12/07/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 12, 2025

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Harimau Malaya on right track: Zainal Malaysia climb six spots to 125th in latest Fifa rankings N ATIONAL football legend Datuk Zainal Abidin Hassan is confident that the Harimau Malaya squad can rise to be ranked among the world’s top 100 in for so long,” he said. He told reporters this after the FAM and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam) strategic cooperation signing ceremony, which was also attended by FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohamad Amin and Bank Islam Group chief business officer (retail banking) Mizan Masram. still lead the regional pack at 102nd in the world, followed by Vietnam (113th) and Indonesia (118th). Meanwhile, FAM Marketing and Sponsorship Committee deputy chairman CP Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri expressed appreciation for the commitment of Bank Islam, which has been with them since 2013.

SHORTS

Jun Hao ready for Lanier test

NATIONAL shuttler Leong Jun Hao is expecting a tough time against defending champion Alex Lanier of France in the Japan Open 2025 but says he is ready for the challenge. Jun Hao, 25, described Lanier as a player with “strength and power” but felt that his injury-free condition allows him to fully focus on delivering his best in the tournament, which begins on Tuesday. The Malaysian, who will meet Lanier in the first round, had been eliminated as early as the round of 16 in previous Japan Open tournaments. “So far, training has been going well. Coach Kenneth Jonassen has also been focusing on both on-court and off-court aspects, especially improving fitness,” he said. Jun Hao said he did not feel any extra pressure as the sole Malaysian men’s singles representative in the tournament. “But the experience of defeating higher-ranked players before this will surely help me on court,” he told reporters at Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara yesterday. The world No. 24 admitted that the competition in men’s singles has become increasingly intense, and he is taking it as an opportunity to constantly prove his abilities. “I think maybe among the top 50 to 60, everyone can play at a high level; no match is easy. So, I feel every game is a tough one, especially physically. Recovery becomes very important,” he added. MEAP boost for national e-sports athletes THE Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has allocated RM1 million for the implementation of the Malaysia Esports Accelerator Programme (MEAP), as an effort to support local e-sports teams that have successfully represented the country on the international stage. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Adam Adli Abd Halim said the initiative is the government’s ongoing commitment to empowering local e-sports talents to compete at the world level. “Currently, we have allocated RM1m, of which RM300,000 is for the first phase and the remaining RM700,000 will be spent on the second phase. “So for the RM300,000 (first phase), we will spend it on things like today’s workshops and so on. In addition, there is additional support including logistics (for the teams involved),” he told the media after launching the MEAP programme yesterday. At the launch ceremony, nine local e-sports teams and players were announced as recipients of support funds amounting to between RM5,000 and RM40,000 to participate in international tournaments in various game categories. Among the selected teams are Selangor Red Giants (SRG.OG), Homebois, and Navi Esports for the game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, while Nova Esports, Black Shrew Esports, and Alpha Gaming will compete in the game Honor of Kings. All the teams involved are scheduled to participate in the E sports World Cup currently underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

a few years’ time. Zainal, who is also the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Competitions Committee deputy chairman, said the Harimau Malaya revolution sparked by Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail could improve the quality of the national squad. “Alhamdulillah, this is a proud achievement for the Malaysian footballing fraternity. We pray that (the Harimau Malaya squad) can continue to improve their world ranking. “What’s important is that the football fraternity continues to provide proper support for the Harimau Malaya to progress because they have been lagging at the international level

“The close cooperation that has been forged not only strengthens efforts to develop football in the country, but also inspires us to continue to strive harder in developing an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem,” he said. Mizan, meanwhile, is grateful that Bank Islam has been given the trust to directly contribute to the development of football in the country through the extension of the collaborative agreement for another two years. – Bernama

On Thursday, the Malaysian men’s football team climbed up six spots, now ranked 125th in the world based on the Fifa’s latest ranking list, thus equalling their best position last achieved in February 2006. This notable rise was driven by two recent strong performances – a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in a friendly in May and a convincing 4-0 win over Vietnam in last month’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign. Among Southeast Asian nations, Thailand

Pearly-Thinaah sign contract with BAM

THE country’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, will continue to don the national jersey until the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after signing a new contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). BAM President Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz confirmed the matter but declined to disclose details of the contract agreed upon between the national governing body and the world No. 3 pair. It is understood that the contract was signed on Thursday evening (6.31pm local time), though the exact date of the agreement was not disclosed to the public. “I would like to inform and announce that BAM and our national women’s doubles pair, Thinaah and Pearly, have reached an agreement regarding their contract issue,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Thursday. “This is a result of constructive discussions and a shared commitment to find the best way forward for the future of national badminton. So I would like to say thank you to Thinaah and Pearly for their

commitment; the negotiations have been very productive and have been very forward-looking,” he added. Previously, the media

exceptionally well should be appropriately rewarded. “They deserve to ask, and I never blame people who want to ask for more because I think that’s expected; it just needs negotiation and explanation. “And again, the other thing that is important in my view is if they do better, then we should be ready to reward the players. So at least then there’s an incentive. Otherwise, there’s no incentive to do better. Of course, for the country is one thing, but to be fair, you know, it will also help,” he added. Meanwhile, Thinaah expressed her gratitude to Tengku Zafrul for his continuous support for both of them. “It’s not either party’s fault to prolong the whole contract; it’s just because our tournaments were already back-to-back and all, but we are really relieved that everything has come to an agreement, and yeah, we are now just looking forward,” she said. Her partner, Pearly, added that the signing of the new contract with BAM provides

yet to sign a new contract with BAM after their previous contract expired in December last year. Tengku Zafrul also declined to comment on media reports claiming

that Pearly and Thinaah would receive a p a y m e n t package of RM1 million per person a n n u a l l y following their contract but stated that players who perform new

reported that the p a i r has

them with relief to continue focusing on upcoming major tournaments, including the Japan Open and China Open 2025. – Bernama Op

M. Thinaah (left) and Pearly Tan. – BERNAMAPIC

Academy signs Malaysia’s No. 1 women’s pickleball pro PICKLEBALL CLUB & ACADEMY has officially signed Neem Shamsuddin, Malaysia’s top-ranked women’s doubles pickleball player, as their newest professional athlete. To support her budding career, Neem launched successful GoFundMe campaigns to cover travel, tournament fees, coaching, and equipment essential for competing on the PPA Tour and APP circuit. Neem has already made significant waves in the professional scene.

ambition, talent, and inspiration,” said Colin Tan, Founder of 002 Pickleball Club & Academy. “We hope her success in the US and Malaysia will shine a spotlight on Malaysian pickleball, encouraging clubs, brands, and governing bodies to invest in talent development. Her presence boosts both the club’s ideals and Malaysia’s position in the international pickleball scene.” Neem aims to serve as a role model, especially to empower young Malaysian girls to join and excel in the sport of pickleball, added: “I am thrilled to be joining the 002 Pickleball Club & Academy. “Their support will allow me to focus completely on my training and competition. It’s an honor to represent Malaysia, and I am dedicated to paving the way for more Malaysians to pursue pickleball professionally.”

The signing on July 2 marks a significant commitment to fostering top-tier talent and elevating Malaysia’s presence on the international pickleball stage. Hailing from East Malaysia and currently based in the United States, Neem brings both proven prowess on the court and an inspiring story of determination. Her journey began in 2022, when she first discovered pickleball while working at a country club in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. What started as casual play quickly evolved into a dedicated passion, leading to her decision to pursue a professional career in mid-2023 following her graduation from King University.

She holds the No. 1 DUPR ranking in women’s doubles for Malaysia and gained early breakthroughs by winning her first match at a PPA event in North Carolina, eventually earning entry into the Round of 32. A notable highlight included an iconic match against former tennis star Genie Bouchard. Her dynamic play style, including remarkable tweener shots during the PPA Asia Panas Malaysia Open, has garnered significant attention across social media. “Neem embodies what 002 stands for –