The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- SEA Games chef-de-mission Amiruddin aims high
- Lee-Chow aiming to be national No. 1
- Coaches already know which pair will play in group matches
| SEA Games chef-de-mission Amiruddin aims high Posted: 15 May 2013 03:50 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Wira Amiruddin Embi has pledged to lead Malaysia to do better than the previous SEA Games after being appointed as the chef-de-mission for the Myanmar Games. "The people of Malaysia will certainly be hoping for a better result than the previous SEA Games ... so, we'll try to put up a better show," he said, before thanking the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for giving him the opportunity. OCM president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar announced the appointment of the 66-year-old Amiruddin, the president of the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU), yesterday. Myanmar, who are hosting the SEA Games for the third time after 1961 and 1969, have included three traditional games — kempo, chinlone and vovinam — among the 28 sports which also include football, athletics, boxing and aquatics. "I'll check on the preparations for the Games with officials from the National Sports Council (NSC) soon and hopefully identify and rectify weaknesses, if any, to ensure a smooth preparation for the Games," he said. Malaysia's best-ever achievement was in 2001, winning 111 gold medals as the hosts — Bernama |
| Lee-Chow aiming to be national No. 1 Posted: 15 May 2013 03:51 PM PDT NATIONAL women's doubles players Lee Meng Yean-Chow Mei Kuan have set an ambitious goal for themselves – to become the country's top pair in two to three years' time. The 19-year-olds only just broke into the senior squad at the turn of the year and will be making their Sudirman Cup debut at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil next week. And Meng Yean couldn't hide her delight at being part of the Sudirman Cup team although she recognises that the chances of her and Mei Kuan playing "are remote considering we are third in the pecking order". "I'm really excited to be part of the team ... we're both ready to play if called upon," Meng Yean said after a training session at the Putra Stadium yesterday. After the Sudirman Cup, Meng Yean's attentions will shift towards the Singapore Open where she will partner Lim Yin Loo. Meng Yen, however, hopes to build on her seven-year combination with Mei Kuan, who is also her best friend, in the hope of forging a formidable partnership and becoming the No. 1 pair in the country. "Having played together for seven years, we understand each other's game really well. We hope to become the national No. 1 in two to three years time. "Our objective this year is to be in the top 30 of the world rankings," said Meng Yean. The pair are currently ranked 41st in the world. Meng Yean-Mei Kuan also seem to be acutely aware of the pressure that comes with being national players. "Every time we've been called up to the team, we always feel that we're carrying the burden and responsibility of the nation on our slender shoulders. "So, even if we don't play (in the Sudirman Cup), we hope to support and spur our team-mates to glory!" said Meng Yean. |
| Coaches already know which pair will play in group matches Posted: 15 May 2013 03:51 PM PDT NATIONAL men's doubles coaches Tan Kim Her and Paulus Firman have already decided on which pair will face Taiwan and Germany in Malaysia's Group C matches of the Sudirman Cup, which will begin at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil this Sunday. Malaysia have three pairs – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Lim Kim Wah-Goh V Shem – to choose from. However, it will remain Malaysia's best kept secret until Sunday. But one thing's for sure, there will be no scratch pairs at the tournament. "It's a team event ... so, it's a no-brainer that we'll definitely field our strongest pair. That's for sure," said Kim Her. "But it's all up in the air after that as we'll have to look at who we are drawn against in the quarter-finals. "Rankings aside, we will field the pair who have been playing their best. So, it's crucial that all three pairs are ready to play." Paulus said that although Koo-Tan are the strongest pair, the others should not be discounted either as proven by Kim Wah-V Shem, who won the Malaysian Open title earlier this month. The world No. 12 downed national No. 1 and world No. 3 Koo-Tan to land their first career title. Paulus also hopes that the women will step up come competition time. "The men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles remain our strongest chances at scoring points. But we can't just rely on them," he said. "We will need the women's singles and doubles to step up to the task and shore up our chances too." |
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