RUN WITH A SMILE

The Fresh Air Fund-Racers NYC Half-Marathon Team

Ready to be a part of one of the world's best road races? Join The Fresh Air Fund-Racers on March 20th, 2011! The amazing 13.1-mile course takes you through beautiful Central Park, action-packed Times Square and ends with breathtaking finish-line views of the New York City harbor. More than 11,000 runners, of all ages and abilities, finished the NYC Half-Marathon last year, and we are so proud of our very own 2010 Fresh Air Fund-Racers who ran and raised $100,000 for us!

We are calling all runners and Fresh Air Fund supporters to come out and either challenge themselves to run the race or join our cheering squad. The Fresh Air Fund provides runners with guaranteed entry in exchange for fundraising before race day. Entries are limited - please get in touch soon! Please email kbrinkerhoff@freshair.org or call (212) 897-8890. Or click here to learn more about how to fundraise for the race!

Over the past four years as a NY Road Runners charity partner for the NYC Half-Marathon, our 335 Fund-Racers have raised close to $400,000 for The Fresh Air Fund!

Fresh Air Fund Host Families

"It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child's face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted..."

Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away! .. Click on the banner to participate

MALAYSIA GUNNING FOR FIP POLO WORLD CUP HISTORY

Malaysia, one of Asia’s most established polo nations, will be gunning for a historic place in this year’s FIP Polo Cup Finals in Argentina in October.

The Malaysians take their first step towards this when they play host to the FIP World Cup Zone D Qualifier which will be played at three different venues – namely the Royal Pahang Polo Club in Pekan, the Putrajaya Equestrian Park in the administrative capital of Malaysia and the Royal Selangor Polo Club from June 11-26.

The countries competing in Zone D, apart from Malaysia, are Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria and Singapore. The top three will get the tickets for the FIP World Cup Finals in San Luis, Argentina from October 11-25. For the record the FIP World Cup is held every three years

Malaysia team manager Ahmad Jamili Rashid rates Malaysia’s chances of making their first ever FIP World Cup Finals as “best ever” as the team has undergone training since last year.

“This included two-month training cum stint in Argentina from mid-September to mid-November. It was a dual mission, with training plus selection of horses. This stint served the Malaysian team well,” said Jamili.

The member Malaysian team is captained by 29-year-old Huzaini Yunos (+4 Handicap) who has played polo professionally since 1996. The others in the team are Shaik Reismann, 35 (+3 Handicap), Amran Selamat, 32 (+2 Handicap), Muhammad Edham Shaharuddin, 35 (+4 Handicap), Saladin Mazlan, 30 (+3 Handicap) and Tengku Ahmad Shazril (+3 Handicap).

Shaik Reismann, is the only Malaysian player to have played in the FIP Polo World Cup in Jaipur, India in 2000 when he represented Singapore. The rules since then have been changed and only those who are born in the country are allowed to don their national colours.

Recently the Malaysian team competed in the Thai Polo Open championships and finished runners-up, losing to Thai Polo in the final.

“The defeat has in no way hampered our preparations or is a setback to the Malaysian team. We are on track and the team is in good shape. Playing in tournaments is part of our training,” added Jamili.

The Malaysian team also played in several other tournaments in this region, including the Thai Open, Thai Masters, Malaysia Open, Royal Selangor International and Royal Pahang Classic.

“It has been solid training. We have left no stone unturned. This team is capable of going far not only in the Qualifier but we are also looking at things beyond this.”

On paper, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, who finished in that order at the last Qualifier in New Zealand are seeded and favoured to make the cut. But as far as we are concerned it stops at that.

“We are at home and we aim to make use of that advantage to getting things going. At the same time, however, we are keeping our fingers crossed for a good group. Much will also depend on the grouping,” added Jamili.

THE SQUAD

(L-R) Amran Selamat, Muhammad Edham Shaharuddin, Huzaini Yunos, Shaik Reismann (Captain), Saladin Mazlan, Tengku Ahmad Shazril

WINDFALL FOR NATIONAL TEAM

The AFF-Suzuki Cup-winning team received a whopping total of RM1.24 million in cash incentives from FA of Malaysia, Sunday.

President of FAM, His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah presented the cheques to 22 players and 10 officials.

Head coach K.Rajagobal and the players received RM50,000 while support crew – two assistant coaches, physiotherapist, masseur, media officer, security officer, sports code and kitman – received RM10,000 each.

After presenting the incentives, His Royal Highness declared that this (the victory) is a beginning of a new era in Malaysian football.

The national team emerged champions of the AFF-Suzuki Cup last year. The last major success of the national team was at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 1989.

"I am the happiest man as far as football is concerned. We are the best team in this region but we need to build upon it to attain greater heights. The Suzuki Cup victory should be regarded as the stepping stone to move on," said Sultan Ahmad Shah.

The FAM President added the players must play regular friendly matches to maintain their momentum.

"We are planning to send the team abroad at least once a month for friendly matches in Europe, East Asia and the Middle East. Our team will definitely improve playing against tougher opponents like Japan and South Korea.”

Sultan Ahmad Shah wants the Olympic team, under coach Ong Kim Swee, to make an impact on the 2012 Olympic Asian Zone Qualifiers.

The Olympic squad open their campaign against Pakistan in the two-leg Qualifiers. The first leg is on Feb 23 at the Shah Alam Stadium and the return leg in Lahore on March 9.

HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah to contest AFF top post

President of FAM, His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah is willing to contest for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) president’s post at the federation’s congress in 10 April n Bangkok.

It is learn that incumbent AFF President Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen will be stepping down from the post which he had held since 1996.

“I am prepared and I know there will be more responsibilities but I am prepared to go for it provided they want me to stand for the tops post,” said Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sunday.

When nominations were closed on Friday, there were two nominations. Sultan Ahmad Shah was nominated by Malaysia and Singapore while Thailand nominated Worawi Makudi, the President of FA Thailand.