Jonathan soars to gold in the 9th Marrakech 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 Text Size: Jonathan won gold in the T12 long jump event at the World Para Athletics GP in Morocco. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan Jonathan Wong Kar Gee made Malaysia proud by winning the gold medal in the men's long jump T11/T12 (visual impairment) event in the 9th Marrakech 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco on April 26. In total, Malaysian athletes won four gold, five silver and three bronze medals at the event. Jonathan, the eldest son of renowned Sabahan property developer Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Datuk Wong Ten An, is a para athlete in long jump. In the 9th Marrakech 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix, Jonathan edged out competitors Alex Njeru from Kenya who won the second place and Malaysia's Mohamad Saifuddin Ishak in third. His outstanding performance has not only made Malaysia proud, but he has also proven himself as the world's top athlete in the long jump event. Held in Morocco from April 21 to 26, the 9th Marrakech 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix was participated by para athletes from 44 nations. The Marrakech Grand Prix serves as a crucial event in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, providing athletes with opportunities to compete and improve their performances on the international stage. Following are the Malaysian athletes who have won the top spots in the 9th Marrakech 2025 World Para Athletics Grand Prix: Gold medal: Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (Shot Put F20) Wong Kar Gee (Long Jump T12) Badrul Hisam Musa (Shot Put F13) Muhammad Noorhelmie Mohd Rabi (100m T12) - Pelapis Kebangsaan Silver medal: Muhamad Afiq Mohamad Ali Hanafiah (100m T12) Mohd Shahmil Md Saad (Shot Put F56) Muhammad Amirul Alif Abdul Raof (Discus F55) Muhammad Faiz Haizat Rosdi (1500m T38) Ahmad Fizzi Rosni (400m T36) Bronze medal: Zulkifly Abdullah (Long Jump T20) Mohamad Saifuddin Ishak (Long Jump T12) Aliff Shafiq Muhamad (Discus F57) - Pelapis Kebangsaan * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
One of the most famous faces of football in South-East Asia, Malaysia's evergreen coach K. Rajagobal returns with his book 'Inilah Saya'
ON a hot Saturday, after my morning prayers, this writer decided to have a nice Indian breakfast in SS3, Petaling Jaya. It was the utmost pleasant surprise when I bumped into a legendary football face of Malaysia and also the region of South-East Asia. It was Datuk K. Rajagobal himself. Indeed, it was a sight to behold. "Hello Datuk ... It is indeed great to see you... How are you and I do hope you still remember me," said this writer. And the spontaneous answer: "Dear Navalan ... how is it possible to forget S. Navalan from the Star. And how are you good brother," that was the response from the man himself. For me, it is indeed a great honour to be remembered by someone I know as a football fan, student, a football player and then a sports journalist. It has been (many) years since I had stopped writing on sports. My mind has been elsewhere in many other sections these days. And yet to be remembered. That for me is and always will be the highest honour. But today it's all about the man himself Rajagopal, well known as 'King Gobal' in the football fraternity. The 69-year-old Rajagopal, a legend of Malaysian football, a true son of Selangor and this country. Having given his whole career and just about his whole to life to this wonderful game. We call it football and some call it soccer. And many call it the game life. For Rajagobal, football is just that, his life. And at 69, he has now come to the fore writing about football and his experiences in, 'Inilah Saya'. A book that chronicles his life and also the path he took, with never once a regret, and also much about the good old days of football. Those days when many fans in this country talk about Malaysian football first and foreign football in way behind in second place. Unfortunately, that has changed these days (the time we are living in now, I guess). But going through the book, it is one definite fun read when in the good old days, Malaysia, were the kings of the game in South-East Asia. None mattered to us, when we use to tame the likes of Thailand, Indonesia and our heated rival Singapore. None just mattered to us. We also beat the likes of South Korea in the 80s and when Rajagobal was in the thick action of the game in those days for his club, state and country. The twinkling was still in his eyes when we spoke about the good old days, when the Merdeka Staidum was full in the 80s and Shah Alam Stadium was packed to the brim of 80,000 fans for a simple and a mere Malaysia League match -- whether it was against Pahang, Perak or Singapore, it was PACKED. "Brilliant days. I do believe we will see that again. That is my hope too," said a smiling Rajagobal. The former Selangor, PKNS, Sarawak and Kelantan head honcho and Malaysia coach has given it all to the game. These days he simply just loves to sit back and enjoy the game and even watch his boys play now in the veteran tournaments or veteran leagues. As for the book which was encouraged by his eldest son Kanason, Rajagobal's autobiography chronicled his life journey beginning with his childhood days at Air Panas, Setapak, where his love the for sports was planted, right up to his short stint as the chief coach of Brunei as recently as 2020. Rajagobal's personal accounts – from growing up in the heart of the city along with the likes of Datuk Santokh Singh, Datuk Soh Chin Ann, N. Nallathamby, Avtar Singh Gill, R. Arumugam and the late R. Subramaniam to his role as the architect behind Malaysia's win in the AFF Cup in 2010 – has been candidly captured, divided into 16 chapters. That is the power of 'King Gobal', lovingly nicknamed by fans and local media. Despite having played for Selangor and Malaysia some four decades ago, and later gaining national fame as coach from 2009 to 2013, Rajagobal continues to be loved by Malaysian football fans, young and old. Much has been written and said about Rajagobal, but he is best remembered as the man behind the euphoria that swept the nation when his squad won the 2009 SEA Games gold medal and the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup in 2010. And now in the autobiography. The book 'Inilah Saya' was recently launched Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair at the World Trade Centre. "This book has been in the works for about 10 years actually. I have been encouraged by my son and also by friends and other family members. It was a fun ride. Just thinking about it all. It has been quite a journey. I'm thankful to God for guiding me this far. Truly, I have been blessed with a memorable career and also a wonderful family," said Rajagobal. In a recent interview, asked why he decided to write it, Rajagobal said: 'I want to share my journey – the challenges I faced, my struggles, my hardships. I also want the younger generation to realise that anything can be achieved if we are mentally strong. Just focus on hard work, and you won't be easily defeated. You'll fall many times, but you'll get up.' 'I also hope this book inspires, motivates, and encourages Malaysians to be patriotic. The younger generation is our future.' 'I would love to see other Malaysian legends and future players from various sports document their journeys and achievements. It allows others to learn from different experiences and become better individuals.' Indeed, an incrdible journey by a true Selangor boy who also gave it all to this country and on the way received much adulation from football fans all over the region and as far as Asia too. "You know all that really is something that comes along the way. What is more important is that be honest in everything. Just give your best. That will make you the man you are today. And I'm just glad a lot of good things have come my way. They were many, many tough moments. But love and your family will see it through. That is my honest aspects of my life," said Rajagobal. As for football, Rajagobal said he is happy to see the national team is also doing well now and he hopes they continue to shine in international tournaments. "If it is the national team, then I just want to see them win and win and win. Nothing else matters. The side now seems to be very good. We just want to see them keep on doing well in tournament," he said. These days, Rajagobal also loves talking about his two grandchildren. "They are my prince and princess now -- Ammika Leah and Darshan Liam -- my wonderful joy for me and my wife. I hope they play the game too of course," he smiled. "But it is entirely up to them really." Well for the record, Rajagobal was a speed monster and one of the fastest wingers seen in the game in Malaysia. Imagine the grandson or grand daughter picks up the game and become even better than their legendary grandfather. That is indeed 'A sight to BEHOLD ...' (Note: Priced at RM49, 'Inilah Saya' is available at bookstores and also can be purchased online at Karangkraf Mall.)
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
The cockroaches in Malaysian sports
WHAT'S your earliest memory? Mine involves a cockroach, bold as brass, darting across the kitchen floor. I remember the horror, the helplessness, the way it vanished just when I thought I had it cornered. Years later, I find that same feeling creeping back whenever I watch the AGM of another national sports association. The same faces, the same names. Different year, same result. Like roaches, these figures always return. Now, let me be clear. I'm speaking metaphorically. But the parallels are hard to ignore. Cockroaches are survivors. They hide, they adapt, and when the coast is clear, they re-emerge, often stronger, always harder to remove. In Malaysian sports, we've got a similar problem. They're the long-serving officials who may have once had noble intentions but now seem far more invested in holding on to power than pushing the sport forward. Even when they're voted out or claim to step aside, they rarely leave the ecosystem. They linger behind the scenes, take advisory roles, or pull strings quietly, waiting for the right moment to reinsert themselves. And reinsertion is almost guaranteed. Because in our sporting structure, there are few real safeguards. Rarely having term limits, no enforced succession planning. Just endless recycling of the same personalities, many of whom have presided over stagnation, if not outright decline. They thrive in opacity. Where there is little transparency or accountability, these officials flourish. AGMs become battlegrounds not of ideas or progress, but of allegiances, whisper campaigns, and loyal vote banks. The focus shifts from nurturing athletes to protecting egos. They love the titles — president, deputy president, technical chairman. With the right badge and blazer, doors open, perks roll in, and media attention follows. Some haven't laced up a pair of trainers in decades, but you'll spot them at every major tournament, front and centre in team photos, grinning like winners. They chase the limelight, but not the workload. They want the influence, not the inconvenience. To be fair, not every official fits this description. There are dedicated individuals in the system — passionate, honest people who genuinely want to elevate our sports. But far too often, they're drowned out by the noise. The entrenched power players dominate the narrative, and reform-minded voices are pushed to the fringes. And when things go wrong, when medal hauls shrink, when athletes quit, when juniors vanish from the scene — accountability is scarce. There's always a convenient excuse: lack of funding, bad luck, we provided everything, or underperforming athletes. But rarely do we hear, "We failed to lead." We've seen associations spiral into dysfunction because of internal feuds and mismanagement. Coaches sidelined, programmes derailed. Talented athletes caught in a tangle of red tape and unclear selection policies. It's a story that repeats itself, sport after sport. All the while, the public is asked to rally behind teams, wave the flag, and clap politely. But beneath the surface, the foundations are shaky, weakened not by athletes, but by the very people meant to support them. At some point, we need to ask: why do we keep tolerating this? Just as you wouldn't ignore pests in your home, we can't afford to turn a blind eye to the pests in our sporting bodies. Because every year we delay reform, we risk losing another athlete to burnout, another coach to disillusionment, and another generation to mediocrity. This isn't about starting a witch hunt, it's about raising standards. It's about recognising that modern sports need professionals, not personalities. It needs structure, not sycophants. We need real reform: term limits, transparent elections, independent oversight. We need to create a culture where new ideas are welcomed, not viewed as threats. And most of all, we need the courage to say "thank you" to long-time officials and actually mean it as a farewell. Because here's the truth: cockroaches survive because the environment allows them to. They don't need light. In fact, they prefer the dark. They wait, and they persist. But sports? Sports thrive in the light. It thrives when we clean up, open doors, and let those who care, truly care, take the lead. It's time Malaysian sports had that deep clean. Our athletes and our future deserve nothing less.
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah reaffirms ties with Sarawak
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Dr Joachim (second right) in a group photo with others after the launching gimmick. PENAMPANG: The Sabah Government is committed to strengthening ties and promoting unity with Sarawak through continued collaboration, said Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Speaking at the 2025 Kaamatan Gawai Golf Tournament in Donggongon, Dr Joachim highlighted the event as a meaningful platform to deepen mutual understanding between the people of Sabah and Sarawak, especially the Kadazandusun and Dayak communities. 'This tournament reflects the State Government's aspiration to foster goodwill and cooperation with our Sarawak counterparts,' he said, stressing that cultural events like this are crucial to regional unity and development. He noted that despite Sabah and Sarawak comprising 60 percent of Malaysia's landmass, they hold only about 20 percent of the population, a dynamic that offers room for strategic partnerships. Dr Joachim also praised the growing ties between the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), saying the tournament has strengthened business and social connections. 'There are no losers here, only winners in friendship and unity,' he said, thanking the Sarawak delegation for their strong support and calling for the tournament's tradition to continue as a celebration of shared values and diversity. Also present were KCCI President Ladislaus Maluda, DCCI President Dato' Allan Keripin, PBB Secretary General YB Miro Simuh, and other dignitaries. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
