MOTOGP: Their finest hour!

BEST EVER: Zulfahmi scorches to second spot as Hafizh defies the odds to finish fourth from 27th on the grid

(From left) AirAsia-SIC-Ajo’s Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Red Bull KTM-Ajo’s Sandro Cortese and Mapfre Aspar-Kalex KTM’s Jonas Folger celebrate on the podium after the Moto3 in Sepang yesterday. Pic by Mohd Yusni Ariffin 

THE 21st  Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix turned out to be a blockbuster for the record 77,000 crowd that packed the Sepang Circuit as  Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah produced  what was by far the greatest day in the history of Malaysian motorsport.

Moto3 rider Zulfahmi, 21, had already created history by qualifying as Malaysia's first pole sitter in any world championship in motorsport and yesterday he produced the first ever podium finish by a Malaysian when the AirAsia-SIC-Ajo Motorsport rider finished second to Germany's Sandro Cortese, who effectively sealed his first Moto3 World Championship title.

There was not one soul among the 77,000 spectators who was not behind Zulfahmi as the Sepang Circuit also hit record decibels as a frenzied crowd got fully behind the local hope and were sent into a delirium when he crossed the finishing line just missing out on a sensational victory after being overtaken by Cortese at the penultimate turn.

Inspired by that, 17-year-old Hafizh of the Petronas Raceline Malaysia team gave the crowd an even bigger sensation, defying his status as a wild card in the Moto2 race to battle his way from 27th grid position in wet conditions into the lead by the ninth lap as the partisan crowd, even if out of disbelief, sent out an ecstatic roar never before experienced at this circuit.

Hafizh, later acknowledged that even amid the noise and the thick cover of his helmet, he could hear the crowd get behind him, inspiring him to produce what was the shock result of the season. He also lived up to his nickname of "Pescao" or Little Fish, earned because of his ability to ride well in wet conditions while racing in the Spanish CEV Buckler Moto2 Championship this year.

It could have easily been a victory for Zulfahmi, who also surpassed his targeted 100 points in the season with 112 points, consolidating his seventh spot in the championship, and meeting his pre-season target of bagging his first podium ever. This was also only the second podium finish in his entire career, the first one coming four years ago in the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.
"I knew we had the power and the right set-up for this race and I was able to be in the front pack. Starting from pole helped. I was just biding my time in the early part of the race as I learned from my experience, that I should take the lead too early. So I allowed Jonas Folger to lead in the first nine laps," said Zulfahmi, who is from Banting.

"Then I saw some drops of rain hit my visor and I knew if it began to rain, the race would be stopped. That was the moment when I pushed and took the lead, but in the end, it didn't really rain until after the race. I know I could have won, but for a mistake that led me to slip on the penultimate corner, which allowed Cortese to take the lead.

"At that moment I tried to regain the lead, but I almost slipped as I hit a bump and we were at the last turn, so I thought it would be better to take second spot rather than crash and get nothing. I'm pretty satisfied with this result and I know the victory will come soon, maybe in the next race. I'm also really proud to have achieved it in front of such fantastic home support."

Zulfahmi's performance sent the best vibes possible down the pitlane into his younger compatriot Hafizh, who also drew inspiration from his favourite condition - rain which began to fall at just the right time.

"When I saw what Zulfahmi achieved, I just believed that I could do it too. Everything else didn't matter. And when it began to rain, my mechanic called out 'Pescao, come here' and he showed me that it was raining. That drove my confidence up even more," said Hafizh.

"From the start, the conditions were really my favourite and I just began overtaking them one by one, I didn't care that I was starting from 27th, I just believed that I could do it each time I saw a rider in front of me," said Hafizh.

"But the effort in pushing from 27th to first spot had caused a lot of degradation of my rear tyre. Then when it began to rain again, I didn't have the grip I required from the rear tyre. It was hard to hold on and I dropped down to fourth after I was overtaken by Alex de Angelis, Anthony West and Gino Rea."

Hafizh earned a massive roar of approval from the grandstand for his thrilling performance, as they made their feelings heard as he crossed the track to bow and thank them after the race.

Former Renowned Sabah Sportsman Dies

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Former renowned Sabah sportsman Datuk Dilbagh Singh Kler died here early this morning following a short illness.

He was 76 and is survived by his wife, Datin Amrit Kler, three children and a grandson.

He breathed his last just before 5am at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2 after being warded for a week, his eldest daughter, Jaswinder told Bernama.

"It was totally unexpected. But he hasn't been well because he was already old," said Jaswinder, a former New Straits Times journalist and wife to Bernama Sandakan Chief Haslin Gaffor.

The Kota Kinabalu-born Dilbagh was a renowned athlete who represented Malaysia in several international tournaments in the 1960s such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games (then known as British Empire & Commonwealth Games).

-- BERNAMA

Garry, the man with the loudest car, passes away

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian motorsports lost a colourful character with the passing of Garry Chua Ah Seng (pic) on Tuesday night. He died of leukaemia.

The 69-year-old Garry, who became known as one of the best rotary racer and engine tuner in the region, had been ill for some time and his condition took a turn for the worse after being admitted to hospital.

Many members of the motorsports fraternity have been paying their respects at his wake in Cheras.
And it is no exaggeration to say that he will be fondly remembered by his racing peers of the late 70s and 80s as the person behind the wheels of the loudest car on the track.

Garry drove the RX-7 Savanna and the sound he created used to send shudders down those close by, taking him to numerous race wins.

Bernard Chin was a journalist for Asian Auto Racing magazine in the 80s before he joined rallying and recalled how it easy it was to pick out Garry.

It was the days before the Sepang track came into existence and the likes of Yoong Yin Fah (now Hanifah Yoong), Harvey Yap, Garry and their generation of auto racing heroes were burning rubbers either at the Esplanade in Penang, Pasir Gudang track in Johor or the Shah Alam Motorsports Paradise (SAMP) circuit in Batu Tiga, which has since been demolished.

“You just go to the car with the loudest noise. There were a few Mazda RXs around at that time. Garry had his car exhaust modified and it really produced glass-shattering noise,” said Bernard.

“It was the worst in Penang when the noise echoed between buildings and I had to wear ear plugs to be on the track.

“He was also slow with his words when interviewed and many wondered how such a person can be so quick on the track.”

Garry, who owned a service centre in Petaling Jaya, later ventured into the rallying scene.
He managed and ran the Perodua Rally Team for a year and it went on to become a dominant name in the local rally scene.

Garry’s funeral will be held at 11am tomorrow at Hall 10, Xiao En Centre, 1, Jalan Kuari, Cheras.

A true legend

LEGENDARY centre-forward Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat, affectionately known as "Raja Bola", died yesterday, leaving an indelible mark on Malaysian football.

Ghani underwent a triple bypass heart surgery on Thursday but succumbed to complications at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He was 76.

Ghani was laid to rest at the USJ 21 Muslim cemetery in Subang Jaya after Friday prayers. He leaves behind wife Puan Sri Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim and four children.

A centre-forward and occasional inside-left during his playing days from 1952 to 1968, Ghani bagged every domestic honour available as he won the Malaysia Cup seven times and the FAM Cup -- then the premier knockout tournament in the country -- six times with Selangor.

Ghani, who once scored 10 goals in an inter-state competitive match, carried his domestic form to international level with his goals leading Malaya to three Merdeka Tournament titles and the Asian Games bronze in 1962 while firing Selangor to the 1967 Asian Club Championship final.

FA of Malaysia deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah paid tribute to Ghani, who turned down a chance to play professionally with Cardiff City in 1962, by describing his demise as a great loss to the country.

"My condolences to the family of Tan Sri," said Tengku Abdullah. "Sadly, the nation has lost a football legend. May Allah bless his soul and put him among the righteous ones."

National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal, among many other Malaysian legends who played under Ghani when he coached Selangor from 1983 to 1985, said Ghani remained humble despite the many successes during his career.

"He was my coach during the 1980s and though I did not get to see him play, he was a legend. He was also very humble and he always encouraged me and gave me advice on how to improve as a player.

"I always looked up to him and this is a great loss to the nation," said Rajagobal.

Another former international, Reduan Abdullah, described Ghani as the best coach he ever had.

"To me, he was the best coach I ever worked with," said Reduan. "He was like a mentor to me. I am so thankful to him for what he has done for me. He brought the best out of every player and I will never forget the time when we (Selangor) won the Malaysia Cup in 1984."

Born in Rantau, Negri Sembilan, Ghani grew up in Kuala Lumpur and joined Police Depot in the Selangor League in 1952 in his first competitive outing before moving on to Selangor Rangers.

He was picked to play for the state team in 1953 and claimed his first national honour when Selangor shared the FAM Cup title with Kelantan after a 1-1 draw in the final the same year.

In 1954, Ghani made his Malaya Cup debut in Selangor's 1-0 defeat to Perak on April 24 before scoring the first of his over 100 goals for Selangor in a 5-0 win over Kedah on June 20.

In all, Ghani featured in eight Malaya Cup and Malaysia Cup finals, winning seven and scoring in four finals in 1959, 1961, 1963 and 1968.

A Straits Times preview of the 1956 final likened Ghani to free-scoring Singapore legend Awang Bakar and described the Selangor centre-forward as "a player, who with a couple of lightning thrusts and crashing shots, can be a match-winner."

"Ghani is what Awang Bakar was for Singapore, a player who lurks like a dark shadow behind every defender's mind, who draws them all to his compelling and darting presence and yet eludes them in a flash when his moment comes."

Ghani had his best year in 1963 when an all-conquering Selangor team won all 15 matches in the Malaya Cup with a record 106 goals with the forward accounting for 34 goals, including four in the 6-2 final rout of Penang.

Two years earlier, Ghani scored a remarkable 10 goals in Selangor's 19-0 FAM Cup semi-final rout of Kelantan which attracted the interest of Bill Jones, the manager of Cardiff City who were then just relegated from the English First Division.

Ghani, along with Singapore's Quah Kim Swee, were offered professional terms but both turned the Welsh club down.

In the European winter of 1962-63, Ghani and Malacca's Robert Choe embarked on a four-month trip to Germany, England and Spain to train with top European clubs.

After spending two months in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt, they left for England where they had planned to train with West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham.

But the extremely cold weather conditions in England only allowed the duo to train intermittently with the Hammers though they were able to watch several FA Cup ties before watching Real Madrid train in Spain.

Eintracht coach Dietmar Kremar said of Ghani: "Quite an excellent player. A match-winner in the best European manner."

Ghani first played for Malaya in a non-international friendly against Hong Kong league champions Kowloon Bus Company in 1954 but marked his full international debut in March 1956 by scoring seven goals in a 9-2 rout of Cambodia at the TPCA Stadium.

The 1968 Malaysia Cup final, which saw Selangor hammer Penang 8-1, marked Ghani's retirement from football.

- NST

'Raja bola M'sia' ditawar bermain di Liga EPL pada 1962

Mungkin ramai tidak tahu, 'Raja Bola' Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat yang meninggal dunia hari ini merupakan pemain Malaysia yang pertama ditawarkan beraksi di Liga Perdana Inggeris pada 1962.
  
Allahyarham dilamar kelab Cardiff City yang mahu beliau menjadi pemain profesionalnya, namun Allahyarham menolak. Sebaliknya, Abdul Ghani membuat keputusan menjelajah England dan Eropah selama empat bulan.
  
Allahyarham menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya pada 10.34 pagi ini di Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) di sini, akibat komplikasi selepas menjalani pembedahan pintasan jantung pada hari Selasa.
  
Allahyarham, yang berusia 77 tahun, meninggalkan balu Puan Sri Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim dan empat anak iaitu dua lelaki dan dua perempuan.
  
Abdul Ghani yang dilahirkan pada 23 Disember 1935 di Rantau, Negeri Sembilan mula aktif dalam sukan bolasepak pada 1954 dengan menyertai pasukan Selangor Rangers dan Kelab Polis Depot.
  
Pada 1957, Allahyarham mula mewakili Malaysia dalam kejohanan Pestabola Merdeka.
  
Uniknya, perlawanan itu berlangsung di Stadium Merdeka pada malam 30 Ogos 1957 sebelum berlangsungnya upacara kemerdekaan negara pada keesokan hari.
  
Beraksi sebagai 'inside forward' yang licik dan lincah pada sekitar tahun 1960-an, permainan taktikalnya di depan gol sering menggerunkan pihak lawan.
  
Pada 1962, Allahyarham mengikuti kursus empat bulan di kelab Eintracht Frankfurt di Jerman dan West Ham United di England.
  
Allahyarham yang mempunyai sijil kejurulatihan dari Persekutuan Bolasepak Antarabangsa (FIFA) pada 1969, pernah menjadi jurulatih kebangsaan dari 1971 hingga 1976.
  
Selain membawa Malaysia menjuarai kejohanan Pestabola Merdeka dari 1958 hingga 1960, Allahyarham pernah mengetuai skuad kebangsaan meraih pingat emas pada Sukan SEAP (kini Sukan SEA) 1961 di Rangoon (kini Yangoon, Myanmar) dan pingat gangsa pada Sukan Asia 1962 di Jakarta, Indonesia.
  
Walaupun dilahirkan di Negeri Sembilan, namun Allahyarham lebih banyak terlibat dengan arena bola sepak di Selangor sebagai pemain dari 1953 sehingga 1968 sebelum menjadi jurulatih skuad Gergasi Merah dari 1970 hingga 1972.

Sebagai menghargai sumbangan beliau, Persatuan Bolasepak Selangor  (FAS)  menganugerahkan gelaran "Raja Bola' kepada Allahyarham pada 1959.
  
Sesuatu yang menarik, Allahyarham pernah menjaringkan 106 gol dalam 15 perlawanan sehingga dianugerahkan gelaran Pemain Bola Sepak Terbaik bagi tahun 1959 dan 1960.
  
Penglibatan aktifnya dalam dunia bola sepak berakhir pada 1993 dengan menjadi jurulatih kepada skuad Piala Emas Raja-Raja bagi pasukan Selangor.

Allahyarham kemudian menumpukan perhatian kepada perniagaan syarikat elektroniknya di Petaling Jaya.
  
Allahyarham dianugerahkan pingat Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) yang membawa gelaran Tan Sri pada Jun tahun ini. - Bernama

Perginya seorang lagenda bolasepak... Al-Fatihah

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept -- Raja bola, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Minhat meninggal dunia di Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) pada Jumaat akibat komplikasi selepas menjalani pembedahan pintasan jantung di institut itu.

Allahyarham, 77, menjalani pembedahan itu pada Selasa lalu dan menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada 10.34 pagi ini, kata adik iparnya, Datuk Nik Kamaruddin Ismail kepada Bernama, di sini.
Nik Kamaruddin berkata jenazah Allahyarham akan disembahyangkan di masjid Kampung Baru, di sini sebelum dikebumikan selepas solat Jumaat di Tanah Perkuburan Islam USJ 21, Subang Jaya.

Allahyarham Abdul Ghani meninggalkan isteri Puan Sri Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim dan empat anak, dua lelaki dan wanita.

Di zaman kegemilangannya di sekitar tahun 1960-an hingga 1970-an, Allahyarham yang bermain sebagai 'inside forward', merupakan pemain yang licik dan lincah dan sering menggerunkan pihak lawan.


Abd Ghani Minhat (The King of Football)

Born in 1935, Ghani Minhatwas put on the path of professional football by a pair of boots hereceived from Police Officers sometime in 1951. In those days, only professionals wore football bootsand Ghani saw thisas a calling for him to upgrade his skills.

By1952 he had earned a place in thePoliceDepotteam. Thisbecame hisstepping stoneto earning a place on the Selangor squad in theMalaysia (then Malaya)Cup series. The left-winger helped to bring in eight Malaya Cup wins and three Merdeka Football Tournament (“Pestabola Merdeka”) wins. He was also partof thevictorious team in the 1961 SEAP Games (now SEA Games) in Rangoon.

One of the finest forwards ofthe 60s, Ghani’ssuperb skills became evident when he fired a volley from 40 yardsto score a goal against Vietnam atthe inaugural Merdeka Tournament in 1957. Together with fellow team mates Robert Choe and Arthur Koh, hecreated a fearsome attack.

Until today,Ghani cherishes his manyexperiences during hisdaysas Malaysia’s top footballer. One ofhismost invaluable experiences was being sent on attachments to several clubs in England (West Ham United, Arsenal, Spurs) and Germany (Eintracht Frankfurt) in 1962. England’s Cardiff Cityalso offered him a chance to go pro, which he declined, choosing instead to go on a study tour ofEngland and Europe. After hestepped down as a player,the FAM senthim to Japan in 1969,to attend the first FIFA Coaching School for Asian Coaches, earning him hiscoaching license.

In those glory days ofMalaysian football, Ghani Minhat became a household name and displayed a wealth oftalent on the field. But equallyimportant, or perhapsmore so, was hisdetermination,grit and desire to win which really made Dato’ Ghani a shining football star.



ACHIEVEMENTS(HIGHLIGHTS):
As Athlete 1952 -Represented the Police Depot in the Selangor League
1955 -Represented Selangor in the Malaya Cup
1956 -Champions ofMalaya Cup (after 6 year draught)
1957 -Inaugural Merdeka Football Tournament [Champions (scored a goal from 40m)]
1959-60 - Merdeka Football Tournament [Champions]
1960 -Scored 34 goalsin 9 matches(record)
1961 -SEAP Games [Gold medal]
1962 -Attachment with clubsin England and Germany
1968 -Malaysia Cup [Champions]

Nicol dianugerah Mejar Kehormat TUDM

RATU skuasy negara dan pemain nombor satu dunia, Datuk Nicol Ann David dianugerah pangkat Mejar Kehormat Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), semalam.
Pemakaian pangkat itu dilakukan oleh Panglima TUDM Jeneral Tan Sri Rodzali Daud pada majlis di Wisma Pertahanan, Jalan Semarak.

Nicol tidak pernah menyangka akan dianugerah pangkat itu dan berharap anugerah itu menjadi pendorong mencatat lebih banyak kejayaan.
“Saya ingin merakam setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada Jeneral Tan Sri Rodzali dan TUDM kerana diberi penghormatan menerima anugerah ini dan berharap ia menjadi pendorong kepada saya untuk meraih lebih banyak gelaran tahun ini,” katanya.

Nicol akan meneruskan latihan di Amsterdam, Belanda di bawah bimbingan jurulatih dari Australia, Liz Irving.

“Musim kedua kejohanan skuasy baru saja bermula dan saya akan bertanding dalam beberapa kejohanan seperti Terbuka Carol Weymuller di New York, Terbuka China, Kejohanan Berpasukan Dunia di Perancis dan Terbuka Dunia di Cayman Island,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Rodzali berkata, Nicol menjadi atlet pertama dianugerah pangkat itu dan dia sememangnya layak menerimanya selepas melakar banyak kejayaan dalam kejohanan skuasy antarabangsa.

Nicol adalah atlet kedua dianugerah pangkat seperti itu selepas Datuk Lee Chong Wei yang dianugerah pangkat Leftenan Komander Kehormat oleh Pasukan Simpanan Sukarela Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, Julai lalu.