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All eyes will be on players at Asia Cup next as Sarjit puts job on the line

All eyes will be on players at Asia Cup next as Sarjit puts job on the line

The Star22-06-2025
A lot at stake: National head coach Sarjit Singh giving orders to his players during the Nations Cup group match against New Zealand. — Bernama
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Minister urges sports associations to settle squabbles ahead of SEA Games
Minister urges sports associations to settle squabbles ahead of SEA Games

New Straits Times

time14 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Minister urges sports associations to settle squabbles ahead of SEA Games

KOTA BARU: Sports associations are urged to immediately resolve any internal issues that may arise before the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from Dec 7 to 19. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said early resolution of the matter is very important so that it would not affect the focus and preparations of the country's athletes who will compete on the international stage. "Currently, all preparations are underway, so I would like to call on all sports associations if there are any internal issues, to resolve them immediately to ensure the smooth running and spirit of the national team is not affected. "We know that time is running out before the SEA Games in Thailand later this year. Therefore, we hope that the country's athletes can take full advantage of this opportunity as preparation for the next Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2027 and the Olympic Games expected to be held in 2028," she said. She told Bernama after officiating the Youth Camp @ Rakan Prihatin 2025, at Pantai Cahaya Bulan, here today, which was also attended by the Ministry of Youth and Sports secretary-general, Datuk Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu and National Youth and Sports Department director-general, Azura Abidin. Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of Abdul Rashid Yaakub as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Secretariat of the Malaysian SEA Games (MASOC) and the 2027 Asean Para Games Organisers, Hannah said the appointment is very appropriate based on his extensive experience in the world of sports in the country. "Abdul Rashid has a strong background in the National Sports Council (MSN), including "his role during the organisation of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, and he has also worked with several other states such as Sarawak. So, we are confident that he understands the ins and outs and challenges of managing large-scale sporting events," she said. Abdul Rashid, 61, who is also the former director-general of MSN, officially assumed the position of CEO of MASOC and Para Asean 2027 on July 1 and will lead the main secretariat responsible for coordinating all aspects of preparations for the regional biennial games. – BERNAMA

Rugby-'He's the right man', Lions coach Farrell defends decision to call up son Owen
Rugby-'He's the right man', Lions coach Farrell defends decision to call up son Owen

The Star

time16 hours ago

  • The Star

Rugby-'He's the right man', Lions coach Farrell defends decision to call up son Owen

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - British & Irish Lions v Argentina - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - June 20, 2025 Owen Farrell before the match REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell said his decision to bring his son Owen to Australia as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly was made as much for his experience of three previous tours as for his playing ability. Daly, an outside back-outside centre who was on his third Lions tour, was sent home on Thursday after suffering a broken arm against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The decision to replace him with a flyhalf-inside centre who has not played a test since 2023 and is coming off an injury-ravaged season in French club rugby was always going to court controversy. Andy Farrell told reporters in Sydney that he felt there was good cover for Daly in the outside backs and at outside centre but that his experience would be sorely missed. "It's what we need for the squad, when you look at the experience that Elliot has had," he said. "The experience isn't just the playing side, it's how you make the group feel, the little chats that you have around the place to make sure everything is gelling together. And obviously Owen will bring a bit of that to the group." Farrell said the former England captain, who has played 118 tests, would not have been called up if he was not fit and would definitely be in contention to play despite not having seen any action for nine weeks. "If you didn't have a chance, then what's the point?" he asked. "He's the right man at this moment in time for us, he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping himself in good nick anyway. "There are plenty of players who have not played for quite some time. And the experience of knowing what you can do helps in that regard." Farrell junior's sometimes abrasive attitude has often divided opinion, even in England, and the decision to call him up will certainly not be popular with some fans of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. "I hope people can get past that," his father said. "I think that there's been a lot of that nonsense for some time. That was in the past. "I think we all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about, and what we've got coming ahead." The 33-year-old playmaker will join the squad in Sydney on Friday, too late to play a role in the match against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday. After that, the Lions play tour matches against the ACT Brumbies and an invitational Australia-New Zealand team before the first test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Ken Ferris)

1992 Thomas Cup victory hits the silver screen
1992 Thomas Cup victory hits the silver screen

Sinar Daily

time19 hours ago

  • Sinar Daily

1992 Thomas Cup victory hits the silver screen

Rashid said the film is not just about badminton, but a cinematic piece that reflects struggle, belief, and national pride as Malaysians. 03 Jul 2025 04:29pm Datuk Rashid Sidek (second from right) at a press conference after the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the press conference for the film Sentuhan Wira at a hotel today. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - Over three decades after a defining moment in Malaysian sports history, the national men's badminton team's triumphant 1992 Thomas Cup victory is set to hit the silver screen. The film, titled Sentuhan Wira (Touch of a Hero), was officially launched by producer Victory Pictures Sdn Bhd yesterday, in conjunction with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the relevant parties, witnessed by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) Chairman, Datuk Gerald Hans Isaac. Director, Lenny Ooi (second from left) alongside national badminton legends, Datuk Rashid Sidek (third from left) and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit (third from right) at the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and press conference for the film Sentuhan Wira at a hotel today. Under the MoU, two national badminton legends-Datuk Rashid Sidek and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit-who were key players in the squad at the time, were appointed as production advisers. They are also directly involved in the script development to ensure factual accuracy and to convey the true spirit of the team's journey to the audience. Rashid said the film is not just about badminton, but a cinematic piece that reflects struggle, belief, and national pride as Malaysians. He also described the film's production as an important platform to share the experiences of former players with the younger generation, while highlighting the spirit of unity that existed within the national team at the time. "We want the current generation to feel what we experienced as players and to witness the unity and strong patriotic spirit among us. Even though we came from different races, we still succeeded together for one purpose,' he told reporters after the MoU signing. "Yes, it's been a long time-33 years without winning the Thomas Cup. So, with the release of this film, we hope it can boost the spirit of our current players to become more motivated. "What's more important is the spirit of patriotism, not individual glory, but the collective drive to bring honour to the nation,' he said, adding that back then, they placed national pride above personal interests. Meanwhile, Sentuhan Wira director Lenny Ooi said he will present an action-directed style, with filming that emphasises realism in the training and match scenes. "The actors selected must also be able to play badminton; otherwise, their movements will look stiff,' he said. He added that filming is expected to begin at the end of this year and the movie is slated for release in early 2027. - BERNAMA

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