28/06/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 28, 2025

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Nova ups the ante Head coach wants mixed pairs to end title drought before World Championships

RESULTS & STANDINGS

MALAYSIAN e-sports athletes vying for a spot at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will undergo a series of bootcamps to evaluate their readiness and commitment. Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) president Muhammad Naim Al-Amin said the bootcamps, scheduled between September and November, will involve intensive training, match simulations, gameplay analysis, professional coaching, as well as mental preparation and patriotic elements “Selection will not be based solely on current performance. Athletes must attend several bootcamps during which we will assess their performance and commitment before naming the final squad,” he said yesterday. He also confirmed that eFootball Mobile will not be featured in the upcoming SEA Games. Muhammad Naim said the host nation has confirmed four titles for competition: Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Arena Of Valor, FC Online and Free Fire. “We will be competing in all four titles. At present, we have a long list of players for each game,” he added. At the previous edition in Cambodia, Malaysia secured two silver and two bronze medals in e-sports. The country last won gold in the discipline at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines through Dr Yew Weng Kean. In related news, an e-sports centre developed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is scheduled to commence operation next year. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Adam Adli Abdul Halim said details on the operation of the e-sports centre are expected to be announced in September. “It is currently still in the process of issuing tender and so on, we do expect it to be used in 2026,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Asean Youth E-Sports Championship (AEYSC) 2025 near Puchong, on Thursday. “This e-sports centre is not limited to just one component but can also be used as a multipurpose hall. We want to ensure that the resources we have are used optimally,” he said. – Bernama Bootcamps for e-sports athletes Group H: Real Madrid 3 (Vinicius 40, Valverde 45+3, Gonzalo Garcia 84) Salzburg 0, Al-Hilal 2 (Al-Dawsari 22, Marcos Leonardo 90+5) Pachuca 0. P W D L F A Pts Real Madrid 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 Al Hilal 3 1 2 0 3 1 5 RBSalzburg 3 1 1 1 2 4 4 Pachuca 3 0 0 3 2 7 0 QUALIFIED ELIMINATED CLUB WORLD CUP Group G: Manchester City 5 (Doku 9, Kalulu 26-og, Haaland 52, Foden 69, Savinho 75) Juventus 2 (Koopmeiners` 11, Vlahovic 84), Wydad Casablanca 1 (Mailula 4) Al Ain 2 (Laba 45+1-pen, Kaku 50). P W D L F A Pts Man City 3 3 0 0 13 2 9 Juventus 3 2 0 1 11 6 6 Al Ain 3 1 0 2 2 12 3 W. Casablanca 3 0 0 3 2 8 0

T HE impressive achievements of the national men’s and women’s doubles pairs should spur the mixed doubles camp to clinch their first title this year, said national mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto. He hopes the mixed doubles pairs can win at least one title before the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Paris from Aug 25 to 31. “Men’s and women’s doubles are doing well… Only the mixed doubles (national squad) have yet to win a title this year. “Hopefully, we can get the best results and emerge victorious in at least one tournament, either the Japan Open or China Open,” he told reporters after a training session in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The Japan Open is scheduled to take place from July 15 to 20 in Tokyo, while the China Open will run from July 22 to 27 in Changzhou. Former world men’s doubles champions

Indonesia Open earlier this month. Nova expressed satisfaction with the positive development shown by top national mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, particularly in terms of communication, since being reunited in April.

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have already secured three titles this season, beginning with the Badminton Asia Championships in April, followed by victories at the Thailand Open and Singapore Open last month. Their compatriots Man

“There are no longer any issues, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. Communication is good now, although their gameplay still hasn’t reached its full potential. Hopefully, we can make the most of the time left to improve before the Japan Open,” he said. Tang Jie and Ee Wei, who split in March due to their strained relationship, were reunited for the 2025 Sudirman Cup in China, where the world No. 4 pair helped the national squad reach the quarterfinals. – Bernama

Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also clinched two titles this year – the Indonesia Masters in January and the Malaysia Masters last month. Top national women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah won the Thailand Open and finished runners-up twice – at the Indonesia Masters and the

Nova Widianto. – BERNAMAPIC

National futsal squad in tough group for Asian Cup

THE national futsal squad face a daunting task in their mission to advance to the 2026 Futsal Asian Cup after being drawn with Asian powerhouse Iran in Group G of the qualifying round scheduled to be held in Kuantan, Pahang from Sept 20-24. Head coach Rakphol Sainetngam’s charges will also face another rising regional force, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as Bangladesh. While wary of the threat posed by Iran and the UAE, Sainetngam has also warned his men not to underestimate Bangladesh’s capabilities. “However, the most important factor is ourselves. We need to be fully prepared in training, team management and

highest level.” Despite the tough group, the Thai coach believes playing on home ground could provide a slight advantage. “This will be the first time in seven to eight years that an international futsal competition is hosted in Malaysia (the last being the 2017 SEA Games). “We hope Malaysian fans will come out in droves to support us at the venue, as the energy from our supporters will be a powerful driving force that pushes the players to fight with everything they have,” he said. Malaysia will kick-off their campaign in the qualifying round, to be held at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium, against the UAE on Sept 20, followed by Bangladesh on Sept 22 and Iran on Sept 24. The eight group winners and seven best runners-up from the qualifiers will join hosts Indonesia in the 18th edition of the Futsal Asian Cup Finals next January. Malaysia have featured in the Finals 12 times, with their last appearance coming in the 2018 edition in Taiwan. – Bernama

strategic planning before the tournament begins,” he said in a statement. “This period is crucial for gathering detailed information about our opponents and developing the most effective plans to perform at our

Rakphol Sainetngam. – BERNAMAPIC

Coach keeping close eye on Norliyana NATIONAL high jumper Norliyana Kamaruddin will be closely monitored as she works towards full recovery from knee and ankle injuries ahead of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand at the end of this year.

probably just four competitions before the SEA Games. I’m hopeful she can maintain her form,” he said when met at KLIA Terminal 2 after returning from the Thailand Open. At the meet, Norliyana clinched gold with a 1.75m jump. Her 1.75m effort also surpassed the 1.73m mark that earned Singapore’s Michelle Sng Suat Li a bronze at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. In addition to preventing further injury, Malik said Norliyana must continue building momentum to compete with jumps over 1.80m – a benchmark already being met by the Thai athlete who won gold at the previous edition. Norliyana’s personal best stands at 1.82m. – Bernama

Her coach, Muhamad Malik Ahmad Tobias, said the move aims to keep the 34-year-old on track in her quest for a gold medal at the biennial event. “We’ve been preparing her specifically for the high jump. Last year, the focus was on injury rehabilitation. “The Thailand Open, which she just returned from, was her third outing after the Philippines Open and Perak Open. In all three events, she recorded jumps below 1.80m. “At her age, we have to be selective –

Norliyana Kamaruddin. – BERNAMAPIC