Easy Win For M'sia In Polo Final

From Hilary Sebastian

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian polo team easily overcame Singapore 9 - 3 1/2 in the final to win the gold at the VR Sports Club in Samut Prakan Province near here Saturday.

Team manager Ahmad Jamili Abdul Rahid said the win proved that Malaysia were still the best in polo in the region.

He attributed the victory to the hard work by the players who wanted to defend Malaysia's title in the event. The last time polo was included in the SEA Games was 24 years ago at the 1983 Singapore Games. Malaysia won the gold then.

The Malaysian winning team today comprised Datuk Mohamed Moiz Jabir (handicapped 2) (captain), Shaik Reismann Mohamed Ismail (2), Tengku Ahmad Shazril Tengku Sulaiman (2), Saladin Mazlan (2), Harizal Yahya (0), and Md. Adyrizal Md. Zamri (0).

Earlier, Thailand defeated Philippines 7 1/2 - 2 in the bronze play-off.

-- BERNAMA

Teck Hua-shun Ting Take The Bronze

From Farhanah Azmi

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Though not able to reach the final of the beach-volleyball competition, the women's pair of Luk Teck Hua and Beh Shun Ting will not return home empty-handed.

In the play-off for the bronze at the King's 80th Anniversary Sports Complex here Saturday, the final day of the Games, the duo had little difficulty in overcoming Indonesia's Devota Rahawarin/ Yokbeth Kapasiang.

The Malaysians took just 27 minutes for their 21-12, 21-7 victory.

"Overall I am satisfied with the performance by the beach volleyball team. We returned empty-handed at the last two Games and I am sure we will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future," said team manager Datuk Lee Jin Xian, who is also Malaysian Volleyball Association president.

Lee, who had promised a RM50,000 reward should any of the Malaysian pairs (there were four in the competition) be able to win gold, added that he would personally reward Teck Hua and Shun Ting RM5,000 each for their achievement while the team's coach would also do the same.

-- BERNAMA

Like Father Like Son

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Moh family has kept the Malaysian flag flying in the snooker and billiards competition of the Sea Games since the '90s.

It was Moh senior, the 53-year-old Loon Hong who started the proud tradition with his victory in the English billiards singles in the 1991 Games in Manila and then followed it up with his second victory in the 1995 Chiangmai Sea Games.

Meanwhile, Moh junior, Keen Ho, who was still in primary school in his hometown of Penang then, did not know what the fuss was all about. He was only five when dad won his first Sea Games gold medal and nine when the second gold came.

But on Friday in this northeastern Thai city, Keen Ho got his first taste of victory after two Sea Games and one silver and one bronze medal later.

The 21-year-old keen Ho beat Thailand's Napadon Sangnil 4-1 in a best of seven-frame final to win the men' singles gold medal to give Malaysia their first gold medal in snooker and billiards in the Korat Sea Games.

"When I was a small boy I remember people talking about my father winning the Sea Games gold medal. I wondered why everyone was so excited? I only saw the medal and it was a nice piece of metal.

"I was too young to understand," said Keen Ho.

But now he knows the joy of winning a Sea Games gold medal. More so after two attempts, at the 2003 Vietnam and 2005 Manila Sea Games, where he won a silver in the doubles and the bronze in the singles respectively.

"It's a nice feeling, really nice and now I know how my daddy must have felt when he won the two gold medals. To stand on the rostrum and hear the Negaru Ku being played made it even better," added Keen Ho, who picked up the game when he used to help his mother at the cashier's counter in the family's snooker centre in Penang.

"It's only natural that I play the game as I spent a lot of my free time at the centre. Infact, my younger sister is also quite good but she is not serious about it," said Keen Ho, who was also the 2005 Asian Junior champion.

His next target is the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010 where he hopes to a medallist there too.

-- BERNAMA

Four-Gold Heroine

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Lim Wen Chean won three gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics to sent Malaysia on the road to a golden flourish in the final day of competition at the Indoor Stadium here.

The 19-year old Wen Chean won the ribbon, club and rope in the single apparatus event to take her total tally to four gold medals out of the six offered in rhythmic gymnastics.

She could have won all six but lost the Individual All-around individual title and the hoop event to Thailand's Tharatip Sridee.

But while celebrating her triumph, including the team event gold, she will have to spare a thought for teammate Foong Seow Ting, the four-gold heroine in Manila in the previous Games.

It was a disappointing outing for Seow Ting here, winning only one gold through the team event and four bronze via the rope, ribbon, clubs and Individual All-around.

"The competition was tough here. Thailand's Tharatip (Sridee) is a worthy opponent and I certainly did not expect to win four gold. I thought I was good enough to win the ribbon and the All-round title.

"If I had a choice I would have preferred to win the All-around title," said Wen Chean.

She also won a gold medal each in the Hanoi and Manila Games in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Korat was to be her swansong and when asked about it, Wen Chen said: "But now I don't know. Give me a bit of time to think it over again."



-- BERNAMA

Azalina Wishes 'Syabas' To The Malaysian Contingent

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said wished the Malaysian contingent "Syabas" (well done) and congratulated those who had made it possible to achieve the 64-gold medal target.

"This is a success of the entire Nation and a victory for the united efforts of all Malaysians, immaterial of gender or race. The achievement shows that there has been progress and with the Key Performance Index system coming into play, I hope the results will only be better.

"But to be honest, initially I had my doubts as there were so many adverse reports of injuries, fears of biased judging, problems in sports associations, some had their own problems with International bodies and all these happened even before the SEA Games started.

"The determination shown by athletes, deserves a big thank you from the bottom of my heart and I wish to congratulate each and everyone who made it possible," Azalina told Bernama when contacted today.

She added that the achievement was a joint effort from the various parties involved like the National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the athletes themselves.

"I sincerely wish to be there in person to congratulate them (athletes, officials) but since Johor is facing floods, I will not be able to make it," said Azalina, who was in Korat twice to provide moral support and witness the action in the Games.

However, she urged the Malaysian contingent to continue their search for excellence and not rest on their laurels and hoped the SEA Games Federation and the respective sports associations will look into ways and means to maintain some form of consistency in the judging system for subjective sports.

"Biased judging in subjective sports has become a perennial problem in multi-sport events and continuously hamper the spirit of the Games. Fair play must always be emphasised as Winning alone should not be the motto of host countries.

"I have told NSC Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong to look at such aspects and liase with the relevant authorities to minimise such shortfalls," she said.

Zolkples had also earlier indicated that Malaysia may consider not sending teams for subjective sports, if the judging system was not improved.

--BERNAMA

Malaysia Achieve 64-gold Target, Now Set Sail For More

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent who achieved the 64-gold target for the Korat SEA Games today, set sail to surpass that mark when the final day of competitions gets underway Saturday.

However, there will be no champagne to pop up for celebrations as Thailand are observing a three-day non-alcohol curfew to facilitate polling process for their coming general election on Dec 23.

But champagne on the menu or not, there was no stopping the Malaysian contingent from rejoicing the achievement as soon as Moh Keen Ho potted his way to the men's singles gold in snooker to give Malaysia the all important 64th gold.

The achievement is the highest by the country after the 61-gold achievement at the 2005 Manila SEA Games.

It was the 10th gold of the day as Malaysian sailors had conquered the waves in Pattaya to clinch the men's International Laser and women's Laser Radial while divers went into action at the King's Anniversary Aquatics Centre to white-wash their opponents and sweep all five gold medals offered today.

The bowling team in Bangkok provided the cheers from the SF Strike Bowl centre by winning the Mixed doubles gold while taekwondo came good in the final event of taekwondo competitions to clinch the women's Under 51kg gold and Malaysia's ninth.

The 64-gold target was achieved through the contribution of 19 sports from the 40 sports that involved Malaysian athletes.

Aquatics (swimming, diving) accounted for the highest number with 14 while karate-do hauled in eight, ahead of athletics with seven while lawn bowls, equestrian, cycling and bowling added four each respectively.

Shooters fired their way to two gold medals even before the official opening of the Games while archers were spot on with another two, artistic gymnastics (2), hockey (2), sailing (2), taekwondo (2) and wushu (2) added to the tally while basketball (women), rhythmic gymnastics, squash, triathlon and snooker with one gold each shared the honours.

Tomorrow, the final day of competitions, 17 gold medals are on offer in rhythmic gymnastics (4), tennis (3), beach volleyball (2), diving (2), equestrian (2) and one in polo.

Malaysia will be in contention for medals in gymnastics, diving, equestrian and polo.

-- BERNAMA

Elaine Comes From Behind To Win Gold

From Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Elaine Teo bounced back from 0-2 down in the final round to defeat Filipino Loraine Lorellie Catalan 3-2 in the women's under 51kg taekwondo competition at the Vongchavalitkul hall here today.

The Malacca girl said that she was very happy to have won Malaysia's only gold medal today, the last day of the taekwondo competition.

"I am greatly relieved that I was able to fight back after trailing in the first two rounds," she said.

Elaine will compete in the Olympics next year in the below 57kg category instead of her regular below 49kg after an error by a Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA) official had Elaine entered in the wrong category.

-- BERNAMA

A Million Thanks To Chao Siao Fong

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- At 31, Chao Siao Fong has reached the twilight of her international basketball career and she knows it.

Basketball has been a major part of her life since she made her debut for Selangor in the Junior tournament in the early nineties and the strain is showing.

After helping Malaysia win the gold medal against Thailand 61-60 in a nail-biting final at the Keelapirom Stadium yesterday where she top scored for the team with 20 points, coach Tan See Wah offered her the hand of thanks.

"She came to the team's rescue when we needed someone with the nerves and steady hands. Her experience was a crucial factor in Malaysia winning the gold and as much as I want her to carry on playing for Malaysia, I know she is finding it tough.

"Age is catching up and I know she still has the desire to play. But at times I need to look for someone else to carry on the torch. She will be a part of the team if she wants but her place in the starting five has to be relooked," said See Wah.



Siao Fong, now an insurance agent, first appeared in the Sea Games in the 1995 edition in Chiangmai where she won gold and went on to win three more including yesterday's reward for Malaysia's victory over Thailand.

"I have been playing a long time now for my country and I can feel the strain. I don't know whether I can continue anymore. I will make a decision later," said Siao Fong, whose one point from the two free throws she took in the final minute of the match proved so crucial in the end.

She is considering taking up coaching but for now she has the gold medal in her hand and that's most important.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia tepati sasaran

TEPATI SASARAN: Zolkples (tengah) bersama Keen Ho (empat dari kiri) dan pegawai snuker meraikan kejayaan meraih emas ke-64 menerusi perseorangan lelaki, semalam.

Emas menerusi perseorangan lelaki snuker jelmakan impian

TAHNIAH dan syabas buat barisan Harimau Malaysia! Angka keramat 64 emas yang dicari muncul di dewan Hotel Sima Thani apabila Moh Keen Ho memenangi acara snuker perseorangan, sekali gus memastikan sasaran Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) tercapai sudah akhirnya.

Ia penantian yang cukup lama serta penuh mendebarkan dengan emas ke-64 negara hadir sehari sebelum Sukan Sea XXIV melabuhkan tirainya.

Dan kejayaan Keen Ho itu disambut dengan linangan air mata oleh kontinjen negara yang hadir termasuk Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolples Embong yang tidak dapat menahan perasaan terharunya lantas memeluk pegawainya dan terus menangis.

Seolah-olah seperti bebanan dan tekanan sudah hilang, Zolkples melepaskan semua perasaan terpendamnya dengan memeluk semua pegawai termasuk wartawan Malaysia yang mengucapkan tahniah di atas kejayaan kontinjen negara.

"Ini emas paling berharga," kata Zolkples, sambil mengesat air matanya. "Saya tidak sangka emas ke-64 akan disumbangkan oleh snuker dan syabas saya ucapkan kepada Keen Ho dan juga Prof Datuk W W Chin (Presiden Snuker dan Billiards Kebangsaan), yang berusaha keras untuk memastikan snuker menyumbangkan emas yang kali terakhir dimenangi pada 1999.

"Saya juga sudah memaklumkan kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan (Datuk Seri Azalina Othman) dan beliau meminta kontinjen negara supaya jangan berhenti setakat ini, sebaliknya terus mencuba untuk memenangi beberapa emas lagi pada hari terakhir esok.

"Saya juga ingin mengambil kesempatan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada atlit serta persatuan sukan kebangsaan yang berusaha keras untuk memastikan kita dapat mencapai sasaran ini dan saya juga tujukan kejayaan ini kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia," kata Zolkples.

Selepas permulaan perlahan terutama lima hari pertama pertandingan apabila emas diraih kontinjen Malaysia begitu sedikit, atlit negara bangkit menggegar Korat pada tiga hari terakhir.

Bermula Rabu lalu, apabila karate-do dilangsungkan, ia mencetuskan kebangkitan kontinjen negara apabila mereka berjaya memenangi sejumlah 13 emas, dan disusuli dengan 10 emas kelmarin dan jumlah sama diraih semalam, bagi menjadikan pungutan tiga hari ini saja berjumlah 33 emas.

Ia membantu kontinjen Malaysia untuk menduduki tangga ketiga kedudukan pingat negara-negara dengan sejumlah 64 emas, terikat dengan Vietnam, yang menduduki tempat kedua berbekalkan kelebihan pingat peraknya.

Tetapi dengan Malaysia masih berpeluang menambah pingat melalui sukan polo, gimrama dan terjun pada hari terakhir ini, kontinjen negara kini mensasarkan kedudukan naib juara keseluruhan di belakang Thailand.

Bagi Zolkples, tekanan yang dirasai sejak bermulanya Sukan Sea begitu jelas apabila tidak dapat mengawal perasaannya semalam.

"Saya dapat rasakan satu bebanan atas diri saya sudah hilang," kata Zolkples. "Memang ramai yang meragui kemampuan kita mencapai sasaran 64 emas selepas kita bermula perlahan tetapi saya sudah jelas sebelum ini bahawa acara yang menjadi sasaran emas kita akan hanya bermula pada akhir pertandingan.

"Kini kita berpeluang memenangi beberapa emas lagi dalam acara terjun, gimrama dan polo dan saya berharap atlit kita akan terus berjuang," katanya.

Berita Harian

Synchronised Divers Strike Gold

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The synchronised diving pairs of Cheong Jun Hong/Pandalela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee/Rossharisham Roslan struck gold in the women's 10m platform and men's 3m springboard events respectively at the Aquatics centre here this morning.

Jun Hong and Pandalela scored 293.79 points to finish ahead of Amelia Shenny Sukmahati Herlyani of Indonesia who recorded 270.12 points. Sukrutai Tommaoras/Dangjai Putsadee of Thailand (208.17) took the bronze.

Ken Nee and Rossharisham scored 416.76 points beating defending champions Philippines' Domemios Zardo/Nino Carog who managed only 342.72 points and had to settle for the silver. The Vietnamese duo of Nguyen Minh Sang and Vu Anh Duy took the bronze in 324.93 points.

In the afternoon, Bryan Nickson Lomas will compete in the men's 10m platform while Ken Nee and Rossharisham will try to outdo each other in the men's individual 1m springboard.

Leong Mun Yee will partner Elizabeth Jimie in the women's 3m synchronised springboard.



















-- BERNAMA