22/04/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | APR 22, 2026

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Sukma in limbo Selangor to leave decision to Ministry of Youth and Sports, supreme committee T HE Selangor government will leave it com pletely to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) Supreme Committee to a media conference yesterday. Elaborating, Amirudin said he has taken note of the views of all parties, including the results of the debate at the State Legislative Assembly, before any stance is finalised, to ensure a balanced and com prehensive decision is made.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 0. P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 33 21 7 5 63 26 70 Man City 32 20 7 5 65 29 67 Man Utd 33 16 10 7 58 45 58 Aston Villa 33 17 7 9 47 41 58 Liverpool 33 16 7 10 54 43 55 Chelsea 33 13 9 11 53 42 48 Brentford 33 13 9 11 48 44 48 Bournemouth 33 11 15 7 50 50 48 Brighton 33 12 11 10 45 39 47 Everton 33 13 8 12 40 39 47 Sunderland 33 12 10 11 36 40 46 Fulham 33 13 6 14 43 46 45 Crystal Palace 32 11 10 11 35 36 43 Newcastle 33 12 6 15 46 49 42 Leeds 33 9 12 12 42 49 39 Nottm Forest 33 9 9 15 36 45 36 West Ham 33 8 9 1640 57 33 Tottenham 33 7 10 16 42 53 31 Burnley 33 4 8 2134 67 20 Wolves (R) 33 3 8 2224 61 17 SERIE A: Lecce 1 (Tiago Gabriel 71) Fiorentina 1 (Harrison 30). P W D L F A Pts Inter Milan 33 25 3 5 78 29 78 AC Milan 33 19 9 5 48 27 66 Napoli 33 20 6 7 48 33 66 Juventus 33 18 9 6 57 29 63 Como 33 16 10 7 57 28 58 Roma 33 18 4 11 46 29 58 Atalanta 33 14 12 7 45 29 54 Bologna 33 14 6 13 42 39 48 Lazio 33 12 11 10 34 30 47 Sassuolo 33 13 6 14 41 44 45 Udinese 33 12 7 14 38 43 43 Torino 33 11 7 15 37 54 40 Genoa 33 10 9 14 40 46 39 Parma 33 9 12 12 24 40 39 Fiorentina 33 8 12 13 38 45 36 Cagliari 33 8 9 1633 46 33 Cremonese 33 6 10 17 26 47 28 Lecce 33 7 7 1922 46 28 Verona 33 3 9 2123 56 18 Pisa 33 2 12 19 24 60 18 RESULTS & STANDINGS Skipper Thinaah optimistic of Uber Cup chances UBER CUP team captain M Thinaah is optimistic about the team’s chances ahead of the 2026 Uber Cup, from April 24 to May 3, in Horsens, Denmark. Even though she is playing without her regular partner Pearly Tan, Thinaah is confident that the team’s strength is unaffected as all her teammates have shown positive development during centralised training in Herning, Denmark. “It is said that Pearly isn’t here. I think everyone wanted her to play and she herself wanted to as well. But this is a team event and we have other players, especially the younger ones,” she said. She also expressed her willingness to assist and guide her current doubles partner, Chong Jie Yu, who replaced Pearly for the Uber Cup, to fit into the team. “I can see she’s very excited and motivated to be in the team. It’s not only (Jie Yu) who is excited but the entire team. Everything is going well and team spirit is high as we’re all excited to be here,” Thinaah added. The other players in Malaysia’s Uber Cup team are singles players K Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and Goh Jin Wei, as well as double pairs Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, and Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah. – Bernama

State Youth Development, Sports and Non Governmental Organisation Committee chairman Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said the state respects the proposal for a postponement, but suggested alternatives such as reducing the scale of the Games to ease the cost burden and safeguard the welfare of athletes. “Perhaps the National Sports Council (NSC) can use the format adopted at the Kuala Lumpur edi tion previously,” he told reporters yesterday. He said continued postponement could affect athletes who had made preparations, including deferring their studies and jobs. He also said that the Terengganu contingent’s preparations are continuing as usual, and they are currently at the long-listing stage before final ath lete selection. Previously, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, expressed his view that the hosting of the Games should be postponed until the crisis in West Asia is over and until the recon struction of the Shah Alam Stadium is fully com pleted. – Bernama

decide on the hosting of the Games in August. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said any decision related to Sukma must be made at the central level, in line with the existing governance structure, in addition to ensuring the preparation of athletes is not affected ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, which is the main focus of the state’s sport development. “Sukma will be decided by the Sukma Supreme Committee. It won’t be determined by the state government. I believe the KBS (Youth and Sports) minister (Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari) will make the best decision possible. “The most important thing is that our athletes’ preparation for the 2027 SEA Games is not affected, because Sukma is one of the platforms for us to identify athletes’ capabilities. “We will take a holistic look after hearing inputs from the state executive councillors,” he told during

He said that the financial implications are among the important considerations, given the ini tial expenses incurred, and the risk of loss if the decision is changed at the final stage of implemen tation. “We will gather all views, including from the debates in the state assembly, and previous find ings, because this issue has been raised before, including the amount spent and the risk of losing deposits if it is discontinued. “The decision needs to be made comprehen sively because even though we want to save costs, it cannot be based on logic alone but must be based on reality and the interests of the people,” he said. In related news, the Terengganu government hopes the 2026 Sukma games can continue despite the current economic constraints.

Hakim Danish targets strong result in Spain

Time to shine: Pocket Rocketman

NATIONAL Moto3 rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli’s impressive record at the Jerez Circuit in Spain is expected to give him an advantage heading into Round 4 of the Motorcycle World Championship (MotoGP) Spanish Grand Prix this weekend (April 24-27). The Terengganu-born rider said he is determined to deliver a quality per formance at his favourite circuit in pur suit of a positive result in the race. He added that he is excited to return to competition after a three-week break, with the United States Grand Prix being his last race. “After three weeks of rest, this week is race week for the fourth round in Jerez. I am really looking forward to getting back on track and feel highly motivated ahead of the weekend. “After the United States GP, I remained in Spain for three weeks to continue training on the bike, as well as cycling and running with other riders,” he said in a statement yesterday. The Jerez Circuit is no stranger to the 18-year-old, as Hakim Danish previ ously made a mark at the same venue by securing two consecutive second place finishes while competing in the prestigious Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. He aims to fully capitalise on the high-speed corners he favours, while preparing to tackle the challenges of the hard braking zones synonymous with the circuit. However, the real challenge in Jerez is expected to demand a high level of focus throughout the race, particularly in handling each of the technical cor ners along the 4.4km track, which fea tures eight right-hand turns, five left hand turns and a 607m straight. “Although there are ‘stop-and-go’ corners and hard braking zones, I hope to do my best. I also hope Malaysians will continue to pray for my success in this weekend’s race,” he said. Hakim Danish has collected nine points to sit 14th in the Moto3 riders’ standings. – Bernama

Datuk Azizulhasni Awang competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic. – BERNAMAFILEPIC

NATIONAL track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang has called on his teammates to step out of their comfort zone and raise their game if they are to shine at the three-day 2026 Track Cycling World Cup at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, from Friday (April 24). Azizulhasni, nicknamed “The Pocket Rocketman”, said that all hope must not be placed solely on him but on the rest of the national riders as well, adding that this would require them to push their bounda ries. “Since we are the hosts, I hope all of us will give our best. Not just the best we can, but better than what we have ever achieved,” he said when met recently. Mohd Azizulhasni also shared his own experience of often competing while not fully fit for the sake of the country. “There have been times when I competed despite not feeling well. I would just put it all aside and focus on bringing glory to the country. “Many times I competed even when I was injured

or not fully recovered… but I always give my best to achieve the best possible result,” he said. He also advised his teammates to embrace the pressure of competing in world-class events, saying it is a crucial element that can help athletes step out of their comfort zone and grow into more dominant riders on the track. Reflecting on his career since 2009, he admitted that he had faced intense criticism whenever he failed to excel. “Previously, each time I did not perform up to expectations, I would be heavily criticised by the media. At first, it hurt, but eventually, it shaped me into who I am today. “I want our athletes to be like that… not afraid to step out of their comfort zone and always giving their full commitment,” he said. He also reminded them to always appreciate the opportunities and support the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has given them, including training facili ties and funding. – Bernama