It's a golden generation
Malaysia wrapped up a stellar outing at the Asian Junior Championships in Qatar with a golden finish, thanks to Mohd Aqil Faizal and Qurratu'Ain Izdihar Pozi, who were crowned the boys' and girls' Masters champions in tense stepladder finals on Saturday at the Doha International Bowling Centre.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
No catwalk as Daniel and Kuching plan to leave Brunei with goals and clean sheet
PETALING JAYA: After a 17-year wait, Bandar Seri Begawan will once again host a competitive football match and Kuching City will be the first Malaysian club to play there since 2008. And the Cats' midfield maestro Daniel Amier Norhisham is eager for the challenge, with a clear plan in mind. Today, in the FA Cup round-of-16 first leg against Borneo rivals Brunei at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium, the 28-year-old and his teammates have one mission – return to Kuching for the Sept 14 second leg with goals in hand and a clean sheet. Daniel has stepped onto the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pitch before, in a friendly against Brunei last year. But he knows this will be a different test. 'It's a big stadium and when it's full, it's fantastic. 'As a player, you always want to play in front of a big crowd, and I'm looking forward to the occasion,' he said. 'We'll focus on our strengths and stick to the tactics our coach (Aidil Sharin) has prepared. It's Brunei's first home game, so they'll be motivated to impress their fans – but we want to score and make sure we don't concede.' Kuching City began their domestic season in style, thrashing Kelantan 4-0 at the State Stadium on Aug 9. That performance has sparked belief they can secure another top-four finish, just as they did last season. Daniel admits expectations have grown. 'Before the season opener, the coaches spoke to us about what to expect. 'Finishing in the top four last year means people expect more from us now. 'We want to push harder, double our efforts, and never get complacent. 'It's still early, so we'll take it one game at a time.' Against Kelantan, Daniel impressed alongside Bahraini international Moses Atede and Namibian playmaker Petrus Shitembi. His numbers spoke for themselves – a 90% pass accuracy (35 out of 39), four pinpoint long balls out of six, and three interceptions. 'Players like Moses and Petrus make my job easier. They work hard, are great with the ball, and can play with both feet. 'They're always motivating me and telling me to believe in myself. 'Their quality pushes me to do better – but I also know competition is fierce. 'Guys like Alif Hassan and Diego (Baggio) keep me on my toes, and that's good for the team.'
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Badminton fraternity keep their eyes open over Zafrul's vision for the sport
PETALING JAYA: With his 100th day as president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) just around the corner, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abd Aziz is set to present his vision and mission for the sport at the council meeting today. While expectations under Tengku Zafrul's leadership are for Malaysia to capture the Thomas Cup and an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles, the badminton fraternity is keen to know the blueprint he has set for the sport since taking over as president on May 10. For deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam, who is also Selangor Badminton Association president, Tengku Zafrul is a leader with vision and he believes whatever steps are taken will be in BAM's best interests. 'I'm happy working with him. The way he leads BAM and the approaches he has taken have been very good for the national body, and I can say he has his own clear vision,' said Subramaniam. Meanwhile Perlis Badminton Association (PsBA) president and BAM council member A'amar Hashim is also eager to hear Tengku Zafrul's presentation, as he feels it is important for all council members to have a shared goal and direction. 'Right now, we council members are still wondering and waiting to know the new direction Tengku Zafrul wants to take, and of course we are hoping for something better for Malaysian badminton,' said A'amar when contacted. He also believes that while it will be a challenge for Tengku Zafrul to surpass the contributions of former president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, such comparisons should not be made. The reality, he said, is that Tengku Zafrul has the opportunity to build his own legacy, and Norza's work has paved the way for him to take BAM to greater heights. 'Tan Sri Norza's contributions were immense. You can see how hard he worked to establish the impressive academy in Bukit Kiara, as well as to attract sponsors to support BAM, along with other efforts that have become the foundation of the national team's current success. Now, Tengku Zafrul must ensure that success continues while at the same time bringing in fresh ideas, as he comes to BAM with a complete package,' he added. In the past three months, Tengku Zafrul has already taken proactive steps, including resolving the women's doubles contract dispute involving Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah before they competed in the Japan and China Opens in July. He has also sought to engage more closely with fans by producing short videos and posts on the national badminton squad, such as explaining the world ranking points system which some supporters may not have fully understood before.
Focus Malaysia
11 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Mothership, Six Zero unveil Malaysia's most advanced, AI-innovated pickleball ecosystem
IN A bold move to accelerate the growth of pickleball in the region, pickleball facility provider, Mothership, has unveiled Malaysia's most advanced pickleball ecosystem to-date in strategic partnership with global paddle brand Six Zero. Located in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, the facility features international tournament-standard courts featuring pro-grade surfacing, Selkirk nets and professional lighting with real-time AI (artificial intelligence) performance and analytics. This Mothership-Six Zero tie-up ensures a cutting-edge environment designed to support structured training, competitive development and inclusive community play in Malaysia. By bringing Six Zero's world-leading paddle innovation and international expertise alongside Mothership's commitment to structured player development, the facility delivers a first-of-its-kind experience tailored for both aspiring athletes and everyday enthusiasts. 'Our partnership with Six Zero is grounded in a shared ambition to raise the bar for pickleball in Malaysia and to build a platform that can support national and regional excellence,' commented Mothership's CEO and founder Janet Teo. 'We wanted to create a space where every player – from curious beginners to driven competitors – feels seen, supported and challenged. 'Partnering with Six Zero gives us the global strength and shared vision to take this mission even further.' Uplifting local pickleball standard As part of the collaboration, Six Zero has unveiled two new high-performance paddles designed for enhanced control and precision: The black opal that features a patent-pending floating solid core, power gel layer and shock shield handle for balanced power and dwell; and The Ruby Pro which is built with a 12-gauge (mm) cell core, 45-degree aramid fibre layering and diamond tough texture to support explosive counters and elite-level play. Available exclusively at Mothership and Picklefox, these paddles give Malaysian players early access to Six Zero's latest innovations, according to Six Zero Pickleball director and founder Dale Young. 'This is not just about great courts or high-tech tools. It is about building a space where passion, purpose and performance come together,' he enthused. 'We're excited to grow the game alongside Mothership which is setting a new pace for the sport in Malaysia.' What truly sets the facility apart for now is the LaunchPad Programme which is Malaysia's first structured talent development initiative for pickleball. Sponsored by U Mobile, LaunchPad is designed to grow the sport from the grassroots up by offering players a clear, data-led pathway to sharpen their game and rise through the ranks. As part of the LaunchPad ecosystem, U Mobile plays a critical role in enabling AI-driven performance analytics via the technology powered by its 5G Office Broadband. – Aug 15, 2025
