Thursday, September 25, 2008

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.

Monday, September 22, 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.


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!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

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)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

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




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