Latest news with #Sukma
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
New Putrajaya complex set to boost sports development in FT
Dr Zaliha (second from right) witnessing the contribution by FT Department deputy director-general (Socio-Economic and Management) Datuk Parang Abai @ Thomas (right) to FT Sports Council chairman Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali (left). With them is FT Sports Council director Nik Ahmad Zahiruddin Nik Saleh. — Bernama THE soon-to-be built Putrajaya Sports Complex will boost athlete development in the Federal Territories and strengthen the national sports ecosystem. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the suggestion to build the complex was well received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Currently, she said discussions were being held with stakeholders to make it a success. 'We started considering it, after seeing the encouraging performance of our Federal Territories athletes upon returning from the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak. 'Based on that, we had a discussion at the senior management level and came up with the idea to build a sports complex with Putrajaya being the ideal location,' she told Bernama after presenting Madani aid worth RM278,000 to 27 sporting bodies based in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Dr Zaliha added that the complex would focus on high performance sports and would help every national and Federal Territories athlete. The facilities at the complex were being fine-tuned with several stakeholders, she said. 'We will meet with the Prime Minister's Department's Public-Private Partnership Unit and discuss the matter further.' In her speech earlier, Dr Zaliha said she had instructed the Federal Territories Sports Council to introduce a star ranking system for sporting bodies in the Federal Territories to ensure that they were managed well. The elements considered for assessment in the ranking system include document management and governance, efficient financial management and achievements as well as success at national and international level. 'I'm confident that with this ranking system, sports bodies will be more competitive and disciplined to ensure performance in the Federal Territories remain at an excellent level.'
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Underutilised futsal court to be used for racquet sports
Mohamed Hamka showing the site where new pickleball courts will be built. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star FACILITIES for racquet sports, pickleball and paddle ball will be built at the underused futsal grounds in SS7, Kelana Jaya. Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had approved the specifications for the new pickleball and paddle ball courts. 'The development of both these racquet sport courts are under a public-private partnership that involves a collaboration between MBPJ and a private company. 'We have inked an agreement where the firm builds and manages the facilities,' he said. Both sports can be played with either two or four players. Pickleball is a smaller version of tennis, whereas paddle ball is a mix of tennis and squash, where the ball is allowed to bounce off a wall. Like tennis, both versions have a centre net, but they have different rules of play and scoring. The hard court used to be a futsal court. Mohamad Zahri said the partnership would see MBPJ renting out the space while the company would operate and manage the facilities for 21 years. 'Agreements of this nature are common in infrastructure projects, including sports facilities. 'It allows for leveraging private investment and expertise while ensuring public benefit. 'We can realise the project development at faster speed as private firms can expedite the process of creating new facilities after the council gives the needed approvals,' he said. Mohamad Zahri said approval had been given for six indoor pickleball courts, six outdoor pickleball courts, two indoor paddle ball courts and one outdoor paddle ball court. 'Construction involves demolishing the old futsal concrete floor before building the new courts.' Work is expected to start in July and be completed in November, he said. MBPJ councillor for SS7 Mohamed Hamka Mohamed Jumah said having smart partnerships like this could create high-quality facilities and provide good financial returns for MBPJ. 'Pickleball and paddle ball are popular. They have the potential to foster community engagement and increase property values in surrounding areas,' he said. The decision to have pickleball courts came after Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced, when tabling the state's Budget 2025, that the state would introduce it as a medal sport when it hosts the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma). — By EDWARD RAJENDRA
The Star
29-05-2025
- The Star
Selayang council monitoring strays in Bandar Tasik Puteri after residents injured
SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) has stepped up operations on stray dogs in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, following two recent incidents. On May 2, a teenager was injured after falling while fleeing a pack of stray dogs. Then on May 10, a woman was bitten while exercising near her home. 'We have approached this issue with prudence after the first case,' MPS deputy president Az'har Samsuri said during the monthly full board meeting at Menara MPS in Bandar Baru Selayang, Selangor. 'MPS has increased patrolling to monitor for stray dogs in the area.' He said the local council could not confirm if the dogs which chased and/or attacked the residents had been caught. 'We don't know for sure if the dogs in the incidents are wild or have owners.' Between May 5 and 20, MPS carried out 14 operations which resulted in the capture of 40 dogs. The animals were transferred to a shelter in Rawang. Az'har said MPS encountered challenges during enforcement, including public interference. 'Some stray dogs that were in cages were released by the public,' he said. 'Some council officers were also provoked in the course of carrying out their duties.' He added that some MPS officers encountered feeders who claimed to represent non-governmental organisations but did not show proof of affiliation. 'There are those who support this person feeding strays, and those who don't because feeding attracts more strays. 'We are trying to manage both sides,' said Az'har. Some individuals, he said, had been feeding strays irresponsibly by leaving food on the road. 'This in turn attracts more dogs into the residential areas.' On another matter, Az'har said MPS collected RM62.16mil in assessment tax this year, achieving 92.78% of its RM67mil target and recovering RM3.97mil in arrears. He said digital payments made up 79.32% of April's collections, with over RM2.3mil in transactions recorded through the MyMPS portal. These included assessment tax, business licences, stall rentals, permits and compounds. Az'har said preparations were also underway for Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026 as the MPS Stadium has been selected for the women's football event. 'MPS will be ready for Sukma by the end of the year,' he said in reference to new parking bays under construction, for over 300 vehicles, behind the stadium. The stadium has undergone major upgrades in the past two years, including a RM7mil field refurbishment, RM800,000 scoreboard, new public announcement system and improved floodlights. The municipal council also welcomed former MPS deputy president Datuk Cheremi Tarman as the new Orang Besar Daerah Gombak following his recent appointment to the post. He has been appointed councillor for Zone 2 and will serve on MPS' finance, infrastructure, community and One-Stop Centre (OSC) committees. Cheremi had previously served as Shah Alam mayor.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak kicks off football revival from the ground up
BATU GAJAH: Perak will prioritise grassroots football development in a bid to revive the sport's former glory in the state. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said this approach was being adopted as attempts to turn football into a commercial venture had not delivered the desired outcomes, unlike in some other countries. He said that although football team privatisation had been pursued in the hope that private sector investment would drive profit-oriented growth, it had proven unsustainable. "In Malaysia, including in Perak, we have been unable to replicate the model seen in countries like the United Kingdom, where football functions not only as a sport but as a major business," he said. "We had hoped that private companies, such as XOX, would fund Perak FC, but in the end, they could not sustain the commitment. This isn't unique to Perak — most states face similar challenges, with the exception of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT)," he added. Saarani was speaking at a press conference after attending the Meet the Customer Day event at Dewan Bandaran Kinta here today. It was recently reported that Perak FC had suspended all operations with immediate effect due to financial difficulties. In a statement, the club's management confirmed that foreign players had been released and remaining funds used to pay staff and local players. Saarani said the state would now return to the traditional football development model beginning at school level. Discussions have already been held with Perak Football Association (PAFA) president Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin. "In the past, we identified talent through school competitions via the Perak School Sports Council (MSSPk), starting from district level up to the state level. That was how we unearthed promising players," he said. "If we want Perak football to thrive again, we need to rebuild from that foundation." He also attributed the lack of new talent to the limited opportunities available to local players in the Super League, which increasingly favours foreign players. "At the moment, only JDT are managing to stay competitive. States such as Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, and even Perak are struggling. "With the Super League allowing foreign players, local talent is being sidelined. Yet the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) still relies on Malaysian players for the national team. Without grassroots development, where will those players come from?" he said. Saarani affirmed that the state would continue supporting football development through participation in tournaments such as the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and other state-level championships.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Women take to rugby 15s in S'gor
(From third left) Lim and Mohamad Nizam with sponsors including Menteri Besar Incorporated represented by Ahmad Azri (second from left). — KK SHAM/The Star Five women's teams have shone in their own division in MSNS-KRS League 2025, signalling another step forward for women's participation in rugby at state level. The addition of the women's division was driven by increasing interest among female players and a need to expand the 15-a-side platform beyond the widely supported Rugby 7s format, said Selangor Rugby Union (KRS) president Lim Yi Wei. 'This league has become a consistent platform for players from club affiliates to test their skills in a competitive setting. 'If they only train and play within their clubs, they miss out on real match experience. 'We're introducing the women's 15s category because we see more players who want to be actively involved,' Lim said as she and Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi announced the tournament. MSNS-KRS League 2025 is hosting preliminary matches at Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya until July 5, while the final rounds will take place at Stadium Sultan Suleiman Klang on July 12 and 13. In the new division, Cobra Venom are league leaders after five weeks of play, followed by Malaysia Armed Forces women, Sarawak Rugby Union women, KL Tigers RFC women and Barbarian Warriors. Lim, who is also Kampung Tunku assemblyman, said the MSNS-KRS League also served as a talent scouting ground ahead of Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026, where Selangor is hoping to make a huge impact. 'This league will be used for talent identification and player evaluation for the Agong Cup and also for potential Sukma players next year. 'The pressure is on, especially for Selangor's women's team, who won gold at Sukma in Sarawak last year,' she added. Lim said the league would also allow organisers to assess player readiness and form a stronger state squad with a clear goal to improve Selangor's standings in national tournaments. 'Last year we made it to the Agong Cup semifinals, something Selangor had not achieved since 2006. 'This league allows us to expand our selection pool and strengthen the team.' She also called for increased funding and support from both Federal and state governments, pointing out that many sports associations struggled to raise funds independently. 'There is only so much that sports associations can do to raise funds. 'We need more support from the government, especially for infrastructure and development planning,' she said On player performance, she noted that technical ability was strong, but many lacked the killer instinct. 'The teamwork is there, but when the chance to score comes, hesitation gets in the way,' she said, adding that players had to be trained to be more confident in making decisions in crucial situations. MSNS-KRS League 2025 also features six teams in Men's Division 1 and four in Men's Division 2. — By AYUNA SHAMELIN
