Thai fighters likely to miss SEA Games

Source: Bangkok Post

Thailand is unlikely to send athletes to compete in muay (Muay Thai) at this year's SEA Games due to ongoing conflict between the sport's governing bodies.
According to a technical handbook released by host Myanmar, the event, in which 14 gold medals are at stake, will be organised by the Southeast Asian Muay Federation, which is the rival of the Amateur
Muaythai Association of Thailand (Amat).

Amat chairman Sakchye Tapsuwan, whose organisation is recognised by the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (Ifma), said the tournament should have been organised by the Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia (Fama), which is under Ifma.

"The tournament should have been organised by any governing body recognised by Ifma," he said. "The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has advised that the tournament should be organised by Fama.

"We are not able to send our athletes to compete at the SEA Games even though we informed the host we would have 14 fighters." Lt Gen Akachai Chantosa, president of the World Muaythai Federation, admitted he received the recommendation from the OCA but insisted it was ultimately Myanmar's decision.

Maj Gen Charouck Areeratchankaran, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Thailand, said Sakchye must take responsibility if Thai fighters are absent from the Dec 11-22 Games. The Thai NOC is not able to send fighters to the SEA Games because they are training under Amat, he said.

Parliament: SEA Games 2017 To Cost RM116 Million - M. Saravanan

Source: Bernama

A budget of RM116 million is needed for Malaysia to host the SEA Games 2017, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan told the Dewan Negara.

He said the Olympic Council of Malaysia's proposal for Malaysia to host the Games, including the budget, would be tabled to the Cabinet next month for approval.

"It should be Brunei's turn to host the 2017 Games but it wants to host the 2019 edition instead as it is not ready for it.

"So, Malaysia has been offered to host the 2017 edition," he said when responding to a question from Senator Baharudin Abu Bakar during question time today.

Malaysia was given the right to host the regional biennial event in 2017 by the SEA Games Federation as there was no other country bid for the host job.

Saravanan said the Cabinet's approval would depend on the government's financial capability, athlete performance and adequate sports infrastructure.

"In terms of athlete performance, we will ensure that Malaysia take in sports that it has the competitive edge like lawn bowls, cycling, karate, silat, squash and tenpin bowling," he said, adding that SEA Games would be Malaysia's preparation for the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

2013 Sea Games Technical Guide Book Confusing - Kok Chi

Source: Bernama

Even before issues on security for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar has been resolved, another jas cropped up. This time the technical guide book for Games, which is said to be lacking in details and confusing. 

Malaysian Olympic Council (MOM) secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said MOM received the books from the 2013 SEA Games Organising Committee recently and had distributed them to national sport associations. He said he was shocked when he found many mistakes in the book and had sent a letter to the organising committee to get clarification yesterday.

"Major mistakes such as the closing date for participation should not have happened and we hope they can solve the problem as soon as possible," he said when contacted by Bernama Tuesday. He said the closing date for participation should be Nov 19, but it was printed as Sept 15 in the book. He said this was the first time MOM received the technical guide book directly from the organiser, because previously the organiser sent a draft first before filing up the guide book. 

"I also request all NSAs to review the book carefully and to inform us if they find any mistakes," he said. In a related development, he said the selection committee meeting to the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games would be held after Aidilfitri. "We still do not know the number of athletes and officials who will be sent to Myanmar. Our participation is estimated at between 600 and 700 people," he said. Of the 33 events to be contested at the Games, Malaysia will not take part in four events, namely, wrestling, traditional boat race, and martial arts events kempo and vovinam. 

The Myanmar SEA Games will be held from Dec 11 to 22.

Indonesian Volleyball team Rely on Youth

Source: Kompas

 

National women's volleyball team is prepared to face the 2013 Games in Myanmar in December which is dominated by young players. Only few athletes like Amalia Fajrina and Novriali Yami who has the experience of playing in the SEA Games before are in the line-up.

"A lot of old players were called but most of them can not join because of studies (college), work and others. This brings now young players in the team. Some of them, like Ayu is 16 years old and had entered national training this year." said the girls' volleyball coach Muhammad Ansori, on the sidelines of an exercise routine in Padepokan Volleyball, Sentul, West Java, on Monday (29/07/2013).

Ansori said, this is a new young team training for two months. In this short time, teamwork is not fully formed.

"The most difficult is to combine them into one team. They're coming from different clubs throughout Indonesia."said Ansori. To see the results of his athletes' exercise done, the men's team plans to invite Ansori Maluku Volley Ball Club for sparring the Padepokan Volleyball, next week.

"The hope of course is better than ever. The plus side, they are a lot of young, good spirits too young spirit, "said Ansori.

Previously, the girls' volleyball team has done sparring with Maluku Volley Volley Ball Club in GOR, Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, on Thursday (25/07/2013). However, Ansori was not satisfied because the team did not show satisfactory results. There are still a lot of fundamental errors that should be corrected.

Brunei football deep into SEA Games preparations

Source: The Brunei Times

NATIONAL football coach Kwon Oh-son is pleased with the progress of his players as they step up their preparations for December's Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

"We (national Under-23 team) managed to prepare quite early for the SEA Games this year and I feel that we are progressing well and steady," said Kwon yesterday.

"We have trained every day since April and the players are in good condition.

"When we first started training we had 40 players with us, but now we only have less than 20.

"Most of them are from the (Under-21) team that won the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) last year, while some of them are new players from local clubs in the national league," he South Korean.

Kwon added that three DPMM FC players Adi Said, Azwan Ali Rahman and Md Fakhrul Zulhazmi Yussof will also be a part of the squad for the SEA Games.

"Key players such as Adi, Azwan and Fakhrul are currently training with DPMM FC (and) I have no worries about these three players as they are training and playing with the best club in Brunei," said the coach.

"I hope that we will be able to welcome them to train with the rest of the squad by the time DPMM FC finish their Singapore League campaign (in September).

"We will try hard and give our best, and I hope that we will be able to achieve a good result for Brunei this year," he added.

Brunei failed to progress past the group stage at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia, where they played out to one win, one draw and three losses.

Brunei started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Timor Leste before drawing 2-2 with Laos.

They then fell 4-0 to Myanmar and 8-0 to Vietnam before winning their last match against the Philippines 2-1.

Brunei is working on a friendly game with the Indonesian SEA Games team scheduled for August 14, a match against the 2011 runners-up which, if works out, Kwon will welcome with open arms.

"I heard about the friendly and it will be a very good opportunity for the players if it happens," he said.

"Indonesia are currently preparing for the SEA Games too and they are one of the best teams in the region, so it will be a very interesting match.

"Over the past few months we have only been focusing on physical and tactical training and this friendly match will give us very good match practice," he added.

Kwon's last international outing was in October for the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Suzuki Cup 2012 qualifiers in Myanmar, where the senior team finished with six points from two wins and two losses.

The Wasps started off with a 1-0 loss to hosts Myanmar, bounced back with a 3-2 victory over Cambodia and followed that with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Laos.

The Sultanate then went on to put in a convincing performance to stun Timor Leste 2-1 in their final match of the tournament.

Veteran Noraseela in a race against time for SEA Games

Source: The Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran Noraseela Khalid is the top women’s 400m hurdler in South East Asia.

But the 34-year-old, who had a heel surgery in April, is fighting against time to qualify for the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

The Selangor runner has recovered from the operation but she is not sure whether she will be able to compete in the biennial Games.

Noraseela, who has a personal best of 56.02, said she has started training and would compete in her first competition in September.

“I have been out of action since aggravating my injury in the London Olympics last August. I am not sure if I will be able beat the SEA Games qualifying time.

“It all depends on my body and also my ability to run well in competitions,” said Noraseela, who needs to surpass the qualifying mark of 58.97.

Noraseela made her debut in the 1999 Brunei SEA Games and she bagged the silver in in the Kuala Lumpur Games in 2001.

She won the gold in the 2003 Vietnam Games but skipped the 2005 Manila and 2007 Korat Games due to ankle and heel injuries.

But she came back to win the gold in Laos in 2009 and Palembang (2011).

Noraseela has also won the bronze medal in the Asian Track and Field (ATF) championships in Jakarta in 2000.

She bagged silvers in ATF meets in Incheon in 2005 and Guangzhou in 2009.

Noraseela, who featured in the World Championships twice in Edmonton, Canada in 2001 and also Helsinki, Finland in 2005, won the bronze in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

Noraseela, who is single, said that although she is 34 but she hopes to continue representing the country in athletics.

“I am happy to be the top 400m hurdler in South East Asian region and want to help Myanmar SEA Games,” said Noraseela.

Myanmar kickboxing out of SEA Games contention

Source: Mizzima

 

The Secretary of the Lethwae (Myanmar traditional boxing) Federation, Sai Zaw Zaw, has told Mizzima that because Lethwae is a professional sport in Myanmar it cannot be part of this December’s SEA Games in Naypyidaw.

“Our Myanmar traditional boxing is at a professional competition level, so it’s not easy to register it as a SEA Games sport,” he said. “Myanmar traditional boxing is at an international standard whilst the SEA Games are an amateur competition.

“The Sea Games are for medals, not for money,” he added.

In Lethwae, a martial art similar to Thai kickboxing, prize money at a ringside event in Myanmar can vary between 30,000 kyat (US $30) and 4 million kyat ($4,000) per boxer.

Sai Zaw Zaw added: “In my opinion, we should try to get Lethwae included at other international sports events rather than focus on the SEA Games. By doing so, the sport will become well known all over the world and can also help promote the nation.

“Now everyone knows boxer Aung La [cage fighter in the USA] is from Myanmar. There are Lethwae clubs in Russia and Australia. There is not much different between Thai boxing and Myanmar boxing.

We use knees more than the Thais. So, if we adjust Lethwae to become a registered SEA Games sport, we are worried that it may become just a lesser known version of Muay Thai [Thai Boxing].”

Myanmar to set up Wi-Fi free zones during the SEA Games

Source: ELEVEN

Speedy Wi-Fi free zones will be set up in Yangon and Ngwe Saung, one of South East Asia's longest beaches, during the coming SEA Games in Myanmar, according to local sources.

The services will be provided by RedLink Communications Company of Myanmar and available in sport facilities such as Thuwunna Sports Training Ground, Thuwunna Stadium, North Dagon shooting sports facility, Theinphyu Sports Ground, Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon and seaside resort of Ngwe Saung.

RedLink has signed a memorandum of understanding with Cisco Systems Company Ltd from Thailand on July 18 in Yangon to provide the services.

The 27th SEA Games will be hosted by Myanmar from Dec 11-22, 2013. The venues will be in the capital Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung Beach.

The services will be available free for athletes and guests from the preparatory period before the Games till its closing on December 22.

Herbalife is Official Nutrition Sponsor to Vietnam Athletes

Source: Jakarta Post

HANOI, Vietnam, July 25, 2013  — Herbalife Vietnam and the Vietnam Olympic Committee have announced that Herbalife is the official nutrition sponsor for Vietnam's athletes competing at the 27th South East Asian Games 2013 (SEA Games 2013) in Myanmar to be held from December 11 to December 22 this year. 

The sponsorship will see Herbalife providing its nutrition products and sports nutrition consulting and trainings for all the 800 qualified athletes competing in 29 sports disciplines at the Games. 

This agreement is an extension of an MOU signed in 2012 with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam which made Herbalife the exclusive official nutrition sponsor of Vietnam sports from 2012 to 2016.

900 Myanmar athletes join 2013 SEA Games

Source: Jakarta Post

Over 900 athletes are going to participate in the 27 SEA Games 2013, which will be held in Myanmar.

The SEA Games will be held from Dec. 11 to 22, 2013 in Naypyitaw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung Beach. Altogether 11 countries from the Southeast Asian Regions are going to take part in the competition.

“Over 900 athletes from Myanmar are going to participate in that game. Among the participating nations, Myanmar will be the largest number. Indonesia will come second in number,” said an official from the Myanmar Olympic Committee.

In the last SEA Games, Myanmar has participated with 477 athletes and won 16 Gold Medals altogether 80 medals. Myanmar stood 7th in the SEA Games. In that SEA Games, Indonesia has participated with 1059 athletes and won 182 Gold Medals. Their standing order is No.1.

In the previous SEA Games, 44 kinds of sports events were included while this 2013, 33 kinds of sports events will be put in the list. A total of 545 Gold Medals were awarded in the previous SEA Games but now 460 Gold Medals will be awarded.

Indonesia Targets the Championship in Karate

Source: Kompas

General Manager of Athletics Federation of Karate-Do Indonesia (Forki) is targeting to be the champion at the SEA Games 2013 Myanmar. Two years ago, they are so common on turf champion with a turnover of 10 gold medals, two silver, and four bronze.

"It is better to champion in other countries. Otherwise, the general championship title yesterday (SEA Games 2011) could arguably just as we host," said trainer karate kumite number, Zacharias M Sogorom, in Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (16/7 / 2013).

To create the target, karate Timnas must fight hard because to date Arrangements are still practicing without adequate equipment, the training has not been able to automatically make up.

"The funds have not been received.'s Only athlete allowance is payable three months," sighed Zacharias.

The plan, which is currently 29 athletes will occupy national training were included in the Finnish Open, August 30-September 1. However, all still waiting for approval and funding from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora).

"Moreover, we have try outs for number words in Turkish and kumite in Japan after the ISG (Islamic Solidarity Games). But, all back again, waiting for funds from the government," continued Zacharias.

In addition to equipment problems, reduced training time during the month of fasting also be hampered. Usually, they are training for four hours a day, two hours each morning and afternoon.

During the fasting month, the training time is reduced to one and a half hours in the morning and one hour in the evening,. The training schedules tailored arrangements with athletes who are fasting.

With the preparations still potential, Zacharias remains confident his team will be able to grab at least four or five gold. "If you want to champion, we need government attention. But, we still tried to be positive for the champion."

Fighting grace in SEA Games is Malaysia and Vietnam. In addition, Zacharias and other trainees also wary strength host Myanmar.

Muay Thai Aim Two Gold at SEA Games 2013

Source: Kompas

General Manager Muay Thai Indonesia (PBMI) is targeting two gold medals at the SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar next December. 

"Precisely two gold, four silver, and three bronze," said coach Timnas muay thai, Rahmi, on a routine training completed in XII Door Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta. 

This is the first time Indonesia lowered muay thai athletes at the SEA Games. Charged sufficiently realistic target. Last March, lowering PBMI five athletes on the World Championship Muay Thai in Thailand and got quite satisfactory results. 

"We got a silver. Fact, the level of the world and there are 78 countries that participate (participation)," said Chief General PBMI, Sudirman. 

A total of 14 athletes who now inhabit the national training twice do try out in Thailand. "The first of April, and June-July. Over there they do simulated competition and learn some new techniques from Thai coach," continued Sudirman. 

Athlete's training schedule has not changed even though entering the month of fasting, fixed two and a half hours each morning and afternoon, from Monday to Saturday. 

National training will also do muay thai training camp in Ukraine at the end of last September. Furthermore, they claimed proved the training in Indonesia Open which will be called the first time in Bali on October 22 to 27. 

"We are faithful to call muay thai first international tournament in Indonesia. We have estimated, at least there will be 30 countries participating," said Sudirman. 

With various preparations that are considered mature enough, Sudirman hope athlete Indonesia can compete with athletes of Thailand and Vietnam are still dominating the sport is.

Indonesia Badminton players change for SEA Games

Source: PBSI

(Jakarta, 23/07/2013) Indonesia's best mixed doubles pair, Tontowi Ahmad / Natsir Liliyana has canceled competing in the SEA Games 2013. The schedule of SEA Games 2013 that was dropped along with the BWF Superseries Finals 2013 tournament made ​​Tontowi and Liliyana to settle on the BWF tournaments.

BWF Superseries Finals 2013 will take place on December 11 to 15, 2013 while the 2013 Games the sport of badminton will be played on 10-14 December 2013.

"Tontowi / Liliyana will follow the BWF Superseries Finals, as the player who missed the tournament will get penalized. Instead, Riky Widianto / Richi Puspita Dilli SEA Games team will go with Muhammad Rijal / Debby Susanto "said Ricky Soebagdja, Head of Public Relations and Social Media Manager also PBSI the Indonesian SEA Games team.

Changes in the composition of players also occur in men's singles and men's doubles. Tommy Sugiarto is now in the ranking of the two rankings superseries also most likely have to play in the BWF Superseries Finals which will take place on 11 to 15 December 2013.

Partner Hendra Setiawan / Mohammad Ahsan too, their position in the core team SEA Games 2013 will be replaced with a new men's doubles partner, Ricky Karanda Suwardi / Berry Angriawan.

The following list of Indonesian badminton team at the 2013 Games:
 

Men's singles
Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka and Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo
 

Women's singles
Linda Wenifanetri and Bellaetrix Manuputty

Women's doubles
Greysia Polii / Nitya Maheswari and Tiara Rosalia Krishinda Nuraidah / Gebby Ristiyani Imawan

Men's doubles
Angga Pratama / Rian Agung Saputro and Ricky Karanda Suwardi / Berry Angriawan

Mixed doubles
Muhammad Rijal / Debby Susanto and Riky Widianto / Richi Puspita Dilli

Vietnam confident before SEA Games 27

Source: VNA/Vietnam Plus

The successful performance of Vietnamese athletes at the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games 4 (AIMAG 4) has created an impetus to the country’s competition in more sports event in 2013, particularly the 27th South East Asian Games (SEA Games 27) in Myanmar at the end of the year.

With eight gold medals, 7 silvers and 12 bronzes, Vietnam ranked third at AIMAG 4 among 45 participating teams. Half of the gold medals came from swimming, muay Thai and chess, which are the strengths of Vietnam’s sport sector. These three sports are also expected to bring medals for Vietnam at SEA Games 27.

According to Lam Quang Thanh, deputy director general of the General Department of Sports, the sector is focusing investment on these three plus billiard in preparation for the upcoming regional event.

Vietnam plans to compete in 28 out of 33 events at SEA Games 27, hoping to win gold medals in at least 20 sports.

The performances of the athletes at the regional arena will serve as a basis for sport officials to decide priority sports at ASIAD 14 and Olympic 2016.

Over the past years, Vietnam always ranks among the top three at SEA Games

Thailand steps in after SEA Games dumps tennis

Source: The Nation

Thailand will host a regional tennis event to make up for the absence of tennis at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) president Suwat Liptapanlop said the Asian Tennis Federation had given the go-ahead for a tournament for Southeast Asian countries, after the SEA Games host insisted it did not have the facilities to stage a tennis event.

"We have had positive responses from SEA Games member countries about this tournament. We will organise the competition to be identical to the normal [SEA] Games event," said the Thai tennis chief.

A total of seven gold medals - men's singles, doubles, teams, and women's singles, doubles, team, and mixed doubles - will be up for grabs at the tournament, which will be held shortly before the December 11-22 SEA Games.

WTF World Taekwondo Championships 2013

 

Location: Puebla, México

Date: 15th - 21st July 2013

Results/Winners


Women's Division

Fin Weight (-46kg)
Gold - So-Hui Kim (KOR)
Silver - Anastasia Valueva (RUS)
Bronze - Dandan Ren (CHN)
Bronze - Fadia Farhani (TUN)

Flyweight (-49kg)
Gold -  Chanatip Sonkham (THA)
Silver - Dana Touran (JOR)
Bronze -Yania Aguirre (CUB)
Bronze - Lucija Zaninovic (CRO)

Bantamweight (−53 kg)
Gold - Kim Yu-Jin (South Korea)
Silver - Ana Zaninović (Croatia)
Bronze - Yamisel Núñez (Cuba)
Bronze - Floriane Liborio (France)

Featherweight (−57 kg)
Gold - Kim So-Hee (South Korea)
Silver - Mayu Hamada (Japan)
Bronze - Anna-Lena Frömming  (Germany)
Bronze - Eva Calvo  (Spain)

Lightweight (−62 kg)
Gold - Carmen Marton (Australia)
Silver - Kim Hwi-Lang (South Korea)
Bronze - Rabia Güleç (Germany)
Bronze - Nina Kläy (Switzerland)

Welterweight (-67kg) 
Gold - Haby Niare (FRA)
Silver - Chia Chia Chuang (TPE)
Bronze - Franka Anic (SLO)
Bronze - Farida Azizova (AZE)

Middleweight (−73 kg)
Gold - Glenhis Hernández (Cuba)
Silver - Lee In-Jong (South Korea)
Bronze - Jasmine Vokey (Canada)
Bronze - Casandra Ikonen (Sweden)

Heavyweight (+73 kg)
Gold - Olga Ivanova (Russia)
Silver - Briseida Acosta (Mexico)
Bronze - Anne-Caroline Graffe (France)
Bronze - Ana Bajić (Serbia)



Men's Division

Finweight (−54 kg)
Gold - Kim Tae-Hun (South Korea)
Silver - Hsu Chia-lin (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Jerranat Nakaviroj (Thailand)
Bronze - Hussein Sherif (Egypt)

Flyweight (-58kg)
Gold - Tae-Moon Cha (KOR)
Silver - Hadi Mostean Loron (IRI)
Bronze - Damian Villa (MEX)
Bronze -Guilherme Alves (BRA)

Bantamweight (−63 kg)
Gold -  Lee Dae-Hoon (South Korea)
Silver - Abel Mendoza (Mexico)
Bronze - Wei Chen-yang (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Stevens Barclais (France)

Featherweight (-68kg)
Gold - Behnam Asbaghikhanghah (IRI)
Silver -  Hun KIM (KOR)
Bronze -  Jose Antonio Rosillo Atencia (ESP)
Bronze -  Balla Dieye (SEN)

Lightweight (-74kg)
Gold -  Uriel Adriano (MEX)
Silver -  Albert Gaun (RUS)
Bronze - Yoo-Jin Kim (KOR)
Bronze -Saifeddine Trabelsi (TUN)

Welterweight (−80 kg)
Gold - Tahir Güleç (Germany)
Silver - René Lizárraga (Mexico)
Bronze - Anton Kotkov (Russia)
Bronze - Nicolás García (Spain)

Middleweight (−87 kg)
Gold - Rafael Castillo (Cuba)
Silver - Ma Zhaoyong (China)
Bronze - Yassine Trabelsi (Tunisia)
Bronze - Radik Isayev (Azerbaijan)


Heavyweight (+87 kg)
Gold - Anthony Obame (Gabon)
Silver - Sajjad Mardani (Iran)
Bronze - Ivan Trajkovič (Slovenia)
Bronze - Robelis Despaigne (Cuba)

Cueists to fight for SEA Games spots in Kuala Lumpur

Source: The Brunei Times

BRUNEI will be looking for a strong outing at the 5th Golden Break 9-Ball Invitational Championship 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

The Brunei Cue Sports Association (BCSA) are looking at sending the quartet of Ahmad Taufiq Murni, Pg Anak Hj Abdul Awadi ZH Pg Anak Hj Latifuddin, Hj Md Alirani Hj Besar and Mohd Qusyairi Zainuddin to tackle the August 17-24 competition.

According to Hj Abd Lani Hj Mahmud, the BCSA secretary-general, this is the cueists' chance at fighting for a berth on the Brunei contingent to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar in December.

"This is the benchmark tournament for them. The aim is to make it into the semi-finals," said Hj Abd Lani in an interview with The Brunei Times when met at the Billiards and Snooker Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas on Thursday.

National cue sports coach Lim Tat Hwe is preparing his charges the best he can in hopes of achieving their target.

"We have not slowed down in training during the month of Ramadhan with six sessions a week," said Lim.

"They will have to work harder and double their efforts in training. I'll help them the best I can but the players need to be independent and put in the extra work as well," he added.

"They will need to work on their weaknesses from the last tournament. They cannot stick with the same kind of performance but (must) instead improve themselves," continued Lim.

Taufiq is coming off a string of good performances. He finished fifth out of 48 players at the 4th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in South Korea earlier this month and followed that up by capturing the Labuan 9-Ball International Championship Open 2013 last week.

However, his teammates didn't fare as well at the July 9-12 tournament.

Both Pg Anak Hj Abdul Awadi and Hj Md Alirani were stopped in their tracks in the top-16 while Mohd Qusyairi stumbled in the group stage.

"Taufiq has a good chance and should have no problem moving into the second round," said Lim.

"The others have the potential and they will have to play their game. But it will also be dependent on the draw since there will be a lot of strong players," he added.

Some big names from China, Taiwan and the Philippines are expected to turn up for the annual tournament.

The competition offers a cash prize of US$8,000 to the winner while the runner-up will take home US$4,000.

Semi-finalists will be awarded US$2,000 while quarter-finalists will get US$1,000.

The last-16 will take home US$500 while the last-32 will get US$200.

Trophies and medals will also be awarded to the respective winners.

Wrestling comp finds champs for SEA Games

 Source: Phnom Penh Post

The 2013 Cambodian National Wrestling Championships concluded its five days of competition on Friday at the Dambol Touk Indoor Hall of the National Sports Complex, with Cambodian Wrestling Federation General Secretary and national team coach Thin Vichet hailing “positive results” from the performances that saw 11 wrestlers handed places on the Cambodian squad bound for the SEA Games in Myanmar this December. 

The event, co-hosted by the CWF and the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sport, featured a field of 162 male and 15 female grapplers contesting for team prizes worth US$300 to the winner, $200 to runners-up and $100 for third. 

CamEd Business School rector Casey Barnett contributed $3,000 to the tournament’s running costs.

19th Southeast Asian Table Tennis Junior Championships 2013

Location: Garden Square, Harrison Plaza, Manila, Philippines

Date: 12th - 16th July 2013

Medal Tally 

Result/Winners


Girls’ Under-15

    Singles
    Gold - Ang Wan Qi (Singapore)
    Silver - Saritapirak Monapsorn (Thailand)
    Bronze -  Amanda Wong (Malaysia)
    Bronze - 

    Doubles 
    Gold - Angeline Tang/ Amanda Wong (Malaysia)
    Silver - Vu Thi Thu Ha and Mai Tu Uyen (Vietnam) 
    Bronze - Emy Rose Dael and Ann Gella Borbon (Philippines)
    Bronze - Ang Wan Qi / Wong Yan Lin Gladys (Singapore)

    Team Event
    Gold - Singapore
    Silver - Malaysia
    Bronze - Thailand
    Bronze -

Boys’ Under-15

    Singles
    Gold - Leong Chee Feng (Malaysia)
    Silver - Puangthip Sirawit (Thailand)
    Bronze - Jann Mari Nayre (Philippines)
    Bronze - Loy Meng Hean Darren (Singapore)

    Doubles 
    Gold - Puangthip Sirawit / Moungwhan Chaiyadej (Thailand)
    Silver - Loy Meng Hean Darren/ Tay Ming Han Maxxe (Singapore)
    Bronze -
    Bronze -

    Team Event
    Gold - Thailand
    Silver - Singapore
    Bronze - Vietnam
    Bronze - Philippines

 
Boys’ Under-18

    Singles
    Gold - Clarence Chew (Singapore)
    Silver - T. Padasak (Thailand)
    Bronze - Yin Jing Yuan (Singapore)
    Bronze -

    Doubles 
    Gold - Clarence Chew and Kerry Tan (Singapore)
    Silver - Tran Hoai Nam and Le Tuan Anh (Vietnam)
    Bronze -
    Bronze -

    Team Event
    Gold - Thailand
    Silver - Singapore
    Bronze - Vietnam
    Bronze -


Girls’ Under-18

    Singles
    Gold - Lin Ye (Singapore)
    Silver - Paranang Orawan (Thailand)
    Bronze -
    Bronze -

    Doubles 
    Gold - Lin Ye and Yee Herng Hwee (Singapore)
    Silver - Ho Ying and Lee Rou You (Malaysia)
    Bronze - Cheryl Tang and Lim Yixuan (Singapore)
    Bronze - Khetkhuan Tamolwan / Paranang Orawan (Thailand)

    Team Event
    Gold -Singapore
    Silver - Thailand
    Bronze - Vietnam
    Bronze -

    Mixed Doubles
    Gold - Clarence Chew/ Lin Ye (Singapore)
    Silver - Yee Herng Hwee / Tan Kiat Yi Kerry (Singapore)
    Bronze - Ang Wan Qi/ Tay Jit Kiat (Singapore)
    Bronze -

SEA Games boost: Cambodian Fed lands six new boat donations

 Source: Phnom Penh Post

Shokken Narita, executive board member of the International Canoe Federation and president of the Asian Canoe Confederation, donated three canoes and three kayaks to the Cambodian Canoeing Rowing & Traditional Boat Race Federation during a ceremony held yesterday morning at the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia headquarters.

During an address, Bun Sok, secretary of state at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said the donation of six top-of-the-range racing craft was “very important for the Cambodian Canoeing Rowing & Traditional Boat Race Federation in its preparations for this year’s SEA Games [in Myanmar in December].”

The secretary noted that national teams in canoeing and kayaking had not yet been finalised, with squad members to be selected soon from traditional boat racing crews. Training sessions would be conducted along the Mekong river and Bassac river near Chhroy Changvar peninsular and Takhmao town respectively.

NOCC General Secretary Vath Chamroeun also stated that he was looking for other countries to help host training camps abroad.

Taekwondo sisters get Korean scholarship

Source: Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s top female taekwondo pair Sorn Davin and her younger sister Sorn Sivmey have received six-month scholarships to South Korea that will see the sisters train in the sport’s country of origin all the way up to the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar in December.

The deal, brokered by the Korea Taekwondo Association and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, gives the Kingdom a huge boost in its quest for medals this year. 

Sorn Davin, a towering 21-year-old who competes in the over-67kg women’s category, captured silver at the previous edition in Indonesia and bronze at the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane. She also received a Tripartite Commission Invitation place last summer to appear at the London Olympics, where she narrowly lost in the opening round to defending champion Maria Espinoza of Mexico.

In a news conference held on Friday, NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun revealed the girls would train at the world-famous taekwondo club in YeongCheon-si under the supervision of Lee Jong Woo.

“During training, food, accommodation, flight tickets and technical training, as well as other living costs have all been guaranteed by Lee Jong Woo,” Vath Chamroeun said.

According to the NOCC official, the potential in both Cambodians had been recognised by the KTA, who hope to guide them to podium places in Myanmar.

Tourism Minister and NOCC president Thong Khon said: “Our main strategy is to seek good cooperation [with South Korea] in order to send our players to train there .​​ .​​​​​ . As taekwondo improves in standard here, [we can look to it] to help achieve our target of 10 gold medals.”

Cambodian national team coach Choi Yong Sok of South Korea, who accompanied Sorn Davin during the London Games, said that both sisters were physically fit. “I believe we will get the gold medals,” he said.

Vath Chamroeun noted that rich rewards were on offer for successful athletes at the SEA Games, something the NOCC hoped would motivate them sufficiently. 

On-the-mend Daniel shaping up well for the SEA Games

Source: The Star

In-form: Daniel Bego with his medals at the Malaysia Open Swimming Championship in Bukit Jalil.

PETALING JAYA: Don’t ever rule out Daniel Bego – not when it comes to the SEA Games.

The Sarawakian, who ruled the pool at the Laos SEA Games in 2009 with a five-gold splash, showed that he is shaping up well for the regional multi-sport event with a commendable performance at the World University Games (Universiade), which ended in Kazan yesterday.

Daniel surpass the Myanmar SEA Games qualifying mark of 50.98 by clocking 50.86 en route to winning his 100m freestyle heat.

The Myanmar SEA Games qualifying mark is based on the silver medal time from the previous SEA Games in Indonesia two years ago and it was refreshing to see Daniel posting his season best in Kazan.

It was something Daniel least expected, after having two shoulder surgeries to correct a long-standing bone spur problem before the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games.

The recuperation period forced him to withdraw from the Indonesia SEA Games.

The 100m freestyle is the second event that Daniel has qualified on merit for the SEA Games.

He also beat the SEA Games qualifying mark of 1:52.23 for the 200m freestyle by clocking 1:52.04 at the Singapore national age-group meet in March.

Indonesia May Send Fewer Athletes to SEA Games

Source: Jakarta Globe

A lack of budget is a major problem hampering Indonesian athletes’ preparations for major sporting events in a year that is unusually busy with major events.

For the Myanmar-hosted Southeast Asian Games due to take place in December, Indonesia will likely cut the number of athletes it sends to compete in some sports because of a lack of funds.

“We still need Rp 60 billion [$5.9 million] more only for the athletes’ preparation to contest in 39 sports disciplines at the SEA Games,” said Suryadharma, head of Prima, a body charged with preparing elite athletes for multi-sports events.

“But the government has decided not to increase the budget allocation, and relying on sponsors is almost impossible. The worst thing we might face is to reduce the numbers of sports we will participate in.”

Suryadharma said Prima has set criteria to reduce the number of participating sports should cuts be necessary.

“They are those with less medal potential,” Suryadharma said, refusing to name the sports.

The government has allocated Rp 250 billion to Prima to support 700 elite and young athletes during the year to compete in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which took place in the past month in South Korea, the Asian Youth Games, which take place next month in China, the Islamic Solidarity Games, set for later in the year in Palembang, South Sumatra, and the SEA Games.

Given the number of events, Prima has opted to tighten its belt, meaning Indonesia will struggle at the Myanmar SEA Games to match the results achieved in the 2011 edition in Jakarta and Palembang. It is also unlikely to retain its title as the country with the highest medal count.

But Suryadharma said he was still counting on 23 sports, including athletics, swimming and martial arts, to keep Indonesia’s medal hopes alive at the Myanmar Games.

“If we want to retain our title, we have to secure at least 30 percent of the medal total, which is about 115 gold medals. That means every sport must win an average of five medals. We will be focusing our preparation on that,” he said.

Ahead of the 2011 SEA Games, the national government allocated Rp 400 billion for athlete preparation.

Indonesian competitors went on to win 182 gold medals, 151 silver medals, and 143 bronze medals to top the tally. Thailand was in second place with 109-100-120, and Vietnam third with 96-92-100.

Myanmar Archery Team to train in Korea

Source: Eleven

Myanmar's archery team embarked on a one month training mission to the Republic of Korea yesterday in preparation for the 27th South East Asia (SEA) Games to be hosted in Myanmar in December, according to the Ministry of Sports.

The Myanmar Archery Team comprises four coaches and 16 athletes and a selection will be in Korea between July 17 and August 14. They will also be preparing for the Asia Sports Competition in 2014.

The reserve athletes will practice in Innchun where the Asia Sports Competition is to be held and the remaining will be in Garwando. The team will undergo joint-training exercises with Korean archery athletes and participate in qualifying matches.

Myanmar has hosted the fifth South East Asia Archery Tournament and the team participated in First Asian Archery Contest held in Thailand in March. Myanmar Archery Team won gold medal awards in the SEA Games held in Indonesia in 2011.

Li Ning Singapore Open 2013

Location: Singapore Indoor Stadium

Date: 18th - 23rd June 2013

Results/Winners


Men's Singles
1st - Tommy Sugiarto (Indonesia)
2nd - Boonsak Ponsana  (Thailand)
3rd - Tien Minh Nguyen (Vietnam)
3rd - Takuma Ueda (Japan)


Women's Singles
1st - Yihan Wang  (China)
2nd - Xuerui Li (China)
3rd - Sun Yu (China)
3rd - Lindaweni Fanetri (Indonesia)


Men's Doubles 
1st - Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan (Indonesia)
2nd - Sung Hyun Ko and Yong Dae Lee (South Korea)
3rd - Baek Choel Shin  and Yeon Seong Yoo (South Korea)
3rd - Yun Cai and Haifeng Fu (China)


Women's Doubles
1st - Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao (China)
2nd - Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi (Japan)
3rd - Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii (Indonesia)
3rd - Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth and Rizki Amelia Pradipta (Indonesia)


Mixed Doubles
1st - Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia)
2nd - Yeon Seong Yoo and Hye Won Eom (South Korea)
3rd - Praveen Jordan and Vita Marissa (Indonesia)
3rd - Baek Choel Shin and Ye Na Jang (South Korea)

75th Singapore Open (Athletics) 2013

Location: Choa Chu Kang Stadium

Date: 22nd - 23rd June 2013


Medal Tally

Results

Singapore Open 2013 Results

Source: http://www.singaporeathletics.org.sg

2nd SEABA Under-16 Championship 2013

Location: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
 
Date: 14th - 18th July 2013




Rankings

1st - Philippines *

2nd - Thailand *

3rd - Malaysia *

4th - Indonesia

5th - Singapore


MVP - Jose Lorenzo Mendoza (Philippines)

Trophies @ 2nd SEABA U16

Details


Day 1 - Results (July 14)
Game1: Thailand def. Malaysia (66-58)
Game2: Indonesia def. Singapore (70-47)
 
 Day 2 - July 15
Game1: Malaysia def. Singapore (90-57)
Game2: Philippines def. Indonesia (87-50)

Day 3 - July 16
Game1: Thailand def. Singapore (57-33)
Game2: Philippines def. Malaysia (76-72)

Day 4 - July 17
Game1: Philippines def. Thailand (82-58)
Game2: Malaysia def. Indonesia (78-50)

Day 5 - July 18
Game1: Philippines def.  Singapore (85-44) 
Game2: Thailand def. Indonesia (67-59)

* Qualifiers for 2013 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship in Iran.

7th Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships 2013

Location:  Jakarta, Indonesia

Date: 21st -23rd June 2013 

Results/Winners

Girls Division

Finweight (-42kg )
Gold - Hae Ji Choi (South Korea)
Silver - Lin Wan Ting (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Irene Therese Bermejo (Philippines)
Bronze - Batool Ibhrahim Naif Al-Ali (Jordan)

Flyweight (-44kg)
Gold - Panipak Wongphattanakit (Thailand)
Silver - Inna Izabella Dionisio (Philippines)
Bronze - Nong Thi Viet (Vietnam)
Bronze - Chiu Shao Wei  (Chinese Taipei)

Bantanweight (-46kg)
Gold - Min Ji Im (South Korea)
Silver - Napaporn Charanawat  (Thailand)
Bronze - Razan Alsaaideh (Jordan)
Bronze - Pooneh Faraji (Iran)

Featherweight (-49kg)
Gold - Da Hwi Kim  (South Korea)
Silver -  Napatsorn Charanawat (Thailand)
Bronze - Zeng Zih Jing  (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Zhan Tianrui (China)

Lightweight (-52kg)
Gold - Phannapa Harnsujin  (Thailand)
Silver - Ni Qingyuan  (China)
Bronze - Lo Wan Chu  (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Pauline Louise Lopez  (Philippines)

Welterweight (-55kg)
Gold - Lin Chieh Erh  (Chinese Taipei)
Silver - Hee Kyeong Cho (South Korea)
Bronze - Mahsa Jeddi (Iran)
Bronze - Aldang Orova Fariza (Kazakhstan)

Light Middle Weight (-59kg)
Gold - Eun Hwa Jeong (South Korea)
Silver - Taima’ Hbowal (Jordan)
Bronze -  Shan Yunyun  (China)
Bronze - Yeh Li Hsuan  (Chinese Taipei)

Middleweight (-63kg)
Gold - Da Bin Lee  (South Korea)
Silver - Li Hongxuan  (China)
Bronze - Shreya Singh (India)
Bronze - Kuo Yi Chun (Chinese Taipei)

Heavyweight (+68kg)
Gold - Hanieh Akhlaghi (Iran)
Silver - Yu Chia Jung  (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Burkitova Zhuldyz (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - Duha Al Assaf (Jordan)

Lightheavyweight (-68kg)
Gold - Hyun Kyung Lee (South Korea)
Silver - Chiu Yi Tzu  (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Niloufar Zakariaei (Iran)
Bronze - Xue Yang  (China)


Boys Division

Finweight (-45kg)
Gold - Mo’ath Alqatawneh (Jordan)
Silver - Mohammad Aslani (Iran)
Bronze - Kim Artur  (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - Nguyen Khuong (Vietnam)

Flyweight (-48kg)
Gold - Hyeok Yu  (South Korea)
Silver - Malek Ahmad (Jordan)
Bronze - Hajime Takeuchi (Japan)
Bronze - Seyedabbas Sadeghitabari (Iran)

Bantamweight (-51kg)
Gold - Seong Joo Heo  (South Korea)
Silver - Javad Amirisorkhi (Iran)
Bronze - Mathew Michael Padilla (Philippines)
Bronze - Nematullah Mohd Sarwar (Afghanistan)

Featherweight (-55kg)
Gold - Ho Jae Goh (South Korea)
Silver - Francis Aaron Agojo  (Philippines)
Bronze - Farzan Ashour Zadeh Fallah (Iran)
Bronze - Chiu Wen Cheng  (Chinese Taipei)

Lightweight (-59kg)
Gold - Gang Min Cho  (South Korea)
Silver - Abolfazl Yaghoubijouybari (Iran)
Bronze - Nutthawee Klompong  (Thailand)
Bronze - Korai Murakami (Japan)

Welterweight (-63kg)
Gold - Ji Won Jang  (South Korea)
Silver - Anas Alorani (Jordan)
Bronze - Dinggo Ardian (Indonesia)
Bronze - Lin Chia Hsiang  (Chinese Taipei)

Light Middle Weight (-68kg)
Gold - Bai Xinlong (China)
Silver - Ramin Hosseingholi Zadeh (Iran)
Bronze - Saravana Kumar P (India)
Bronze - Seong Tae Kim  (South Korea)

Middle Weight (-73kg)
Gold - Danial Salehimehr (Iran)
Silver - Chi Chih Hsiang (Chinese Taipei)
Bronze - Manu George (India)
Bronze - Song Jiaqi  (China)

Light Heavy Weight (-78kg)
Gold - Saeid Rajabi (Iran)
Silver - Kyeong Jin Kim (South Korea)
Bronze -  Mauletkanov Sayan (Kazakhstan)
Bronze - Chang Wei Chieh  (Chinese Taipei)

Heavy Weight (+78kg)
Gold - Yong Sik Kim (South Korea)
Silver - Mohammadreza Inanlou (Iran)
Bronze - Hamza Kattan (Jordan)
Bronze - Lo Chih Chun  (Chinese Taipei)

27th Universiade 2013 for SEA

The 27th Universiade was held in Kazan, Russia from 6th - 17th July 2013. The following are successful athletes from Southeast Asia. Six nations from Southeast Asia participated in this edition.

Medal Tally for SEA

* Singapore and Vietnam sent athletes in this edition but failed to bring home medals.



Medallists from Southeast Asia

• Indonesia

         Silver Medallist - BIN SUWITO WIJOYO Surahmat (Weightlifting - Men's 56kg)

• Malaysia

        Bronze Medallists
        1. ZULKARNAIN Iskandar (Badminton - Men's Singles)
        2. LOH Wei Sheng / SINGH Jagdish (Badminton - Men's Doubles)
        3. CHOW Mei Kuan / LEE Meng Yean (Badminton - Women's Doubles)

• Philippines

        Gold Medallist - Wesley So (Chess - Men's Division)

• Thailand

        Gold Medallists
        1. SAENSOMBOONSUK Tanongsak (Badminton - Men's Singles)
        2. IMPRASERTSUK Isarapa (Shooting - Women's Skeet)

        Silver Medallists
        1. CHOTPHIBUNSIN Thanyalak (Shooting - Women's 50m Rifle Prone)
        2. Thailand  (Shooting - 50m Rifle Prone - Women's Team)
        3. PRUCKSAKORN Tanyaporn (Shooting - Women's - 10m Air Pistol)
        4. Thailand (Shooting - Skeet Women's Team)
        5.  LERTCHEEWAKARN / WONGTEANCHAI (Tennis - Women's Doubles)
        6. PULSABSAKUL Chitchanok (Weightlifting - Women's +75kg)
        7. SUTANAN Kittima (Weightlifting - Women's 53kg)
        Bronze Medallists
        1. BURANAPRASERTSUK Porntip (Badminton - Women's Singles)
        2. Thailand (Badminton - Men's Team)
        3. PRUCKSAKORN Tanyaporn (Shooting - Women's 25m Pistol)
        4. Thailand  (Shooting - 10m Air Pistol Women's Team)
        5. Thailand (Volleyball - Women's Team)
        6.  KHAMSRI Panida (Weightlifting - Women's 48kg)