05/06/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | JUNE 5, 2025

31

Sepak takraw ace in hot water

NATIONAL sepak takraw right apit (striker) Mohamad Azlan Alias has been issued a show-cause letter after playing for his club, Melaka Titans, in the domestic league despite being advised to rest for two months due to a fractured elbow sustained last month. Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said the letter was sent to both Mohamad Azlan and his club, requiring a response within seven days from yesterday. “The (fracture) report came from the doctor and the National Sports Institute (ISN), so it must be respected,” Mohd Sumali said when met at the STL (Sepak Takraw League) 2025 Community Programme at the Taman Mesra sepak takraw court in Kajang, Selangor yesterday. “Mohamad Azlan is needed for bigger tournaments, representing the country at Perak FC goes semi-pro THE Perak Football Association (Perak FA) have confirmed that they will join the A1 Semi-Pro League, which is expected to kick off this August. The announcement was made by its president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin in a statement on Perak FA’s official Facebook page yesterday, following a meeting with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He said the “Bos Gaurus” line-up will consist of players from the Perak Malaysia Games (Sukma) squad as well as several senior players who previously played in the Super League. “The Menteri Besar also expressed strong support for Perak FA’s efforts to rebuild from the ground up and to provide opportunities for young local talents to shine on a bigger stage. He also advised us to start with a solid, well-organised foundation, centred on the development of homegrown talents,” he said. Tang Jie-Ee Wei battle into second round NATIONAL mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie Toh Ee Wei battled through a tough challenge to defeat India’s Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto in a thrilling first-round match at the Indonesia Open 2025 yesterday at Jakarta’s Istora Senayan. The second-seeded Malaysian duo fought hard to secure a 21-11, 16-21, 21-14 victory in 59 minutes, marking their first-ever clash against the Indian pair. In a post-match audio clip shared by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Ee Wei admitted the pair struggled to find their rhythm but stayed confident in each other’s abilities. Tang Jie praised Tanisha’s tenacity, describing her as a formidable opponent. “Tanisha is tough, very aggressive and physically strong. Her aggressive play pushed us to stay consistent on the court,” he said. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next face Denmark’s Mads Vestergaard Christine Busch, whom they previously defeated at the French Open 2023 and Japan Open 2024. The Danish pair advanced after defeating another Indian duo, Ashith Surya-Amrutha Pramuthesh, 21-15, 21-9 in another Round of 32 match. Esports fund get RM1.5m boost THE Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) has opened online applications for the KBS Esports Fund (DEK) 2025 until July 31. In a statement yesterday, KBS announced that the results of the applications will be revealed on Aug 28, with successful applicants required to implement their selected programmes between September and November 2025. This marks the third year of DEK’s implementation, with an allocation of RM1.5 million, an increase of RM500,000 compared to 2024, KBS said. “The provision of DEK is part of KBS’s ongoing efforts to support the growth of the rapidly expanding esports sector each year. Since its introduction in 2023, DEK has supported over 80 grassroots esports initiatives nationwide, encompassing tournament organisation, talent development, digital content creation and community activities,” the statement read. BRIEFS

“Everyone is asking why he was playing. This has caused a stir because the mindset is that he’s injured and undergoing treatment,” added Mohd Sumali. In related news, national sepak takraw head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun is set to shake up the squad with fresh talent for the Thai King’s Cup, slated for July 20-27 in Korat, Thailand, as a key step toward dominating the SEA Games later this year. Ahmad Jais revealed his plan to test new faces, aiming to craft a winning formula for the national team. “We’re likely to revamp the lineup. Players who missed out on the Asian Cup could get their shot at the Thai King’s Cup. “This is about scouting fresh talent for the SEA Games,” he told Bernama when met recently. – Bernama

the Thai King’s Cup in July and the SEA Games (in December). “If he’s not fully recovered and plays again, risking further injury, he may need a longer recovery period. Who will bear the consequences? He’s a national player.” Mohd Sumali said he will personally raise the issue at a meeting to discuss follow-up actions. Mohamad Azlan was confirmed to have suffered a fracture in his left elbow following an incident during the team regu final at the 2025 Asian Sepak Takraw Cup at Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur last month, and was advised to rest for two months. However, the 27-year-old national team main striker was spotted competing for his club in the STL division one recently.

Takraw right apit (striker) Mohamad Azlan Alias. – BERNAMAPIC

Sivasangari on a roll Squash queen downs No. 7 seed Watanabe to reach maiden British Open quarterfinals

213/25

04/06/2025

2634 1243 5613

7953 5281 3521 1347 5028

4829 0823 5042 7936 1222

4353 8144 9693 4436 0919

9899 3291 7343 2879 3858

RM20,243,650.92

2634 + 5613 1243 + 5613 5613 + 1243

2634 + 1243 1243 + 2634 5613 + 2634

RM232,868.30

2 5 8 1012182329

13 31

S. Sivasangari (right) in action against Japan’s Satomi Watanabe. – @BritOpenSquash/X

N ATIONAL squash ace S. Sivasangari stormed into the quarterfinals of the British Open for the first time following an impressive display against Satomi Watanabe. Sivasangari, appearing in her fifth British Open, is into the last eight for the first time after downing Watanabe 3-1 in the penultimate match on Tuesday night at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, in Birmingham, England. The Kedah-born player had never lost to Watanabe on the PSA Squash Tour, with their last meeting six years ago when Sivasangari overcame Watanabe to win the Australian Open. The world No. 9 played at a high tempo to open up a comfortable 8-4 lead, only for Watanabe to pull herself back to 9-9. Sivasangari’s sharp attacking play was enough to help her edge the first 11-9. Sivasangari repeated that scoreline in the second to double her match lead over the world No. 7, maintaining the high tempo she played at in the first. But four of

her five game balls were saved by Watanabe. The momentum shifted in Watanabe’s favour in the third, though, as the Japanese No. 1 dominated while errors were flowing from Sivasangari’s racket for Watanabe to halve the deficit. Sivasangari found her groove again in the fourth, with her attacking squash paying dividends for a 5-1 advantage and, despite a flurry of points from Watanabe, Sivasangari held her off to march on to the last eight. “It feels great reaching the quarter finals of the British Open,” she said. “I think last year I got (current World Champion) Nour El Sherbini in the first round and that’s a pretty tough draw. “Satomi has been playing really well recently and we’ve played each other since we were 10/11 in juniors, we’re the same age and she’s a good friend as well. “Today with my performance I’m really happy and I tried to focus on my game and focus on reaching the quarterfinals and making it further.”

RM12,668,874.09

RM100,000.00

3 4 4 3 1 3 34431

44313

3443

4313

344

313

34

13

43

06

All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info. THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY