08/05/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | MAY 8, 2025

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Blessing in disguise for Jun Hao Sudirman Cup disappointment renewed confidence and belief

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (semifi nal, 2nd leg) : Inter Milan 4 (Martinez 21, Calhanoglu 45-pen, Acerbi 90+3, Frattesi 99) Barcelona 3 (Garcia 54, Olmo 60, Raphinha 87) – aet (Inter Milan win 7-6 on aggregate) . RESULTS TOUCHLINES AL-HILAL are preparing a bid for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, but the Red Devils have no plans to sell the 30-year-old Portugal midfielder. NEWCASTLE are monitoring 29-year old Bayer Leverkusen and Germany defender Jonathan Tah, who will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. LIVERPOOL’S English midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, is attracting inter est from several Premier League clubs, including Wolves. REAL MADRID are not planning to make a move for Real Sociedad mid fielder Martin Zubimendi as they do not think they need the Spain international, who has a release clause of £51m (RM288m). ARSENAL are considering another move for Paris St-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, 24, after failing to strike a deal for the South Korea interna tional in January. BAYER LEVERKUSEN and Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 22, is set to snub interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid to join Bayern Munich. RB LEIPZIG striker Benjamin Sesko’s release clause is more than £68m (RM384m) but clubs will be able to sign him for less if a suitable offer for the 21-year-old Slovenia interna tional is made. WEST HAM and Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus, 24, is the subject of fresh interest from Arsenal. FEDERICO CHIESA, 27, could be on his way out of Liverpool this summer with AC Milan and Napoli interested in the Italy winger. MANCHESTER UNITED added Torino’s 28-year-old Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to their summer trans fer shortlist. REAL MADRID are ready to move for William Saliba this summer, if not in 2026 or 2027 on a free transfer.

N ATIONAL men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao may not have clinched a medal at the recently concluded Sudirman Cup 2025 in Xiamen, China, but he walked away with something just as important: renewed confidence and belief in himself. Appointed as team captain for the first time in a major team event, Jun Hao led Malaysia into the quarterfinals of the world’s prestigious badminton mixed team tournament at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium. Malaysia’s campaign ended in disappointment last Friday, as they were swept 0-3 by hosts and eventual champions China. Amidst the heartbreak, Jun Hao’s gritty group stage win over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-8, 13-21, 21-18, his fourth out of five matches, was a bright

spark and a promising sign for the world No. 24 moving forward. “For sure, the victory over Naraoka boosted my confidence and I have gained a lot more (belief) from it,” he said when met at the training session on Tuesday. Jun Hao also said that his 6-21, 14-21 loss to world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in their first-ever meeting during the Sudirman Cup 2025 quarterfinals was an invaluable learning experience. Although he admitted to having a tough time against Yu Qi, the 25-year-old observed how the Chinese shuttler used a variety of shots and tactical control to restrict his movement and deny him any

real chance of victory. In the meantime, the Kuala Lumpur-born shuttler has seen improvements in his game under the guidance of national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who assumed the role earlier this year. “I am getting used to his (Jonassen’s coaching) style right now, but I still need to gain more input from him,” he said. As for his next goal, Jun Hao hopes to regain his momentum when he returns to action against Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long in the opening round of the Thailand Open 2025, scheduled for May 13-18. – Bernama

Hakim Danish aims for victory at Le Mans THE second round of the RedBull MotoGP Rookies Cup is set to kick off this week at the iconic Le Mans Circuit, a track built in 1965 and renowned for hosting legendary races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. impact his prospects of being selected for the wildcard and ultimately for the Moto3 World Championship next year, particularly given the team’s financial constraints.

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The 2025 season started on a strong note for Danish. In the opening round of the RedBull MotoGP Rookies Cup at the Jerez Circuit in Spain, he secured second place in both Race 1 and Race 2. He then carried that momentum into Estoril, Portugal for the opening round of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, once again finishing in second place. Now, the mission to secure a race victory continues on French soil. The historic Le Mans Circuit presents a crucial opportunity for Hakim to showcase his abilities and determination in

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The 4.19km circuit, featuring 14 corners, nine right-handers and five left is expected to push the limits of young riders’ skills and physical endurance. The year 2025 marks a crucial chapter in the career of Malaysia’s young rider, Hakim Danish. With high expectations from the SIC Racing Team, led by Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Danish’s performance in both the RedBull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM JuniorGP World Championship will play a significant role in shaping his future, including his chances of earning a wildcard entry to the MalaysianGP this October. A less-than-impressive performance could

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pursuit of his dream to compete on the world stage.

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Hakim Danish.

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RM179,526.49

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‘Include more esports in development programmes’ THE Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) recommends that more types of sports, particularly the fast-growing esports, be included in the development programmes under the First Schedule of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576). to 103 types of sports, which are currently undergoing the development process under the ministry’s supervision through the Sports Commissioner,” he said. clubs come forward to present the types of sports that they feel should have the support of KBS.

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“This initiative aligns with the ministry’s efforts through the Sports Commissioner regarding the definition of sports that can be used for esports, which also includes elements of mental, physical and fitness,” he said. The First Schedule of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576) compiles types of sports for the purpose of guidance and reference on activities considered as sports listed under the amended sports development order. The 2025 Hado World Cup will be participated by 18 countries, including the United States, Spain, Greece, South Korea and Australia, with Malaysia slated to face nine countries in the group stage. – Bernama

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He told reporters this after officiating the handing over of the Jalur Gemilang to the national digital dodgeball team at Sportizza here yesterday as the team gears up to leave for Shanghai, China on May 21 to compete in the three-day 2025 Hado World Cup from May 23. Suhardi said that every type of sport recommended will first undergo several review processes and discussions to see if it is suitable to be classified as a sport, particularly those that use digital elements. He also did not rule out proposals to include esports in the existing act and, instead, recommended that associations or

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Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias said the move would add value to the country’s sports ecosystem, thus paving the way for athletes to make a name for themselves in the domestic and international sports scene. “There are many more sports that can be included in the existing list to pave the way for the younger generation to continue to be involved in healthy activities as well as to highlight their talent and performances through their respective sport. “This act has undergone several amendments and the list has grown from 39

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