The Star Online: Metro: Central

Malaysia’s team of eight hope to put on a fine show in NZ Winter Games

Posted: 12 Aug 2011 05:54 AM PDT

MALAYSIA will be represented by eight speed skaters in the New Zealand Winter Games in Dunedin, New Zealand from Aug 22-29.

The eight — comprising four girls Angeline Chan Hui Theng, Chew Jia Yi, Dione Tan Shu-Yen and Ashley Chin Sook Hui and four boys Yong Zhen Wei, Chw Jia Jian, Sean Yeo Qi Jun and Harris Rashid — will be accompanied by Tan Bee Leng as the coach.

Bee Leng, who has been in charge of the skaters since September last year, said the skaters were looking forward to the competition with confidence.

"The skaters have reasons to be excited as it will be their first competition since getting involved in speed skating.

They were active figure skaters and switched to speed skating after attending a workshop,'' said Bee Leng.

The one-week workshop, organised by the Ice Skating Association of Malaysia (ISAM), was conducted by an instructor from Canada. The workshop provided an opportunity for the figure skaters and Bee Leng to learn the basics in speed skating.

Bee Leng said the stint was a learning programme.

"We were impressed with the instructor. The figure skaters adapted well to the training programme and we are glad with their progress. They showed a lot of enthusiasm,'' said Bee Leng.

The eight were also among the 12 speed skaters who attended a one-week training camp in Changchun, China.

Bee Leng said the training stint also proved to be a learning experience for the skaters.

"They were eager to learn the skills involved in speed skating,'' said Bee Leng.

Due to limited access to the ice rink at the Pyramid Ice, the skaters had to train two days a week for the past five months. Each two-hour session was held either in early morning or late at night.

"We also conducted off-ice training sessions. We are convinced the eight will give a fine show in New Zealand,'' said Bee Leng.

In New Zealand, the Malaysian speed skaters will be in action according to the age groups in the sub-juniors, juniors and intermediate. The sub-juniors is for those aged 12 and below; the junior (13-15 years) and intermediate (16-18).

Jia Jian, Qi Jun and Shu-Yen will be in action in the sub-juniors (500m,800m and 1,000m); Sook Hui, Angeline and Harris in the sub-juniors and Jia Yi and Zhen Wei in the intermediate.

The events in juniors and intermediate are 800m, 1,000m and 1,500m. The boys and girls will also compete in the team events — 1,000m and 3,000m relay.

Bee Leng said the speed skaters were being groomed for next year's Youth Winter Olympics as well as the Asian Winter Games in 2015.

"The New Zealand competition will be an excellent opportunity for our speed skaters to gain exposure. We don't want to put any pressure on them. For us, it will be a good chance to evaluate them,'' said Bee Leng.

Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search.

Swinging in aid of breast cancer

Posted: 12 Aug 2011 05:53 AM PDT

Friday August 12, 2011

The PinkRibbon R2R charity golf championships will be held at the Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS) in Subang, Selangor on Oct 7.

The championships is organised by PinkRibbon R2R in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 2011 to raise funds for their programmes.

The organisers are hoping to raise about RM50,000. Entry fee is RM500 per participant or RM2,000 per flight. For more information, log on to www.pinkribbonr2r.my or call 019-353 9273.

Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 12 Ogos 2011