14/08/2026

SPORTS

SPORTS FRIDAY | AUG 14, 2026

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M ALAYSIAN Sepak Takraw Federation (PSM) presi dent Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan is targeting at least one gold medal for the national sepak takraw squad at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4. Sumali, who is also Malaysia’s Chef de Mission (CDM), said a second gold would be a major bonus for the sport and the country, although the squad’s official medal target has yet to be final ised. “Wait for it, my personal target is at least one gold at the Asian Games for sepak takraw. But if we can get two,

Takraw gold target PSM president says second medal would be major bonus at AG26

region, but believes the target is achievable given the quality of several national athletes who have previously reached the finals of major interna tional tournaments. With about a month remaining before the Games, Sumali urged ath letes to maintain their form, take care of their health and remain disciplined to avoid injuries that could derail Malaysia’s medal ambitions. The official medal targets for the national contingent are expected to be announced soon. Malaysia won six gold, eight silver and 18 bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Sumali also hopes the national con tingent can produce an outstanding overall performance in Japan by win ning as many gold medals as possible. He acknowledged that the chal lenge would be tough, with Malaysia facing strong competition from the

events each in the men’s and women’s categories in Japan. The men’s squad will compete in the regu and team regu events, while the women’s team will contest the dou bles and quadrant events. Malaysia won silver in both the men’s regu and team regu at the 2022

that would be a bonus for sepak takraw and a bonus for the country,” he told reporters during a visit by the CDM and Deputy Chef de Mission to gym nastics and karate training venues at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil. Malaysia will be limited to two

Afiq Fazail crowned M-League MVP

Sharul Aimy refuses to let knee injury derail dream NATIONAL artistic gymnast Muhammad Sharul Aimy Kamaru Hisam is refusing to let a lingering knee injury derail his bid to compete at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4. The 24-year-old, better known as Sharul Aimy, admitted he was disappointed after discovering the extent of his injury upon returning from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games earlier this month. However, he remains determined to compete in Japan, knowing the Asian Games are held only once every four years. “I really don’t want to miss the opportunity. We don’t know what will happen four years from now, and this could possibly be my last Asian Games because there are many juniors coming up. “So now I will give everything I have,” he told report ers during a visit by the Chef de Mission and Deputy Chef de Mission to the gymnastics and karate training venues at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil. Sharul Aimy revealed that he had been diagnosed with a meniscus tear after returning from the Commonwealth Games and is now undergoing plate let-rich plasma (PRP) treatment in an attempt to regain full fitness before leaving for Japan. “Since returning from the Commonwealth Games, I had to start from scratch because I just found out that I had a meniscus tear. So it was really upsetting to hear that I still had an injury. “So now I have undergone PRP treatment, and I hope to be fit before departing for the Asian Games and perform at my best,” said the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games men’s vault bronze medallist. The injury has also forced Sharul Aimy to lower his medal expectations in Aichi-Nagoya. Reaching the final would represent a significant achievement given his physical condition. The 2025 SEA Games gold medallist has yet to resume heavy training, instead concentrating on fit ness work and basic exercises as he continues his recov ery. He also faces the possibility of undergoing surgery for a fifth time if he fails to return to his best condition after the Asian Games. Despite the setback, Sharul Aimy remains focused on making the most of what could be his final Asian Games appearance.

JOHOR Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Muhammad Afiq Fazail was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025/26 Malaysia League (M-League) at the M-League Awards Night in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old capped a stellar season in which JDT defended their Super League title and also lifted the Charity Shield, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup. Afiq, who was previously named Best Midfielder in 2022 and 2023, edged Kuching City FC’s Danial Amier Norhisham and Selangor FC’s Nooa Laine to claim the top individual prize for the first time in his career. He contributed six assists during the season and credited his teammates for helping him secure the award. “I was surprised to win the MVP award this time. Alhamdulillah . I learned a bit from Safiq Rahim. I used to play with him before, for two or three sea sons. I feel this is all teamwork; winning this MVP is entirely down to teamwork,” he said. The award adds another major milestone to Afiq’s career and has given him fresh motivation ahead of the new season. JDT dominated the awards, winning seven of the 15 main categories. Goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi retained the Best Goalkeeper award for a fourth consecutive year, while Brazilian striker Bergson da Silva was again named Best Import Player, extending his win ning streak to four editions since 2022. JDT head coach Xisco Munoz also took home the Best Coach award after guiding the Southern Tigers to their fourth quadruple in the 2025/26 season. It was Munoz’s first nomination for the award since taking charge of JDT last season. He beat reigning winner Aidil Sharin Sahak of Kuching City FC and Selangor coach Kim Pan Gon. JDT were also named Best Team, underlining their dominance across the domestic campaign. The club’s supporters, the Boys of Straits, contin ued their own winning run by being named Best Supporters for another year. With seven major awards heading to JDT, the night provided further recognition of a season in which the Southern Tigers swept the major domes tic honours. – Bernama

JDT’s Afiq Fazail poses with his Most Valuable Player trophy at the M-League Awards ceremony at Kuala Lumpur. – BERNAMAPIC

For now, his priority is simple: recover, regain confi dence and arrive in Japan ready to compete. – Bernama Selangor grab early Sukma success

N. Sembilan puts RM3,000 punch for boxers THE Negeri Sembilan Amateur Boxing Association (Ptans) is offer ing RM3,000 to every boxer who wins a gold medal at the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor. fices and commitment throughout their preparations,” he said in Seremban yesterday.

SELANGOR swept the two gold medals contested in the 3x3 basketball event at the Selangor 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) after excelling in both the women’s and men’s competitions at Bukit Tinggi Basketball Hall, yesterday. The hosts first won the gold in the women’s event after defeating Federal Territory (WiPers) 21-4 in the final. The bronze medal went to Negeri Sembilan after defeating Johor 16-12. Selangor women’s team captain, Elaine Chong Hui Lin, admitted that reaching the final and defending the gold was not easy even though they were playing on home soil. “This edition is more difficult to follow even though we managed to win gold in Sarawak in the last edition. “Players from other states gave us

60kg), Nik Muhammad Hairy Haiqal Nik Hazman (light middleweight, 67-71kg) and Nurfaiz Syazwi Mohd Shaid (welterweight, 63.5-67kg). Negeri Sembilan won two box ing medals at the previous Sukma in Sarawak, taking one silver and one bronze. Fitri, however, believes the cur rent squad has the potential to exceed that tally following an inten sive preparation programme, including a two-week training stint in the Philippines last month. “Their performance has improved in terms of stamina and skills, and they are more confident because we know the Philippines is one of the major powers in boxing in Asia,” he said. – Bernama

tough fights but we are very happy with this success,” she said when met. Selangor then continued their domi nance in the men’s event when they once again denied the challenge of WiPers with a 21-13 victory to complete their two golds in the 3x3 event. Selangor men’s team captain, Yap Zen Haw, hopes the winning momentum can continue in the 5x5 event which opens tomorrow. “The 5x5 event is my first appearance in Sukma, so I will try to add more gold,” he said. The success saw Selangor defend the two gold medals won in the last edition in Sarawak. Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan once again won bronze after beating Johor 21-19 in the third place match in the men’s event. – Bernama

The state association is targeting at least one gold medal through sib lings Nurin Irdina Mohamad Yuzamry, competing in the mini mum weight 45-48kg category, and Airil Asyraf in the minimum weight 48-51kg division. Six other boxers will also repre sent Negeri Sembilan at the biennial Games. They are Nur Farzana Husna Shahrelamdan (flyweight, 48-52kg), Nuraisyah Alyaa Mohd Shaid (feath erweight, 52-57kg), Abdullah Mujahhidin Arsath Khan (light wel terweight, 60-63.5kg), Muhamad Azfar Amsyar Azrul (lightweight, 57

Ptans president Mohd Fitri Omar said the incentive was aimed at motivating the boxers to remain dis ciplined, work hard and deliver their best performances as they bid to improve on the state’s showing at the previous Games. “We are not just competing. We want to see Negeri Sembilan ath letes fight for gold and bring hon our to the state. “The RM3,000 is a motivational boost for them and indirectly a token of appreciation for their sacri