Latest news with #14th
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Golden shuttlers win silver in China teams event
(From Left) Ong, Chua, Neoh, Chan, Tan, Chong, Dr Goh and Kong all smiles after taking the silver in the men's doubles at WCBF Team Championship in China. A GROUP of Malaysian senior shuttlers rose to the occasion amid fierce competition to take home silver at the 14th World Chinese Badminton Federation (WCBF) Team Championship. The event in XinChang, ZheJiang province, saw eight-member all-Malaysian Team NZPAL place second in the men's doubles team event in the 70-74 age category. NZPAL, headed by Stephen Tan, managed to upset the Chinese home team in the semi-finals, heading to the finals against Team NZ70+ with players from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. The championship had attracted 692 teams, with more than 4,500 players in various age categories ranging from 18 to 70+ years. NZPAL, comprising seasoned campaigner Chan Wan Seong as well as Chua Koh Keong, Ricky Kong, Chong Yew Chzon, Neoh Cheong Kooi, Ong Sin Oong and Dr Goh Kim Chuan, qualified through the group stages after playing three matches. In the elimination stage, the team had to play three 31-point men's doubles knockout matches to advance to the final. The semi-finals saw NZPAL facing a strong team from China but they managed a 2-1 win. Kong and Neoh lost the first match while Chan and Chua, the reigning 2024 WCBF men's doubles 70-74 Champions, won the second to tie the score. 'We played under tremendous mental and physical pressure, neck-and-neck with the opposing pair, with the lead changing hands and no more than three or four points separating us. 'At the halfway stage, the China pair was leading 16-12. 'We fought to tie at 25-25 and we managed to power ahead to win 31-27 after a tense and thrilling contest,' Chan said. In the deciding third match, underdogs Chong and Dr Goh defended superbly against their opponents' constant attack, winning 31-24. In the finals played 15 minutes after the semi-finals, Tan said the team unfortunately was a spent force after playing five matches on the same day. They faced Team NZ70+, favourites to win, and lost 0-3. Tan said the Malaysian team played with courage and gave their all in making it to the final to take silver. 'It is not easy to find Malaysian players in the 70-74 years category who are still playing competitively,' he said. 'Most of the players had not partnered with each other regularly, forming scratch pairs to participate in this tournament.' Participating in the 3P220 event, a three-shuttler team event with an aggregate age of 220 years, Tan topped the category alongside teammates Hartono and Fritz Manaiky from Indonesia. He won another gold as a member of the NZ75 men's doubles team event, consisting of shuttlers from other countries. Just a week prior to the WCBF Team Championships, 71-year-old Chan participated in the All-England Senior Badminton Championships held in Hatfield, the United Kingdom. In his quarter-final match, Chan lost to seeded Cheddi Liljestrom from Sweden who is also the reigning Men's Singles 65-69 years Bronze medallist in the 2023 BWF World Senior Championships.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AIPA president defends ASEAN's position on Gaza amid criticism
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN parliamentarians have made a clear and unified call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Palestine, emphasising that the regional bloc has not turned a blind eye to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, according to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul. The matter has not been ignored and was recently discussed at AIPA meetings, he said in response to criticisms over ASEAN's perceived silence on the Gaza conflict, especially when compared to its strong stance on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. 'If you look at our previous statement, which was a consensus among all leaders, we called for an end to the violence in Gaza. This includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and an end to acts of genocide. 'It is a very strong statement. There's nothing to hide,' Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said at a press conference after the 14th ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He said as ASEAN is doing its best to solve the Myanmar problem, he also hopes that there will be more discussions among parliamentarians and government leaders in ASEAN to also push for collective efforts regarding the Gaza issue. 'The whole world knows what's happening in Gaza and we hope that there are more inner meetings to come to discuss this issue,' he said. Asked about Myanmar's military government's push to hold national elections by the end of the year, Johari noted that ASEAN's approach focuses on engagement and dialogue with all parties involved. 'There are many factions and reasons for the ongoing conflict. Each group has its own aims, desires, and needs. To understand the situation, ASEAN has decided to engage with all parties and we've received some positive responses, and we hope a mutual understanding can be reached without interference from the outside,' he said. Meanwhile, on whether the ASEAN summit under the shadow of escalating United States (US) tariff tensions could be one of most critical summit to its members, especially for export-orientated nations, Johari said ASEAN leaders are exploring ways to address the situation. He said while each country may deal with the US individually, there is also a shared understanding among ASEAN members on how to navigate these challenges. 'The ASEAN leaders have approached a way on how to handle whatever the President of the US is saying. But nevertheless, I guess ASEAN also allows each and every country to deal directly, as long as I think there's a perimeter of understanding between ASEAN leaders,' he said. The ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface is a dedicated platform for dialogue between ASEAN heads of state/government and the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and representatives of AIPA Member Parliaments to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
AIPA President Defends ASEAN's Position On Gaza Amid Criticism
GENERAL Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who is also the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president during a press conference after the ASEAN Leaders' Interface With Representatives Of AIPA session in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN parliamentarians have made a clear and unified call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Palestine, emphasising that the regional bloc has not turned a blind eye to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, according to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul. The matter has not been ignored and was recently discussed at AIPA meetings, he said in response to criticisms over ASEAN's perceived silence on the Gaza conflict, especially when compared to its strong stance on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. 'If you look at our previous statement, which was a consensus among all leaders, we called for an end to the violence in Gaza. This includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and an end to acts of genocide. 'It is a very strong statement. There's nothing to hide,' Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said at a press conference after the 14th ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He said as ASEAN is doing its best to solve the Myanmar problem, he also hopes that there will be more discussions among parliamentarians and government leaders in ASEAN to also push for collective efforts regarding the Gaza issue. 'The whole world knows what's happening in Gaza and we hope that there are more inner meetings to come to discuss this issue,' he said. Asked about Myanmar's military government's push to hold national elections by the end of the year, Johari noted that ASEAN's approach focuses on engagement and dialogue with all parties involved. 'There are many factions and reasons for the ongoing conflict. Each group has its own aims, desires, and needs. To understand the situation, ASEAN has decided to engage with all parties and we've received some positive responses, and we hope a mutual understanding can be reached without interference from the outside,' he said. Meanwhile, on whether the ASEAN summit under the shadow of escalating United States (US) tariff tensions could be one of most critical summit to its members, especially for export-orientated nations, Johari said ASEAN leaders are exploring ways to address the situation.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Timor-Leste Eyes Full ASEAN Membership By Year-end, Citing Strong Regional Support
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste is optimistic about securing full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the end of this year, with October being a possible milestone. Its Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, expressing confidence in the process, said the country has made significant progress in meeting the required criteria. 'We hope to conclude the process by year-end, possibly October, as there is broad support from ASEAN member states. 'We have done our best and fulfilled most of the necessary requirements. Of course, there are still one or two or three (remaining requirements); we will do it (we are working hard to fulfil them),' he told reporters during a doorstep interview before attending the 14th ASEAN-AIPA (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit today. Timor-Leste, which first applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, was granted observer status at high-level meetings in 2022. However, its full integration is still under evaluation. Timor Leste's Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, said yesterday that joining ASEAN is not just about economic gains but also about amplifying Timor-Leste's voice on the regional stage. 'Full membership is vital for the small nation of 1.4 million people, not only for economic benefits but also highlighted the country's strategic position between Indonesia and Australia, aligning with ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.' -- BERNAMA
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Perfect day for 14th Cross Cooley Challenge
After a couple of weeks of nonstop sunshine (yes I never expected to write that), we headed for the Greenore Bar on Saturday morning for the registration of the 14th Cross Cooley Challenge, the fundraising walk for the North Louth Hospice and Maria Goretti Foundation organised by Errol Boyle and a number of dedicated volunteers.
