Opening ceremony of BALI 2008

The opening ceremony of Asian Beach Games at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument, Jimbaran, Bali, on Saturday (18/10), was a spectacular display. Around 2.000 dancers performed the history of Indonesia in series of attractive movements and choreography.

The president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also attended to open the first and largest beach sports multi event in Asia. Beautiful music and performance were also among the main entertainment in the ceremony. Andre Hehanusa and Reza Artamevia, with Erwin Gutawa orchestra made the show even more extravagant.

Oka Sulaksana flamed the cauldron with the torch after being handed over from Taufik Hidayat followed by breathtaking firework display, lightening Bali sky as the climax of the ceremony. All participants are in five groups based on each of their Asian regions. As for security, 1.900 personnel from Bali Police Department and Military are standing by in all venues.

The entire ceremony took about 4 hours.

The flag bearer of the Malaysian Contingent was Ms. Rina Jordana from Beach Pencak Silat. Leaded by the CDM and 10 athletes and team officials participated in the march past.

Team Welcome Ceremony

The Team Welcome Ceremony (TWC) and flag raising of the Malaysian flag was held on 17 October 2008 at 3.00 p.m. The location was at the Lumintang Field, Denpasar, Bali.
The flag raising ceremony took approximately 20 minutes and the Malaysian national anthem (Negara Ku) was played.There was a welcome speech by a representative of BABGOG and also a speech by the Chef de Mission.

CDM, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad received a souvenir given by a representative of BABGOG.



Speech by CDM, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad



Jalur Gemilang raising ceremony at the Lumintang, Denpasar, Bali.


Jalur Gemilang @ 1st Asian Beach Games, Bali 2008

Faizal tak sangka

“SELEPAS menundukkan juara dunia dari Vietnam di separuh akhir, saya mula berasakan bahawa saya mampu untuk memenangi emas. Tahap keyakinan saya semakin bertambah dan hasilnya, emas yang saya idamkan kini berada di genggaman,” kata Faizal Abdullah yang mengungguli emas kelas H putra pada temasya Sukan Pantai Asia pertama di Bali, Indonesia, semalam.

Asalnya, Faizal bukanlah pesilat pilihan untuk memenangi emas sebaliknya sandaran untuk membawa pulang pingat berkenaan diletakkan di bahu Rina Jordana Adnan yang bertanding dalam acara kelas A Puteri. Begitupun, Rina tetap tidak mengecewakan apabila memenangi perak acara itu.

Faizal yang berusia 28 tahun dan berasal dari Johor itu mengakui bahawa dia sendiri bagaikan tidak percaya apabila mampu memenangi emas tambahan pula dia menundukkan pesilat Thailand dengan kiraan mata 4-1, sekali gus membuktikan kejaguhannya tidak boleh dipertikaikan.

“Memang beraksi di atas pasir pantai yang tebal ini memerlukan stamina serta tenaga yang bukan sedikit. Kami berdepan banyak masalah untuk melancarkan serangan ke atas lawan kerana kerap kali kaki akan terbenam di dalam pasir. Begitupun, saya mengambil sikap yang positif kerana bukan kami saja berdepan masalah itu, tetapi juga lawan.

“Saya amat gembira kerana dapat membawa pulang emas kali ini dan ia akan menjadi pendorong kepada saya untuk terus beraksi dengan lebih baik pada masa akan datang,” kata Faizal.ang mula dikesan bakatnya selepas mewakili Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) itu.

Sementara itu, pengurus pasukan, Ab Rauf Abdullah berkata, walaupun sistem pengadilan acara berkenaan tidak begitu memuaskan, beliau bersyukur kerana anak buahnya mampu menangkis setiap asakan lawan dan kemaraan Faizal dan Rina ke perlawanan akhir membuktikan bahawa cabaran Malaysia di dalam acara itu tidak boleh dipersoal.

“Memang sistem pengadilan nampak berat sebelah tetapi saya gembira kerana pesilat kita dapat melayakkan diri ke peringkat akhir,” katanya.

Woodball, silat sumbang emas

Daripada Lokman Zainal Abidin di Bali, Indonesia
lockman@nstp.com.my
SELEPAS empat hari, akhirnya kontinjen Malaysia sudah mampu untuk mengukir senyuman lebih bermakna apabila berjaya mengumpul dua emas, dua perak dan tiga gangsa pada temasya Sukan Pantai Asia pertama yang sedang berlangsung di Bali, Indonesia.

Emas pertama kontinjen Malaysia disumbangkan skuad woodball lelaki yang dianggotai Syed Bakar Osman, Ariffin Mamat, Jamil Mat Ali, Shahnudin Ngah, Abdullah Ahmad dan Azmi Ahmad cemerlang apabila mengumpul 1,398 mata keseluruhan, sekali gus mengatasi Thailand yang mengumpul 1,416 dan Taiwan, ketiga 1,426.

Kilauan emas turut hadir di gelanggang silat menerusi Faizal Abdullah yang mengungguli kelas H Putera dan menundukkan pesilat Thailand pada perlawanan akhir manakala bagi kategori kelas A Puteri, Rina Jordana Adnan memenangi perak selepas ditewaskan pesilat Vietnam.

Dua gangsa yang dipungut semalam turut dihadirkan pesilat negara iaitu gandingan Mohamad Hafiz Mohamad Aris dan Mohamad Helmi Aziz menerusi kategori ganda Putera manakala Mohamad Hafiz Mahari memastikan satu lagi gangsa dalam kelas A Putera.

Dua emas itu pantas menceriakan kem negara yang sebelum ini sedikit lesu dan Chief de Mission, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad, berkata kutipan itu cukup membanggakan kerana temasya Sukan Pantai Asia itu adalah yang pertama kali diadakan.

“Untuk aksi pertama, ini sudah boleh dikira sesuatu yang cukup memberangsangkan. Saya gembira kerana akhirnya Malaysia tidak akan pulang dengan tangan kosong. Walaupun Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) tidak meletakkan sebarang sasaran, tetapi atlit kita berjaya membuktikan bahawa kita mampu untuk menghadirkan pingat,” katanya.

Pengurus skuad woodball kebangsaan, Suhaimi Mohd Yunus berkata, pihaknya memang mensasarkan emas untuk kategori lelaki berpasukan kerana semua pemainnya pernah mendapat beberapa pendedahan di peringkat antarabangsa walaupun kali ini, mereka terpaksa beraksi di atas pasir pantai lebih mencabar.

Bali bound athletes ready for action

OCM president Tuanku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar (front, third from left) and chef-de-mission Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad (front, second from left) with the Malaysian athletes and officials after the flag-handing over ceremony for the Asian Beach Games yesterday. — Pic: KHALID REDZA

THE inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali on Oct 18-26 will be a chance for many athletes of obscure sports to pit their skills against the best Asia has to offer.

For some, Bali would be the first time they even come up against Asian opposition or compete in multi-sport games.

With that came the reminder from Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar that they are still obligated to uphold the country's image in terms of discipline and fair play when play begins at the Indonesian resort island.

"You will be representing not just your own sport but the whole contingent in front of a far greater audience and a bigger following than normal. It is important that you not only perform to the best of your ability, but also uphold the name of Malaysia and the contingent with discipline," said Tunku Imran before handing over the 'Jalur Gemilang' to chef-de-mission Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Malaysia will be represented by 62 athletes and 24 officials in 10 of the 17 medal sports being contested, where 64 gold medals are at stake, but only beach pencak silat is expected to deliver a medal or two.
Senior silat exponents Faizal Abdullah, Rina Jordana Adnan, Suzy Sulaiman and Emy Latip will spearhead the challenge of the 10-strong silat contingent.

The beach volleyball pair of Beh Shun Ting-Iswari Manokharan, bodybuilders Buda Anchah, Mohd Hamiruddin Haron and Jauneh Leman, triathletes Shahrom Abdullah, Chan Wai Yong and Irene Chong See Win and the beach sepaktakraw and beach soccer teams, who won the Desaru Beach Soccer Invitational Raja Muda Johor Cup recently, will also be hoping to feature among the medals.

Malaysia will also compete in beach kabbadi, paragliding, sailing, woodball and the demonstration sport of beach basketball with the entire contingent paying their own way to Bali.

No medal target has been set by either OCM or Ibrahim due to the difficulty of gauging the strength of the opposition.

However, as the Asian Beach Games does not fall under the government's sports performance incentive scheme, any medallist in Bali will not receive the cash award given to Asian Games medallists. -- DEVINDER SINGH

70 Atlet Negara Berentap Dalam Sukan Pantai Asia Di Bali

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Okt (Bernama) -- Seramai 70 atlet Malaysia akan mengambil bahagian dalam kejohanan sulung Sukan Pantai Asia (ABG) yang akan berlangsung di Bali, Indonesia dari 18 hingga 26 Okt.

Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar berkata walaupun tidak meletakkan sebarang jumlah pungutan pingat, kontinjen itu dinasihatkan supaya menjunjung semangat kesukanan sepanjang masa kejohanan berlangsung.

"Memandangkan semua atlet masih baru kepada kejohanan antarabangsa yang unik ini, mereka perlu menampilkan tahap disiplin yang tinggi, permainan yang adil dan saling menghormati," kata Tunku Imran, yang juga anggota Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) dalam persidangan berita selepas menghadiri majlis penyerahan bendera kepada Chef-de-mission kontinjen, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad di Wisma OCM, si sini hari ini.

Sementara itu Ibrahim berkata 70 atlet yang terdiri daripada 44 atlet lelaki dan 26 wanita, akan bersaing dalam 12 daripada 19 acara sukan yang ditampilkan dalam sukan itu.

Dua belas sukan yang akan disertai mereka ialah handball, kabaddi, pencak silat, bola sepak, sepak takraw, bola tampar, bina badan, paragliding, triathlon, windsurfing, woodball dan bola keranjang, yang menawarkan 48 pingat emas.

Ibrahim berkata kontinjen itu mensasarkan untuk meraih pengalaman daripada kejohaan ini sebagai persediaan untuk Sukan Pantai Asia akan datang di Oman pada 2010.

Selain Malaysia, kejohanan itu akan disertai oleh 44 negara lain di bawah Majlis Olimpik Asia.

Kejohanan itu akan berlangsung di pantai terkemuka di Indonesia -- Pantai Kuta, Nusa Dua, Pantai Sanur dan Pulau Serangan.

-- BERNAMA

MOM masih tunggu, lihat

PENDEKATAN 'tunggu dan lihat' digunakan Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) pada penyertaan sulung Sukan Pantai Asia di Bali, Indonesia pada 18-26 Oktober ini, membabitkan 98 orang termasuk 70 atlit.

Malah, tiada sasaran pingat disasarkan pada temasya julung kali itu walaupun atlit negara bertanding dalam 12 acara daripada keseluruhan 19 yang dipertandingkan, antaranya triathlon, pelayaran, pencak silat, kabaddi, sepak takraw dan bola sepak.

"Ini adalah penyertaan kali pertama bukan saja atlit kita, tetapi juga kontinjen negara lain dalam temasya yang mempertandingkan pelbagai acara sukan. Jadi, sudah pasti segala-galanya terlalu asing.

"Kelayakan peserta dan pertandingan juga kali pertama diadakan dan kita tidak tahu standard yang ditetapkan," kata Presiden MOM, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar semalam.

Nada yang sama turut dinyatakan Naib Presidennya yang juga chef-de-mission negara, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad yang mengakui temasya itu hanya dijadikan medan pendedahan atlit negara untuk menghadapi kejohanan kedua di Oman, 2010.

Terdahulu, Tunku Imran menyampaikan Jalur Gemilang kepada Dr Ibrahim sebagai mewakili kontinjen negara yang bakal berlepas secara berperingkat-peringkat, bermula Rabu ini.

Pada masa sama, Tunku Imran turut mengingatkan kontinjen negara menjaga disiplin dan mengamalkan nilai Olimpik termasuk tidak menipu ketika bertanding, menghormati undang-undang, mempunyai semangat kesukanan dan penyertaan berpasukan.

BH

Malaysia To Send 70-member Contingent For First Asia Beach Games In Bali

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Seventy Malaysian athletes would take part in the inaugural Asian Beach Games (ABG) to be held in Bali, Indonesia from Oct 18-26.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said though no specific medal targets were set, the athletes are advised to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship at all times during the games.

"As most athletes are new to this unique international Games, they should also display a high level of discipline, fairplay and respect," said Tunku Imran, who is also a member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) after a flag handing ceremony to Chef-de-Mission Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad at Wisma OCM, here, today.

Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim said the 70 athletes consisting of 44 men and 26 women, would compete in 12 of the 19 sports contested in the Games.

The 12 sports are handball, kabaddi, pencak silat, football, sepak takraw, volleyball, bodybuilding, paragliding, triathlon, windsurfing, woodball and basketball, which offers a total of 48 gold medals.

Dr Ibrahim said the contingent aims to gain some experience that would come handy for the 2010 Asian Beach Games in Oman.

Besides Malaysia, the 44 other nations under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) are participating in the Games.

The Games would be hosted at world renowned beaches, namely Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua, Sanur Beach and Serangan Island.

-- BERNAMA

45 Countries Confirm Participation

DENPASAR (09/25/08) – 45 Asian countries confirmed to participate in the first Asian Beach Games 2008 in Bali, next October. This was verified after the last 3 countries: Bhutan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, confirmed their participation.

The Deputy Operational Director of Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), Ida Bagus Antara, said during an interview in Denpasar that the confirmation of the three countries was delayed due to the affirmation on athlete funding of each countries. “But now we have their confirmation, and that’s good,” Antara added.

Currently, there are 1.500 registered athletes from the total of 2.200. Together with officials and foreign government officials, there will be about 6.000 people visiting Bali during Asian Beach Games 2008.

Pemain tetap berlatih walaupun puasa

PEMAIN sepak takraw pantai negara giat berlatih di Kampung Baru, Sebarang Takir bagi menghadapi temasya di Bali bulan depan.

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SKUAD sepak takraw pantai negara tidak mempunyai masa yang panjang untuk membuat persediaan bagi menghadapi temasya Sukan Pantai Asia 2008 di Bali, Indonesia bulan depan, lapor AZMI WAHAB.

Memandangkan kejohanan tersebut akan bermula pada 18 Oktober nanti, pemain terpaksa menjalani latihan sepanjang bulan Ramadan ini.

Jurulatih, Ahmad Nasir Muda memberitahu, dengan tempoh yang ada mereka tidak mempunyai pilihan selain mengerah tenaga di bulan puasa ini.

"Pemain sedang giat berlatih setiap hari kecuali hari minggu bagi menyesuaikan diri dengan keadaan dan memperkemaskan lagi rentak permainan masing-masing.

"Jika kita tak buat persediaan pada bulan ini tentu kita akan tergesa-gesa untuk membuat persediaan lepas Hari Raya nanti. Jadi mahu tidak mahu kami terpaksa berlatih," ujarnya kepada Kosmo! semalam.

Tambah Ahmad Nasir, sepanjang bulan Ramadan ini bentuk latihan lebih tertumpu kepada aspek taktikal dalam usaha untuk mengekalkan tahap kecergasan pemain.

Latihan harian itu berlangsung di pantai Kampung Baru, Seberang Takir di Kuala Terengganu.

Ujarnya antara latihan tersebut ialah membiasakan diri dengan tidak memakai kasut, latihan menimbang bola dan menyesuaikan diri dengan angin pantai yang merupakan cabaran kepada pemain pada kejohanan itu nanti.

Katanya, latihan akan dipertingkatkan selepas Aidilfitri dan mereka dijadual berangkat ke Bali pada 16 Oktober.

Kosmo!

Medal Ceremony on Culture Night

DENPASAR (09/19/08) – Ms. Rita Subowo, KONI Chairman, said that the medal awarding ceremony will be organized in a special and different way. “The medals will not be awarded on the venues and we have planned to organize the medal ceremony during the Culture Exhibition Night,” she added.

The medal awarding ceremony will be organized on the three clusters during the Culture Exhibition Night. The ceremony will only be on the venues during live coverage from the television.

The organizing committee has planned to organize Culture Exhibition Nights every evening during the Games. The exhibition will perform dances and other cultural performances. The exhibition is expected to gather more crowds in Bali and to build more hype to the Games.

President to Open Asian Beach Games 2008

JAKARTA (01/09/08) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the Asian Beach Games (ABG) I at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument, Nusa Dua, Bali, October 18th 2008 as stated by Ms. Rita Subowo during the meeting with Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika in Sanur, Bali.

"We have had two meetings with the President for the schedule to open the Asian Beach Games. Mr. Vice President is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on October 26th," said Rita in Jakarta on Sunday (31/8).

The meeting with the governor discussed about the preparation for security. “We will coordinate with all related parties and local authorities on this. Security is an important issue as the international society will witness Bali during the Games therefore I want it to be safe,” said Made Mangku Pastika. (Irw/EdTeam)

Royal Families Attend Asian Beach Games

JAKARTA (01/09/08) - Besides the athletes, officials, supporters, and volunteers from all the participating countries around Asia, royal families from several countries will attend Asian Beach Games. Therefore, security is essential during the international multi-event in Bali.

“We have the confirmation of the presence of Royal family from England and Qatar, a number of state ministers, and the committee of Beijing Olympics 2008, even the Chairman of IOC, Jaques Rogge, will come to Bali" Said Ms. Rita Subowo in Jakarta on Sunday (31/8) during an interview.

Besides security team, there are 300 medical officers to in Asian Beach Games (ABG). 200 of them are volunteers consisting of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and paramedics. (Irw/EdTeam)

Completion Reached 75%

DENPASAR (09/18/08) – The completion for Asian Beach Games on October 2008 has reached 75% as stated by The Head of Regional Committee, I Gusti Bagus Alit Putra after presenting the Asian Beach Games program to Bali Governor in Denpasar.

Alit Putra, who is also the head of KONI Bali, said that the preparation will be completed in October 15th. “By that time, all the venues will be ready and the 3000 athletes from 41 participating countries can try out the arena for themselves. (Irw)

Asean beach games director lauds president's support

JAKARTA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The organizing committee of the Asian Beach Games, to be held next month, is confident that the support of Indonsian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will attactsponsor to the games, a paper said here Tuesday.

"We have a (financial) guarantee from the government. That will help us to get more sponsorship for the Games," marketing and public relations director for the Bali Asian Beach Games OrganizingCommittee (Babgoc) Sony Subrata quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.

President Susilo made his statement on September 9 that he was willing to lend his support to the success of the games.

The event organizer will launch a series of promotional ads, including 30-second television commercials that cost 2.7 million U.S. dollars, Sony said.

"We have prepared the material for the (TV) advertisement. It will be aired on local TV stations and international channels, suchas ESPN, CNN and BBC, starting Thursday," he said.

The Asian Beach Games will be held from Oct. 18 to 26.

Cari pengalaman berguna di Bali

TIADA tekanan yang diberikan kepada atlet negara yang akan membuat penampilan pertama pada Sukan Pantai Asia di Bali, Indonesia pada 18 hingga 20 Oktober depan.

Sebaliknya, kehadiran mereka sekadar untuk mencari pengalaman sekali gus boleh dijadikan ukuran sebelum menghadapi temasya edisi kedua di Oman dua tahun akan datang.

Ketua Kontinjen, Datuk Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad (gambar) berkata, belum ada standard yang boleh digunakan untuk mengukur kemampuan atlet negara pada temasya sukan itu.

Begitupun usaha persatuan sukan tempatan menganjurkan kejohanan yang membabitkan sukan pantai mampu melahirkan lebih ramai atlet cemerlang pada masa hadapan.

Selain itu, mereka juga mengambil inisiatif sendiri untuk menubuhkan persatuan sukan pantai kebangsaan jika mahu melihat acara baru ini berkembang ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi.

"Memandangkan ini adalah kali pertama temasya sukan ini diadakan kita tidak tahu setakat mana standard atlet-atlet negara dan negara-negara Asia yang lain.

"Atas alasan itu, adalah sukar untuk kami meletakkan sasaran atau jumlah pingat yang perlu dimenangi tetapi ia amat berguna untuk tempoh jangka masa panjang.

"Mungkin pada edisi kedua di Oman pada tahun 2010, kita ada sasaran khusus," kata Ibrahim selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat pengurus pasukan di pejabat Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) semalam.

Pada edisi kali ini, Malaysia akan menyertai lapan daripada 16 acara sukan yang dipertandingkan dan kontinjen negara akan diwakili seramai 86 orang masing-masing 63 atlet dan 23 pegawai.

Acara yang akan disertai pula adalah kabadi, silat, bola sepak, sepak takraw, bina badan, triatlon, woodball dan bola keranjang.

Ibrahim berkata, setakat ini hanya ada beberapa persatuan sukan pantai yang bertaraf kebangsaan dan berdaftar dengan MOM.

Lantaran itu, mereka perlu menubuhkan persatuan induk dan berdaftar dengan MOM jika ingin melihat sukan ini terus maju dan beraksi di peringkat antarabangsa.

Pada masa yang sama, Ibrahim yang juga naib presiden MOM bercadang untuk menjadikan skuad bola sepak pantai bimbingan jurulatih Ismail Zakaria sebagai skuad kebangsaan.

Ini berikutan kejayaan mereka mencipta kejutan muncul juara Kejohanan Bola Sepak Pantai Piala Raja Muda Johor di Desaru bulan lalu.

Kosmo

OCM Want NSAs To Organise More Beach Games

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad who is the Chef-de-Mission for the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia, wants National Sports Associations (NSAs) to organise more beach game activities.

He added that only by organising more activities involving beach games will the country be able to produce prominent athletes who can compete in world class competitions.

"So far only a few associations have registered with OCM and that is not sufficient to promote the sport at a bigger level, let alone win honours at international level.

"If sports associations wish to develop the sport further, they must form a national association and register with the OCM to enable them to compete in international competitions," said Dr Ibrahim after meeting managers of the respective sports bound to Bali.

The Games organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will be held at the world reknown beaches of Bali and the Malaysian contingent made up of 63 athletes and 23 officials will be participating in eight of the 16 sports held.

Dr Ibrahim said since the second edition of the Games will be hosted by Oman in 2010, there was able ample time for associations to prepare.

"Since this is the first time we are competing in the Games, we are not setting any specific target but I want the athletes to give their best and win as many medals as possible," he said.

Malaysia are competing in kabadi, silat, football, sepaktakraw, bodybuilding, triathlon, woodball and basketball. All competitions will take place on sand.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia wins at beach soccer

MALAYSIA won the first ever Desaru Beach Soccer Invitational Raja Muda Johor Cup after a thumping 4-2 victory over favourites Thailand in the finals.

The national beach soccer team entered the finals as the underdogs but did the nation proud when they started playing more aggressively during the second period after a goalless first period.

Malaysia opened the scoring through Mazlan Suid, who scored a clinical goal from close range. They were up 2-0 after Thailand’s Kay Langkawong’s back pass to his goalkeeper went horribly wrong and careened into the net.

In the thick of it: A Malaysian player races for the ball as his Thai opponents try to bring him down.

Sensing a do-or-die situation, Malaysia pumped up the pressure and their efforts paid off as the team’s top scorer Mohamad Hamidi Mohamad increased the lead with a superb shot from the edge of the area.

National team captain Wan Adremy Indra Wan Adnan showed his skills by outdribbling three Thailand players before making it 4-0.

In the third period, Thailand tried to make a comeback with two goals from Sarif Sanui and Chairat Choemchan but Malaysia managed to defend well and clinched the prestigious cup and pocketed the US$8,000 (RM25,000) purse.

Wan Adremy Indra, who was named Man of the Match, said he was very happy to lead the team to lift the cup and insisted that it was extra special because it was on the eve of the country’s 51st National Day.

Winners: The Malaysian team posing for a photograph after the event.

“This win is not just for us but for the whole country as well.

“I guess our strategy was to never give up and play to the best of our abilities,” he said, adding that the team had been training for three weeks before the tournament.

He said that the team would be competing in the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali from Oct 18 to 26 and they hoped to repeat the success.

The team’s assistant manager Mustaza Ahmad said the players showed real class throughout the tournament.

“I am really proud of them and right now all of us are over the moon with joy,” he said.

Congratulations: Tunku Ismail Ibrahim (left) presenting the Man of the Match trophy to Wan Adremy Indra.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Pongsak Khongkeaw conceded that Malaysia were the better team in the final but felt they owed their defeat to fatigue.

“The tournament took its toll on us and some of our players were too tired or injured by the time we reached the final.

“However, we gave our best but luck was not on our side,” he said.

Thailand received a trophy and cash prize of US5,000 (RM16,000).

Vocal support: Thai fans cheering their team on during the event.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Malaysia beat Laos 2-1 while Thailand overcame Indonesia 8-3 to book their respective places in the final.

Indonesia claimed third place and left Laos fourth place after edging them 3-0.

The Raja Muda of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim also led a team to face the Asean all stars in an exhibition match.

After drawing 4-4 in normal time, Tunku Ismail’s team was beaten 2-1 on penalties.

Five other teams which competed in the four-day tournament were Timor Leste, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The Star

Terengganu beach takraw team vow to do well

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu beach takraw team who will represent Malaysia at the Asian Beach Games in Bali next month have pledge to give their best.

“We will give our best shot in the inaugural championship organised by the Indonesian Sepak Takraw Association,” said Terengganu Sepak Takraw Association secretary Ramli Salleh.

Teams from Thailand, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia will participate in the Championship from Oct 18-26.

Besides Terengganu, Police have also been picked to represent Malaysia by the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association.

The two teams emerged as champions and runners-up at the national beach sepaktakraw championship in Kuantan last year. — Bernama

Beach Sepak Takraw Championship: Terengganu pledge to give their best shot

THE Terengganu beach takraw team, Malaysia's representatives at the Asian Beach Sepak Takraw Championship in Bali next month, have pledged to give their best.

"We will give our best shot at the inaugural championship," said Terengganu Sepak Takraw Association secretary Ramli Salleh.

Teams from Thailand, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia will compete in the championship on Oct 18-26.

Police are the other team picked by the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association.

The two teams emerged champions and runners-up respectively in the National Beach Sepak Takraw Championship in Kuantan last year. -- Bernama

Skuad Silat Negara Buru Lapan Pingat Emas Di Sukan Pantai Asia Di Bali

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Julai (Bernama) -- Skuad silat negara berazam membawa pulang sekurang-kurangnya lapan pingat emas pada temasya Sukan Pantai Asia yang julung kali diadakan dari 10 hingga 28 Okt di Bali, Indonesia.

Timbalan Setiausaha Agung Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pesaka) Bahrin Ibrahim berkata beliau yakin pesilat negara mampu meraih lapan daripada 11 pingat emas yang dipertandingkan dalam sukan silat.

"Walaupun kejohanan ini pertama kali diadakan, saya yakin bahawa pesilat kita mampu untuk menguasai gelanggang dan membawa pulang lapan daripada 11 pingat emas yang ditawarkan untuk acara lelaki dan wanita," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama, Rabu.

Bahrin berkata sasaran pingat emas itu adalah realistik kerana skuad silat negara sekarang mempunyai keupayaan untuk mencapai hasrat itu.

Skuad negara akan menghantar seramai 12 pesilat ke temasya sukan itu.

Antara pesilat lelaki negara yang akan menyertai kejohanan itu adalah Faizal Abdullah dan Ahmad Shahril manakala pesilat wanita adalah Wan Nurul Hidayu Wan Abdul Razak, Malini Mohd, Emy Lajip dan Mastura Sapuan.

Selain menyertai sukan silat pantai, Malaysia turut mengambil bahagian dalam sepaktakraw pantai, bola sepak pantai, bola tampar pantai, bina badan, 'woodball', renang maraton, jet ski, dan perahu layar.

Kejohanan Sukan Pantai Asia edisi pertama ini dijangka menarik penyertaan 45 negara yang menjadi anggota jawatankuasa Olimpik Asia (OCA).

-- BERNAMA

Skuad Sepak Takraw Pantai Negara Impikan Perak Di Bali

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Jun (Bernama) -- Pingat perak menjadi taruhan skuad sepak takraw negara pada Sukan Pantai Asia yang julung kali diadakan dari 10 hingga 28 Oktober ini di Bali, Indonesia.

Presiden Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM) Datuk Ahmad Ismail berkata pasukan itu mempunyai harapan meraih sekurang-kurangnya satu pingat perak walaupun ini adalah kejohanan yang pertama bagi acara sepak takraw pantai.

"Kita tidak membuat sasaran pingat yang lebih tinggi kerana ini merupakan temasya sukan pantai Asia yang pertama," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama hari ini.

Ahmad berkata pasukan sepak takraw negeri Terengganu dan pasukan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) telah dipilih untuk mewakili negara manakala pasukan wanita pula diwakili oleh Skuad Elit Sepak Takraw Kebangsaan.

Menurut Ahmad seramai 30 orang skuad negara termasuk pegawai akan mewakili negara ke temasya tersebut.

Antara acara lain yang dipertandingkan pada temasya itu adalah Bola Sepak Pantai, Bola Tampar Pantai, Bina Badan, Woodball, Renang Maraton, Jetski dan Berlayar.

Sebanyak 45 negara anggota Jawatankuasa Olimpik Asia (OCA) dijangka mengambil bahagian.

-- BERNAMA

Nine associations told to pay their own way to Bali

KUALA LUMPUR: (Bernama 25 June 2008) Nine national sports associations intending to participate in the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali from Oct 18 to 26 have been told the bear the costs of expenses themselves.

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said that the Games were not in the same status as the SEA Games, Asiad or the Olympics for them to foot the bill.

“We welcome the move by associations to compete in such a prestigious international meet but regret to say they have to bear all the expenses themselves,” he said yesterday.

Kok Chi said that the associations who planned to participate in the Games were from sailing, kabadi, beach volleyball, beach sepak takraw, beach football, bodybuilding, triathlon, woodball and parasailing.

He added that the organisers had set participation fee for each athlete at US$50 (RM160) a day and that any other association interested to feature in the Games could contact the OCM before the closing date on June 30. – Bernama 25 June 2008