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Sarawak’s Tan heads Penang Sports Council

by Ting Tieng Hee

Kuching - Never mind serving another sports powerhouse state but renowned top sports psychologist from Sarawak Frederick Tan has embarked on another chapter in his career – this time as director of the Pulau Pinang State Sports Council (MSNPP or PSSC).

For the sports science specialist, it was a reunion with the state after ten years.

“I was in Pulau Pinang in 1999-2000 to help with their preparation for Sukma VIII. It had never crossed my mind that I would be picked for the job and I do feel very honoured to be tasked to lead Pulau Pinang sports,” he told Borneo Post in a telephone interview from Pulau Pinang yesterday.

Tan resigned from National Sports Institute (ISN) Sarawak Satellite Centre on Dec 31, 2010 and commenced work as MSNPP director on Jan 1 this year.

“I have been picked because of my years of working experience as a motivator, psychologist, course instructor able to run leadership camp for team-building and conduct mental toughness camp for elite athletes,” he added.

Tan headed the ISN Sarawak Satellite Centre, which was one of the pioneer centres for ISN pilot satellite centre project, since 2006.

Apart from helping the state contingent prepare for Sukma 2006-2010, Tan has also worked closely with the National Sports Council, Malaysia and National Sports Institute, Malaysia with high commitment, dedication, passion and discipline.

He has also worked with top world-class national athletes like shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei, keglers; hockey team; Kata team; basketball team and many more.

Tan also has vast experience in running development programmes.

While helming the ISN Sarawak Satellite Centre, he worked very closely with the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSN), State Education Department, professionals like Dr Ong Kong Swee and Dr Chin Hon Siong and officials from sports associations.

“I would like to personally thank MSNS director Francis Nyurang Ding for giving me and the satellite centre his fullest support during my time of service in Kuching,” said Tan.

Nyurang said he felt happy for Tan with his appointment as MSNPP director and wished him all the best in his new undertaking.

“I am also proud that a fellow Sarawakian has been appointed to lead the MSNPP and I believe he is a capable person for the job,” he said.

It was understood that Tan will be replaced by sports physiologist Joshua Philip.

“I will continue to render my support and cooperation to Joshua and I believe the team of sports experts at the satellite centre will do likewise,” said Nyurang.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com

Kaka returns to Real Madrid squad

Madrid - Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka, who has been out since the start of the season, was on Sunday named in the Real Madrid squad for yesterday’s trip to Getafe by coach Jose Mourinho.

“Kaka won’t start, he can’t yet,” said Mourinho at a press conference.

“He can give us 15 or 20 minutes of his very great quality, but no more.”

The playmaker, who won the 2007 Ballon d’Or, underwent surgery in August after injuring his left knee and only returned to training with the squad on Dec 18.

“I’m very happy today,” Kaka wrote on his Twitter account.

“After a long period, I’m back with my team-mates, for the game tomorrow (today). Thanks Lord.”

Prior to his injury, Kaka had struggled to shine due to a combination of injuries and poor form.

The 28-year-old joined Real from AC Milan for around 65 million euros in June 2009, shortly before the arrival of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. — AFP

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com

Indonesian, American women`s soccer exchange

Jakarta - Four women`s soccer coaches from the United States held a soccer training clinic on Monday,January 3, 2011 at Jakarta State University for more than 150 young Indonesian women and disabled athletes.

A press release from US Embassy in its official website said the American coaches would also hold clinics in Surabaya, East Java, on January 5, and Pontianak, West Kalimantan on January 7, 2011.

Prior to leaving Jakarta, the coaches shared the stage @america with four female Indonesian athletes (Rally Marina-car racer, Fanny Kalumata, player of the women's national basketball team, Andari Putrianti, member of the Indonesian Youth National Female Softball team and Santia, Silver Medal winner at the SEA GAMES 2010 in Athletics) and Monica Desideria from the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and ANTV to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing women in sports.

In attendance were approximately 70 female athletes from Jakarta and several members of the press.

The training is part of the "The Indonesia-America Soccer Exchange," made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with the Center for Civic Education Indonesia.

The program aims to further improve understanding between the people of Indonesia and the United States through the medium of youth sports.

The "Indonesia-America Soccer Exchange" has two components. The first includes three one-day training clinics for female athletes, including disabled athletes, within the 12-20 year-old range and 30 coaches.

After the training sessions in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Pontianak, a smaller group of coaches and athletes will participate in an eight to ten day visit to the United States.

The visiting American coaches include former members of the U.S. Women`s National Soccer Team, U.S. Women`s National Youth Team, and top NCAA university programs who are now elite youth basketball club and high school coaches in the United States.

They are Janine Szpara, Cori Alexander, Rachel Rapinoe, and Karen Willoughby.

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Two Indonesian soccer fans die in train accident

Pekalongan, C Java (ANTARA News) - Two Indonesian soccer team`s supporters died after falling from the roof of "Tawang Jaya" train on Pekalongan town`s rail track, Central Java, on Friday.

The victims were identified as Anik Abdullah, 17, of Bogel subdistrict, Jepara district, and Surono, 34, of Sidoarjo village, Sambirejo subdistrict, Sragen district, Central Java.

The ill-fated young men were going by train after watching the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s final match at Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta last Wednesday evening.

According to Ahmad Abdul Malik, the victims` friend, the accident occurred when Anik Abdullah and Surono were walking fast on the roof of the train.

But unaware of a telephone cable of the Tirto railway safety gate of Pekalongan town they got stuck on the phone cable, he said.

As a result, they fell to the ground and were carried by the moving train several meters before the train stopped, he said adding that they died on the spot of fatal injuries.

Ahmad Abdul Malik, 31, further said local residents had reported the accident to the police on their way back to Semarang, Central Java.

He said his two friends moved to the roof instead of sitting inside the train as there were no place to sit.

"Their dead bodies were kept at Kraton general hospital`s morgue," Malik said.
The second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s final match was watched by over a hundred thousand soccer fans.

The Indonesian soccer team won the final match, held on Wednesday evening, with 2-1 but the championship trophy was grabbed by Malaysia with an aggregate victory of 4-2.

Garuda team members performed well from the beginning with the enthusiastic support of crowds of fans, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.

In the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s final in Kuala Lumpur on December 26, the Malaysian tiger crushed Garuda (eagle) 3-0.

Actually Indonesia had beaten Malaysia in the cup`s preliminary competition 5-1 in Jakarta.

But the performance of the Malayan tiger squad successfully improved and beat Vietnam in the cup`s semifinal.

Indonesia itself could get the final ticket after beating the Philippines in the first and second legs of the cup`s semifinal at Gelora Bung Karno stadium.

Indonesia`s victory against the Philippines team in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup`s semifinal last Sunday evening had revived the nation`s pride but the "Red and White" squad was not successful in grabbing the AFF Suzuki Cup`s trophy. (R013/A014)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

President highly appreciates Garuda`s struggle

Jakarta - Despite Indonesia`s failure to grab the AFF Suzuki Cup`s championship title, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono highly appreciated the Garuda (eagle) squad`s spectacular struggle in the second leg of the cup`s final match here Wednesday evening.

The "Red and White" soccer players won the second legs by scoring 2-1 but the Malaysian team still managed to grab the championship trophy due to its aggregate 4-2 victory. In the first leg, the Malayan tiger squad defeated Indonesia with 3-0.

President Yudhoyono, who directly watched the final match along with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and over a hundred thousand Indonesian fans at Gelora Bung Karno stadium, was quoted by his spokesperson, Julian Aldrin Pasha, as saying that the Garuda squad had done its best.

"The head of state does appreciate the spectacular struggle of our national team. He thanks all players and coaches," Julian quoted the president as saying.

Despite the Garuda squad`s failure to grab the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup`s championship title, the players` spectacular struggle won public appreciation, including Vice President Boediono.

Boediono highly appreciated the spectacular struggle of Indonesian soccer team against Malaysia in the final match on TV but good luck did not belong to the Garuda squad.

After watching the final match, Boediono said the good luck did not belong to Indonesia in this Wednesday night`s match.

"The good luck has yet to be with us tonight despite a number of good chances that our players have made and their so high fighting spirit," he said.

Vice President Boediono watched the final match on TV at his official residence here with his staff members, security guards, and a number of journalists.

He said the "Red and White" players had done their best in the 90-minute match. "I pray for our national team`s success in the future," he said.

In the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup`s final in Kuala Lumpur on December 26, the Malaysian tiger crushed Garuda (eagle) 3-0. Actually Indonesia had beaten Malaysia in the cup`s preliminary competition 5-1 in Jakarta.

But the performance of the Malayan tiger squad successfully improved and beat Vietnam in the cup`s semifinal. Indonesia itself could get the final ticket after beating the Philippines in the first and second legs of the cup`s semifinal at Gelora Bung Karno stadium.

Indonesia`s victory against the Philippines team in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup`s semifinal last Sunday evening had revived the nation`s pride but the "Red and White" squad was not successful in grabbing the AFF Suzuki Cup`s trophy.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Biaggi: Lorenzo vs Stoner in 2011

World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi says he will place his bets on Jorge Lorenzo for the 2011 MotoGP World Championship title, though he is refusing to rule out Casey Stoner on the Honda.

Biaggi, who quit the premier motorcycling series in 2005 after eight seasons and thirteen race wins, applauded Lorenzo for his dominant turn aboard the FIAT Yamaha this season and expects him to display a similar level of authority next year.

Even so, MotoGP heads into new territory next season with several high-profile moves, in particular Stoner, whose impressive performance on the Honda during post-season testing suggests his transition from Ducati is proving seamless.

As for Biaggi’s infamous foe Valentino Rossi on the Ducati, though the Gazetta dello Sport interview question drops his name as a potential title contender in 2011, the ‘Roman Emperor’ doesn’t even mention him.

"Lorenzo had an outstanding season and did a great job - it was really good. I am convinced that he will be the man to beat again next year. But beware Stoner...”

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Honour for Gresini

MotoGP and Moto2 team owner Fausto Gresini has been made an honorary citizen of the town of San Clemente.

Mayor Christian D’Andrea was on hand to honour the former double 125cc World Champion, who has based his operations in San Clemente since forming the race team.

The current headquarters on Via Verdi is home to the entire history of Gresini Racing, from the first podium for Alex Barros to the 2010 Moto2 world title with Toni Elias, plus the famous bike #74 of the late Daijiro Kato, who won the 250cc World Championship in 2001.

"It has been an emotional evening!" said Fausto Gresini. "It gives me great pleasure that the San Clemente town council have decided to make me an honorary citizen. The heart of Gresini Racing has always beaten here in San Clemente and this recognition makes me enormously proud."

Gresini will continue to run a team in both MotoGP and Moto2 in 2011.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com