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Sarawak football mourns loss of a favourite son BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Sarawak football mourns loss of a favourite son

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:07 AM PST

by Matthew Umpang, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: The sudden death of Sazali Mohd Ramli the player who scored the winning goal against Selangor in Sarawak's only triumph in the FA Cup in 1992 last Sunday has cast a gloom over the state's football fraternity.

He was found lifeless in his jogging suit at Millienium Park Tanjung Kidurong apparently due to heart attack while jogging.

His body will be flown here today to be buried at the Samarriang Muslim cemetery today.

Sazali was among the first players recruited by Alan Vest when he took over Sarawak in 1991.

Initially he played as left winger before Vest converted him into left back.

That team captained by Abdul Jalil Ramblee was a more refined progression of the rough and tumble Ngap Sayot mob under maverick coach Awang Mahyan which took Malaysian football by storm in the late 1980's.

Under Vest Sarwak shed their somewhat outlandish Ngap Sayot sobriquet in favour of more recognizable alter ego, Bujang Senang, the mythical crocodile.

Sazali was vital cog in that team with his no nonsense tackles and speedy overlapping runs from the back.

The crosses delivered with his left foot provided fodder for the hulking Australian imported striker John Hunter.

Sazali who hailed from Kampung Surabaya here quit the state team to move to Bintulu in 1997 to work as an auxiliary police for Petronas citing the need to "opt for the security of his job instead of the lucrative but relatively short career of professional football".

Several Bujang Senang fans who remembered him fondly called The Borneo Post to express their disbelief and sorrow over the loss of the player who etched his name in Sarawak's football folklore with that winning goal he scored in the 1992 FA Cup final.

Among the first to express sorrow over Sazali's death was Sarawak Football Fans Club (SFFC) president Peter Moni who said, "It was a sad day for Sarawak football. We are talking about a man who played a vital role in the success of Sarawak football here."

Peter believed Sazali was "the best left back" ever to don the state's colours.

Abdul Jalil when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday remembered Sazali as a popular character and an excellent footballer.

"I recall that he was a jovial character and a friend to everyone during our time playing for Sarawak. He was well-liked and got along with everyone."

Jalil vividly remembered that goal scored by Sazali in the cup final, without that effort Sarawak's trophy shelf would still be without any national silverware he mused.

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Crocs prepare for season opener in the highlands

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:06 AM PST

KUCHING: The Sarawak squad went up the Borneo Highlands near here yesterday to unwind and attend a motivational camp in preparation for the new season in the Super League.

According to coach, Robert Alberts, the camp was very important for the Crocs' mental preparation and to boost their morale before the league kicks off this Saturday.

"Sarawak is a wonderful place and we felt that the players need to release their pressure as expectations on the squad are high. We believe that this getaway will open up their mind to look at things differently," said Alberts.

"As they will be playing in the top flight Super League, we need to give them a view of things from a different dimension to ensure that they are mentally ready to compete among the best teams in the country," he added.

Robert was met by reporters after the team led by Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) President Datu Sudarsono Osman visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre along the way to the Borneo Highland resort.

On another matter, Roberts revealed that captain Shahrol Saperi underwent a minor operation on his foot yesterday while Mafry Balang is still on road to recovery from his injury.

"However overall the team is in good form and we are looking forward to our first match."

The players later on went for a Kayaking session at the Semadang river in Padawan.

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Bintawa Hilir dethrone defending champs Tabuan Lot

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:06 AM PST

Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: Bintawa Hilir were crowned champions of the YB Dr Hazland Abang Hipni cup tournament last Sunday.

Bintawa Hilir beat defending champion Tabuan Lot 2-0 in the final at the Jubilee Ground here to win the trophy and RM1,000 cash prize.

Mohd Kamarul Julai and Mohd Fazailah Saperi scored the goals for Bintawa Hilir.

Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni was also present at the match to give away the prizes.

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Sukma host Perlis eye 14 gold medals

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:04 AM PST

KANGAR: Perlis who host the 17th Sukma in May, hope to win at least 14 gold medals.

Perlis state sports council director Mohd Azahari Ramli said the confidence was based on preparations and training of athletes which had started a few months ago.

Speaking to reporters at his office yesterday, Mohd Azahari said athletes had currently entered the third phase of training.

He said Perlis, as the host, would field 300 athletes in the Sukma that features 24 sports in total and hope to win gold medals from cycling, weightlifting, taekwondo, karate and petanque.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azahari said 37 teams, including three from abroad, would take part in the Perlis Open Under-18 Rugby Challenge on Jan 25 and 26.

The challenge would be held at the Kolej Vokasional Arau and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Arau, hockey fields. — Bernama

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Walker rallies to win Sony Open

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:03 AM PST

HONOLULU: American Jimmy Walker claimed his second career victory on the USPGA Tour by firing a bogey-free, seven-under 63 to win the Sony Open on Sunday.

Walker birdied four of his final six holes to finish at 17-under par 263 and beat Chris Kirk by one stroke.

"I stayed patient. I was making a bunch of bogeys this week, but didn't make any today," Walker said.

"The par save at 14 was key.

"I was able to remain calm all week. It's much easier to say than to do, but I learned a lot from my win at the Frys."

His first win came last fall at the Frys.com Open, the first tournament of the Tour's new 2013-14 wrap-around season.

Kirk, who led after the third round, finished in sole possession of second place at 16-under. He rolled in birdies on three of his last four holes to shoot a four-under 66.

Jerry Kelly, the 2002 champion, posted a 65 to take third place at 15-under-par 265.

Harris English fired a three-under 67 on Sunday. He took fourth at 14-under, while Marc Leishman (65) grabbed fifth at 13-under 267.

At the par-three 17th, Walker hit his tee shot just inside six feet from the hole and he ran that putt in for a third straight birdie and a two-shot lead. He scrambled to a par at the par-five closing hole, then had to wait to see what would happen.

As Walker signed autographs, Kirk ran his eagle attempt past the hole.

"I made some birdies on the back, hit some really good shots, and made a really good par save and then hit some really good iron shots in," Walker said. "I made some good putts, and making those three birdies in a row was big."

Brian Stuard (67) was sixth at 12-under and Jeff Overton (68) ended in seventh at minus-11.

World No. 2 Adam Scott (66), Matt Kuchar (66) and last week's winner Zach Johnson (69) were among 12 players that shared eighth place at 10-under 270.

This is the first time Kirk has held a 54-hole lead and failed to win the event.

Kirk, who won his first US tour title at the 2011 Viking Classic, already owns a title this season from November's McGladrey Classic. — AFP

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Mohd Nurrahimin optimistic of winning medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:03 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: National elite shooter Mohd Nurrahimin Abd Halim is optimistic of winning medals at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland, scheduled in July.

The pre-university student at the Bukit Jalil Sports School said competition at the games would however, be very stiff since shooting events would normally be dominated by shooters from India and England.

"I am confident of earning a slot in the Commonwealth Games squad for the second time, after having competed in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games hosted by India, but winning a medal is going to be tough.

"However, I am not going to lose sleep over the colour of the prospective medal because winning a medal of any colour will be an achievent in a sport which will feature world class shooters from India and England," the shooter from Pahang who competed in the men's 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 positions (individual) in New Delhi told Bernama, yesterday.

Mohd Nurrahimin who represented Pahang in the Selangor Open Shooting Championships which ended at the National Shooting Range in Subang, yesterday, won two gold medals (50m Rifle Prone individual and 50m Rifle 3 Positions team, a silver in the (10m Air Rifle team) and a bronze medal from the 10m Air Rifle individual.

"I was not happy with my performance in the Selangor Open because I have done better in the past. May be it was due to lack of preparations," said Mohd Nurrahimin who is the brother of National elite woman shooter Nor Ayuni Farhana Abd Halim. — Bernama

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