Latest news with #SoutheastAsianGames
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Trained by two former Olympians, Naina Tagle now dominating archery in Palarong Pambansa
ILOCOS NORTE - From learning from the best, Naina Tagle is now a dominant force in the local archery scene. The 17-year-old Dumaguete pride has so far collected four gold medals and one silver in the ongoing 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte and she owes her success to two former Filipino Olympians who have been the guiding light in her young career. Tagle, a Grade 11 student at the Silliman University, is a student of Jennifer Chan and Rowel Merto, both of whom have represented the country in the Olympics. Chan bannered the country during the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney while Merto represented the Philippines back in 1988. Tagle is making the most of her Palaro stint in her bid to follow in the footsteps of her mentors of being a national team member. "I just trained hardest. I trained as much as I could. I prayed to God and with the support of my family, that's how I prepared. Before I appraach the shooting line, I pray and I remember why I love archery and what I'm doing archery for, my family and all the people that have supported me," Tagle told reporters on Thursday. "They taught me to be the basics and to keep calm during the game." But aside from her coaches, Tagle is also looking up to his older sister Nicole, who was her first influence in getting into the sport when she was in Grade 3. Nicole was a former national team member and has won a silver medal in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur while also representing the country in Youth Olympics the following year. "I started archery when I was in Grade 3 because I saw my sister shooting in Cebu and when I saw here winning golds with her teammates, I felt I wanted to join the sport as well because she inspires me," the younger Tagle added. "She told me everything. She's like my reminder and my support at home because I don't have my parents here so she's always there to give me words of encouragement, what to do, and how to enjoy." So far, Tagle has won gold medals in 30-meter, 50-meter, 60-meter, and 1440 round while she bagged a silver medal in the 70-meter distance event. But even when she is already dominating her division, Tagle is keeping herself humble as she looks to make it to the national team and compete in the Southeast Asian Games. "I want to follow my sister's footsteps and maybe compete sa Southeast Asian Games, I hope. Wherever God takes me, I'll try my best there. I hope I'll succeed," she said. "I think it's always everybody's game po. The one thing that I could say is you just have to be consistent sa scores mo and enjoy the game. you don't have to be serious all the time. You just have to enjoy." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Barnama
5 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Sarawak Plans Thailand 2025 SEA Games Visit To Prepare For 2027 Hosting Duties
KUCHING, May 27 (Bernama) -- As co-host of the 2027 SEA Games, Sarawak plans a benchmarking visit to Thailand - the host of the 2025 SEA Games - to study the live operations of the major sporting event. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the visit was important to ensure a world-class delivery when the state hosts the biennial multi-sport Games in 2027. 'The knowledge gained will help us refine our strategies for 2027. Ultimately, the SEA Games will not only inspire future athletes but will also position Kuching as a central hub for international sports in Southeast Asia, marking Sarawak's bold stride onto the global stage,' he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly here today. bootstrap slideshow The 33rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Thailand from Dec 9-20. On March 28, Abdul Karim reportedly said that Sarawak expects to host 18 events during the 2027 SEA Games, including bowling, swimming, diving, cricket, taekwondo, archery and shooting. Abdul Karim said his ministry is overseeing 87 sports facilities statewide, with 25 new projects being developed under initiatives such as the Projek Rakyat and the Development Agency Projects and Programmes (DAPP). 'These facilities are being upgraded and modernised to meet national and international standards, fulfil requirements for hosting international tournaments, enhance competitiveness and increase their appeal to today's youth,' he said. He added that in a bid to strengthen Sarawak's competitive edge, the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) is refining its development strategy by focusing on 14 high-potential sports with strong medal prospects. They are golf, taekwondo, bowling, aquatics (swimming and diving), boxing, muay Thai, athletics, archery, silat, squash, volleyball, artistic gymnastics, wushu and lawn bowls.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
EJ Obiena's father Emerson rules World Masters Games
Emerson Obiena, the father of Olympian and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, proved he is among the country's top athletes as he clinched gold in the World Masters Games in Taipei. Emerson cleared 3.60 meters to rule the pole vault men 60+ event. Emerson, 60 years old, was EJ's first coach in the sport. He logged his personal best of 4.93 meters back in 2008. Emerson is also a two-time Southeast Asian Games medalist, where he copped the silver in 1993 and bronze in 2005. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News
AsiaOne
13-05-2025
- Sport
- AsiaOne
His legacy lives on: Singapore's cricket community mourns coach Arjun Menon who was 'brutally murdered' in Malawi, Singapore News
Singapore's cricket fraternity mourned former national cricketer and coach Arjun Menon who was "brutally murdered" on Saturday (May 10) night at his residence in Malawi, Africa. On Monday (May 12), Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) members held a minute of silence in his memory before the start of the national league matches. "His legacy lives on in the players he shaped and the communities he uplifted across continents," the association said in an earlier Facebook post on Sunday. In the same post, SCA expressed 'profound sadness' at his passing. The association said that Menon's career reflected his 'unwavering dedication' to the development of cricket, both at home and abroad. 'A passionate ambassador for Singapore cricket, he carried the Singapore flag with pride wherever he coached. And Malawi, where he passed on, was the beneficiary of his cricket contribution,' the post said. Menon, 48, was coach for Malawi's national cricket team for five years and played a crucial role in the team's international success which led to three accolades during the Malawi Sports Awards. In a Facebook post on March 1, Menon said clinching the awards was an "extremely proud moment" for him as the Head of Cricket operations at Cricket Malawi. The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) described Menon as a "dedicated coach" and a "passionate advocate for the development of cricket", adding that they "strongly condemn this heartless act of violence". Reports said that Menon was allegedly "attacked by thugs" in the city of Blantyre, although the cause of death is still unknown. Cricket origins The SCA added that Menon was a "talented wicketkeeper" who started his cricket journey in St. Patrick's School. As a student there in 1993, he was part of the Singapore Schoolboys Cricket tour to Perth, he had shared on Facebook on March 20. He was "smitten" by the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground, and told his teammates he would love to work there one day. He found himself working there 14 years later. He added: "That trip and that particular day kneeling on the WACA ground having this photo taken set the course for me of where I find myself today." Menon's cricket legacy in Singapore Having represented Singapore both as a junior and senior player, he returned as a coach after pursuing his degree. He coached numerous national teams in countries such as Chile, Botswana, Indonesia and Malawi, but still "remained deeply connected" to Singapore, SCA said. In 2017, Menon led the Singapore national team to a historic gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games. In an interview with Straits Times, Menon said it was "one of the proudest moments in my life singing Majulah Singapura as I watched our nation's flag hoisted above the rest during the medal ceremony". [[nid:717373]]
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jin Jiang Hotels China Region and RIYAZ International Sdn. Bhd, form RJJ Hotels Sdn Bhd to drive Cross-Border Hospitality Collaboration
New Hotel Management Agreement signed with Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. to build the first Metropolo Hotel in Southeast Asia SINGAPORE, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RIYAZ International Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian-owned hospitality and lifestyle group, has entered into a landmark strategic partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels China Region (Jin Jiang Hotels), the world's second-largest hotel group, to form a new joint venture: RJJ Hotels Sdn. Bhd. (RJJ Hotels). The first Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) was signed on 3rd May 2025 for a property in Luang Prabang, Laos, marking the inaugural milestone across Southeast Asia for RJJ Hotels Sdn Bhd. RJJ has been granted licensing rights to manage and expand five renowned brands under Jin Jiang Hotels across Southeast Asia. The joint venture targets to sign 181 hotel management agreements and to have 108 hotels in operations over the next five years across key growth markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos. Laos Marked as the First Milestone with RJJ Agreement The first Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) signed in Luang Prabang, Laos, is by Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. The hotel will carry one of Jin Jiang Hotels' largest and most historic portfolios, The Metropolo, and is scheduled to open in early 2026. Metropolo properties are designed as 4- to 5-star equivalents, typically featuring 100 rooms or more, and are positioned in main cities with strong historical identity. The brand is known for delivering classic luxury while incorporating local cultural elements into its design and guest experience. "This project reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of Southeast Asia's tourism sector. We believe the Metropolo brand, under the guidance of RJJ Hotels, will deliver high-quality experiences that reflect the rich heritage of Luang Prabang," said Liu Hegeng, General Manager, Hotel Department of Sanher Investment & Development Co. Ltd. Malaysia as Southeast Asia's Operational Headquarters RJJ Hotels and Jin Jiang Hotels mark the first large-scale international expansion, with Malaysia, currently serving as ASEAN Chair, selected as the headquarters for RJJ Hotels. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed over 25 million international tourists, and over the next three years, it will host major regional events including the ASEAN Summit, Visit Malaysia 2026, and the Southeast Asian Games, highlighting its role as a strategic hub for hospitality and investment. "This partnership is a strong signal of confidence in the ASEAN hospitality market. RJJ is well placed to redefine cross-border hotel development by combining our regional management experience and local cultural insight with Jin Jiang Hotels' sophisticated systems and brand strength," said Mohammed Amin Mohammed Sidek, Executive Director of RJJ Hotels. Through this collaboration, RJJ Hotels will manage five hotel brands under the Jin Jiang portfolio: METROPOLO JINJIANG HOTELS – Upscale 4 & 5-star city hotels GINCO HOTEL – Luxury 5-star resort RENJOY HOTEL – Upscale 5-star resort LAVANDE – Midscale business hotel JINJIANG INN – Premium economy hotel These brands are expected to anchor RJJ Hotels' presence in key urban and leisure destinations, with discussions already underway with owners in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Jakarta, Bali, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, and Manila. Investor Conference and Launch Scheduled for August 2025 An investor conference launch event to mark the collaboration between RJJ Hotels and Jin Jiang Hotels is scheduled on 27th August, which will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), bringing together over 400 Chinese and regional investors, offering attendees a first-hand look at the quality of the Jin Jiang Hotel brands and learn of upcoming developments. Developers, hotel owners, suppliers, and investors are invited to attend and explore partnership opportunities. The event will also introduce the Jin Jiang Global Purchasing Platform (GPP) in Southeast Asia. Managed by NOVAC Hospitality Sdn. Bhd., GPP will provide streamlined access to Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) as well as Operating Supplies and Equipment (OS&E), offering cost savings, quality consistency, and faster rollouts to support regional expansion. For more information about RJJ Hotels, please log on to To express interest or request an invitation to the event, please send an email to enquiry@ Jin Jiang Hotels China Region Jin Jiang Hotels China Region forms part of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Company Limited—a leading hotel group in China. Jin Jiang Hotels oversee the operations and brand development of several of the group's homegrown brands, including Metropolo, Lavande, and Jinjiang Inn, focusing on the select-service and mid- to upscale segments. As of its latest reporting, Jin Jiang Hotels owns and/or manages over 10,000 hotels with more than 1.4 million guest rooms across 68 countries, serving the high-end, mid-range, and economy markets. Through its network, which includes brands under Radisson Hotel Group, Groupe du Louvre, Plateno Group, and Vienna Hotel Group, the group supports a global loyalty programme exceeding 200 million members. For more information on the company, log onto About RJJ Hotels Sdn. Bhd. RJJ Hotels is a subsidiary of RIYAZ International Sdn. Bhd – a full-service hotel management company – oversees the operations of a collection of signature resorts regionally, including the vibrant dash brand. Competently led by a team of versatile individuals, RJJ Hotels not only specializes in hotel management, but also incorporates an International standard design team to curate innovative spaces that go above and beyond the standard experiences. For more information on the group, log onto & View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RIYAZ International Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
