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Australia emerge as top qualifiers BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Australia emerge as top qualifiers

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:07 AM PDT

by Ting Tieng Hee reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on May 11, 2014, Sunday

Top seeds lead China, Japan and Thailand for Mexico grand finals

KUCHING: Australia will report to the world grand finals of the Junior Fed Cup in Mexico this September as the top qualifier from the Asia-Oceania zone.

The top seeded team, captained by Louise Pleming, blanked fifth seeds China 2-0 in the final at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) Centre yesterday.

Kimberly Birrell finally made good in the first singles where she defeated Ma Shun Yue 6-3, 6-2 for Australia's first point.

She had lost two successive singles matches, against Japan in the semi-final and against India in the quarterfinals.

Priscilla Hon completed the Aussie victory with a 7-6(4), 6-1 win over Zheng Wu Shuang in the second singles. The doubles match was not played.

In the play-off for third and fourth placing, fourth seeds Japan took the first point through Momoko Kobori who easily beat Pichayatida Jandaeng 6-0, 6-1.

But Manita Bootsarakomvisit put Thailand on level terms when she defeated Chirizo Muramatsu in three sets of 6-2, 0-6 and 6-1 in the second singles.

The deciding doubles saw Chirizo-Saya Ito overcoming Manita-Pichayatida 6-3, 6-0 to hand Japan the 2-1 victory.

The top four finishers all qualify for the world grand finals.

India finished in fifth spot after edging second seeds Chinese Taipei 2-1 while Indonesia scored a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan to end up in seventh spot.

Although Malaysia lost 0-2 to Hong Kong in their final match in the tournament, they will still play in the final qualifying tournament next year. Singapore finished last in the 16-team competition after losing 0-3 to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, organising chairman Dato Patrick Liew expressed his satisfaction with the two tournaments, namely Junior Davis Cup/Junior Fed Cup final qualifiers.

"The competitions were run smoothly by our committed officials and it is very satisfying to receive numerous compliments from the captains and players of 32 different teams for a well-organised tournament," he said.

"We will continue to maintain and upgrade the facilities so that we are ready to host any tournament at all times," he added.

The association, he continued, will also look into overcoming the shortcomings such as installation of electronic scoreboards and having more qualified local officials.

SLTA will have a break for Sukma XVII and the month of Ramadan and Hari Raya, after which it will host the 10th Asian 14 and Under Series and the 24th Sarawak Chief Minister's Cup (II) ITF Junior Circuit (Grade 3) events in August.

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250 participants expected for 1st International SSTE Conference

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT

KUCHING: The Teachers Education Institute Tun Abdul Razak Campus (IPGKTAR), in collaboration with IPGM and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) under the Social Development Ministry (KPS), will host the 1st International Conference on Sports Science and Teacher Education (IConSSTE 2014) from Nov  4-6 at Kuching Hilton.

The three-day conference with the theme "Towards Excellence in Sports Science and Teacher Education",  will bring together experts from the scientific community, teachers, coaches and practitioners to exchange and discuss current research findings on sports science and teacher education at all levels as well as fostering networking and collaboration.

Keynote speakers include Prof Dr Tony Morris (Victoria University, Australia), Prof Dr Michael Chia (National Institute of Education, Singapore) and Julie Dyer (Deakin University, Australia).

Morris is author of one of the leading texts on sports and exercise psychology as well as an authoritative reference text on the status of sport psychology around the world while Chia is one of the global experts on youth athlete development under the International Olympic Council (IOC) Medical Commission.

The conference will also feature notable speakers such as Prof Dr Hong Kian Sam (Unimas), Assoc. Prof Dr Wee Eng Hoe (TAR Uni.College), Assoc. Prof Dr Souba Rethinasamy (Unimas), Assoc. Prof Dr Paul Lau Ngee Kiong (UiTM Sarawak), Dr Balbir Singh (UM), Dr  Tengku Fadillah (UPM) and Dr Vincent Teo (UM).

The campus director and chairperson Hamsiah  Abdullah Masni highlighted the importance of this conference, saying that "sports science and teacher education have always been a challenge in the development of sports and education throughout the world."

"By working together with our professional spirit and knowledge, we can learn from each other, share experience and discuss the many ways that sports science can be used within an educational framework globally," she added.

Hamsiah also extended her gratitude to Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee, who will co-organise the conference, for his constant support and assistance.

She also wish to thank ISN Satellite Centre Sarawak head Joshua Philip, Sarawak Taekwondo Association (ITF)state technical chairman and chief instructor Tan Check Joon and Sarawak Handball Association representative Salmi Lilek, the State Education Department and Sarawak State Sports Council  for their support and contributions which are important for the success of this conference.

Dr Ong commended Hamsiah and Dr Chin Ngien Siong (IConSSTE coordinator) for their leading roles in developing and nurturing sports science and teacher education in the IPG and Sarawak as he is looking forward to future collaboration in the development of sports and sports science conferences.

Those interested to attend and participate are also invited to submit an abstract or poster for presentation at the conference.

Submission deadline for abstract will be May 31 and the full paper by June 30.

Early bird registration fee of RM350 for locals and US$220 for international participants are applicable before June 30.

More than 250 participants are expected to attend the conference.

IConSSTE are hoping that more presenters and participants will join this conference as a build-up to Sukma 2016 in Sarawak.

For more information about registration, schedules and the conference, call Dr Chin at 019-8586898 or Ho at 013-8060027 or log on to the website: http://iconsste2014.ipgmktar.edu.my/

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Muaythai boxer wins bronze in IFMA tourney

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:03 AM PDT

by Matthew Umpang reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on May 11, 2014, Sunday

KUCHING: Six boxers from Kuching Muaythai Association (PMK) competed in the World Muaythai Championship held in Langkawi from May 1 – 10.

The annual international muaythai tournament was organised by the International Federation of Muaythai Amateurs (IFMA).

Junior boxers Muhammad Haikal Zaidie, Mohd Syahmi Affif Sulaiman, Shafiq Rashidi, Mohd Zairul Nazizan Zaidil and Christabella Vyonessa, with female boxer Ayu Arynafa'iza Azmi – the only senior – represented Malaysia at the tournament.

Syahmi emerged as the medalist from Sarawak after winning the bronze medal in the 39kg weight category.

Boxers who represented Malaysia had trained at the Gymnasium 3, National Sports Council Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur before the tournament.

PMK president Jumaat Ibrahim was proud of the Sarawak boxers despite the stiff competition they encountered.

"Competing in an international tournament like the World Muaythai Championship is not easy. Many good fighters from all over the world were competing at the tournament," he told thesundaypost yesterday.

Jumaat himself was presented with a special IFMA award last Sunday by the federation's president Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan for 'outstanding contributions towards the growth and development of muaythai in Malaysia.'

"With the honour bestowed upon me last week in Langkawi by IFMA, I am as motivated as ever to contribute to the development of muaythai in Sarawak. Our work have only just started and we will fight to the very end for Sarawak muaythai," he pledged.

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Duo qualify for 2015 world meet

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:02 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: National swimmer Kevin Yeap almost created a new national record in the men's 400m freestyle at the 57th Malaysia Open Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The Perak athlete clinched the gold medal after clocking the fastest time of 3:53.65 seconds, just 0.39 second away from the national record he set in the event.

The silver medal went to Danny Yeo of Singapore in 3:56.52 while Vernon Lee of Sarawak clocked 3:58.77 to take the bronze medal.

Kevin and Vernon also booked their tickets to 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia under category B, after meeting the qualifying time of 3:58.95.

"I am satisfied with my time today and happy with my physical fitness after recovering from a virus infection at the Myanmar SEA Games last year.

"My target is to qualify for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea in September," Kevin said yesterday.

Only Kevin, Daniel Bego, Welson Sim and Lim Ching Hwang have qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to Aug 3in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Kevin said his team was targeting to clock the best time at the Commonwealth Games to qualify for the Incheon Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Khoo Cai Lin said hope to be lucky today in the women's 800m freestyle to book a slot to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Cai Lin was confident she would be able to better the qualifying time of 8:45.28 for the Commonwealth Games and 8:33.55 for the Asian Games.

In the 400m freestyle yesterday, Cai Lin failed to make to cut for both major games this year despite winning the gold medal.

She recorded 4:16.83 beating Raina Saumi Grahan and Monalisa Arieswaty of  Indonesia, who clocked 4:25.71 and 4:28.56 respectively.

The qualifying time for the Asian Games is 4:14.37 and for the Commonwealth Games, it is 4:10.37. — Bernama

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Clinic for runners preparing for KM2014

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:00 AM PDT

KUCHING: The Kuching Marathon (KM)  will be an annual affair which aspires to bring marathon runners all over the world to Kuching.

The KM2014 will be held at Padang Merdeka on Aug 17 with race distances for 42, 21,10 and 5 km.

Mayor for Kuching North Datuk Abang Wahap Abang Julai officially closed a running clinic on `The Art Of Marathoning : Beginner's Guide To the Marathon' conducted by Tan Chin Chin. She spoke on physical conditioning for endurance sports.

The topics she covered included selecting the proper shoe, dressing, training, injury prevention, nutrition, goal setting and race day preparation

Tan, who had particpated in 13 marathons in 11 years, was the fourth best Malaysian famale marathoner for the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2010 and 2012.

More information on marathon running can be obtained from:

Liew Tang Chieh (Secretary)

Kuching Marathon Association

c/o Tang Advocates &                  Partners,  & Solicitors,

Lots 164-166, 2nd Floor,               Jalan Song Thian Cheok,           93100 Kuching, Sarawak

Tel: 019-8865666

Fax: 415913

www. marathonkuching.com

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360 participate in Larian Belia Merdeka Miri

Posted: 10 May 2014 10:00 AM PDT

MIRI: More than 360 runners participated in the Larian Belia Merdeka Miri Divisional level hosted by Ministry of Social Development here yesterday.

They included civil servants, students and members of the public.

The event, categorized into boys, girls men, women, veteran men and women, was flagged off at Miri City Council field.

The running distances ranged from 6 to 8 km.

The run start point was from MCC field heading to Taman Selera Pantai Tanjung Lobang as the turn point before heading back to MCC field.

Assistant Minister of Sport Datuk Lee Kim Shin flagged off the event. Also present was Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis.

Similar runs will be held in Sibu and Samarahan before the closing event for the state level to be held in Kuching on August 31 in conjunction with the Merdeka Day.

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