Malaysia in a fix as Finals and SEA Games clash

Source: The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Poor planning by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has put Malaysia in a fix on the hosting of this year’s BWF World Super Series Finals from Dec 11-15.

The finale of the Super Series Tour clashes with the biennial SEA Games in Myanmar. The badminton competition in Naypyidaw is from Dec 9-14. 

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh said Friday that Indonesia had made an official request to them to postpone the World Super Series Finals. 

“Indonesia has written a letter to us. As host, we do not have the liberty to do that. It is the BWF’s decision. Our players and those from Thailand will also be involved in both tournaments. This needs to be discussed further,” said Kenny. 

BWF may want to move the World Super Series Finals to Dec 17-22 since the India Open Grand Prix Gold, scheduled on those exact dates, has been cancelled.

It will, however, be too close to the new season as the South Korean Open is from Jan 7-12. This will be followed by Malaysian Open from Jan 14-19 and many top shuttlers may not like the idea of playing in too many back-to-back tournaments. 

If BWF stick with their decision, it will put several top players from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in a sticky situation. 

They are obliged to play for their country in the SEA Games and, at the same time, want to play in the World Super Series Finals as it offers a handsome prize money – worth a total of US$500,000 (about RM1.64mil). 

For the Finals, only the top eight players in every event after the 12-leg Super Series will get to compete.

After six legs of the Super Series Tour, Indonesia have the biggest number of qualifiers – 10 players.

Malaysia, however, will not be greatly affected as world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has not been entered for the SEA Games. As such, he can feature in his fifth Finals in a bid to underline his status as the most consistent player in the Super Series Tour. 

It’s not so straight-forward for mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, however. The world No. 6 pair have been named for the SEA Games but are also set to feature in the Finals. 

Super Series rankings (after six legs)

Men’s singles: 1. Lee Chong Wei, 2. Tommy Sugiarto (Ina), 3. Boonsak Ponsana (Tha), 4. Kenichi Tago (Jpn), 5. Takuma Euda (Jpn), 6. Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Ina), 7. Wong Wing Ki (Hkg), 8. Marc Zwiebler (Ger).

Men’s doubles: 1. Lee Yong-dae-Ko Sung-hyun (Kor), 2. Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan (Ina), 3. Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa (Jpn), 4. Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan (Chn), 5. Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, 6. Kim Ki-jung-Kim Sa-rang (Kor), 7. Hirokatsu Hashimoto-Noriyasu Hirata (Jpn), 8. Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech (Tha).

Women’s singles: 1. Saina Nehwal (Ind), 2. Juliane Schenk (Ger), 3. Bae Yeon-ju (Kor), 4. Sung Ji-hyun (Kor), 5. Tai Tzu-ying (Tpe), 6. Minatsu Mitani (Jpn), 7. Li Xuerui (Chn), 8. Wang Shixian (Chn).

Women’s doubles: 1. Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (Jpn), 2. Ma Jin-Tang Jinhua (Chn), 3. Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (Chn), 4. Jung Kyung-eun-Kim Ha-na (Kor), 5. Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Den), 6. A. Duanganong-V Kunchala (Tha), 7. Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth-Rizki Amelia Pradipta (Ina), 8. Lee So-hee-Shin Seung-chan (Kor).

Mixed doubles: 1. Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir (Ina), 2. Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chn), 3. Robert Mateusiak-Nadiezda Zieba (Pol), 4. Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christina Pedersen (Den), 5. Chris Adcock-Gabrielle White (Eng), 6. Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (Mas), 7. Mohd Rijal-Debby Susanto (Ina), 8. Xu Chen-Ma Jin (Chn).  

Pandelela confirms competing one event at SEA Games

Source: Bernama

Malaysia's Rinong Pandelela Pamg (right) and Leong Mun Yee pose with their bronze medals at the women's synchronized 10m platform victory ceremony in Barcelona July 22, 2013. - Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 - Malaysia's top women's diver Pandelela Rinong has confirmed that she will only be competing in the 10m platform individual at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

 

Pandelela, who won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and three gold medals at the last SEA Games in Indonesia, said she took this decision so as to give the younger divers a chance to gain useful exposure by competing in the biennial games.

 

"I hope they will do well. I am confident of defending the gold but my coach (Yang Zhuliang) advised me not to take things for granted Because divers from other countries might cause an upset, "she told Bernama here today.

 

Pandela had also won a bronze in the 10m platform synchronized diving event with Leong Mun Yee at the just concluded World Championship in Barcelona.

 

With Malaysia's 56 ^th Independence Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the Sarawak lass said she was determined to be bring more glory for Malaysia. 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 - Malaysia's top women's diver Pandelela Rinong has confirmed that she will only be competing in the 10m platform individual at the Myanmar SEA Games in December. - See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com.ph&sl=id&tl=en&u=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/pandelela-confirms-competing-one-event-at-sea-games&usg=ALkJrhhmFAoOAI33Q5-wkoy82Y7WTlDxtg#sthash.AxDfDinh.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 - Malaysia's top women's diver Pandelela Rinong has confirmed that she will only be competing in the 10m platform individual at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.
Pandelela, who won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and three gold medals at the last SEA Games in Indonesia, said she took this decision so as to give the younger divers a chance to gain useful exposure by competing in the biennial games.
"I hope they will do well. I am confident of defending the gold but my coach (Yang Zhuliang) advised me not to take things for granted Because divers from other countries might cause an upset, "she told Bernama here today.
Pandela had also won a bronze in the 10m platform synchronized diving event with Leong Mun Yee at the just concluded World Championship in Barcelona.
With Malaysia's 56 ^th Independence Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the Sarawak lass said she was determined to be bring more glory for Malaysia. - Bernama
- See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com.ph&sl=id&tl=en&u=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/pandelela-confirms-competing-one-event-at-sea-games&usg=ALkJrhhmFAoOAI33Q5-wkoy82Y7WTlDxtg#sthash.AxDfDinh.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 - Malaysia's top women's diver Pandelela Rinong has confirmed that she will only be competing in the 10m platform individual at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.
Pandelela, who won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and three gold medals at the last SEA Games in Indonesia, said she took this decision so as to give the younger divers a chance to gain useful exposure by competing in the biennial games.
"I hope they will do well. I am confident of defending the gold but my coach (Yang Zhuliang) advised me not to take things for granted Because divers from other countries might cause an upset, "she told Bernama here today.
Pandela had also won a bronze in the 10m platform synchronized diving event with Leong Mun Yee at the just concluded World Championship in Barcelona.
With Malaysia's 56 ^th Independence Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the Sarawak lass said she was determined to be bring more glory for Malaysia. - Bernama
- See more at: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com.ph&sl=id&tl=en&u=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/pandelela-confirms-competing-one-event-at-sea-games&usg=ALkJrhhmFAoOAI33Q5-wkoy82Y7WTlDxtg#sthash.AxDfDinh.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 — Malaysia’s top women’s diver Pandelela Rinong has confirmed that she will only be competing in the 10m platform individual at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.
Pandelela, who won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and three gold medals at the last SEA Games in Indonesia, said she took this decision so as to give the younger divers a chance to gain useful exposure by competing in the biennial games.
“I hope they will do well. I am confident of defending the gold but my coach (Yang Zhuliang) advised me not to take things for granted because divers from other countries might cause an upset,” she told Bernama here today.
Pandela had also won a bronze in the 10m platform synchronised diving event with Leong Mun Yee at the just concluded World Championship in Barcelona.
With Malaysia’s 56^th Merdeka Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the Sarawak lass said she was determined to be bring more glory for Malaysia. – Bernama
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/pandelela-confirms-competing-one-event-at-sea-games#sthash.sVeQa9yM.dpuf

SEA Games nod for 19 more Singapore athletes

Source: CNA

SINGAPORE: A total of 315 athletes from 25 sports will represent the Republic at this year's South-east Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar after the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) gave the green light to an additional 19 athletes.

They are from archery, billiards & snooker, chess, judo, sepak takraw, wushu and swimming. The only new entrant in the list was chess, which will be represented by Hazel Liu and Kevin Goh in the women's blitz and men's individual rapid chess respectively.

The SNOC's five-member SEA Games Appeals Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and SNOC President Teo Chee Hean, convened at the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) on Friday to study the appeals.

"The NSAs (National Sports Associations) came down to speak to the SNOC and SSC to analyse what went wrong with their submissions," said SNOC Secretary-General Chris Chan.

"The STAC (Special Training Assistance Committee) also visited all the sports that appealed and we can say they prepared well for this. For some, unfortunately they didn't have any new results."

Swimming accounted for the majority of the successful appeals yesterday, with 11 athletes - including Teo Jing-Wen and Teo Zhen Ren - making the final cut for nine events after the final qualification meet conducted by the Singapore Swimming Association this week.

"This is unexpected, but I will definitely be very motivated to train even harder and come back stronger than before," said Zhen Ren, 19, who now gets to defend his 1,500m freestyle title after recovering sufficiently from a year-long shoulder injury that kept him out until June.

Meanwhile, wrestling, silat, badminton, cycling and athletics were unsuccessful in their attempts to include more athletes for additional events at the December Games. Athletes from Muay Thai and volleyball will not compete in Myanmar after appeals for both sports were turned down.

But Chan said athletes who meet the qualification mark - which is set at the bronze medal time or result from the 2011 SEA Games - by the Sept 27 deadline stipulated by the Myanmar SEA Games Organising Committee can still be included.

The Singapore contingent will be looking to improve on their performance from the 2011 SEA Games were the Republic's 414-strong delegation won 42 gold, 45 silver and 73 bronze medals. This year's SEA Games from Dec 11 to 22 is expected to feature an estimated 460 events across 33 sports.

Nat'l cyclists set for Tour De East Java

Source: The Brunei Times

FIVE national cyclist will be heading to Surabaya, Indonesia, to take part in the September 4-6 Tour De East Java on Sunday.

Brunei will be represented by I'maadiAbd Aziz, ReduanYusop, Muhammad RafiuddinZikara, Mohammad NazriMastani and Rifa'ieHjJohor.

The tour will consist of three stages with a total distance of 343.1km in the mountains.

Stage one will be a grueling 180km race from Surabaya to Sidoarjo and will pass through Lamongan and Jombang. Stage two will be an 84.5km race from Sidoarjo to Tosari while the final stage is the shortest at 78.6km from Sidoarjo to Mojosari.

"This is one of our warm-ups before we take part in the SEA Games (in Myanmar in December)," I'maadi told The Brunei Times.

"We will do our best in all three stages to try and get good results even though we have never trained in the mountains," said I'maadi, adding there were no mountain stages in last year's tour.

Both I'maadi and Rifa'ie took part in the tour last year, with the latter believing that this year's race will be tougher than last year's because of the terrain.

"I gained a lot of experience from the previous tour last year,"said Rifa'ie.

"It was flat roads the majority of the way with only a few hills that weren't that hard It's going to be a lot harder this year because they will be steep hills.

"I know I'm not too good at uphill, but I will try my best to finish the race and get the best ranking I can.

"I think we all feel nervous because this is our first tour this year (but) it should have been like this (competing) from the beginning of the year to help us prepare for our main target, the SEA Games," added Rifa'ie.

This will be the first tour the national team has competed in since the Tour de Brunei last year but national cycling coach YafizJamaludin expects nothing less than the best from his cyclists.

"I want them to show the best performance since I am targeting them to reach their peak during the SEA Games," he said.

"Now they are at 80 percent and that's enough for them to show their best," added Yafiz.

The tour has attracted 15 teams in total, with eight of them being continental teams.

These are Tabriz Petrochemical Team (Iran), CCNCyling Team (Brunei), OCBC Cycling Team (Singapore), Terrenganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), Synergy Baku Cycling Project (Azerbaijan), UKYO Cycling Team and Aisan Racing team both from Japan.

Five are national teams from Brunei, Bahrain, Taiwan, Malaysia and Kazakhstan.

The last two are MesKerman from Iran and Dome Coffees Cycling Team from Australia.

Kazakhstan's Ivan Tsissaruk who races for Track Team Astana picked up the title in last year's event.

17 SEA Games sports selected for live broadcast in VN

Source: VNS/VNA/VOV/Nhan Dan

Up to 17 of the total 33 disciplines at the 2013 SEA Games will be broadcast live, according to an 

announcement by the Games' organising board in Myanmar on Wednesday.

Speaking at the second international conference on the Games coverage, Vietnam Television (VTV) 

said they had the copyright to broadcast the event live.

The organising board also announced 460 events will take place as part of the 27th SEA Games, 

running from December 1-22.

SEA Games: Women shuttlers found lacking

Source: The Star

Tee Jing Yi is one of three shuttlers who have been placed in Category B for the SEA Games in December. The BAM will have to fund their trip and it will be reimbursed if the trio win medals at the Games.

KUALA LUMPUR: The lack of depth in the women’s badminton squad was exposed yet again when three of them were named under Category B for the SEA Games in Myanmar in December.

It is the first time that badminton shuttlers have been placed under Category B in the biennial Games. Athletes under Category B will be funded by the association and the money will only be reimbursed if they win medals at the Games.

Those in Category B are second ranked women singles shuttler Tee Jing Yi and second ranked women’s pair Amelia Anscelly-Choong Fie Cho.

The other members in the Malaysian team are in Category A. They are Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng, Sonia Cheah. Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Aik Huan-Lai Pei Jing.

During the selection of athletes by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) last week, the three women shuttlers were found to be lacking in experience.

In this year’s SEA Games, only five individual badminton events in the men and women categories respectively will be contested from Dec 9-14 at Naypyidaw.

The host has dropped the team competitions.

On Thursday, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)’s secretary Ng Chin Chai said that they had accepted the decision of OCM’s selection committee although he felt that the women shuttlers had done well to maintain a good ranking.

Jing Yi is ranked 45th in the world and had represented Malaysia at the London Olympic Games last year. Amelia-Fie Cho just teamed up last year and they are currently ranked 38th in the world.

In fact, Amelia-Fie Cho put up a commendable showing before going down fighting in the second round of their maiden World Championships in Guangzhou recently.

“Kenny (Goh, general manager) proposed these names during the selection committee and they (OCM) decided that the three girls should not make the trip to Myanmar under Category A. We accept it,” said Chin Chai.

“It would have made a difference to us if there was a team event. Then, all would have been ranked under one category. We have had players ranked even lower in Category A in the past Games.”

In the absence of World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, whose status as a pair will be decided during a council meeting on Sept 7, Malaysia will be hardpressed to win even one of the 10 gold medals at stake.

The best bet would be World No. 5 Peng Soon-Liu Ying but then, they will have reigning world champions Ahmad Tantowi-Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia as their main threats. Besides Indonesia, new power house Thailand will be a big threat for Malaysia at the regional Games. 

Indonesia ace concedes PH a cinch for SEAG gold - pros or no pros

Source: Spin.ph

Indonesian national player Christian Sitepu believes the Philippines is a cinch for the gold medal in the Myanmar Games. Jerome Ascano

A PROMINENT member of the Indonesian national team still believes the Philippines remains the hands-down favorite to win the men’s basketball gold in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

Christian Sitepu, a member of the Indonesia Warriors in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) tapped to play for the country in the December 11-22 showpiece, admitted it will be hard for the rest of the field to beat the Filipino cagers for the title especially after they just secured one of three Asian berths in the 2014 Fiba-World Cup in Spain.

Despite the long-standing dominance of the country in the sport closest to the hearts of the Filipinos, local sports officials remain guarded about the national team’s campaign that they even went to the extent of suggesting an all-pro unit be sent to Myanmar for a `sure gold medal.’

But Sitepu is convinced the Philippines will win the gold even if an all-amateur team will compose its roster.

“It’s very difficult to get a gold medal, and the management’s target is the bronze medal,” admitted Sitepu in an interview posted on the Indonesia Warriors website.

While he considers the Philippines a cinch for the gold, Sitepu said any country could challenge for the silver medal including Indonesia.

“I believe the chance to get a silver medal is still wide open,” he said.

Sitepu added the Indons will be bringing in players aged 30 and below for the tournament with ABL veterans Mario Wuysang and Amin Prihantono not included in the lineup.

“We have a fast-paced style of play, and all players can play in all positions. Our playing style is adjusted to the players we have in this squad,” said Sitepu.

Quang Liem will not attend 27th SEA Games

Source: VietNamNet Bridge

After the World Chess Cup, Vietnam’s top chessman Le Quang Liem will move from Norway to the U.S. to study at the Webster University and he will not compete at the SEA Games later this year.

Quang Liem will practice chess at the SPICE Institute of Susan Polgar (right) during the overseas study. Photo: Chessworld.

Quang Liem said that the 2013 SEA Games will coincide with the semester exam in the U.S. so he will be unable to return home. 

In the US, Quang Liem will participate in a few chess tournaments to maintain his performance.

It is favorable for Quang Liem because the Webster University has the famous SPICE Chess Institute, which is managed by world famous chesswoman Susan Polgar and has many international grandmasters, including Liem’s No. 1 rival in Southeast Asia – So Wesley of the Philippines. Thus, Quang Liem will have favorable training environment to maintain his manner during his time in the U.S.

Quang Liem said during his time in Tromso (Norway) for the World Cup, he was helped by Susan Polgar for two hours each day to prepare strategy before each game. Experience and analysis capabilities of this chesswoman was very helpful for Quang Liem. It is also regarded as a secret weapon to help Liem make breakthrough performance at the World Cup.

Quang Liem said: "I’m only 22 years old and the road ahead with chess is still very long. I hope to have the opportunity to try at the World Cup in the next two years. Initially, in addition to class time, I will take the appropriate time to practice chess."

Looking back on the 2013 World Cup, Quang Liem still had little regret when he could not defeat Peter Svidler in the two games holding the white chessmen in the standard and rapid chess categories. In both games, Liem had the opportunity to win but unfortunately he missed it. According to Quang Liem, this is the reason why he could not go beyond the 4th round.

Quang Liem said the matches at the World Cup, particularly the two wins against the 4th seed Grischuk have helped gain a lot of confidence in the future. It is the biggest harvest of Quang Liem during this tournament besides $25,000 of bonus and 10 bonus points to reach 2712 Elo points, the highest in two years.

Myanmar hockey teams undergo training ahead of SEA Games

Source: Xinhua

YANGON, Aug. 28 -- Myanmar tentatively selected hockey teams are undergoing training at the Theinbyu artificial Turf Pitch in Yangon as of March ahead of the 27th SEA Games to be hosted in Myanmar in December this year, official media reported Wednesday.

The men's team is constituted with outstanding youth players from Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air), Myanmar Police Force, Theinbyu Youth team and SMART team while the women's team is formed with players from the Ministry of Sports, said the New Light of Myanmar.

The men's team is under the training of Pakistani coach who is still taking out of the duty to train the Pakistani women's hockey team.

The women's team is being trained by the Malaysian coach who is discharging duty of coach for the Malaysian Universities Selected hockey team.

Men's and women's hockey teams will take part in the Pre-SEA Games hockey contest in Bangkok of Thailand from Sept.1 to 8.

In the games, Myanmar men's team will meet with Thai, Sri Lankan and Pakistani teams while Myanmar women's team will compete with Thai, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Cambodian teams.

Myanmar get green light for SEA Games

Source: The Star Online

A worker lays pavement stones in front of the new Wunna Theikdi Football Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, in March. OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said Myanmar is ready to host the SEA Games in December. – EPA Photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Finally, it is a thumbs-up for the SEA Games in Myanmar - just three months before its kickoff in December.

After months of uncertainty over its readiness, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said that it was all systems go for Myanmar to host the 27th edition of the biennial games. 

Kok Chi said that he was impressed with the way things had turned around after a recent visit to Myanmar this month. Myanmar is hosting the Games for the first time after 44 years. The country last hosted the Sea Games in 1969.

“Most of the venues are ready. All the venues have excellent facilities - except for hockey. It is not so impressive as hockey is not a very popular sport in Myanmar. The covered stands can seat about 800 spectators and they have promised to add temporary seats,” said Kok Chi.

“The other facilities are impressive. The Main Stadium is brand new and has world class facilities. The venue for equestrian covers a very large area and it has covered and open air pitches. In fact, a test event had been successfully conducted at this venue.

“I do not foresee any major logistic problems as we had feared initially.”

In fact, Myanmar Airlines are providing direct flights for athletes and officials from Kuala Lumpur to Naypyidaw directly during the Games; no visas are required for athletes and officials; there are sufficient hotels for supporters; and internal transportation will be provided for visitors from hotels to all competition venues for a minimal fee. 

On the Games Village, Kok Chi said: “The Games Village is in Naypyidaw and it can house 6,400 occupants. All the apartments are air-conditioned. In Yangon, the athletes and officials will be housed in hotels.”

Myanmar are hosting a total of 33 sports and Malaysia are taking part in 30 of them. The bulk of the sports will be hosted in Naypyidaw while six will be held in Yangon. Only the women’s football and sailing will be held at two different cities - Mandalay and Pathein. 

Kok Chi said that the host had also completed the technical books for every sport and has distributed the accreditation forms to every participating country. In fact, OCM completed their selection of athletes by names on Friday. 

“Except for athletics, we have finalised the selection of athletes for other sports. Currently, we have finalised the participation of 529 athletes for 30 sports. We are not taking part in vovinam, kempo and the traditional boat race. The MAF (Malaysian Athletics Federation) will confirm the names after their national meet soon,” said Kok Chi. A total of 125 athletes will be going under Category B and for the first time, badminton’s women shuttlers have been classified in this category. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had requested for 16 players but three women shuttlers were listed under Category B.

“The selection committee felt that the standard of the national women shuttlers had dropped. Some women shuttlers - the second-ranked sinlges and doubles shuttlers are young and raw.”

The BAM have to fund the athletes under Category B and they will be reimbursed if these players win medals at the Games.

A total of 460 events will be contested and, Kok Chi said, for now Malaysia will be happy to win at least 10% of it - ranging from 35-40 gold medals.

5 lifters to SEA Games

Source: Tempo

Adhering to the pronouncement of Chef of Mission Col. Jeff Tamayo that only the best will go, the Philippine Weightlifting Association is sending only five lifters to the 2013 Southeast Asian Games slated Dec. in Myanmar.

“They are the best lifters capable of winning medals. We want to compete in 11 weight divisions, but only five passed the criteria,“ noted Agustin, a former national athlete who competed in various overseas competitions, including the 2005 SEA Games in Manila.

Tasked to carry the country’s tricolors in the 27th edition of the biennial meet are two-time Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, Jeffrey Garcia, Richard Pep Agosto, Christopher Bureros and Nestor Colonia.

Diaz, daughter of a tricycle driver from Zamboanga, is a veteran of the last two Olympics in Guangzhou and London and the World Weightlifting in France.

Colonia, on the other hand, is a nephew of 1988 Seoul Olympian Gregorio Colonia and a mualti-silver medali winner in the 56 kilograms in the 19th Asian Junior and 26th Asian Junior Men Weightlifting held in Myanmar; he also placed 13th in the 2012 World Weightlifting in France.

A native of Bohol and 17 years old, Garcia won two gold medals in 62 kilograms in the Asian Junior weightlifting in Myanmar which featured 400 lifters from 48 countries.

Both products of the National Games, Agosto and Bureros are competing for the first time in the SEA Games.

The Hungary-based International Weightlifting Federation has donated equipment to the weightlifting association headed by Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella.

Badminton: Yao Lei and Shinta reunite, aim for SEA Games gold

Source: CNA

Singapore’s women’s doubles pair of Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari has re-united after having parted ways recently, and they are aiming for a gold medal at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

Singapore's Yao Lei (R) hits a shot as partner Shinta Mulia Sari (L) looks on during their woman's doubles semi-finals match at the Malaysia Open Badminton Superseries in Kuala Lumpur on January 19, 2013. (AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s women’s doubles pair of Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari has re-united after having parted ways recently.

The two are already targeting a gold medal at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar after their partnership got off to a good start at the Li Ning International Series.

The tournament, which ended on Saturday, provides valuable exposure for upcoming players.

Singapore's top male shuttler Derek Wong had a good run in the men's singles competition. He won in straight games against Taiwan's Lin Yu Hsien, with a score of 21-18 and 21-14.

But all eyes were on the women's doubles pair of Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari.

The duo lost the first game to the other Singaporean pairing of Vanessa Neo and Fu Mingtian, but they came back stronger, winning 19-21, 21-15 and 21-3.

It was a good tune-up for them ahead of this year's SEA Games.

Ms Yao said: "It's our first tournament after we (were paired up) again and (this) gives me a lot of confidence for the other tournaments."

 

Swimming Stars Receive 3-Month Doping Ban, But Given Green Light for SEA Games

Source: The Jakarta Globe

Indra Gunawan will face a three-month ban, but has been given the all-clear for competition at the SEA Games in December. (SP Photo)

Two Indonesian swimmers, Indra Gunawan and Guntur Pratama, who tested positive for a banned substance at July’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Korea have been given a three-month ban from local and international competition and been told they may be stripped of their medals, the Indonesia Anti-Doping Agency (LADI) announced on Monday.

“According to FINA [International Swimming Federation], the LADI disciplinary committee has decided to sanction the two swimmers with three-month bans from competition,” LADI head of the sanctions committee Cahyo Adi said.

The sanction will take effect from Aug. 13 until Nov. 13.

Cahyo has recommended that both swimmers be stripped of their medals. Indra won Gold in the 50 meters breast stroke, while Guntur was part of the 4x50m and 4x100m freestyle relay teams that won Silver and Bronze, respectively.

Indra and Guntur both tested positive for methylhexanamine according to a letter from the Olympic Council of Asia last month.

The OCA’s doping commission sent an official letter to the Indonesia Olympic Committee (KOI) saying it required B samples for examination before confirming the A sample results. Usually, B sample tests occur if a banned substance is detected in an A sample.

The Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) welcomed the decision taken by LADI and said it would continue to prepare the two swimmers for the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in December.

“It is a good decision so we can assure both swimmers participate in the Myanmar Games,” said Heru Purwanto, head of PRSI athletes’ development. “They are our favorites for medals, especially Indra who we hope will win two golds.”

Indonesian Karate Targets 7 Gold at SEA Games 2013

Source: VIVAnews

Indonesia Karatedo Federation of Athletics (PB FORKI) targeting seven gold in the format of the SEA Games 2013 next September. Head of PB FORKI, Hendardji Soepandji stated this a realistic target for his team.

"For the SEA Games, we are targeting seven gold medals.'s Unrealistic. Due to our status as a non-host Sea Games," said Hendardji.

PB carried while big ambitions FORKI on Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) called in Palembang, 22 September 2013 ahead. "We are targeting a karate champion in arm as we as the host," says Hendardji.

Hendardji also add that at this time the athletes would appreciate the support of the people of Indonesia. "We are expecting support from the public and especially community prayer., For it is very important to motivate the athletes currently compete," said Hendardji.

PB FORKI currently being focused on in the case, adding that the construction and nursery athletes. "PB FORKI consistently doing construction work in the hope of karate athletes never short stocks up whenever and wherever there are tournaments, finished FORKI," says Hendardji.

Malaysia expected to send 529 athletes to Myanmar SEA Games

Source: BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Malaysia are expected to send a 529-member athletes contingent to the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, including Category B athletes.

National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong said the NSC had agreed to send 529 athletes, comprising 404 athletes under Category A and 125 under Category B.

However, the actual size of the contingent has yet to be finalised since the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has yet to receive the list of athletes from the Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU).

Zolkples said though some athletes would be participating in the games under Category B, their ability should not cast a doubt because they too have proven to be gold medal winners in the past.

“In the past we have a history of Category B athletes winning gold medals. Therefore, if they tried hard, they too can be medal winners,” he told reporters after opening a coaching course for Wushu, here, today.

The expenses to send athletes under Category B would be borne by their respective associations but such expenses reimbursed if they win gold or silver medals.

The expenses of athletes under Category A will be borne by OCM.

Malaysia will not be competing in four of the 31 sports contested, namely vovinam, traditional boat race, wrestling and kempo.

Li-Ning Singapore International Series 2013

Location: Singapore Badminton Hall

Date: 20th - 24th August 2013


Winners/Results


Men's Singles
1st - Zi Liang Derek Wong (Singapore)
2nd - Yu Hsien Lin (Chinese Taipei)
3rd - Yong Zhao Ashton Chen (Singapore)
3rd - Senatria Agus Setia Putra (Indonesia)

Women's Singles
1st - Rawinda Prajongjai  (Thailand)
2nd - Chochuwong Pornpawee (Thailand)
3rd - Sashina Vignes Waran  (France)
3rd - Thi Trang (B) Vu  (Vietnam)

Men's Doubles
1st - Chung Jen Chen & Chi-Lin Wang (Chinese Taipei)
2nd - Jagdish Singh & Wee Long Roni Tan (Malaysia)
3rd - Kai Liang Chang & Yi Neng Su (Chinese Taipei)
3rd - Ko-Chi Chang & Chih Hao Wang (Chinese Taipei)

Women's Doubles
1st - Shinta Mulia Sari & Lei Yao  (Singapore)
2nd - Mingtian Fu & Yu Yan Vanessa Neo  (Singapore)
3rd - Melati Daeva Oktaviani  & Rosyita Eka Putri Sari  (Indonesia)
3rd - Maretha Dea Giovani & Melvira Oklamona  (Indonesia)

Mixed Doubles
1st - Vasin Nilyoke & Chaladchalam Chayanit  (Thailand)
2nd - Chi-Lin Wang & Szu Yu Chen  (Chinese Taipei)
3rd - Chung Jen Chen & Yu Chieh Cheng  (Chinese Taipei)
3rd - Wasapon Uttamang & Rawinda Prajongjai  (Thailand)

2nd Asian Youth Games 2013 (for SEA Nations)

The 2nd Asian Youth Games was held in Nanjing, China from August 16 to 24, 2013.

Officially, there were total of 122 events in 16 sports, 6 more than that of the previous edition held at Singapore. Six countries from Southeast Asia produced medals. Below are the medal tally and medalists for Southeast Asian (SEA) nations.

Medal Tally (for SEA nations)

Medalists from SEA nations


Indonesia Medalists

Malaysia Medalists

Philippines Medalists

Singapore Medalists

Thailand Medalists

Vietnam Medalists

The mascot for the 2013 Asian Youth Games was unveiled in Nanjing on 31 October 2012. The mascot is called Yuan Yuan, is based on the image of Eosimias sinensis, the earliest higher primate to date found in Jiangsu.

Official mascot of 2013 Asian Youth Games

Sports teams must seek Olympic Council permission for SEA Games

Source: Eleven

National sports teams, fans and media observers - including athletes, coaches and managers - need to send an official list to Myanmar's Olympic Committee receive accommodation for the 27th SouthEast Asia (SEA) Games to be held in Nay Pyi Taw in December, according to Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Myanmar is planning to accommodate thousands of sport fans, as well as media observers in 27 hotels in Nay Pyi Taw, 26 hotels in Yangon, six hotels in Mandalay and seven hotels in Ngwehsaung beach in Ayeyawady region, according to the reports of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

"We have to send the lists to the Olympic Committee in Myanmar after securitising the strength of media who are allowed. For example, how many Singaporean visitors will come? So also how many Malaysian and Thailand visitors? The lists of visitors such as coaches, managers, media, athletes, medical boards must be sent for official approval by the Olympic Committee," said Htay Aung, Minister for Sports.

Most hotels range between US$55 and US$70 per room per night but the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has also requested that national teams send a list of who will be attending the games by September 30 to asses accommodation and capacity.  

Myanmar fashion show to inspire fans ahead of SEA Games

Source: Eleven

ADMA Media has invited international beauty queens and models to participate in a fashion show in preparation for the South East Asian (SEA) Games to be hosted by Myanmar.

The show will be one of many performances being organised in Yangon in October together with former Miss International contestants.

“We have invited foreign beauty queens including Nan Khin Zeyar who competed in Miss International Contest in 2012 to participate in pre-SEA Games entertainment program. This fashion show will inspire the sports fans as-sense of fashion to wear in SEA Games,” said Wai Min Maung, Vice-Chairman of ADMA Media.

Other Miss International participants from France, Brazil, Estonia, Macao and Mongolia including Myanmar beauty queen Nan Khin Zeyar have agreed to perform in the program. ADMA Media also plans to provide traditional musical entertainment for the SEA Games.

Rowing: S'pore rower goes for gold in upcoming SEA Games

Source: CNA

Saiyidah Aisyah Mohamed Rafa'ee is the Singapore Rowing Association's (SRA) sole representative in this year's Southeast Asian Games, and the 25-year-old said she is confident of coming home with a gold medal.

 

Saiyidah Aisyah Mohamed Rafa'ee

SINGAPORE: Saiyidah Aisyah Mohamed Rafa'ee is the Singapore Rowing Association's (SRA) sole representative in this year's Southeast Asian Games, and the 25-year-old said she is confident of coming home with a gold medal.

Aisyah came back with two bronze medals during the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta in the women's single and women's pair competitions.

To prepare for this year's competition, she doubled her training sessions -- hitting the waters at Pandan Reservoir twice daily in her bid to turn bronze to gold.

Aisyah will also take part in the World Championships at the end of the month.

Aisyah's coaches are optimistic about achieving their targets for this year. Razemin Omar, head of training development at the SRA, said: "SRA and the team of coaches have been discussing that it is possible to get a gold. That is the target between us and the athlete. But if the results are not there, probably a silver at least will be good."

 

Boxing: Singapore goes for gold at 2013 SEA Games

Source: CNA

The Singapore Amateur Boxing Association is aiming for at least one gold medal at this year's SEA Games in Myanmar.

 

The Singapore Amateur Boxing Association is aiming for at least one gold medal at the upcoming SEA Games in Myanmar.

SINGAPORE: It has been 28 years since Singapore won a gold medal for boxing at the South East Asian Games.

At the SEA Games in 2011, they came back with a bronze medal.

Now, they are aiming for at least one gold medal at the upcoming Games in Myanmar.

The President of the Singapore Amateur Boxing Association, Syed Abdul Kadir, is quietly confident that his charges will end the gold medal drought this year.

The association will be sending five boxers to the Games and Kadir has been hard at work, whipping his boys into shape, in their preparation for the Games.

He said: "Actually preparation is on-going since the last SEA Games in 2011 and we have sent them overseas for exposure. They have been training twice a week under the national training and they also train at their own clubs on the other days."

 

Swimming: Singapore's Schooling targets 4 golds at 2013 SEA Games

Source: CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling on Wednesday said that he is aiming to win four gold medals at the upcoming SEA Games in Myanmar.

Schooling broke national records for the 200-metre butterfly and 200-metre individual medley events at the recent FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona.

The swimmer is based in the US but is back home in Singapore following the World Championships.
His focus is now on the SEA Games, where he hopes to improve on his 2011 results; Schooling won 2 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze at the 2011 SEA Games.

Schooling is also working on improving his technique and hopes to create a splash at the 2016 Olympics.

"I am looking for a deferment from NS (National Service) so that I can continue my training. My parents are handling that right now -- my job is to swim as fast as I can and let my swimming do the talking," he said.

Myanmar VP calls for collaboration for success of SEA Games

Source: Mizzima

Vice-President U Nyan Tun at a Myanmar Sports Federations for 27th SEA Games event on Tuesday, August 13, 2013. Photo: President's Office

Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun has called for collaboration for the success of the 27th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted in December in Myanmar, official media reported Wednesday.

Addressing at a work coordination meeting of presidents of Myanmar Sports Federations for 27th SEA Games in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, U Nyan Tun said that it needs to establish good relations between the government and the sports federations.

He called for systematically drafting strategy and plans by all federations.

U Tint Hsan, Chairman of the Leading Committee for holding 27th SEA Games Minister for Sports, urged those present to make more efforts and collaboration for the success of the SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Myanmar government will award a total of 1557 medals -- 460 gold, 460 silver and 637 bronze to the athletes at the SEA Games.

The 27th SEA Games, which will be joined by a total of 11 countries and regions from Southeast Asian region, is scheduled to take place from Dec.11 to 22 in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung Beach.

In the previous 26th SEA Games, Myanmar has participated with 477 athletes and grabbed 80 medals, standing seventh in the Games.

7th Asian Junior Wushu Championships 2013

Location: Makati Coliseum, Philippines

Date: 8th - 11th August 2013


Medal Tally

2013 BWF World Championships

Location: Guangzhou, China

Date:5th - 11th August 2013


Results

Men's Singles
Gold -  Lin Dan (China)
Silver - Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)
Bronze - Nguyễn Tiến Minh (Vietnam)
Bronze - Du Pengyu (China)

Women's Singles
Gold - Ratchanok Inthanon (Thailand)
Silver - Li Xuerui (China)
Bronze - Bae Youn-joo (South Korea)
Bronze - P. V. Sindhu (India)

Men's Doubles
Gold - Hendra Setiawan and Muhammad Ahsan (Indonesia)
Silver - Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen (Denmark)
Bronze - Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng (China)
Bronze - Kim Ki-jung and Kim Sa-rang (South Korea)

Women's Doubles
Gold - Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China)
Silver - Eom Hye-won and Jang Ye-na (South Korea)
Bronze - Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei (China)
Bronze - Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl (Denmark)

Mixed Doubles
Gold - Tontowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir (Indonesia)
Silver - Xu Chen and Ma Jin (China)
Bronze - Shin Baek-cheol and Eom Hye-won (South Korea)
Bronze - Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei (China)

Sepak Takraw: Men's team aiming for semi-final spot in coming SEA Games

 Source: Channel News Asia