Latest news with #MATA
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
29th US Nationals Carrom Championship 2025 Concludes with Grand Success in New Jersey
The 29th US Nationals Carrom Championship 2025, held in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, was a resounding success, organized by MATA, USCA, and USAF. Over 150 players from 30 states competed in Singles, Doubles, and Juniors categories—marking the first Juniors Nationals. The event featured high-energy matches, including a thrilling Doubles Final with over 60 teams. Distinguished guests and sports leaders presented $10,000 in cash prizes and mementoes. Guests praised the initiative for promoting community and recreational sports. The tournament reflected growing enthusiasm for carrom in the U.S. and highlighted the importance of youth participation in traditional games.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
M'sia to host Witex and WCAF 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to host the World Islamic Tourism & Trade Expo (WITEX 2025) and the inaugural World Cultural & Arts Festival (WCAF 2025) from Aug 22 to 24 at Sunway Resort Hotel, Bandar Sunway, showcasing a vibrant convergence of Islamic tourism, global trade, culture and the arts. Organised by the Malaysia Tourism Agency Association (MATA), WITEX 2025 marks the third edition of what was formerly known as the Asia Islamic Tourism & Trade Expo (AITEX), now rebranded to reflect the exponential growth of Islamic tourism and global trade under a new global identity. In a statement released today, MATA said the event promises to be even more dynamic with over 150 booths and robust participation from Islamic and non-Islamic countries, Asean, BRICS member states and the international tourism industry. "With the theme Empowering the Future of Islamic Tourism and Trade through Culture and Innovation, WITEX 2025 and WCAF 2025 will bring together government officials, tourism stakeholders, investors and the public in a multi-dimensional platform aimed at fostering trade, investment and intercultural engagement. "Admission is free to the public, with the expo running daily from 10am to 8pm," it said. WITEX 2025 will feature several high-profile segments aimed at boosting international tourism investment and cross-cultural collaboration, including the World Islamic Tourism Conference (Aug 22-23), Ministers & CEOs Summit (Aug 24), Tourism Investment Asia (a key highlight of WITEX 2025, specialised segment designed to attract investment into Islamic tourism projects across Asia, the Middle East and Africa) and B2B Trade Networking Sessions. Running alongside the business-focused components, WITEX and WCAF will offer a vibrant cultural programme for the general public, including the national pavilion and cultural shows, halal travel and tour deals, as well as lucky draws and airline vouchers. "Capping off the week is the World Islamic Tourism and Trade Awards (WITA 2025), a prestigious black-tie gala honouring excellence in Islamic tourism, trade and cultural diplomacy. "To be held at the Grand Ballroom of Sunway Resort Hotel on Aug 25, the awards will recognise outstanding agencies, corporations and leaders with over 30 accolades, complemented by musical performances and the Combo Orchestra." Meanwhile, MATA president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said WITEX 2025 is more than just an exhibition - it is a global bridge of trade and trust. "It reflects Malaysia's leadership in the Islamic tourism economy and showcases our readiness to welcome the world ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026," he said. WITEX 2025 and WCAF 2025 are officially aligned with the state's Visit Selangor Year 2025 and are a build-up to the national Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The expo is supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Selangor Tourism, Etiqa Takaful, Batik Air Malaysia and Housecoff. – Bernama
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Carrom Shines in the U.S.: 29th Nationals Championship 2025 Sets New Benchmarks in Participation and Prestige
Held in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, the tournament received overwhelming participation. Over 150 players from 30 states took part in the championship. Key figures such as MATA founder Srinivas Ganagoni, co-founder Pradeep Samala, President Kiran Duddgagi, Sports Director Suresh Khajana, General Secretary Vijay Bhaskar, Honorary Advisors Raghu Ram Veeramallu, USCF volunteer Sri Charan Khajana and team, USCA President Atul Bhave, and Shakeel played crucial roles in the success of this event. The tournament commenced with a grand kick-off event and concluded successfully with a grand finale. Competitions were held in Doubles, Singles, and Juniors categories. Notably, Carrom competitions were held in the Juniors category for the very first time. The Doubles event was a major success, with over 60 teams participating, including national-level players. Every team competed enthusiastically. The Doubles Final, Singles Final, and Juniors National Final were held successfully, with athletes participating with great enthusiasm and demonstrating their talents. The Juniors Carrom Nationals received an unexpected and overwhelming response. USCA President Atul Bhave and former Treasurer Mandar Ashtekar served as commentators for the Doubles Finals. The winners were honored with mementoes and awarded prizes, including first, second, and third place in each category, along with special prizes. In total, $10,000 in cash prizes was distributed among the winners. Distinguished guests like Middlesex County Commissioner Shanti Narra, NJ Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Dr. Upendra Chivukula, Jersey City Council candidate Shahab Khan, Jersey City Mayor candidate Mussab Ali, and Edison Council President Nitesh Patel attended and presented awards to the winners. They emphasized the importance of promoting recreational sports and encouraged everyone to make sports a part of their lifestyle.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former MATA CEO traveled across the globe on taxpayer money
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — China, India, France, Greece and more — the former Memphis Area Transit Authority CEO took a number of international trips on the taxpayer's dime, according to new records WREG Investigators obtained. Within the hundreds of pages of expense reports, former CEO of MATA Gary Rosenfeld documented his international excursions, and the trips were paid by you, the taxpayer. In 2019, Rosenfeld filled out a report stating he flew to China for an 'electric bus study.' He had MATA reimburse him for airfare, $1,900 for his hotel and a couple thousand more for daily expenses. MORE: What MATA's interim CEO charged to her company credit card Months later, he reported another trip to Greece and Turkey. He didn't give a reason for his travel in the expense report. He just stated hotels and other related costs listed totaled around $2,400. Another report Rosenfeld filled out claimed he spent several thousand when he went to India in 2019 to visit a digital technology company. He went to India again in 2022, and according to his flight he attached, he sat in first class for part of that trip. He also took his CFO, according to MATA's company credit card statements. The technology firm in India later announced a partnership with MATA to launch a smart card system. Rosenfeld agreed to talk to us on the phone, but we could only quote him. He said the trip to India was to inspect ticket vending machines they later purchased. He said they caught issues before the machines were shipped. 'The ticket vending machines had the wrong powder coating on them,' Rosenfeld stated. 'That would have been devastating had those machines gotten all the way here to the U.S., because it wouldn't have held up to the weather our community experiences.' Rosenfeld says he stands by his international travel. The trips were to inspect equipment or technology 'manufactured offshore.' He said, 'It's much easier to go there than it is to ship equipment back and forth.' He said his trip in 2021 to multiple cities in France and Belgium was to check out computer-aided dispatch and automatic vehicle equipment. MATA's policy stated if an executive traveled internationally, they would get $350 per day for any expenses incurred. Meaning, on top of flights, taxis and hotels, Rosenfeld reported another $4,900 for his per diem for that trip. Rosenfeld further explained to WREG Investigators while the dispatch system was a French-based company, they went to the other cities 'and interviewed those customers to get feedback on how to transition to the new system.' 'We could take advantage of mistakes that had been made in the past and make sure that the transition would be smooth here in Memphis,' he stated. 'It's all part of the due-diligence of when you're buying this type of stuff to make sure that it performs as it gets presented and that it's reliable.' In 2022, Rosenfeld's expense reports listed trips to Finland and Germany. While the reason wasn't listed, the price was. He reported it cost thousands of dollars. It seems Rosenfeld booked a trip to Paris, Qatar, Hong Kong and Australia. The plane ticket totaled more than $11,000 and included some first-class seats. It was set for February 2024. However, Rosenfeld suddenly retired weeks before that trip, which likely explains why he wrote on the expense report the trip was 'cancelled' and noted it was 'nonrefundable.' He got MATA to cut him a check. MORE: MATA credit cards show thousands spent on domestic, international travel Meanwhile, bus rider David Smith said his disappointment in the system has grown as his wait for the bus now averages an hour. 'I have lost a job over it,' he told us. 'I couldn't make it on time because of the bus.' Rider WIllie Lipsey said more should have gone towards fixing the buses. The day we met him, he was worried he wouldn't make it to court on time. 'Last week, I was waiting on the 53, and it broke down. I waited three hours for the 53,' he said. MORE: Tobacco, jewelry store charges found on MATA's credit card 'I stand by what I have done,' Rosenfeld said. 'What I have done is no different than many other transit agencies and public agencies.' He said there are 'true and real reasons' why they did what they did. 'Even if the travel had not happened, it would not impact operating funds,' he said. 'You've been watching this for years, that MATA has been underfunded. This deficit should not be a surprise to this city, to the public and media.' 'The [consumer price index] has gone up in some cases as much as 45%. It's real costs that the organization has experienced. Without an increase in revenue, the only thing that's left that could happen is the services get cut,' he said. 'To suggest these capital funds that were extended for these different systems could have offset operating funds? No, that would have been a violation. It couldn't have happened. It wouldn't have passed an audit.' WREG Investigators requested the MATA executive's expense reports eight months ago after MATA announced it was facing a multi-million shortfall. MATA's board appointed new leadership in January. With help from the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press, MATA finally turned over their records. Among the documents was MATA's travel policy. It states the CEO or their designee are ultimately in charge of signing off on the travel and business expenses, and employees are expected to limit expenses to reasonable amounts. According to the records MATA provided, Rosenfeld's expense reports totaled more than $163,000 dollars. About a fourth of that went to international travel. He also filed reports for gas, domestic travel and local dinners. In October 2022, one report stated nearly $2,900 was spent on a celebration dinner at the Capital Grille. The itemized receipt attached shows what was ordered. ► Also included in the latest batch of MATA records obtained through the Tennessee Records Act, MATA interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin's expense reports. On top of what we found in her company credit card statements, her expense reports totaled more than $20,000 from 2021 through 2024. Her reports include several meals, domestic travel and various conferences including two conventions for her sorority. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Early screening 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' tickets snapped up in 24 hours
KUALA LUMPUR: Tickets for the early screening of Ejen Ali The Movie 2 at nine selected Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) this Sunday have been snapped up in 24 hours. A statement from Primeworks Studios today said that this was a great sign that many fans of Ejen Ali, dubbed Agents, could not wait to be the first to witness Ali's latest daring mission. "This is not just a special screening, it is a gathering of Agents from various locations and age groups in support of Ali and his adventures as the top secret agent of MATA," said the statement. "All Agents who have successfully obtained tickets are encouraged by MATA to report in style, dressed in complete Agent gear! "This mission is not an ordinary mission, but a time for us to show that Malaysian animation is for everyone, not just entertainment for children." The early screening will take place at 11am in GSC Mid Valley Megamall, GSC KL East Mall, GSC MyTown Mall and The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur, GSC Setia City Mall in Shah Alam, GSC IOI City Mall in Sepang, GSC Aeon Melaka, GSC Aman Central in Alor Star, and GSC East Coast Mall in Kuantan.
