championships?

Today, the best of the best, including Malaysia’s main hopes Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, get down to do battle in the first round at the National Indoor Arena here in Birmingham.

It is the perfect tournament for the players to get the mood and feel of the Olympic Games as England is in full swing with its massive preparations to host the Games in London from July 27-Aug 12.

Milestone: Tan Yee Khan (left) and Ng Boon Bee (right) won the doubles title while Tan Aik Huang lifted the singles at the All-England in 1966.

 

The Olympic qualification period ends on April 29 and, with time running out, expect both the medal hopefuls and pretenders to outdo themselves in pursuit of points and honours.

For Malaysia, it will be an Olympian boost if Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong can emerge champions to end the country’s 46-year wait for the double, which Tan Aik Huang and Ng Boon Bee-Tan Yee Khan delivered in 1966.

Realistically though, only Chong Wei, going for a hat-trick of wins, has a chance. The defending champion has a good draw and is motivated to equal the late Wong Peng Soon’s extraordinary feat of winning the title for three consecutive years from 1950-1952.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist, Chong Wei, who had two days to get used to the cold climate here, has vowed to sizzle.

“All the top players are here and the competition will be one of the toughest in recent times. It looks like a small Olympic Games competition,” he said.

Chong Wei, who won the South Korea and Malaysia Open earlier this year, will be mindful of the strong China presence.

In his half of the draw are Wang Zhengming, his first round opponent, and Du Pengyu, while Lin Dan, Chen Long and Chen Jin are in the bottom half. All of them will be eager to undermine Chong Wei’s confidence ahead of the Olympic Games.

It would be a perfect climax if Chong Wei meets Lin Dan in the final but Chen Long and Chen Jin will certainly have a say on that.

Both Chens may not have won any titles so far this year – with Chen Long suffering from an injury at the Korea Open and Chen Jin battling with inconsistency – but they will be eager to make a mark ahead of the Olympics.

Click on image to view larger chart.

 

As for the 2007 champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong, it could be all over today when they take on Japan’s second pair of Naoki Kawame-Shoji Sato in the opening round. Or they may prove the sceptics wrong and bulldoze their way to their third final. It all depends on how determined they are to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the men’s doubles.

They did well at the Thomas Cup qualifiers in Macau with a win over South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong last month, but many are still unconvinced that the duo have recaptured their form of old.
Said national doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her: “Koo and Tan have to be more consistent. There are positive signs in the way they carry themselves on court. It is this renewed determination, fire and improved tactical play that I want to see here.”

A win will be a tremendous boost as Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been searching in vain for a Super Series title since winning the 2010 Malaysia Open. It has been nothing but heartbreak ever since with misses in the finals of the 2010 World Championships, 2010 Asian Games and 2011 All-England.

The other Malaysian players here all face uphill tasks although Tee Jing Yi (women’s singles), Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui (women’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) are expected to shore up their chances of qualifying for the Olympics.

Cycling - Historic moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  FATEHAH Mustapa created history as the first Malaysian woman to be crowned Asian champion on a day that saw Malaysia regain their dominance of the keirin in the Asian Cycling Championships at the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome.

The final day of track events yesterday also saw Josiah Ng lead a one-two finish for Malaysia in the men's keirin final, when the 32-year-old finished ahead of compatriot Azizulhasni Awang.

   In the junior women's keirin final, rising star Ummi Hamimah Mohamad  wrapped up her second silver medal and finished her debut in the Asian meet with two silver medals and a bronze.

   The women's keirin was always going to see Fatehah needing to pull out something extra with China featuring two riders in Xu Yulei and Shi Jingjing, and Hong Kong's hot favourite Lee Wai Sze backed up by Diao Xiaojuan.

   "I just followed (head coach) John Beasley's instructions. I knew that I should not expand too much energy early on so that I could put everything into a final sprint," said Fatehah, 22.

   After the derny released the free-for-all, Fatehah played it calm, staying close to Wai Sze, who went full gas for the finish line with more than half a lap to go with the Malaysian staying tight on her rear wheel.

 As the race approached the final bend it seemed like the powerful Wai Sze had done enough to fend off Fatehah, but when they hit the home straight for the final dash the Malaysian found another gear and blasted past, sending a packed velodrome into ecstatic celebrations.

   Wai Sze was a spent force as she put everything into the chase and was overtaken by Yulei at the finish line. The Hong Kong star had to settle for bronze this time, after easily beating Fatehah in the 200m sprint final.

   Fatehah registered not just the country's first Asian Championships gold in a women's event, but her best personal achievement outside of the regional Sea Games.

   "It feels great to have this piece of history because I've never been able to win a gold medal at this level. The past few years were disappointing as I didn't even win a medal in the keirin, so this puts all of that behind me," said Fatehah.

   This performance had Beasley reminding Fatehah of the potential he has seen in her all along.

   "I've always said that she can win Olympic gold, so this is a great step for her. For her to win here must give her the confidence. Now, we'll look at the World Cup in London and the World Championships where I hope she will step it further," said Beasley.

   The home crowd were again sent into wild celebrations as Josiah led Azizul across the finish line after the duo worked their way around the Japanese pair of Yuddai Nitta and Kazunari Watanabe in the men's keirin final, with China's Zhang Lei surprisingly a non-entity throughout the race.

   Josiah registered his first Asian title, while Azizul, who was the centre of attention, wasn't disappointed with having to settle for his second silver medal after losing out to Watanabe in the 200m sprint final on Friday.

   Sportsman of the Year Azizul said he was still recovering his form and was happy with the outcome of this Asian Championships as he builds towards the World Championships in Melbourne in April and the London Olympics after that.

   "There's still a long way to go to get to my best form, but this was a good outing. I was feeling good here and there was no more problems with my injury," said Azizul.

  "This result shows we're dominating the keirin at this level again. Now we're looking at the World Cup and Olympics, where I hope to be at my best form."

   Ummi Hamimah again earned praise for her gritty performance in the junior women's keirin final, only just losing out to South Korea's Kim Sola, who she had also lost to in the 200m sprint final on Friday.

   "I feel more like I've lost two gold medals, rather than winning two silver medals. Today (yesterday) I left it till too late to make my move and lost out on the gold medal which I wanted so badly," said Ummi Hamimah, 17.

   The national team ended the track campaign with three gold, six silver and six bronze medals. The road events begin in Putrajaya tomorrow.