Latest news with #Argentina-born
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
FIFA urged to probe FAM by Southeast Asian fans
KUALA LUMPUR: The FA of Malaysia's (FAM) decision to call up three Argentina-born players, one Spaniard and one Brazilian to strengthen the Harimau Malaya squad has sparked fierce debate among Southeast Asian fans. According to a post by Indonesian Football News on Facebook, many supporters — especially from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand — are questioning the legitimacy of the players' heritage, casting doubt on their status as Malaysian heritage players under coach Peter Cklamovski. Most fans simply don't believe that the South Americans and Spaniard named by FAM have any real Malaysian ancestry. One X user posted: "I'm 100 per cent sure none of these Argentine players have a Malaysian grandfather or grandmother — or any Malaysian roots at all. They're buying players. FIFA will surely ban them if an Asean country lodges a protest." A Vietnamese fan page echoed the sentiment. "We used to criticise Indonesia for naturalising players, but at least their players had clear links. With Malaysia, it's hard to prove anything." Many Asean supporters are now calling for FIFA to launch a formal investigation into FAM, similar to the case involving Timor Leste, who were sanctioned over a comparable issue. Recently, Malaysia unveiled five new heritage players — Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal and Facundo Garces. Machuca, Holgado and Garces were born in Argentina, Figueiredo hails from Brazil, and Irazabal is Spanish.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Four new heritage players join Harimau Malaya squad
KUALA LUMPUR: The national football squad, in a statement released today (June 4), announced the addition of four new heritage players to the Harimau Malaya squad. The four - Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado - have been training with the squad over the past few days. "They have shown good performances and are players with quality. They are prepared to strengthen the national squad and help realise the dream of all Malaysians," said the statement. Argentina-born Machuca is looking forward to representing Malaysia. He is currently on the books at Velez Sarsfield. "It is an honour to represent Malaysia, I feel that it is something special. I will give everything I have," said Machuca. Holdgado, who is also Argentina-born, echoed Machuca's sentiments. "From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the atmosphere and the country. Now I understand what it really means to play for Malaysia. I'm ready to give it my all," said Holgado, who plays for America de Cali at club level. Bilbao-born Irazabal, who plays for Sabah FK, believes he was meant to represent Malaysia. "I chose Malaysia because I truly believe this is where my national duty lies. I've already begun to feel how special and unique it is to represent Malaysia," said Irazabal. Brazil-born Figueiredo is determined to help Malaysia reach greater heights. He currently plies his trade with Istanbul Basaksehir. "Personally, this season has meant a great deal to me. And now, being able to represent Malaysia and share this dream with all of you — to go further on the Asian and global stage — is truly an honour," he said. "I can't wait to feel the support and love from the fans. It's something unique and extraordinary." Earlier this week, the national squad announced the addition of Argentina-born Facundo Garces to the squad. He currently competes for Deportivo Alaves at club level.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Holgado could be Harimau Malaya's secret weapon, says critic
KUALA LUMPUR: The potential inclusion of Colombia-based striker Rodrigo Holgado in the national team could be a game-changer for Harimau Malaya in their Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in Bukit Jalil on June 10. Malaysia has lacked a reliable goalscorer in recent years and has often had to rely on naturalised midfielders such as Paulo Josue, Sergio Aguero and Romel Morales, who have been converted into strikers. Brazil-born Josue has scored eight goals in 25 matches since 2023, Argentina-born Aguero has netted three in 17 matches since 2022, while Colombia-born Morales has two goals from nine appearances since making his debut this year. Holgado, 29, boasts a solid track record with América de Cali, having scored 17 goals in 44 appearances since joining the Colombian side in 2024, credentials that could make him a perfect fit for Malaysia. Football critic Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim believes the national team must do everything necessary to secure qualification for the Asian Cup, including strengthening its forward line. "I've read about this new candidate (Holgado) for the national team. I'm not sure if it's confirmed that he'll play for Malaysia, but it seems the team management is working hard to bolster the squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers," said Zulakbal. "We still don't have a credible natural striker. We've had to convert midfielders to lead the attack but I still feel we need an out-and-out striker. "We have to qualify for the Asian Cup and I can see the management is leaving no stone unturned to make it happen. "For me, it's an acceptable move. We must qualify at any cost. Our football is not perfect but the priority now is qualification." Zulakbal, who holds an AFC Professional Coaching Diploma, added that integrating Holgado into the squad quickly and effectively will be crucial. And if everything falls into place, the Argentina-born forward could be Malaysia's secret weapon against Vietnam. "He's based in Colombia, so there's the challenge of a long flight, adapting to the team, the weather, football culture and the national training system — it won't be easy," said Zulakbal. "Now it's up to the national team management to speed up his acclimatisation. I believe we have the right experts to help him settle in smoothly. "If everything goes well, we might have a surprise package in Holgado. Vietnam probably doesn't know much about him."
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Hitman Holgado expected to join Harimau Malaya soon
KUALA LUMPUR: Colombia-based striker Rodrigo Holgado is expected to join the national team training camp ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. Colombian sports journalist Pipe Sierra revealed that Holgado has received a call-up to the Harimau Malaya squad, with the player's documentation process currently underway. Sierra also stated that Holgado's club, America de Cali, have been informed of the call-up. "The Malaysian national team has Rodrigo Holgado among its players. Information regarding his passport is not yet finalised, but they are resolving the matter from Asia," he said on X. "America de Cali have been informed and are awaiting further details. (Holgado) will have a long journey if everything is confirmed." The 29-year-old, who plays for America de Cali in the Categoria Primera A — the top-tier league in Colombian football — has scored 17 goals in 44 appearances since joining the club last year. This season, the Argentina-born Holgado has already notched seven goals and provided two assists in all competitions, helping the 15-time Colombian league champions to the top of the standings. Holgado's potential inclusion is eagerly awaited by Harimau Malaya fans, as his presence is expected to add bite to the team's attack. However, there has been no official confirmation from the FA of Malaysia (FAM). Should all matters be finalised, the Argentine-Malaysian striker will bolster the frontline alongside Fergus Tierney, Paulo Josue and Romel Morales.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Ariel Aisiks Is on a Mission to Elevate Latin American Art
Wealthy collectors who want to be involved with museums typically donate works, write checks and sit on a board of trustees — these are the essential steps that keep art institutions afloat. But Ariel Aisiks — the Argentina-born art patron who now lives on New York's Upper East Side — is on a personal mission. 'My goal is to make sure Latin American artists have a seat at the table,' said Aisiks, 59, of his plan to add to the diversity of museum holdings. As he gave his first major English-language interview about his activities earlier this year, Aisiks was standing in the exhibition space he founded — the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA) in TriBeCa — which is free and open to the public. Aisiks is also announcing that he will open a new branch of ISLAA in his hometown of Buenos Aires in the fall. Established in 2011 as a hub for his activities, the institute moved to its current location in 2023. One current exhibition features the Mexican artist Magali Lara, who works in a variety of media. ISLAA has amassed a collection of 15,000 artworks by 800 artists, 677 of which have been lent to museums. Aisiks has donated almost 500 works; he also co-founded a network called the Museum Exchange, which connects donors and nonprofit organizations. The institute has also worked with 20 universities to support research and scholarship in Latin American art. 'I think about the Latin American or Hispanic population approaching 25 percent of the total in this country,' Aisiks said. 'But when I look at representation in museums, it's negligible.' ISLAA did an informal analysis of the collections of several major U.S. museums, and found that Latin American representation was around 1 percent. 'What he's doing is seismic,' said Jessica Morgan, the director of the Dia Art Foundation, of Aisiks's work. Dia has a long-term partnership with ISLAA that has included financial support for a show last year of the Colombian artist Delcy Morelos at Dia's Manhattan branch, and next year's show of the Argentine artist David Lamelas in the same space. Estrellita Brodsky, another patron who has made efforts to increase Latin American visibility in the arts, noted Aisiks's 'broad and expansive philanthropy, and his enthusiasm.' 'There's a sense now that we've been ignored,' said Brodsky, who is of Venezuelan and Uruguayan descent and is chair of the board of trustees at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. 'Enough is enough, it's time to be heard.' She added, 'There's still a lot to be done.' Having the means to take action is, of course, a necessary starting point. Aisiks started out ahead in life — 'I am from a wealthy family,' as he put it. He worked in finance, including a stint at Morgan Stanley, and his purchasing power took another leap when he was an early investor in the Swiss shoe and sportswear company On, which is now publicly traded. 'That is the investment that is funding all of this,' said Aisiks, a former triathlete, pointing to the On shoes that he was wearing. He generally prefers to make donations to see an immediate outcome — like a show or a seminar — rather than endowing positions for the long term, although he did recently endow a professorship of Latin American art at Bard College. 'I can write a check right away and get it done,' he said. As for being on museum boards, so far that role is not for him. 'There are lots of wealthy people to sit on boards,' he said. (ISLAA does not have its own board, though Aisiks does have advisers and a staff of about 15 people.) Dia's Morgan called it 'an activist's approach.' 'He's interested in results,' she said. In 2020, just before the pandemic, Aisiks was in Madrid when he got talking to his Uber driver, who turned out to be a filmmaker named Manuel Herreros de Lemos. He was the co-creator, along with Mateo Manaure Arilla, of 'Trans,' a lost 1982 documentary about trans women in Venezuela. Last fall, at Aisiks's suggestion and powered by his donation, the film became the cornerstone of a graduate seminar at the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College taught by an ISLAA-funded professor, and it was featured in an exhibition at the Hessel Museum of Art, Bard College's museum. Aisiks then gave one edition of the film to the Hessel and one to the Getty — an example of how he builds on a single inspiration from his own life and then spreads it around. Collecting is a family tradition for Aisiks. His maternal grandparents emigrated from Russia to Argentina in 1929. 'They were prominent business and cultural people who were persecuted by pogroms,' Aisiks said. His mother's father used to talk about his cousin, the pioneering filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. Growing up in Buenos Aires, Aisiks was surrounded by his father's collection of modern and contemporary art, which he later inherited. 'I was born with art and culture,' Aisiks said. 'It was part of Jewish identity. My parents were very philanthropic.' He recalled that his father turned down the chance to buy a work by Marc Chagall in the early 1960s, and instead used roughly the same amount of money to buy work by some lesser known Latin American artists. 'I basically do the same thing,' Aisiks said, adding, 'I'm just taking it to the next level.' Perhaps the most unusual thing about Aisiks's collecting is his interest in archival material, ephemera and documents — items that have little market value and hence do not interest the average wealthy collector. The institute's trove includes around 20,000 graphic artworks and posters; 40,000 reference books; the archives of 168 artists, critics, scholars, galleries and curators; and 863 artist files. 'It's unusual for a collector to get their hands dirty with ephemera,' Morgan said. Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, a top patron of Latin American art, said in an email that Aisiks's focus on archives and supporting young scholarship 'has been on a scale that we haven't seen before.' Cisneros, who co-founded the Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros of New York and Caracas with her late husband, Gustavo, added, 'It's vital to have good archives for new scholars to consult, and also places for them to publish. Ariel has provided both of these.' Aisiks said the depth of knowledge provided by archives was important to his mission. 'How do I get a museum to hang an artwork?' he said. 'I need to get them to understand more about it.' He also just enjoys nerding out among the papers. 'I like spending time in the archive,' he said, noting that he is not as present on the black-tie art dinner circuit as he could be. 'This isn't a personal, social thing for me — I have a responsibility to give back.' His affinity for getting into the weeds has helped him form close relationships with artists. 'He's very curious to learn more about the process of how you make art,' said the Argentine artist Liliana Porter, who lives in the Hudson Valley. 'A lot of people don't really care about that.' Aisiks has purchased 30 works by Porter, some of which are now in the ISLAA collection, and some of which have been donated to institutions like Dia. Porter noted that the latter presence made a difference to an artist's career. 'It's better to have it in a museum,' Porter said. 'It's more accessible there to everyone, rather than in one person's living room for one family.'
