REST IN PEACE MATT

I was saddened to hear that Matt McKeown passed away this afternoon. Rizal Hashim alerted me by sms at about 4pm.

Looking back, i would bump into him everytime i made a trip to Astro for a Kafe sukan edition and just two weeks ago we were dining at same table at a private function. At many such private functions we would chat about the TV station.

Matt had many dreams and hoped that he will take Arena to the next level, and that one day they will become the leading sports channel in Asia.

It is said that Matt passed away at his home at about 2.30pm. He suffered a heart attack.

May his soul rest in peace and my deepest sympathies to his family.

THE CHANCE TAKES FOOTBALL PASSION TO NEW HEIGHTS IN THE NORTH

The scene at the Sony Complex in Seberang Prai, Penang spoke of the football passion in the country when another huge crowd of hopefuls turned up for Nike Malaysia's "The Chance" which could open the door for a lucrative football career.

Just like in Bukit Jalil and in Kuantan in the first two trials, it was no easy task for the panel of coaches, headed by national chief coach K. Rajagobal, who had their hands full in picking the best for the second round of trials in Kuala Lumpur next month.

The top 30 participants from all trials venues in the country will attend the final selections camp on Oct 5 & 6 to vie for the one slot for the global trials with 99 other footballers from 40 countries in London. Only eight international places are available at the global trials which will be conducted by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Those who are successful will be awarded a 10-month contract at the Nike Academy from July 2011 and placed at Bath University to study professional football with all expenses paid. And among those who managed to secure a place in for the second phase of trials was ardent Arsenal supporter and a great admirer of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, rightback

V. Vikneswaran who said:"I am sure that those who fought for a place today had the same intention like me...to show off my football skills and talent and impress the panel of coaches. To be frank, I don't know if I really gave my best. I had butterflies in my stomach and I was also nervous.

"Thanks to Nike, we are given the lifetime chance of taking our football career further than just playing in and around kampungs and housing estates apart from hoping to break into the state team.My dream is be a fulltime football professional.

"I am a great fan of Arsene Wenger and I am an Arsenal supporter. It will be a dream come true for me if I can make the trip to London to vie for one of the slots to get into the Academy.

The Chance is a global search for talented young footballers to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training programme which is supported by the Premier League in England.

There is only only more trial remaining and this will take place at Padang Mawar in Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru on Sept 29.

Nike Country Marketing Manager Menaha Nadaraja said: "We are certainly pleased with the overwhelming support we have received so far. Nike Malaysia is proud to play its part in tapping young football talent in the country.

"It's our fervent wish to see a Malaysian plying his football at the highest level. The Chance is opening doors for such youngsters to make good of the opportunities given to them."

Striker Meor Rashdan Ahmad Razal, one of the lucky 13 who got selected for the "final' selection in Malaysia, said: "I will work extra hard to fight for the single berth available for the selection in London."

Those selected in Penang are:

Mohd Shahrizal Romli (defender) Shahrizal Ahmad (striker) Vikneswaran Vegindran (rightback) Kumaraguru Rajanthiran (midfielder) Muhammad Munawwar Shavukath Ali (defender) Mohd Nizam Mohd Yusri (midfielder) Muhammad Fitri Kamal (rightwing) Muhammad Syamil Sulaiman (midfielder) Mohd Shazuan Mohd Ashraf Mathews (midfielder) Muhamad Faees Abdul Rahim (defender) Meor Rashdan Ahmad Razali (striker) Muhamad Faiz Che Hassan (rightwing)Muhamad Farizie Ramli (leftwing)

For more information about The Chance, log on to www.nikefootball.com.my

YEE KHAN’S BIRTHDAY GIFT

YEE KHAN’S BIRTHDAY GIFT - By George Das

Malaysia’s junior shuttlers had a surprise birthday gift from Tan Yee Khan.

The 15 juniors were given some valuable advice on how to build the strength on their fingers and legs by the former Malaysian badminton “legend”.

In the 30 minute session, Yee Khan showed the youngsters his own innovative finger strengthening exercise that brought him fame and glory in the 60’s and 70’s.

“This exercise will give you a very good grip of the racket,” he advised them at the SeaView Resort in Pangkor on his 70^th birthday last Tuesday.

Yee Khan told the young shuttlers to exercise their fingers for about 20 – 30 minutes daily.

After the session, Yee Khan told me that these youngsters did not have the strength in their racket hand nor in their legs.

“This simple exercise will strengthen the hand and legs and is useful when you stretch to retrieve the shuttle,” he explained.

The birthday boy had a large gathering of friends and family at the resort. There was his longtime partner Ng Boon Bee, with whom they slew all opposition in the world.

The other badminton ‘greats’ who were present were Eddy Choong, Teh Kew San, Yew Cheng Hoe, Billy Ng, Punch Gunalan, Tan Aik Mong, Rosalind Singha Ang, Sylvia Ng, James Selvaraj and Razif Sidek.

NIKE CITY 10K LAUNCHED

Nike Malaysia today officially launched the race route for the Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur that is slated to take place on 10 October 2010. As one of the 22 cities to host this global race, Kuala Lumpur will witness more than 9,000 young runners racing through major streets in the city including Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Sultan Ismail in their bid to be crowned city champions. Panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur and an engaging en route entertainment featuring top Malaysian acts including Bunkface, Estranged, Popshuvit and One Buck Short await runners who have registered for the inaugural city race.

Held at the Nike Pavilion store, the event today saw members of the media alongside celebrities such as Azura Zainal, Sarah Lian and Adi Fashla of ERA FM take to the streets as they completed a short run that originated from Jalan Bukit Bintang to introduce the Nike Training Run series. Aimed at runners who will be participating in the upcoming city race, the Nike Training Run series is designed to train runners to build endurance and stamina for long distance races. Participants will also receive tips from running experts and offering participants the opportunity to trial Nike’s latest running products.

“The Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur underscores Nike Malaysia’s commitment to the running community in Malaysia and it serves to inculcate the passion of running amongst Malaysian youth. The Nike Training Run series that we launched today is part of our outreach program to educate new runners on how to run the right way and to dispel myths that running is a difficult sport to pick up,” said Menaha Nadaraja, Country Marketing Manager, Nike Malaysia.

Race registrants will be invited to collect their race packs that includes a limited edition Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur Dri-Fit running top with the city skyline and the words ‘We Run Kuala Lumpur’ emblazoned across the chest. Each of the race tees will come pre-printed with a unique race registration number. Race pack collection takes place on 2^nd and 3^rd October 2010 at the ground floor of Avenue K Shopping Mall located on Jalan Ampang.

Registration for the Nike City 10K is currently open and runners can sign up for either the Open category or Under 25 category. Students also have the option of signing up for the school category. The registration fee for runners 24 years and below will be RM10 and for runners 25 years and above is RM50 which includes a Nike City 10K race t-shirt with a pre-printed number bib and a finisher’s award for all participants who complete the race.

Race registrants who sign up for the Nike City 10K will enjoy a 50% discount on the Nike+ SportBand and this enables them to take part in the inter-city Kuala Lumpur vs Singapore online challenge on www.nikerunning.com.my. Nike+ SportBand is a runner’s link to the world’s largest running club with almost 2 million members globally, where you can log and review runs, get training advice, challenge friends and more.

In addition to the physical race happening on 10^th October, both cities will be pitting their runners in an inter-country race that will see Malaysian runners lace up against their Singaporean rivals to accumulate the most kilometres for their city till 31^st October using the Nike+ Sportband. Malaysian runners commit their kilometres for national pride allowing the accumulated figures together to contribute towards a total score as to which country has the most distance by October 31^st for US$30,000. The money will be donated to the winning’s country charity of choice - Hope Malaysia or Singapore Children’s society.

"THE CHANCE"

Nike Malaysia today launched The Chance, a global search for talented young footballers to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training program which is supported by the Premier League in England.

The Chance nationwide search will see more than 500 players attending open trials across Malaysia for a chance to ply their trade at the global trials with Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC Manager, watching and selecting the top few to be enrolled in the Nike Academy.

The launch event held at Majlis Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil witnessed 200 footballers from across Klang Valley participate in the open trials under the watchful eyes of national team coach K Rajagobal, who heads the panel of coaches for the Malaysian installation of The Chance.

“This program is certainly a boost for Malaysian football as it gives our young players the chance to prove their worth and possibly excel at the highest levels of participation. My congratulations to Nike Malaysia for this endeavour and for remaining steadfastly committed to the development of grassroots football in the country,” said Rajagopal, a former nation player himself.

The Malaysian trials will be held at the following locations:-

• Padang MPK, Kuantan – 22 September 2010
• Sony Complex, Seberang Prai, Penang – 25 September 2010
• Padang Mawar, Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru – 29 September 2010

“Nike is passionate about giving footballers insider access to the best coaching and training in the world to improve their game and fulfill their potential. The Chance is a unique opportunity for players to prove themselves on the global stage and to take their game to the next level and even get a shot at a professional contract. It is also a reinforcement of Nike’s ongoing efforts in developing and recognizing youth talent, whilst contributing to the football community in Malaysia.”” said Menaha Nadaraja, Country Marketing Manager, Nike Malaysia.

The Malaysian representative will join 99 players from 40 countries to attend the global trial in England in January 2011, where they will compete for one of the eight international places in the Nike Academy. The eight who are chosen will have their expenses paid to live in the United Kingdom for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full-time member of the Nike Academy.

The Nike Academy offers non-contract players unattached to professional clubs a chance to enter the professional game through world-class coaching and games against the elite academies and professional reserve teams. Since the academy’s start in 2009, eight players in the UK have received professional contracts.

As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.

For more information about The Chance, log on to www.nikefootball.com.my

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

Defending champions Vietnam have been placed in the easier Group B of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 following the official draw ceremony this afternoon at the Sheraton Hotel here in Hanoi.Hosts Vietnam, the winners two years ago at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 when they beat Thailand in the final for their first ever ASEAN crown, are in Group B alongside Singapore, Myanmar and the runner-up team from the October qualifying round.

But as Vietnam chief coach Henrique Calisto said afterwards, it is important to learn from former world champions Italy and not get beyond themselves.“We have to respect ourselves, respect our opponents and realised that no team is easy. Just look at what happened to Italy. They were champions four years ago in Germany but in South Africa, they cannot even win one game,” added Calisto.

“We are the champions and we can do it again but we have to look at it one game at a time. We have to think of our first match against Myanmar first rather than thinking whether we can beat Singapore in the third game. If we lose the first two matches, what is the point in beating Singapore?“It is far important for me to have quality matches rather than stars in the game. We have to have discipline, work hard and tactics.

”The tougher Group A see hosts Indonesia up against Thailand, Malaysia and also the winner of the qualifying round.Wolfgang Pikal, the assistant coach of the Indonesia national team said that the draw is interesting.“On paper, Group B is a little easier which makes our position in Group A being a lot harder,” added Wolfgang.“We have new players in the team, so we are working hard to do better in front of our home fans. All teams are basically at the same level which means that the games will be quite close.

”K. Rajagobal, chief coach of Malaysia“We respect all teams but as is common knowledge, things are not easy in football where there are a lot of factors which we have to take into account. We are taking each game as it comes and we fear no one.”

Myint Aung, chief coach of Myanmar“The draw is fair and we will prepare our team as well as we can to make sure that we are competitive in all of our matches. Vietnam is very strong and as hosts, they will have the advantage. For us, we can only get our players together at the start of November after the Myanmar National League.”

AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010 FINAL ROUND GROUPINGSGroup A: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and winner, qualifying round

Group B: Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and runner-up, qualifying round

AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010 QUALIFYING ROUNDRound-robin group: Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Philippines

AFF DRAW 2010

Qualifying round -Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Philippines

Group A

1) Indonesia
2) Thailand
3) Malaysia
4) Winner of qualifying round

Group B

1) Vietnam
2) Singapore
3) Myanmar
4) Runner up of qualifying round

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

I would like to wish all my beloved muslim friends a blessed and holy Hari Raya, may GOD who is merciful and loving continue to bless each one of you and your family.

Happy Holidays and God Bless Us All.

Nike Commits to Growing Running Community in Malaysia

Nike Malaysia recently kicked off registration for the inaugural Nike 10K Kuala Lumpur, a unique celebration of sport that will see young runners racing through the streets of Kuala Lumpur on 10^th October 2010 in their bid to be crowned champions of the city.

With the aim of inculcating the passion for running amongst the youth of today, the Nike City 10K has targeted 10,000 runners for the race with more than 6,000 of those runners falling in the Under-25 category. Nike’s commitment to growing the young running community in Malaysia is underscored by the organization of the race that will take place in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Race registrants can opt for a 5km or 10km route when signing up for the city race and will be guaranteed of a premium race experience with engaging performances positioned in key zones along both race routes to motivate and energize runners.

The Nike City 10K will be hosted by 22 countries across the globe, with Malaysia and Singapore carrying the banner for South East Asia. In addition to the physical race, both cities will be pitting their runners in an inter-city race that will see Malaysian runners lace up against their Singaporean counterparts to clock kilometers for their city now till 31^st Oct 2010 using the Nike+ Sportband.

The intense rivalry between both cities will serve to spur Malaysian runners to commit their kilometers for national pride and for the chance to win USD30, 000 for local charity Hope Malaysia whilst Singapore will run for the Singapore Children’s Society.

“The Nike City 10K highlights Nike’s commitment to the sport of running with the sole aim of providing runners with an unparalleled running experience that combines music, entertainment and a little bit of rivalry with the Kuala Lumpur vs Singapore challenge. Our hope is to see more young runners embrace running and commit to challenging themselves or their friends through the expanding the online running community that is Nike+,” said Menaha Nadaraja, Country Marketing Manager, Nike Malaysia.

The physical race will take place in both cities in the month of October. The Nike City 10K flags off in Kuala Lumpur on 10th October and Singapore’s race is slated for 24 October 2010.

Registration for the Nike City 10K is currently open and runners can sign up for either the Open category (Men / Women) or Under 25 category (Men / Women). Young runners can also sign up for the School category, which is open to students from secondary schools, colleges and universities. The registration fee is RM10 (for runners 24 years and below) and RM50 (for runners 25 years and above) and this includes a Nike City 10K race t-shirt with a pre-printed number bib and a finisher’s award for all participants who complete the race.

Race registrants who sign up for the Nike City 10K will enjoy a 50% discount on the Nike+ SportBand and this enables them to take part in the inter-city Kuala Lumpur vs Singapore online challenge on www.nikerunning.com.my. Nike+ SportBand is a runner’s link to the world’s largest running club with almost 2 million members globally, where you can log and review runs, get training advice, challenge friends and more.

To help young runners understand and embrace the sport of running, Nike Malaysia will be organizing a series of training runs for young runners to train together for the Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur. Training run sessions will be help from 18 September to 3^rd October 2010 ar select destinations. Participation is free and runners who sign up for the sessions will get to trial the latest Nike running products and gain access to running tips from experts.

For more information on Nike City 10K Kuala Lumpur, please log on to www.nikerunning.com.my.