Eight defining moments

IN 1956, the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (known as the Olympic Council of Malaysia since 1964) sent a contingent of 33 athletes from six sports to compete in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics for the first time.

Since then, Malaysia have competed in all the Olympics, except for the Moscow Games in 1980.

Here, we take a look at the highs and lows of Malaysian athletes in the greatest games on earth – the Olympics.

MELBOURNE 1956

THE Malaya hockey team competed in their first-ever Olympics - and their first ever-international competition. Hockey was among the five sports that took part in the Games. The others being athletics, swimming, weightlifting and shooting.

The hockey team did well in the preliminary rounds, losing once, but still ended up in ninth position in the 12-team competition. One of the more illustrious members of the team is Tan Sri P. Alagendra, who later became coach and manager of the national team before rising to become the MHF deputy president.

TOKYO 1964

DATUK Dr M. Jegathesan became the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the semi-finals in the 200m. In Heat 5 of the first round, he clocked 20.92 – which is still a Malaysian record after 44 years! In the second round, Jegathesan recorded 21.4 to qualify for the semi-finals before he was eventually eliminated.

MUNICH 1972

FOR the first time in the history of Malaysian football, the national team – comprising the likes of M. Chandran, Soh Chin Aun, Wong Kam Fook, Shaharuddin Abdullah, Wong Choon Wah, Namat Abdullah, Lim Fung Kee, Ali Bakar and several others – played at the Olympics. Malaysia were drawn in Group A with West Germany, Morocco and the USA.

After losing to the Germans 0-3 in the opening game, Malaysia bounced back to beat the Americans 3-0. But their campaign ended prematurely after being thrashed 6-0 by Morocco.

The football team qualified for the Olympics a second time – Moscow 1980 – but did not take part as Malaysia was part of a US-led boycott to protest against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

BARCELONA 1992

AFTER being a demonstration sport at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and an exhibition sport in 1988 in Seoul, badminton made its full-medal debut in Barcelona.

The Sidek brothers of Razif and Jalani had the honour of becoming the country’s first Olympic medallists when they returned with the bronze medal. Razif-Jalani were guaranteed the bronze after they advanced to the semi-finals. They eventually lost to then world No. 1 South Korean pair of Park Joo-bong-Kim Moon, who went on to win the gold.

ATLANTA 1996

THE play-off for the bronze medal was introduced for the first time and the men’s doubles pairs of Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock and Tan Kim Her-Soo Beng Kiang ensured Malaysia of at least a bronze when they powered their way into the semi-finals.

But second seeds Soon Kit-Beng Kiang went one step further when they beat Indonesia's Deny Kantono-Antonius 15-10, 15-4 to qualify for the final. They, however, went down fighting to top seeds Ricky Subagja-Rexy Mainaky 15-5, 13-15, 12-15 in 84 minutes. The silver medal remains Malaysia’s best ever performance at the Olympics.

SYDNEY 2000

LEE Wan Yuen became the first Malaysian taekwondo exponent to compete in the Olympics when the sport made its debut as a medal sport in Sydney. She had qualified for the Olympics after finishing second in the Asian qualifiers a few months earlier.

However, her Olympic experience lasted only 11 minutes – going down to France’s Myriam Baverel 4-8 in the first round of the women's over 67kg category.

ATHENS 2004

LIM Keng Liat became the first Malaysian swimmer to break into the top 16 semi-finals when he clocked the eighth fastest time of 55.22 in the men’s 100m backstroke. But the Malaysian blew his chance of going one step further when he swam 56.08 to finish 15th overall in the semi-finals. Keng Liat's performance is still the best by a Malaysian swimmer at the Olympics.

Track cyclist Josiah Ng did not earn a medal but he surely deserved one for the way he beat the odds to be among the best in the world in the keirin race. He became the first Malaysian to qualify for a track cycling final and eventually finished fifth. It was the best performance by a Malaysian athlete at the Games and Josiah deservingly won the Sportsman of the Year award.

The Star

Flag Handing Ceremony to the Malaysian Contingent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Mutafi Billah Shah, officially handed the Jalur Gemilang to the Chef de Mission of the Malaysian Contingent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ho Koh Chye, at Istana Negara, on 25th July 2008. Present were YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Tuanku Ja’afar, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and IOC Member, YB Dato’ Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh, Secretary General, Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Zolkples Embong, Director General, National Sports Council, Office Bearers of OCM, Olympic athletes and officials, Presidents and officers of National Sports Association and others.

In his speech, YB Dato’ Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, thanked SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, for his gracious consent to officiate the Flag Handing Ceremony. He stated that the Malaysian Contingent of 33 athletes participating in 10 sports and 29 events, is the largest Contingent, without a team sport, since qualification system was introduced for the Olympic Games. He wished the Olympic athletes success in their quest for medals in Beijing and added that the incentive of RM1.0 million and a RM5,000/= monthly pension for life, to be awarded to any Malaysian Olympic athlete winning a gold medal in Beijing should be sufficient to motivate any athlete in the Malaysian Contingent to strive their best to win Malaysia’s first gold medal in Beijing, come August 2008.

Photos:


SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Mutafi Billah Shah, officially handed the Jalur Gemilang to the Chef de Mission of the Malaysian Contingent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ho Koh Chye, at Istana Negara, on 25th July 2008.


The Chef de Mission of the Malaysian Contingent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Ho Koh Chye, holding the Jalur Gemilang at the Flag Handing Ceremony.


SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Mutafi Billah Shah and other VIPs, with members of the Malaysian Contingent of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.


SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Mutafi Billah Shah (centre), with (from left) Y.Bhg. Dato’ Zolkples Embong, Director General, National Sports Council, YB Dato’ Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, YAM Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Tuanku Ja’afar, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and IOC Member and
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh, Secretary General, Ministry of Youth and Sports


Y.B. Dato’ Seri Shahidan Haji Kassim, President of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia, with members of the Malaysian Swimming and Diving of the Malaysian Contingent.

Jega takes a trip down memory lane with Bata

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a nostalgic moment for former Olympian Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan at the presentation of Power and Bata shoes to athletes gearing up for the Beijing Games.

“My first pair of running shoes was a Bata. It cost only RM1.99 but that was a long time ago,” recalled Jegathesan, who is now the deputy president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). Today, I am happy that Bata and the OCM have remained as partners.”

Jegathesan, dubbed the Flying Doctor during his heyday, had featured in two Olympic Games in the sprint event.

In fact, the 20.92 he clocked in the 200m at the Mexico Games is still a national record.

With his wealth of experience, he took the opportunity yesterday to provide advice and fan the fire among the Olympic-bound athletes to strive for excellence.

“I wish all our ambassadors the best. More than 25 million people are banking on them to win honours at the Games. It will be great if they can win the country’s first gold,” he said.

“But it is all right if they cannot win a medal. It will be an achievement if they can set personal bests. And that should be their goal.”

Yesterday, Jegathesan received the goods on behalf of the Malaysian contingent for the Games from the senior marketing manager, Bata (marketing) Sdn Bhd, Datuk James Selvaraj at the OCM Muzium.

Also present were National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and the OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

The athletes will be wearing specially designed Power sports shoes during the Games and the leather shoes during the march past.

The Star

Yih Hwa bags OCM award for her contribution to lawn bowls

KUALA LUMPUR: For her tireless contribution to the sport of lawn bowls, Choo Yih Hwa was last night declared winner of this year’s Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) Women and Sport Award.

Yih Hwa and four other winners received their awards from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the sixth annual OCM Women and Sport Dinner and Awards Night at the OCM’s Indoor Arena here.

OCM vice-president Low Beng Choo said: “Yih Hwa was selected based on her excellent dedication in producing champions and medal winners at SEA Games, Asia Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games as well as the World Cup since 2000.”

Proud moment: Choo Yih Hwa holding her OCM Women and Sport Award trophy at the OCM’s Indoor Arena Friday.

Yih Hwa, who has been involved in the sport since 1993, has excelled as a state and national coach.

Although involved in management and umpiring, her passion is in coaching and she has attended numerous sport and sport science courses to better equip herself for the challenge.

“As the winner of the main award, her particulars would be sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as Malaysia’s nominee for the international award,” said Beng Choo, who is also the Chairperson of the OCM Women and Sport Committee.

The other winners yesterday were Raja Puan Sri Datuk Noora Ashikin (Special Award for Leadership); Mazidah Haji Musa (Special Award for Development); Joy and Holloway Cheah (Partnership Award) and Norzie Khasbi of Utusan Malaysia (Special Award for Journalist).

The Star

Holloway Cheah picked for his contributions to bowling

BOWLING coach Holloway Cheah is the odd one out among the nominees for the Women and Sports Awards to be announced in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Except for Cheah, who has 43 years of experience in the bowling industry as a player, coach and bowling ball specialist, the other nominees are all women.

The other nominees are Mazidah Musa, Datuk Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, Choo Yih Hwa and Norzie Mohamed Khasbi.

Mentor and charges: Cheah posing with daughter Esther (left) and Shalin.

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) had nominated Cheah for his contributions to bowling. The 66-year-old Cheah was a member of the Malaysian team that won the first gold medal for bowling in the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok.

As a coach, Cheah had played a part in several national women bowlers' career. They include Shalin Zulkifli, Esther Cheah, Wendy Chai, Zandra Aziela, Siti Syafiyah and Zatil Iman.

Mazidah is the Malaysian Netball Association (MNA) secretary and played a vital role in promoting the game in the country. She was the chef de mission when Malaysia emerged champion in the Asian Youth netball championship in Bangalore, India in 2006 – it was the highlight of her career.

Noora Ashikin is the Malaysian Women's Hockey Association (MWHA) president and had initiated several programmes for women's hockey.

Choo is the national lawn bowls coach. As a player, she had represented Pahang in the 1994 Sukma. She was also the coach when Safuan Said won the gold medal in the 2008 World Cup in Australia.

Nozie is a sports journalist with Utusan Malaysia.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah has been invited to present the award to the winner at the ceremony.

The Star

OCM Weekly Highlights: 13th July 2008

Congratulations

The Olympic Council of Malaysia wishes to congratulate Y.Bhg. Dato’ Nicol Ann David, World Women Squash Champion, on being conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negri (DSPN), on the occasion of the 70^th Birthday of Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas, the Governor of the State of Pulau Pinang on 12^th July 2008. The above award carry the title “Dato’”. Nicol, 25, is the young person in Penang to be conferred a “Datoship”.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress and the Malaysian Bowlers for their outstanding performances and achievements at the 20^th Asia Tenpin Bowling Championships held in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, China.

The Malaysian team achieved its best ever results at an Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships by winning 3 gold medals and 4 silver medals to finish second, behind Korea and ahead of Philippines. The best results before the 2008 Asian Championships was in 2006 in Jakarta, where the Malaysian Tenpin Bowlers won 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal.

The Malaysian gold medal winners were Adrian Ang (Men’s Masters), Men’s Team and Women’s Doubles (Shalin Zulkifli and Esther Cheah). The silver medalists were Zulmazran Zulkifli (Men’s Masters), Alex Liew (Men’s Singles), Women’s Team and Men’s Trios (Aaron Kong, Muhd Nur Aiman and Adrian Ang). For details please log into http://www.mtbc.org.my.

17^th KOI World Karate Championships in Latina, Italy

The Malaysian Karate Team participated in the 17th KOI World Karate Championships in Latina, Italy from 29th June - 7th July 2008. The team won 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals The result are as follows:- gold medals from Lim Lee Lee, Women Individual Kata, Tan Chee Seng – Men’s Individual Kata, Mohd. Hatta – Men’s Kumite - 72 Kg. R. Puvanesawran – Men’s Kumite - 65 Kg. and Men’s Team Kumite ; silver medals from Thoe Ai Poh – Women’s Individual Kata and Mixed Team Kata; bronze medals from Chin Fan Ying Women’s Individual Kata and Mixed Team Kata. (Information provided by MAKAF).

9th AKF Junior & Cadets Karate Championships 2008

Malaysia will be hosting the 9th Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Junior & Cadets Karate Championships in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, from 24 - 30 August 2008. Sabah Karate Association will play host on behalf of MAKAF. (Information provided by MAKAF).

3^rd Malaysian Open Fencing Championships 2008

The 3^rd Malaysian Open Fencing Championships 2208 was successfully concluded on 8^th July 2008 at Level 3, OCM Indoor Sports Arena, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur, with 13 countries including Malaysia and 10 states participating in the Championships, with a total of over 300 fencers.

The last two days (7^th & 8^th July) of competitions were devoted to the team events for men and for women in Epee, Foil and Sabre. Of the 6 team events, Korea won five with Malaysia winning the remaining one in Women’s Epee. The Malaysian team managed to win another 3 silver medals in the Men’s Sabre, Women’s Sabre and Women’s Foil.

At the end of the Championships, Korea won 9 gold medals, 4 silver medals. Uzbekistan was second with 2 gold medals and 2 bronze medals with Malaysia in third position with 1 gold medal, 3 silver medals and 3 bronze medals and Kuwait in fourth position with 1 gold medal, 1 silver medals and 5 bronze medals. The other countries with medals are Thailand with 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, Hong Kong with 1 silver medal, Singapore with 2 bronze medals and Australia with 1 bronze medal. (Information provided by MFF).

3^rd Malaysia National Handball League 2008 (Standing at the end of 6^th Round)

The final round will be played on Sunday, 20th July 2008 at Level 3, OCM Indoor Sports Arena, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur. The matches will be played from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. The top team of each league will be the League Champion. The Champion’s Trophy and medals will be presented at the end of the matches. (Information provided by Encik Ng Nun Thiam, National League Organizing Chairman)

Coming Events

Astro Olympic Press Launch – 16^th July 2008 at the Diamond Ballroom, Mandarin

Oriental Hotel, from 10.00 a.m.

12^th OCM Executive Board Meeting – 15^th July 2008 at 4.30 at OCM Board Room, 1^st Floor Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur.

2008 OCM Women and Sport Annual Dinner – 18^th July 2008 at 8.00 p.m. at Level 3, OCM Indoor Sports Arena, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur.

Genting Trailblazer 2008 Press Launch – 21^st July 2008 at 10.00 a.m., at Conference Room, Ground Floor, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur

149^th OCM Council Meeting - 26^th July 2008 at 9.30 a.m., at Conference Room, Ground Floor, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur.

Power – Official Track Shoes of the Malaysian Olympic Contingent Press Launch – 29^th July 2008 at 11.00 a.m. at Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur.

XIX Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – 8^th to 24^th August 2008 at Beijing.

9th AKF Junior & Cadets Karate Championships 2008 - from 24 - 30 August 2008, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,

12^th World Sport for All Congress 2008 – 3^rd to 6^th November 2008 at Genting Highlands.

OCM: Contingent is best ever

THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) regards the 33 Beijing Games-bound athletes as the greatest Malaysian Olympics contingent ever, with badminton, archery, cycling and taekwondo as potential medal winners.

OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar (pic) said medals would definitely be won if athletes compete without fear.

"However, it could also backfire if the athletes choke under pressure. It could happen to athletes in archery, cycling and taekwondo as they have never been in a situation of being Malaysia's medal hopes at the Olympic-level," said Tunku Imran after the launch of the Astro's 11 interactive channels for the Olympics in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"I'm sure they are ready to do battle but they must remember that the scenario in Beijing will be different. They cannot let elements such as bad judging and injuries affect their concentration in their respective events."

"As for badminton, I'm confident that the shuttlers will be able to handle pressure as they are world class."
Tunku Imran singled out badminton as Malaysia's best chance for medals followed by archery, taekwondo and cycling.

"Medals from archery and taekwondo will depend on the luck of the draw. The archers have been enjoying a fantastic season so far and as the fourth ranked team in the world, they will be closely watched in Beijing."

"Josiah Ng and Mohd Azizul Hasni Awang, have tremendous potential to make an impact in the sprint and keirin," he said.

There is still a possibility of more Malaysians qualifying, either as reserves or wildcards.

Women's archer S. Anbarasi and laser radial sailor Nurul Elia Anuar are first reserves in their respective events while triathlete Kimberly Yap could receive a wildcard.

The three will know their fate on Wednesday, the final day for the registration of athletes.

Meanwhile, Astro, which is also the sponsor of the Malaysian Olympic contingent, will bring live coverage of the Beijing Games on 11 interactive channels from July 27-Aug 26.

The 11 channels will broadcast over 3,000 hours of comprehensive live coverage of the games. There will also be a channel in Cantonese.

Tunku Imran commended Astro on its commitment to local sports.

Also present were National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and National Sports Institute (NSI) director general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz.

NST

Sukma perlu anjur acara konsisten

Penekanan perlu diberi kepada acara Olimpik dan Sukan Asia bagi cari pelapis: Kok Chi

KEJOHANAN Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) yang menjadi kemuncak saingan sukan peringkat kebangsaan, perlu menganjurkan acara yang konsisten dan sejajar dengan persediaan negara menghadapi saingan Sukan Olimpik dan Sukan Asia.

Setiausaha Kehormat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, berkata penganjuran acara sukan dalam Sukma perlu mencerminkan saingan di peringkat lebih tinggi sejajar dengan matlamat negara bagi menghasilkan atlit bertaraf dunia.

"Memang acara sukan pada setiap Sukma sentiasa berubah-ubah, namun penekanan perlu diberikan terhadap memastikan sukan tertentu sentiasa dikekalkan terutama membabitkan sukan teras.

"Pada Sukma Melaka nanti, taekwondo tidak lagi dipertandingkan walaupun ia membabitkan sukan yang dipertandingkan di peringkat Olimpik dan Sukan Asia," katanya.

Kelmarin, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob turut mengumumkan hanya 25 acara saja akan dipertandingkan pada Sukma Melaka membabitkan 18 sukan teras yang wajib dianjurkan serta pilihan tujuh lagi acara sukan yang ditentukan tuan rumah.

Dua acara baru dimasukkan oleh Melaka iaitu silambam, seni bela diri tradisi kaum India serta bola keranjang, acara sukan yang dilihat pasukan tuan rumah boleh memberi pingat kepada mereka.

Namun, satu sukan teras digugurkan iaitu taekwondo, sukan yang ketika ini mempunyai dua wakil di Olimpik Beijing, bulan depan. Alasan yang diberikan adalah, persatuan sukan itu terbabit dalam krisis dalaman.

Kok Chi turut menyuarakan rasa terkejut mengapa sukan taekwondo digugurkan sedangkan ia adalah acara sukan Olimpik.

"Sepatutnya Sukma hanya menumpukan acara yang dipertandingkan di Olimpik atau Sukan Asia saja dan tumpuan dapat diberikan bagi melahirkan atlit yang berwibawa," katanya.

Pada Sukma Terengganu Jun lalu, sebanyak 31 acara dipertandingkan dan untuk Melaka, tujuh jenis sukan digugurkan termasuk golf, kenu, bola tampar, lawan pedang, rugbi, judo dan tenis selain taekwondo.

Wartawan Utusan calon anugerah sukan MOM

KUALA LUMPUR – Wartawan sukan Utusan Malaysia, Norzie Mohd. Khasbi (gambar) menjadi salah seorang daripada lima calon disenarai pendek untuk menerima Anugerah Wanita dan Sukan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) 2008.

Timbalan Presiden MOM, Beng Choo Low berkata, pemilihan Norzie adalah berdasarkan kepada sumbangannya membangunkan sukan di negara ini melalui penulisannya.

Katanya, pemilihan senarai penerima anugerah yang dibuat oleh juri-juri MOM adalah telus dan tidak pernah dipengaruhi mana-mana pihak.

“Pemilihan pemenang adalah dilakukan secara telus oleh MOM dan ia terbukti apabila Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yang dipilih memenangi anugerah itu pada tahun lalu turut memenangi anugerah dunia oleh Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) pada tahun yang sama.

“Ia dengan jelas menunjukkan pemilihan yang dibuat oleh MOM adalah tepat dan tidak pernah dibayangi mana-mana,” katanya selepas sidang akhbar di sini, semalam.

Norzie sudah menceburi bidang penulisan sukan selama 12 tahun dan mempunyai pengalaman membuat liputan pelbagai jenis sukan dalam dan luar negara.

Empat lagi calon ialah Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan Bola Jaring Malaysia, Mazidah Musa; Presiden Persatuan Hoki Wanita Malaysia, Raja Puan Sri Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah; jurulatih Persatuan Boling Padang Malaysia, Choo Yih Hwa dan calon lelaki bagi anugerah kali ini, ketua jurulatih kebangsaan Kongres Tenpin Boling Malaysia, Holloway Cheah dan isteri.

Anugerah yang diwujudkan sejak 2003 itu bertujuan memberi penghargaan kepada individu, pertubuhan dan badan korporat yang telah banyak menyumbang kepada pembangunan dan kemajuan sukan negara.

Beng Choo berkata, majlis penganugerahan akan diadakan Jumaat ini dan dihadiri Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

Utusan

Women and Sport Award 2008

Ms. Low Beng Choo, with Co- Sponsors of the 2008 Women & Sport Award.

The OCM Women and Sports Committee has initiated a special award for persons or organizations who have contributed to the development of women in sport in Malaysia. The idea of the award came about when the IOC invited each NOC to nominate one person or an organization for the IOC’s Women and Sport Trophy. In 2001, the OCM responded by nominating the Malaysian Women’s Hockey Federation for the 2001 award. The nomination was a success and the MWHF won the trophy for the Asian Region. Subsequently the OCM has nominated the MSSM and the MSN, and the IOC awarded them the IOC Diplomas, in recognition of their contributions in the promotion of women in sport in Malaysia.

It is in the view of the OCM that Malaysia comprise of fair number of women achievement in sports related fields. In sport we have legends like Rosalind Ang, Rani Kaur and Shalin Zulkifli, in sports related fields, Malaysia has Prof. Aishah who heads the department of doping control. Many women coach/administrator sport at the grassroots level but their work may have gone unrecognized. Encouraged by Malaysia’s successful nomination for the IOC Women and Sport trophy in 2001 and with OCM’s convictions in Malaysia’s Women towards the development in Sport, the OCM Board approved the idea of its own special trophy for women when the idea was put forward in 2002.

The objective of the award is to give recognition to any person, whether the individual or body corporate, who has contributed significantly, outstandingly and positively to the promotion, development and advancement of women in any sport and/or any sport –related activities in Malaysia.

The Award known as the “Women and Sports Award”, consists of a challenge trophy (with a replica) and a certificate.

The OCM Women and Sports Committee reserves the right not to give the award in any particular year if it I s of the view, at its discretion, that there is no suitable recipient.


Women & Sport Award 2008

Day: Friday
Date: 18 July 2008
Time: 8.00 p.m.
Place: OCM Indoor Sport Arena

Olympian awards for Malaysians

THE STAR

NOMINEES for the Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian awards will be adjudged on sporting and academic excellence.

In conjunction with the 29th edition of the Olympics in Beijing, Milo has teamed up with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) to identify 29 Malaysians, aged below 15, for the award.

Milo sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong said the award was in recognition of Malaysian juniors who had excelled in sports and studies.

“The award is a recognition to the young athletes' devotion to sports. It is also in appreciation of the children's parents for their guidance to the budding athletes as well as a celebration in the spirit of the Olympics.'' said Ng.

Former Olympian Ishtiaq Mobarak said the awards should be an inspiration to young athletes.

Ex-Olympian: Ishtiaq sharing his experience at the launching of the Milo-OCM-MSSM Junior Olympian awards.

Milo is initiating the programme for the fifth time. The first was in 1992 and some of the award winners were Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee, Au Li Yen, Lim Wai Chi and Marilyn Chua. All went on to represent Malaysia in several international meets.

Each winner will receive a Milo sports voucher valued at RM1,500, a certificate of excellence and a commemorative Junior Olympian medal.

The winners will be selected based on the achievements in the Olympic year (2008). The winners will be announced in March next year. Nominees must have achieved impressive results in sports in state, national and international levels. Nomination forms are available at www. milo.com.my

Sports Unite, Rather Than Divide

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Sports play an important role in enhancing bilateral relations among countries of the world, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"Sports unite rather than divide, showing mankind that competitions among us need not result in violence. It is a universal language," he said in his brief speech at the opening of the Beijing Olympics Photograph Exhibition at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here Monday.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, China's ambassador to Malaysia Cheng Yonghua, National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong and Olympic Council of Malaysia honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

Malaysians can experience the Olympic atmosphere by visiting the three-day exhibition, which is showcasing some of the best photographs of past Olympics and the run-up to the Beijing Olympics from Aug 8 to 24.

-- BERNAMA

Australians to give cricket a facelift

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can look forward to a facelift in the cricket scene.

Plans were revealed yesterday to make Malaysian cricketers a force to reckoned with, especially in Asia, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) and the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) at the Kinrara Cricket Academy in Puchong.

The MCA president, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, said that there would be more collaboration at different levels with Australian cricket teams in friendly matches and competitions, coaching clinics and exchange programmes to develop the sport.

The MCA president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar exchanging documents with WACA Chief Executive Officer and former Australian Test cricketer Graeme Wood as the Australian High Commissioner Penny Williams (centre) and National Sports Council Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong look on.

“We do not want it to be just another deal signed. We want to see actions this time. Malaysia do not want to be only good organisers of cricket events but to play the game well too,” said Tunku Imran, who is also the president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia.

“I am happy that the WACA will be assisting us to develop the sport. We can learn so much from them. “Our long-term goal is to have our team to be globally recognised. We hope that in few years, the performances of our senior and junior cricketers will improve in international tournaments.

“There will be multi-pronged approaches to strengthen our domestic foundation. And I am confident that this partnership with the WACA will address all these.”

Star