11/04/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | APR 11, 2026

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Crucial backup needed Reinforcements in every sport important to avoid generational gap, says minister Y OUTH and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari has stressed the importance of continuously producing backup athletes to ensure that the country’s sporting excellence According to him, elite athletes’ role is not limited to being medal contributors, but also as an inspira tion to the younger generation and society.

THE Malaysian Thomas Cup squad received a huge boost yesterday, with professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia having fully recovered from his ankle injury and ready for action if called up for national duty. His coach, Liew Daren, said the shuttler is not only free from any physical issues, but is currently fully focused on his more intensive train ing programme to ensure his per formance is at the optimum level. “Yes, he (Zii Jia) is 100% recovered (from his ankle injury),” he said at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He said he could already see sig nificant improvement in Zii Jia during the second training session with players from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), after the shuttler underwent his first train ing on Wednesday. “Actually, the most important thing here (at ABM) is that there are so many sparring opportunities. So, it’s good for him because he needs to play against all types of players,” he said. Commenting on the health check offer from the National Sports Institute (NSI), which was relayed to him by BAM Performance Committee chairman Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Daren expressed his gratitude for the concern shown, but explained that Zii Jia is in the best shape as a result of his own team’s efforts. Meanwhile, national men’s singles coach K. Yogendran, who is handling the world No. 83 Zii Jia’s training at ABM, admitted that he could see the shuttler giving his best in every train ing session. “What is important is that he has a good environment to train in, and the training programme is running smoothly. That’s why it’s important for us to support one another,” said Yogendran. He also admitted that Zii Jia’s presence at ABM has benefited the younger shuttlers, who look up to him as a source of inspiration. “I think it actually benefits every one, it benefits Zii Jia, it benefits our young players, and it benefits Malaysian badminton. That’s the most important thing,” he said. The 2026 Thomas Cup Finals will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3. – Bernama LZJ 100% ready for Thomas Cup: Darren EU R OPA LEAGUE (Quarterfinals, 1st leg) : B ologna 1 (Rowe 90) Aston Villa 3 (Konsa 44, Watkins 51, 90+4) , Porto 1 (William 11) Nottingham Forest 1 (Martim Fernandes 13-og) , Freiburg 3 (Grifo 10, Beste 32, Ginter 78) Celta Vigo 0. CONFE R ENCE LEAGUE: (Quarterfi nals, 1st leg) : R ayo Vallecano 3 (Akhomach 2, Unai Lopez 45+2, Pala zon 74-pen) AEK Athens 0, S hakhtar Donetsk 3 (Pedrinho 72, Alisson Santana 81, 83) AZ Alkmaar 0, Crystal Palace 3 (Mateta 24-pen, Mitchell 31, Sarr 90) Fiorentina 0, Mainz 2 (Sano 11, Posch 19) S tras bourg 0. RESULTS & STANDINGS

boxing squads at the Nilai Training Centre, which is next to the velodrome. During his time with the national track cycling team, he also rode several laps around the velodrome with national ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang. Mohd Azizulhasni, also known as the Pocket Rocketman, said the minister asked if he could play a role in providing motivation and sharing his experi ences with the new generation of athletes. According to Mohd Azizulhasni, he is ever ready to contribute to the development of sports in the country, particularly in nurturing a winning mental ity among the athletes. “As a veteran in this sport, I’m willing to help the KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports), NSC or NSI (National Sports Institute) if they require my services. “That’s why I’m here, and I’m still cycling. I want to motivate our youngsters and my teammates, and show that we can actually go beyond our limits,” said the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medallist and 2017 world champion. – Bernama Shock exit for

Meanwhile, Mohammed Taufiq, who also watched the national track cycling team train at the velodrome, said he was satisfied with the prepara tions ahead of the final round of the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Cup that will be held here from April 24-26. “It’s crucial for us to go down to the ground to see for ourselves the development of athletes and also the existing facilities. If anything is lacking or can be improved, we must act quickly. “We want to ensure the welfare of athletes is safe guarded, training sessions are not disrupted, and finally, we want to record the best-ever achievement at upcoming events, such as this year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and also the 2027 SEA Games,” he said. Earlier, Mohammed Taufiq also observed the training sessions of the national silat, archery and

is not affected. He said efforts to produce backups must not be taken lightly, regardless of the sport, to prevent a huge generational gap between the existing and emerging athletes. “I see that the most crucial factor now is for us to prepare our backup athletes. Irrespective of the sport, we must have backups. “We cannot have a huge gap, and I am confident that the NSC (National Sports Council) has indeed done its best to find backup athletes to represent our nation,” he said after visiting the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan yesterday. He also emphasised the importance of mental and physical resilience among athletes, particularly those competing at international levels, including those in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme.

National track cycling star Azizulhasni Awang takes part in a training session ahead of the UCI Track World Cup in Nilai yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Tang Jie-Ee Wei MALAY S IA’ S top mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei suf fered a shock quarterfinal exit at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 after losing to South Korea’s Kim Jae Hyeon Jang Ha Jeong in straight games in Ningbo, China, today. The world No. 4 pair lost 19-21, 17-21 in a 46-minute encounter at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre, falling to a Korean duo ranked 147th in the world. The Malaysians kept pace in the opening game and even led at several stages but were unable to capitalise on crucial points, allow ing their opponents to edge ahead in the closing stages. In the second game, Jae Hyeon-Ha Jeong grew in confi dence and took full control with sharp net play and solid defence, leaving no opening for the Malaysians to mount a comeback. The Korean pair will face Japan’s Yuta Watanabe-Maya Taguchi in the semifinals. In related news, national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has hinted that Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King may not be in his plans for the this year’s Thomas Cup Finals. This, he said, is because the world No. 16 pair are still inconsis tent, particularly in handling cru cial situations during matches. “Like at the ongoing Badminton Asia Championships (in Ningbo, China)… at crucial points at 18 and 19, they keep making so many mistakes. “We can try them out (at the Thomas Cup), but perhaps other pairs may be more prepared. So, for now, they are not in the list,” he told the media at Akademi Badminton Malaysia yesterday. Herry, however, stressed that the final decision on player selec tion will be determined by the management team after further discussions with the coaches, including ABM doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky. At the Badminton Asia Championships, Wan Arif-Roy King crashed out in the first round after losing 17-21, 21-17, 20-22 to Taiwan’s Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen on Wednesday. – Bernama

M’sia still lacks cycling talent development: Pocket Rocketman

NATIONAL track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang has acknowl edged that Malaysia is still lagging in terms of developing a pipeline of riders, which could affect the country’s conti nuity of excellence in the sport. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medallist said that although several young talents were being groomed, the gap in development systems com pared to developed nations remained significant. He said Malaysia should emulate advanced countries with more robust development structures, featuring high-performing riders at both state and national levels. “At the moment, we have Shah (Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom), Ridwan (Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom) and several other young talents. However, in my view as an elite athlete who has competed worldwide and observed various systems in other countries, we are still quite far behind. “Imagine if one of our athletes suf fers an injury, retires or anything hap pens, we may need eight to 10 years to

chance to get on the podium. He said this is because he has yet to reach his peak form, which he is reserv ing for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan in September. “Personally, I can only do tapering for this meet, but my primary objective is the Asian Games. After that, we will reorganise the plan. “So, this meet is more towards fine tuning my preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games (in July) and the Asian Games,” he said. Commenting on the challenges of competing on home ground, the 2017 world champion admitted that it could either pile on added pressure or spur him to victory. “For me, the more challenges there are, the better. I prefer tough races because they give me a true measure of my abilities. “I am also thrilled to be riding against the likes of Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen and Nicholas Paul of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as several other top-class cyclists, to see the level I’m at,” he said. – Bernama

develop new talent. “Ideally, within the development pipeline, future champions should already be in place,” he told reporters during Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari’s visit to the National Velodrome yesterday. Azizulhasni also stressed that the country could not continue relying on the same names, as the situation often resulted in attention reverting to cer tain individuals. “That is why the script is often the same – everything eventually comes back to Azizul. But if possible, I do not want to always be the one relied upon. “We want to give opportunities to young athletes so that they can learn to shoulder challenges and pressure in competitions,” said the 2017 world champion. Looking ahead to the Track Cycling World Cup which will be held at the National Velodrome from April 24-26, the national track cycling ace said he aims to reach the final. Azizulhasni believes that it is a real istic target as it would give him the best