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Indonesia’s Kasih Set for One More Run in Dakar

By Ami Afriatni

Competing in the Dakar Rally can take a toll on any driver. And as Indonesia’s Kasih Hanggoro can attest, going it alone can make the experience a lot more difficult.

Kasih announced on Thursday that he would shift events in the Dakar, from single-seater buggy to small SUVs, in what he said would be his last rally.

The 40-year-old participated in this year’s 14-stage race but only made it to the third stage before his vehicle broke down.

Kasih said he planned to drive a Mitsubishi Montero V60 for the Spain-based Epsilon team in the next rally.

He has also tapped Iriatna Yudha Satria to be his navigator in the 2011 Dakar Rally, which is scheduled to run Jan. 1-16.

“It is really hard to race alone, especially in a rally as big as this one. That’s why I’ve decided to switch cars,” said Kasih, the first Indonesian to compete in the Dakar Rally since Tinton Soeprapto in 1990.

“It’s an unfinished business for me, and that’s the reason why I wanted to give it another shot.

“Plus it’ll be an opportunity for me to learn more about how events like these are operated. Who knows, maybe we can do the same thing here in our country.”

Kasih and Yudha traveled to Spain in October to test drive for Epsilon, under the supervision of Lucas Cruz, who navigated for Carlos Sainz when they won the 2010 Dakar Rally.

Yudha said he learned a lot during the training in Spain and was ready for his Dakar debut.

“[Cruz] taught me a lot, like reading maps and analyzing GPS, He gave us a lot of tips,” the Harley-Davidson mechanic said.

“Our goal is to just finish this year, because it won’t be easy. Only around 30 percent of the field reach the final stage.”

Without the benefit of sponsorship, Kasih, who occupies a top-level management position at Budi Luhur University in Jakarta, has dug deep into his own pockets to keep his rally dreams alive.

“I’ve spent thousands of euros already, but I don’t mind because it’s been an amazing experience,” said Kasih, who is considered one of Indonesia’s most prominent off-road racers.

“I’m not thinking about results. It’d be great though if I could improve on my achievement from this year.”

Kasih said he planned to retire from the Dakar Rally after the 2011 race, and added that he hoped more Indonesians would take an interest in the sport.

Part of his long-term plan is to set up a driving school for aspiring off-road racers.

“I would like to share my experience and skills with the youngsters,” he said

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Ferrari Dispels Job Fears After Title Loss

London. Ferrari will carry out minor tweaks to its Formula One team but no big changes after its failure to win a title this season, president Luca di Montezemolo said on Sunday.

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso ended the year second overall after a strategy error in the final race at Abu Dhabi ended his hopes of a third world championship and crowned Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel instead.

The Italian team finished third in the constructors’ standings.

“We have very clear targets,” the team Web site quoted Montezemolo as saying at the Ferrari Mondiali event with fans and car owners from around the world at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit in eastern Spain.

“Right from Sunday night in Abu Dhabi I immediately tried to console our guys who were crying in the garage, spurring them to immediately look to the future.

“Changes within the team? That is not our philosophy, because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability,” the Italian added. “A few minor adjustments are possible, but no major upheaval.”

Montezemolo paid tribute to Alonso, in his first season with Ferrari after winning his titles with Renault, and Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa.

“Alonso was amazing, both on and off the track, determined and full of self-belief, a real driving force,” he said.

“I expect a lot from Felipe next year. I am sure he will return to being the man we saw in 2008.”

Massa ended the season sixth overall after returning from serious head injuries suffered in a crash in Hungary in July 2009. He missed out on the title in 2008 by a single point to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.

Montezemolo said he was also happy with team principal Stefano Domenicali’s work in “moving us forward with great ability, spirit and a sense of balance.”

Reuters

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Indonesia's Football Team Into the AFF Cup Final

By Sandy Pramuji & Wimbo Satwiko

or the weak of heart,” Indonesia coach Alfred Riedl said.

“It was difficult to win the last time, but the Philippines made it even harder for us.”

Next up for Indonesia is Malaysia in what promises to be an emotionally charged two-leg final that will open in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and end at Bung Karno Stadium on Dec. 29

Malaysia, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champion, secured its place in the AFF Cup final, its first since the inaugural tournament in 1996, by ousting 2008 champion Vietnam 2-0 on aggregate.

The Malaysians’ only defeat in this year’s Cup came against Indonesia — a 5-1 thrashing during the group stage.

Indonesia is heading back to the AFF Cup final for the first time since 2004 when it lost to Singapore 5-2 on aggregate.

Gonzales figured in a number of scoring chances early in the game, but the Persib Bandung striker couldn’t cash in.

One of those opportunities came just past the 20th minute mark when the naturalized Uruguay forward took a short pass in front of an unmanned goal from one of his teammates, but couldn’t control the ball which rolled past his legs.

In the 41st minute, Gonzales received a long pass at the penalty box with only goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to beat but his attempt went wide.

His frustration and those of some 85,000 fans at the Bung Karno Stadium would end a minute later though.

With a phalanx of Philippines defenders standing between him and the goal, Gonzales fired a long-range shot that bounced hard off Filipino defender Robert Gier and back to Gonzales.

Not to be denied, Gonzales found some space on his left and launched a missile from way outside the penalty area that was well out of Etheridge’s reach and landed high on the left-side net.

The Philippines was in disarray through most of the game and never found a clear target, with most of their shots coming from beyond 40 meters and none having a chance.

After the break, Indonesia was determined to double its lead, but Etheridge made sure the Filipinos would bow out of the tournament with their heads held high by stopping shots from Zulkifli Syukur and Muhammad Ridwan early in the second half.

“We had our chances in the second half but we just made a lot of bad decisions,” Riedl said.

“We weren’t looking for a good game today, but we were looking to go to the final.”

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Veteran warn youngsters to take it easy

By Ashley Hammond

Dubai: Two veterans of ladies golf have warned youngsters heading into the game to take it easy — in a week when Michelle Wie, who started as a USGA Amateur aged 10, is struggling with a dilapidating back injury. She's just 21.

Laura Davies said, "The trouble is they practice so hard when they are still growing. I'm no doctor or chiropractor but I assume that's when you're doing the damage to your body."

Davies said of Wie, "She's 21 with a really bad back from what I can make out. Christina [Kim] was telling me about it today and it doesn't sound good. If she can afford to take time off to get it right over the years then she'll be fine — but if she's one of those who play 30 times a year she can't do it."

Davies' advise to youngsters coming through the ranks like 15-year-old Alexi Thompson is to learn from Wie and to ease off on golf in order to avoid burnout by 20, "Don't stand on the range every day practicing. When you have a week off have it off — you don't have to play golf all the time just because you're a professional golfer — they wear me out just watching them."

Meanwhile, Trish Johnson's advice was more regarding the mental than physical strains. "After they've played golf with five to six years of traveling they're only 20 years of age, but they've done what most Tour pros have been doing for a long time. That's tough when you have a mental age of their age."

"It's very young mentally. I've seen a lot of good young players and not many have carried it on."

As for Wie, Johnson said, "It's interesting to see what the next few years of her career hold really. She's been subjected to something I certainly wouldn't have liked at that age — that sort of pressure at that age regardless of how much money you're earning is not for me."

"She's been around since she was 13, that's a long time and she hasn't won many tournaments [2] that's not to say she won't but it wouldn't be what I would choose if I had kids," said Johnson.

The earning potential of some of the younger players through endorsements and sponsorships, beyond their actual ability to win a tournament has become something of a running joke on tour with one caddy overheard dubbing Kim In-kyung, ‘Income Kim' instead.

Davies said of such a young introduction for Thompson, "So long as she wants to play, as long as they [her parents] are not pushing her to play. I'm not saying they are. But if she wants to play and compete then why not, as long as it's regulated properly by the parents."

Johnson said of the view that the youngsters are the poster-girls pushing the game forward, "Well they're not really. There's no bigger draw than Laura [Davies]. Do people come to watch Alexi Thompson not yet because no one know's who she is — she's potentially a very good player. But she's not a name she's a kid and people don't associate with kids."

Source: http://gulfnews.com

Emmrooz to target Jebel Ali Stakes

By Leslie Wilson

Dubai - Trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam is content to target the Dh500,000 Listed Jebel Ali Stakes with Emmrooz instead of attempting a shot at one of the richer purses during the 2011 Dubai International Racing Carnival.

Commenting on the horse's future plans following his impressive victory in the Shadwell-sponsored 1600M conditions race yesterday the former champion trainer said: "I would prefer to bring him back for the Jebel Ali Stakes instead of running him in the Carnival.

"I think he's a much better horse on this track than on the all-weather at Meydan. Mind you he ran a pretty good race when fourth to Derbaas at Meydan last month although he wouldn't gallop. But what we saw today was a much improved performance.

"He's a really good horse, but not the easiest one to ride. Kieren [Fallon] suggested that we put the blinkers on him to help him stay focused, so we might try that next time."

Emmrooz scored by half a length from Haatheq, ridden by Richard Hills.

The Jebel Ali Stakes is the first of three pattern races that are the highlights of the season at the Friday racecourse. It is run over 1,950 metres and takes place on January 14. The other two races are the Jebel Ali Mile on January 28 and Jebel Ali Sprint on March 11.

Selvaratnam and Buick went on to complete a meet double when Canwinn landed the Al Shafar Group handicap over 1,400 metres. That took Selvaratnam's tally for the season to eight wins and left in fifth place on the trainer's table behind leaders Satish Seemar and Musabah Al Muhairi (14 wins), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (11) and Eric Lemartinel (9).

Seemar drew a rare blank yesterday after a very high strike-rate during the season while Musabah's success with Atlantic Brave in the Commercial Bank of Dubai-sponsored handicap over 1400m ensured he would be joint leader with the master of Zabeel Stables.

Despite conceding weight to his nine rivals Atlantic Brave produced a big effort for stable jockey Wayne Smith to score by a 1 1/4 length from Dahteer while Classic Blade was a head behind in third for jockey Ted Durcan.

Source: http://gulfnews.com

Lebron makes triumphant homecoming by ripping Cavs

Cleveland, Ohio - LeBron James, a former hero booed as a villain in a long-awaited return to the city he spurned, scored 24 of his 38 points in the third quarter Thursday to spark Miami`s 118-90 rout of Cleveland.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player gave a display of the form that once drew cheers from sellout crowds at Cleveland, hitting 15-of-25 shots while dealing eight assists and grabbing five rebounds in a triumphant homecoming.

"I know this court. I made a lot of shots on this court," James said of his 10-for-12 shooting effort in the third quarter. "I just wanted to be aggressive and keep them out of the game."

Cavaliers fans, who began by booing James when he walked on the court, when he was introduced and every time he touched the ball were eventually rendered silent by a virtuoso performance, one they knew well when it favored them.

"We know everywhere will be a hostile crowd," James said. "Seven great years, loved every part, loved every moment. As a team we tried our best to bring a championship to the city. I have the utmost respect for this team and these fans."

A city that has not had a major team sports champion since American football`s 1964 Cleveland Browns, and that put its hopes and hearts in the hands of James, watched in pain as he signed with the Heat last July.

James, born and raised in nearby Akron, made no apologies to Cleveland supporters after taking their best taunts and delivering one of his most electric efforts before being benched for the entire fourth quarter.

"I don`t want to apologize," James said. "My intentions were not to hurt anyone. The decisions I make I live with. There are always ways you could do to make them better."

Miami improved to 12-8, still far short of the dominating form many expected when James left the Cavaliers for what he considered a better chance to win an NBA title alongside fellow superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"We came here with one goal and that was to win a basketball game," James said. "This was the most complete game we had this year from start to finish."

Wade added 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while Bosh had 15 points for Miami, which had lost five times in a row at Cleveland against James-led Cavaliers squads.

In the seconds after the game, James walked off the bench and hugged former Cavaliers teammate Mo Williams after inflicting the worst loss the Cavaliers have suffered this season, in which they have a 7-11 record.

A chorus of boos from a sellout crowd of more than 20,000 spectators greeted James but neither hecklers nor former teammates could do much to stop the playmaker.

James and Wade each scored 14 points in the first half to power Miami to a 59-39 half-time lead, helping diminish the decibel level of the jeers by the second half.

Fans displayed such signs as "Lyin` King" for the man nicknamed "King James" and "Witless" instead of "Witness," echoing Nike`s ad campaign that "We Are All Witnesses" to James` greatness.

In an atmosphere typically reserved for the NBA Finals, fans booed every time their former hero touched the basketball.

"I understand it. I have a lot of love for these fans but I`m playing for the Miami Heat now," James said. "We used the adversity of this game and tried to build off it."

One fan was ejected after screaming in the face of James as security, which routinely features metal detectors, was tightened at Quicken Loans Arena.

James did receive hugs from some former teammates and the fans did cheer for the introduction of Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, another former Cavalier who joined the Heat in the off-season.

Fans chanted "Akron Hates You," a reference to his nearby Ohio hometown, and a group of fans sitting together wore shirts that spelled out "BETRAYED."

Yet another compared James to famed US 18th Century traitor Benedict Arnold. (*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Malaysia's Squash Champs Bask in Asian Games Glory

Guangzhou - World No. 1 Nicol Ann David dismissed Hong Kong's Annie Au Wing Chi 3-1 to clinch the women''s squash single''s title in Guangzhou on Sunday to continue her amazing runs this while fellow Malaysian Mohamad Azlan Iskandar followed suit in the men''s section. David said she felt like she was on another planet after winning the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October, and her feet have barely touched the ground since, a report on the official site of the 16th Asian Games said today. "I''m still hanging around (up there) somewhere," said the five-time world champion after cruising to her second Asiad title. "This gold medal means a lot to me, because I''m fighting for my country and I''ve got the whole of Malaysia behind me." Meeting world No. 17 Au in the final seemed predestined for David, who has been matched with a Hong Kong player in all four of her Asiad finals over the last 12 years. The first three were against Rebecca Chiu, who traded titles with her after Chiu claimed their first encounter in Bangkok in 1998. David''s loss in Doha Asian Games four years ago led to a period of introspection for the then teenager, who was so put out that she needed four months away from the sport to get her head right - a period of self-healing that won''t be necessary this time. Her recent surge made her the overwhelming favourite in Guangzhou, where she arrived fresh after claiming her 50th tour title at the Qatar Classic and with the confidence of having spent the last 56 months as the world''s best. She said she was expecting a tougher ride to the final, but in the end only dropped one game, against Dipika Rebecca Pallikai of India in the second round, before squaring up against Au. "She is a great player," said David, 27. "She has made a lot of progress and now has a much higher ranking. She is a strong opponent and it wasn''t easy to win the final."

The Asian title adds another glittering laurel to David''s fine collection which includes the World Open, Asian Championships and Commonwealth titles. But she is still hungry for more gold medals. "The Team event is coming up now, so I just want to focus on that and do my best to keep the level up," she said. Au said she would have been shocked if she had managed to upset David and reprise Chiu''s success at the Asian Games. "I''m surprised, because I never thought I''d perform as well as I did. Now my goal is to get my ranking up a bit and hopefully break into the top 10," she said. In the Men''s Final, top seed Iskandar won a resounding three-game victory against close friend and third seed Aamir Atlas Kham of Pakistan. Iskandar, silver medallist at Doha Asian Games 2006 and bronze medallist four years before that in Busan, was in total control before he wrapped up the match in 39 minutes with a score of 11-6, 11-7, 11-6. "We''ve known each other for 12 years and he''s just like my older brother," said Iskandar, who is based in London and is of Scottish-Malay parentage. "Winning and losing between us is sometimes like a flip of a coin. I just got lucky this time," he said. (QNA)

Source: http://www.qnaol.net