Latest news with #Negri
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Negri gear up for a fightback season
PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan are on a full throttle mode in a bid to leave last season's struggles behind and stake a stronger claim in the upcoming Super League campaign. Head coach Nidzam Jamil hopes a revamped squad will be ready to face Johor Darul Ta'zim in their opening Super League game on Aug 12 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium at Iskandar Puteri. Powered by eight import players, they are hoping to turn things around after the Deer finished 12th out of 13 teams. Nidzam said their aggressive recruitment drive reflected a renewed ambition. 'Two more foreign players are arriving next week. I can't disclose names or positions yet, but they'll add much-needed depth and balance to the squad,' said Nidzam. Sources suggest they are likely to be a central defender and another midfielder – positions critical to strengthening the spine of the team. The club have retained some familiar faces from last season, including Japanese midfield maestro Takumi Sasaki, who is expected to pull the strings in the middle of the park, and versatile South Korean An Sang-su, who offers flexibility in both midfield and attack. On the new arrivals list, Bosnian winger Jovan Motika joins from Kuala Lumpur, while Ghanaian forward Joseph Esso makes the move from Dreams Dawu in Ghana. To further bolster the side, Negri have also brought in two players on loan - tough-tackling Ghanaian midfielder Alex Agyarkwa from Selangor, and nimble Japanese winger Mio Tsuneyasu from Gainare Tottori. The club's impressive domestic recruitment includes striker Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin, goalkeeper Azri Ghani, centreback Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee, fullback Ariff Ar-Rasyid, winger Hakimi Abdullah, and young midfielder Haiqal Haqeemi. Negri are currently in the thick of pre-season preparations, with a series of friendlies designed to build rhythm and refine tactics. 'These friendlies are vital, not just for fitness, but for building understanding within the squad,' said Nidzam. 'We want to sharpen our tactics and improve the team's dynamism, especially in defence and attack.' 'Facing JDT first is a huge challenge, and we need to be at our absolute best from day one. 'Momentum is everything.'
IOL News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Negri, Vintcent living the Italian dream but haven't forgotten their South African roots as they tackle the Springboks
I caught up with the pair at their Sandton hotel in Johannesburg between training sessions. The likeable pair are roommates, with the 31-year-old Negri — a veteran of 65 Tests — taking 23-year-old Vintcent under his wing. Negri qualified for Italy through his Italian father, and Vintcent has an Italian grandfather. Flanker Sebastian Negri and No 8 Ross Vintcent were schooled at Hilton College in the KZN midlands and Bishops in Cape Town, respectively, and while they could not be prouder to be wearing the blue of the Azzurri, they can't deny their Mzansi roots. Tonight, two members of the Italian team will be forgiven if they have a tear in their eye during the South African national anthem before kick-off against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld. 'It will be a bit strange hearing the SA anthem because I grew up watching the Boks every Saturday," the baby-faced Vinctent said. 'Wherever I was in the world, I'd watch the Springboks and I would be singing the anthem. 'It will be a bit of a weird feeling,' Vintcent continued. 'I am trying not to think about it too much and am focusing on the rugby, but it will be quite an emotional game for me.' Negri added.'I grew up a massive Bok supporter and still am. Our job is to play for Italy, and I take huge pride in that privilege, but when Italy is not playing, I am a full-on Bok supporter. 'I will have a few goose bumps listening to the SA anthem because that is what we grew up listening to,' Negri added. 'I also owe a great deal to South Africa. That makes it sentimental for me.' Vintcent is originally from Joburg and moved to the Cape when he was in grade 10, where he encountered future Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. 'Everyone knew Sacha would become a Bok,' he said. 'When I arrived at Bishops, he was the biggest thing at our school. He had the confidence of a future Springbok, but he wasn't arrogant. He did some amazing things at schoolboy level, stuff that was too good for the opposition.' Negri was born in Zimbabwe, and his family suffered the trauma of the government's brutal land reforms. 'It was hectic. I was still quite young. Dad came into the house one day and said, 'Pack a small bag.' We left home and never saw it again. We lost three farms in the space of a day or two,' Negri explained. 'In our time of crisis, our Italian family in Harare helped us massively. That is what makes it special every time I put on an Italy jersey. I know that I am not only representing myself and my close family, but the extended family that was there for us when we needed help. That makes it extra special for me. 'The big thing for my parents was to get us into the best schools, and South Africa was a good option,' Negri said. 'I went to Clifton Prep in Nottingham Road. That is where my passion for rugby got going. I got a sports scholarship to Hilton, and the rugby grew and grew. 'I grew up as a Sharks fan, watching the likes of John Smit, Keegan Daniel and Butch James,' Negri recalls. 'I watched the Sharks every weekend when I wasn't playing sport. My dad and I would be the first in the queue at Kings Park to get tickets.' Interestingly, both Negri and Vintcent were backline players at school level before moving to the forwards. Negri was a fullback and flyhalf until the age of 15. 'I've still got the moves!' Negri laughed while Vintcent rolled his eyes. 'Those Hilton breakfasts and the SA food made me grow, and I went to the forwards.' Vintcent, who plays for the Exeter Chiefs in England, said progress in the gym resulted in a switch to loose forward. 'I played scrumhalf and flyhalf until I got to Bishops, and Sacha was the flyhalf, so taking him out was a bit hard,' Vintcent chuckled. 'So I played for the U16 B at flyhalf. In my matric year, the coach said, 'Vintcent, you have been hitting the gym hard, how about transferring to No 8?' I said, 'Sure, I will give it a go.' 'We played Paarl Gim and narrowly lost. I loved it in the back row and it stuck.' Vintcent studied for a degree in economics at Exeter University. Not long ago, he was delivering pizzas to augment his income. He learned the Italian national anthem by Google Translate, but is now close to fluent in Italian. Negri has been in the Italy set-up since 2016. He was at Hartpury University in England at the time. He played against the Springboks in a fierce pool game at the 2019 World Cup. 'That was very physical!' Negri said. 'I played them recently in Genoa, too. Physically, the Boks are the toughest team in world rugby.' The Italians have had their challenges in the Six Nations but over the last two seasons are on the up under coach Gonzalo Quesada, the former Argentina flyhalf. 'I have been in the system for a long time. I see a bright future for the Italian national team. There is a core of young guys playing very good rugby. They will take the team forward,' Negri said. 'This tour to South Africa is about exposing younger guys to what it is like playing against the best. These Tests are like World Cup games — you are playing the best in the world. These two Tests in Pretoria and Gqeberha are about giving everything we can, and whatever happens, happens. It will be a great experience for everyone. Vintcent adds, 'I love playing as the underdogs. I prefer it when there is no expectation. You have nothing to lose and can express yourself. That makes us dangerous.'
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar Ibrahim signs for Negri Sembilan — no, not the PM
KUALA LUMPUR: In a transfer move that turned heads and triggered double takes across social media, Anwar Ibrahim has signed for Negri Sembilan. No, not Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but a 26-year-old right back who just happens to share his name with Malaysia's most famous politician. Anwar (the footballer) will don Negri colours for the 2025-2026 M-League season, with the club's announcement quickly going viral and attracting more than 1,500 comments on Facebook. This isn't the first time the Kelantan-born defender has made headlines. In 2023, he caused quite the stir during a KL City match, unintentionally surprising then-Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when his name was announced as a second-half substitute. It was during the Federal Territories Minister's Cup at the KLFA Stadium, and for a brief moment, Wan Azizah — in the stands — thought her husband was being called into action. KL City went on to beat Perak 3-0, and after the match, with Wan Azizah on medal duty, she made a point to meet and snap a photo with the young namesake. "Akram Mahinan went on stage first and told her my name," recalled Anwar. "She then said she wanted to take a picture with me. I was touched." Anwar's best career moment was winning the Malaysia Cup in 2021 with KL City.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (July 2, 2025)
Malaysia * PTPTN allocates RM47.8mil in advance loans for July 2025 intake * Married couple arrested for prostitution and distribution of pornographic videos * Cops launch manhunt after shooting outside school in George Town * Malaysia's first Orang Asli principal gets award for her contributions to education * Housing Ministry pledges full cooperation in MACC's probe of the MyKiosk tender * Negri to ban alcohol consumption in certain public areas, including parks and beaches * Najib did not make reasonable effort to obtain 'royal addendum', apex court hears * Cabinet meeting discussed chief justice appointment, says Fahmi * SAR op ongoing for man who fell off Second Penang Bridge * Investigation into Pamela's disappearance still active, says cops * Investment agent in the dock over lewd pics of hubby's second wife * Johor cops bust syndicate that sold drugs through messaging app * Rape suspect jailed eight months for fleeing custody * Perak cops probing origins of mortar shell found near Menora Tunnel * Mining bribery case: Dr Gunsalam urges PBS members to keep serving the people amid graft claims * MACC begins investigation into MyKiosk project * Buckle up: JPJ deploys undercover tactics to catch errant bus drivers, passengers * Johor led all states in GDP growth last year, says exco man * Three decomposing bodies found in Seremban house * The climb to Sarawak's Pinnacles is brutal, breathtaking, and totally worth it * Apex court rejects Najib's bid to block AG's appeal * Murder victim's housemate gave keys to boyfriend, say police Singapore * Two men charged in Singapore over fatal accident between two ships near Pedra Branca island * Man in Singapore on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home * Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade * Three weeks' jail for Singaporean man who touched himself on train, flicked bodily fluid on female passenger * The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years * Three in four in Singapore not able to identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey * Singapore security firm to stop tracking live location of front-line officers on sick leave after union intervention * Judge rejects Singapore woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend * Anti-scam law allows police to seize bank accounts * Rude shock for S'porean drivers * Singapore's ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Indonesia * Femicide on rise in Indonesia amid legal, enforcement gaps * Indonesia eases regulation on franchising businesses * Indonesian manufacturing slows down as demand fizzles further Thailand * Thai DPM Phumtham to be appointed caretaker PM in special Cabinet meeting Thursday (July 3) * Thaksin attends second day of prosecution witness hearing in royal defamation case * Top hotels suspend bookings under 'Half-Half Thai Travel 2025' scheme due to system glitches * Thai veteran politician set for single day as acting PM * Thai leader's suspension deals new blow to battered economy * The Shinawatras: Thailand's 21st century political clan * Double whammy for Shinawatras Philippines * Fewer weddings, more live-ins: Filipino families are changing and the numbers prove it * Philippines biodiversity hotspot Palawan pushes back on mining * Govt bars ex-Philippine senator over maritime claims Vietnam * Vietnam court sentences 11 to death for drug trafficking: state media * Nha Trang tops list of favourite destinations for S. Korean tourists * Indian PM says sharing Buddha's relics with Vietnam is a cultural phenomenon Myanmar * Myanmar's famed Shwedagon Pagoda attracts over 3.5 million visitors in first half of 2025 * Four mild earthquakes recorded in Myanmar, Vietnam and Nicobar Islands * Three killed, and 25 injured in attack by KNLA and PDF in southern central Myanmar Cambodia * Cambodian leader warns Thailand: Don't cross the line on disputed areas * Cambodia apprehends 12,728 drug suspects, with 1.46 tonnes of narcotics in H1 2025 * The tensions with Cambodia that led to the suspension of Thailand's prime minister Laos * Laos makes global call for stronger domestic resource mobilisation * US tariffs will have significant impact on Lao economy, economists warn * Lao journalists encourage green reporting for social media users Brunei * Brunei national flag hoisted marking start of Sultan's birthday celebrations * Collaboration between Brunei and Sabah boosts regional air connectivity, tourism * Brunei business conference spotlights innovation-driven growth Aseanplus * Welcome to the year 2025 - It has to be seen as the year of comebacks for the legendary stars of Malaysian music * PM Anwar meets up with Muslims in Italy * PM Anwar meets with Italian industry leaders on his second day in Europe * Italy seeks economic and trade partnership with Malaysia * Malaysia sees Italy as key strategic partner, says Anwar * Anwar arrives in Rome for a three-day official visit * HK actor Alfred Cheung praises Ipoh hor fun: 'Best Cantonese dish I've had in decades' * How does long-term exercise slow ageing? Chinese scientists have an answer * John Lee vows to be 'reformer' as Hong Kong shows benefits of security to world * Cricket-India's omission of Bumrah causes widespread bafflement * Suaram seeks repeal of restrictive assembly law * Blast kills four Pakistani officials, 11 injured: police * Ex-TVB actor Ai Wai opens up about wife's death, says he's emotionally unstable * Pakistan flash floods, heavy rain kill 64 in a week: govt * Two men suspected of sexually assaulting woman in Tokyo; allegedly claimed to be water inspectors to enter home * RON97, diesel prices down three sen in Peninsular Malaysia * Four-year-old girl rescued from kidnappers, two accused held in India * MACC probing Singapore tycoon linked to Sabah mining scandal * Sandakan's only govt hospital facing severe parking woes * Australia says it cancelled Kanye West's visa over 'Heil Hitler' song * 2,000-year-old steel acupuncture needles unearthed in China's Jiangxi province * Zul Ariffin loses 20kg in 2 months for new movie role, intense training caused 'blackouts, nosebleed, migraines' * Australian inquiry finds Indigenous people faced genocide * M5.5 earthquake hits Japan's Kagoshima prefecture islands; no tsunami warning issued * Japan updates 'megaquake' preparedness plan * Oil prices little changed as expectations for OPEC+ increase weigh * Australian moth uses the night sky as a guiding compass * Militants in Pakistan storm a police station and set fire to banks, killing a boy * Foreign students eager to stay and work in South Korea: Survey * India keen to simplify OCI applications for Malaysian Indians: High Commissioner * India chemical factory blast death toll rises to 45 * TVB star Katy Kung denies rumours of frequenting racecourse to 'hunt for a rich husband' * China braces for more heavy rain as floods kill several people * Inbound tourism fuels land price surge across Japan * Australia vows tougher childcare laws after worker charged with child sex offences * Celebrating fresh food and real people at Queensland's Tamborine Mountain region * Australia's Qantas says six million customer accounts accessed in cyber hack * Dalai Lama says institution of Dalai Lama will continue * Alibaba Cloud announces new data centres in Malaysia, the Philippines * Japan leads Asian stocks lower on tariff angst * Snake on a plane delays a flight in Australia * 'Squid Game' stocks sink as blockbuster ends with mixed reviews * 4 Timor-Leste social enterprises that empower youth and women * Israel urges China to pressure Iran to rein in nuclear ambitions * Bank Negara says ringgit is market-determined * 'No hope on my salary': Young South Koreans turn to early investing * Bursa Malaysia trends higher, boosted by PETRONAS-linked stocks * Matcha: the Japanese tea taking over the world * Tariff: Positive response from US to Malaysia's approach * Ringgit rises as US dollar weakens on fiscal worries * HK actor Sean Lau says his perspective on fatherhood changed after starring in 'Papa' * Video shows drone rescuing stranded man during flood in China * Malaysia leads Asean cybersecurity charge * How a conflict strains pop culture * Central cities fight floods unleashed by record rain * Remembering the child victims * Seoul trails abuzz with unwelcome 'lovebugs' * At least 36 killed in factory blast * Kim honours troops killed in Russian war
The Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
It's time to prove a point for loyal Selvan with Negri this new season
A. Selvan going through the drills during training. - Photo by Negri Sembilan FC PETALING JAYA: A. Selvan has been a loyal servant of Negri Sembilan football for seven years, and he aims to show the same commitment when he begins his fourth Super League season with the club. The 24-year-old winger from Seremban began his journey with the state's youth set-ups, the Youth and President's Cup teams, in 2018. Since then, his love for the club and state has been unwavering. But this season, Selvan isn't just here to represent, he's here to prove a point. 'I've been with Negri for a long time now, over seven years. Sometimes I can't believe it myself,' said Selvan with a smile. 'Time really flies, and when people talk about my journey, I do feel proud. But I know I've still got so much more to give.' Selvan made his Super League debut in 2020, and while his career has had its ups and downs, he's always found joy whenever he steps onto the pitch. In the 2024-2025 season, he featured in 19 matches across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing one assist. His campaign didn't start smoothly. Former coach Azzmi Aziz often favoured the experienced Hadin Azman on the flanks. But when K. Nanthakumar took over in an interim capacity, Selvan seized his opportunity and reminded everyone why he's considered one of Malaysia's most exciting wingers. Now, with head coach Nidzam Jamil leading the team, Selvan is preparing for a new chapter, one filled with both opportunity and intense competition. Alongside Hadin, the club boast talents like Hakimi Abdullah, S. Vimal, and Luqman Hakim Shamsuddin, a natural striker who can also operate out wide. On top of that, sources indicate that the Deer could soon welcome Bosnian winger Jovan Motika, formerly of Kuala Lumpur. 'With that kind of competition, nothing will come easy,' said Selvan. 'The fight for a starting spot will be fierce, and I know I have to give everything during pre-season to stay in the mix.' According to Selvan, training under coach Nidzam has been both challenging and rewarding. 'Coach Nidzam is helping me refine my game, he's big on decision-making, timing of runs, positioning. All those little things that elevate your performance. I'm learning every day,' he said. 'But I also know what makes me stand out, my pace and dribbling. That's my identity on the field, and I plan to make full use of it this season.' For a boy who once dreamed of wearing the state jersey, the fire still burns bright. And this season, Selvan is ready to take flight and help Negri do way better than their 12th position last season.
