Pelumba Sepanyol langgar Azizul

KUALA LUMPUR - Laporan penuh Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa (UCI) mengesahkan insiden kemalangan ngeri membabitkan pelumba terbilang, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Manchester pada 19 Februari lalu bukan disebabkan faktor permukaan trek rosak.

Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM), Abu Samah Abd. Wahab mengesahkan pihaknya sudah menerima laporan penuh menerusi emel bertarikh 18 Mac 2011 daripada Koordinator Sukan Trek UCI, Gilles Peruzzi yang berpangkalan di Aigle, Switzerland.

Malah, UCI turut menyelitkan ulasan Pengurus Besar Pusat Berbasikal Kebangsaan Britain, Jarl Walsh tentang laporan video rakaman definisi tinggi yang dilakukan sepanjang perlumbaan akhir keirin dimenangi pelumba Britain, Chris Hoy.

Mengikut emel tersebut, laporan penuh disediakan oleh Presiden Panel Komisar, Wayne Pomario yang bertindak atas arahan Presiden UCI, Pat Mac Quaid selepas menerima permohonan rasmi menerusi sepucuk surat bertarikh 1 Mac 2011 daripada PKBM kepada badan dunia itu.

"Saya telah teliti kandungan surat tersebut dan persatuan berpuas hati dengan penjelasan yang diberikan oleh UCI. Laporan Presiden Panel Komisar juga sangat jelas dan sekarang kami tahu apa yang sebenarnya berlaku di Manchester," katanya.

Laporan Peruzzi menyebut tiada bukti konkrit kononnya permukaan trek menjadi kepada kemalangan tersebut manakala laporan Pomario pula menjelaskan pelumba Sepanyol menjadi kemalangan pada selekoh ketiga selepas perlumbaan tinggal 2.5 pusingan iaitu sesudah Derny keluar daripada barisan enam pelumba.

Laporan Walsh pula meminta diadakan siasatan menyeluruh tentang corak pedal basikal ditunggang Azizulhasni yang berkemungkinan menyebabkan kayu trek tercabut akibat berlakunya kemalangan tersebut.

"Daripada apa yang saya faham, pelumba Sepanyol menjadi punca kemalangan apabila dia melanggar Azizulhasni. Malah, apabila membaca kandungan laporan tersebut, barulah kami tahu bahawa Poland ada membuat bantahan rasmi tentang kemenangan Azizulhasni tetapi ditolak oleh Panel Komisar.

"Bagaimanapun, Panel Komisar menegaskan pelumba Sepanyol tersebut tidak berniat atau bukan sengaja untuk mencetus kemalangan berkenaan. Walaupun Panel Komisar mendenda pelumba Sepanyol itu, namun ia tiada sebarang makna kerana dia menduduki tempat terakhir daripada enam pelumba."

Pada 1 Mac lalu, PKBM menulis surat rasmi kepada UCI memohon agar badan dunia itu menyalur semua maklumat terperinci berhubung insiden kemalangan ngeri membabitkan Azizulhasni pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Manchester pada 19 Februari lalu.

Azizulhasni yang terkenal dengan gelaran Pocketrocketman mengalami kemalangan serius pada 19 Februari lalu apabila betis kaki kirinya tertusuk serpihan kayu ketika bertanding acara keirin di Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di Manchester bulan lalu. Dia kemudiannya tetap berupaya menghabiskan perlumbaan untuk meraih pingat gangsa.

Insiden tersebut mendapat liputan meluas di seluruh dunia gara-gara kemalangan pelik membabitkan Azizulhasni dan semangatnya yang tetap mahu menghabiskan perlumbaan sekalipun jatuh dan cedera

Sehubungan itu, Abu Samah menganggap kes membabitkan kemalangan Azizulhasni di Manchester sudah boleh dilupakan sepenuhnya selepas PKBM menerima laporan penuh daripada UCI.

Liverpool, Chelsea uji kemampuan Harimau Malaya, Julai

Oleh TAN MING WAI
tan.mingwai@utusan.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) mengumumkan kelab terkemuka Liga Perdana England (EPL), Liverpool dan Chelsea akan mengadakan perlawanan menentang skuad Harimau Malaya di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, di sini, pada Julai ini.

Selain Liverpool dan Chelsea, sebuah lagi kelab dari EPL turut memilih Malaysia sebagai gelanggang untuk perlawanan pra-musim itu, namun identiti pasukan ketiga itu akan diumumkan dalam masa terdekat dan ia difahamkan ialah pasukan Arsenal.

Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad berkata, pihaknya telah mendapat persetujuan daripada kedua kelab tersebut dan tarikh perlawanan akan diumumkan pada masa akan datang.

"Setakat ini, Liverpool dan Chelsea telah mengesahkan kehadiran masing-masing dan pasukan ketiga akan diumumkan dalam tempoh terdekat," katanya ketika ditemui di Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) semalam.

Ini adalah pertama kali kelab Liverpool datang ke Malaysia untuk mengadakan perlawanan persahabatan dengan pasukan kebangsaan setelah membatalkan pertemuan dengan pasukan Selangor pada 2008.

Sementara itu, pasukan The Blues pernah menewaskan Malaysia 2-0 pada perlawanan persahabatan siri Jelajah Asia pada 2008.

FAM masih lagi meneruskan usaha mengatur perlawanan persahabatan berkelas A biarpun sebelum ini berkesudahan dengan Harimau Malaya hanya akan menentang pasukan berstatus kelab iaitu FC Etoile dari Liga Singapura.

Azzudin berkata, ia bertujuan mengisi kekosongan jadual pada April dan Mei dan FAM sedang berusaha menghubungi pasukan-pasukan kebangsaan sekitar Asia bagi memohon mengadakan perlawanan dengan mereka.

"Setiap bulan para pemain skuad Harimau Malaya akan dihimpunkan untuk menjalani latihan berpusat dan kami mengharapkan sekurang-kurangnya mereka bermain satu perlawanan persahabatan.

"Untuk bulan Mac ini, FAM sudah mencuba lapan persatuan namun atas komitmen masing-masing, permohonan kita ditolak... tetapi kami tetap teruskan usaha mendapatkan perlawanan berkualiti untuk Harimau Malaya," katanya.

Tambah Azzudin, skuad kendalian K. Rajagobal akan bertandang ke Hong Kong pada 3 Jun depan untuk satu lagi perlawanan persahabatan dengan negara Asia Timur itu.

Ia merupakan perlawanan kedua di antara kedua-dua pasukan selepas Malaysia membenam Hong Kong 2-0 di Stadium Shah Alam pada aksi persahabatan 9 Februari lalu.

"FAM sudah membuat perjanjian dengan Persatuan Bola Sepak Hong Kong (HKFA) bahawa kita akan ke Hong Kong untuk perlawanan timbal balik, jadi untuk Jun, kita tidak perlu risau, malah Harimau Malaya juga akan beraksi dalam pusingan kedua kelayakkan Olimpik," jelasnya.

Malaysia akan mengetahui siapakah lawannya pada undian akan dijalankan pada 30 Mac ini.

Individual brilliance gives West Indies hope MUMBAI, March 23 — Players who can transform a game with bat or ball through vintage Caribbean brilliance represent West Indies' best opportunity of upsetting Pakistan in Wednesday's opening World Cup quarter-final in Dhaka. Pakistan bring skilled spinners, experience and a rare victory over defending champions Australia to Bangladesh at a tournament set to increasingly favour the sub-continental contenders as the temperatures soar. To combat the pre-match favourites, West Indies plan to recall Chris Gayle and Kemar Roach after injury and illness while the obdurate Shivnarine Chanderpaul is expected to return to the middle order. Gayle can make a mockery of any bowling attack with his reach and his power while Roach is fast and hostile in the best traditions of the great Barbados fast bowlers. West Indies captain Darren Sammy told reporters yesterday that West Indies were looking forward to a return to the city where they comprehensively defeated Bangladesh in the first round. He said Gayle and Roach had played a full part in practice while Chanderpaul was likely to return after he was dropped following a form slump. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi made his name as a limited overs dasher who still holds the world record for the fastest one-day century. Now his role is primarily that of an attacking leg-spinner, whose 17 wickets in the tournament is the highest so far. Pakistan will need all the runs they can get with a semi-final against India in Ahmedabad looming if they beat West Indies and Afridi is conscious that he must start to perform after looking like a novice with the bat. "I will be more focused," he promised. "I know how important my batting is for my team." — Reuters West Indies' Chris Gayle performs a stretching exercise during a cricket practice session ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup quarter-final match against Pakistan on Wednesday, in Dhaka March 22, 2011. — Reuters pic

Pakistan bring skilled spinners, experience and a rare victory over defending champions Australia to Bangladesh at a tournament set to increasingly favour the sub-continental contenders as the temperatures soar.

To combat the pre-match favourites, West Indies plan to recall Chris Gayle and Kemar Roach after injury and illness while the obdurate Shivnarine Chanderpaul is expected to return to the middle order.

Gayle can make a mockery of any bowling attack with his reach and his power while Roach is fast and hostile in the best traditions of the great Barbados fast bowlers.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy told reporters yesterday that West Indies were looking forward to a return to the city where they comprehensively defeated Bangladesh in the first round.

He said Gayle and Roach had played a full part in practice while Chanderpaul was likely to return after he was dropped following a form slump.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi made his name as a limited overs dasher who still holds the world record for the fastest one-day century.

Now his role is primarily that of an attacking leg-spinner, whose 17 wickets in the tournament is the highest so far.

Pakistan will need all the runs they can get with a semi-final against India in Ahmedabad looming if they beat West Indies and Afridi is conscious that he must start to perform after looking like a novice with the bat.

"I will be more focused," he promised. "I know how important my batting is for my team." — Reuters 

UEFA President Michel Platini looks on at the beginning of the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Prague in this December 9, 2010 file photo. — Reuters pic

Platini, whose first four years were highlighted by the Financial Fair Play scheme designed to stop clubs from spending their way to oblivion, was the only candidate to register for the UEFA election before December's deadline.

His term will expire in 2015 when Blatter, president of world soccer's ruling body since 1998, will call it a day providing he beats Mohamed Bin Hammam in the presidential election this June.

Platini, re-elected by acclamation and visibly moved after being given a standing ovation, would not comment on whether he planned to run for FIFA presidency in 2015.

"Ask me in three years' time," he told reporters with a Gallic shrug.

The former France playmaker also declined to say whether he favoured Blatter or his Qatari opponent for the FIFA presidency.

UEFA, with 53 member associations out of 208, is a key player within world soccer's ruling body with each national association having one vote in FIFA's presidential election.

"I don't control the European votes. We will see whether European football will support one or the other candidate," said Platini.

"There are two candidates — I'm going to think about this, consult with my vice-presidents and the executive committee and see what position we will adopt."

Four members of the UEFA executive committee were re-elected and were joined by three newcomers including former goalkeeper Borislav Mihaylov, the Bulgarian Football Union president who captained his country to the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup.

Poland's Grzegorz Lato, top-scorer at the 1974 World Cup with seven goals and president of the Polish federation since 2008, failed to get elected.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Platini promised to make international football his priority, saying he was shocked to hear two unnamed players say during the 2010 World Cup they would prefer to win the Champions League.

He also announced UEFA members had agreed to a new system of centralised marketing of television rights for European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.

This would guarantee all federations a set income regardless of which teams they drew in their group.

The Frenchman also warned big-spending clubs they could be barred from European competition from 2014 if they failed to meet UEFA's new rules banning them from spending more than their generated revenue.

"I will write a letter to all the European clubs telling them to watch out because in 2014 we will take decisions," said Platini.

"They all agreed at the beginning, they will have to agree at the end as well. Football is magnificent, it is great, it has never been so beautiful in Europe but financially speaking it is driving itself against the wall.

"Two years ago I got the bull by the horns and I'm trying to help football to not go bankrupt," Platini added.

He was equally tough on crowd violence in Eastern Europe, especially Serbia and Croatia who have been told they will be barred from European competition if they do not take steps to solve the problem by the end of the year.

"I'm sick of it, hooligans, vandalism, everything. I'm sick of the fact people can't go safely to a stadium," he said.

"If they don't address the issue then we will exclude them from international competition. Our English friends were (once) suspended for five years, there will be zero tolerance."

UEFA would also get tough on anyone who became involved in match-fixing which Platini has described as the biggest scourge facing football.

"Much will depend on the players. They are on the front line, they have to inform us of anything," he said.

"There's a recession, there are minor championships in countries where salaries are not high but zero tolerance applies to coaches, players and officials.

"They will be excluded for life."

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG - Pemegang gelar Super Champion kelas bulu WBA, Chris John, belum menandatangani kontrak pertarungan menghadapi penantangnya Daud "Cino" Yordan di Jakarta, 17 April 2011. "Belum ada penandatanganan kontrak dan itu mungkin akan dilakukan saat saya menjalani persiapan pertarungan di Jakarta mendatang," kata Chris John ketika dihubungi dari Semarang, Selasa.

Saat ini petinju dengan julukan The Dragon tersebut sedang menjalani latihan di Sasana Mirah Boxing Camp milik Zaenal Thayeb (mantan promotornya) di Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur, setelah sebelumnya berlatih di Sasana Herry's Gym Perth, Australia.

Chris John dan tim dijadwalkan berangkat ke Jakarta sepekan sebelum pertarungan perebutan gelar tersebut berlangsung sehingga latihan di Banyuwangi ini dilakukan selama sekitar tiga pekan.

Ketika ditanya gaya bertarung yang akan dilakukan saat berada di atas ring, petinju yang sudah 13 kali mempertahankan gelarnya tersebut, mengatakan, dirinya tetap akan menggunakan gayanya sendiri, yaitu "counter fighter".
"Saya akan lebih menekan dan menyerang lawan saya, apalagi jangkauan pukulan dan badannya lebih tinggi dibandingkan lawannya," kata petinju asal Kabupaten Banjarnegara, Jateng.

Menurut dia, dirinya belum tahu persis data statistik dari petinju asal Kalimantan Barat (Daud Yordan), tetapi kemungkinan dirinya lebih panjang jangkauan pukulan dan tubuhnya.

Ketika ditanya apakah menjaga jarak karena jangkauan pukulan lebih panjang dan lebih tinggi, dia mengatakan, dirinya tetap akan memakai gaya bertarung dirinya sendiri, yaitu "counter fighter" untuk menekan dan menyerang lawannya. "Saya akan memakai gaya saya bertarung sendiri untuk menekan dan menyerang lawan," kata petinju yang terakhir kali mempertahankan gelarnya dengan menang angka mutlak atas petinju Argentina, Fernando Saucedo di Jakarta, 5 Desember 2010.

Ketika ditanya secara umum dari calon lawannya, petinju dengan rekor bertarung 44 kali menang (22 di antaranya dengan KO) dan dua kali seri tersebut mengatakan, dirinya tidak mau berkomentar soal lawannya.
Dua kali seri yang didapat ayah dari Maria Luna Ferisha dan Maria Rosa Christiani tersebut adalah saat bertarung melawan Jose Cheo Rojas (Venezuela) di Tenggarong, Kalimantan Timur, dan Rocky Juarez di Amerika Serikat. Akhirnya kedua pertarungan itu diulang di Jakarta (Cheo Rojas) dan Amerika Serikat, Chris John berhasil menang dengan angka pada dua partai ulangan itu.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,LUBUKLINGGAU--Steve Ongen Firnandus, juara bertahan super lightweight 63,5 killogram, berhasil mempertahankan gelar juara PABA setelah memukul jatuh penantangnya Khompetch Sitsainthong dari Thailand pada ronde ke 11. Ongen berhasil menjatuhkan penantangnya pada ronde ke 11, setelah dari ronde awal mempimpin perolehan angka dalam pertandingan yang dilangsungkan Minggu malam.

Memasuki ronde ke 11 dari 12 yang dipertandingkan, sebuah pukulan hook kanan bersarang di dada bagian kiri, membuat Khompetch Sitsainthong terjatuh. Setelah mendapat hitungan hingga kesepuluh tidak bangun, dia dinyatakan wasit kalah KO.

Pertandingan tinju internasional perebutan juara asia PABA tersebut digelar di gedung olahraga Silampari, Kabupaten Musi Rawas, Sumatra Selatan, disaksikan langsung oleh deputi Kemenpora Wildan, pengurus DPP Partai Demokrat dan juga pengurus PB Pertina Ruhut Sitompul, Gubernur Sumsel Alex Noerdin, Bupati Musi Rawas, Ridwan Mukti, serta sejumlah kepala daerah di Sumsel serta ribuan penonton yang memadati GOR Silampari.

Menurut promotor tinju TS Yance, selain mempertandingkan partai utama juga dipertandingkan perebutan gelar nasional sekaligus perbaikan peringkat tinju nasional kelas Light Welterweight (63,5 kg) 12 ronde antara Roy Tua Manihuruk melawan Leed Shabu, yang dimenangkan Roy Tua Manihuruk dengan TKO di ronde kedelapan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Treasury Department may have to kick themselves for approving RM100,000 for the International Congress in Sports and Exercise Medicine that concluded last weekend.

The event was hosted by the Society of Sports & Exercise Medicine Malaysia (SSEMM).

Present were International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) president Prof Dr Fabio Pigozzi and SSEMM president Prof Datuk Mohd Mydin Musa.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the closing ceremony and were both awarded FIMS' Royal Plaque of Honour.

However, the others in the local sports medicine fraternity were totally perplexed.

They didn't even know about the event, much less be invited.

The Sports Ministry, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Insitute (NSI) and Malaysian Association of Sports Medicine (MASM) questioned SSEMM's role and affiliation, prompting the Treasury to investigate.

Among the renowned practitioners not invited were OCM deputy-president Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan and NSI director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz (pic).

Even Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was out of the loop. This matter was brought up at the post-cabinet meeting yesterday.

And Ramlan will be meeting with Treasury officials today to discuss the matter.

The sports medicine fraternity is represented by the Malaysian Association of Sports Medicine (MASM).

Established in 1973, MASM are affiliated to OCM, the Asian Games Federation and recognised by the Sports Ministry.

SSEMM, meanwhile, were registered with the Registrar of Societies on March 11, 2010 but are not recognised by OCM or the Ministry.

SSEMM claimed to be approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH). MASM's membership was "terminated" by FIMS last year, apparently because of "arrears".

However, MASM said they settled all outstanding payments, in accordance to the FIMS constitution. MASM have asked for a copy of the "letter of approval" from the MoH to SSEMM.

However, strangely, neither party could provide one.

A source said a MoH official claimed they were "unable to trace the letter". Efforts to contact MoH director-general Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman proved futile.

"According to our records, MASM are the only official body. When we saw there was one body (SSEMM) trying to take over the role of the other (MASM), we called up both parties to discuss. Unfortunately, SSEMM didn't respond," said Ramlan.

When asked if the RM100,000 allocation was from the Sports Ministry, Ramlan replied: "There has been no instruction (to release payment). If that happens, it would put us in a difficult spot."

MASM president Prof Dr John George was stumped.

"This is all very strange. We have asked FIMS to explain as there was no written notice of our termination. It is, therefore, unconstitutional to replace us with another body," said John.

"MASM will seek legal advice."

It was also learnt FIMS were attempting to resolve the matter amicably. Mailsport sent an email to SSEMM but until Press time, the body have yet to reply.

PARIS: Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi (above), also known as "The Flea", is the highest paid footballer in the world while Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho earns more than any other manager, according to a survey by France Football magazine.

The 23-year-old Messi, widely recognised as the world's best footballer and won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, earns €31 million (RM133.8m) per annum.

This amount that he garnered in 2011 came from his salary and publicity deals and is €3.5m more than what Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo earns.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, a former teammate of Ronaldo at Old Trafford, is third in the list with an annual income of €20.7m.

US-based footballers, David Beckham of LA Galaxy and Thierry Henry of New York Red Bulls, are fifth and 11th in the list with earnings of €19m and €13.6m respectively.

In the manager's category, Mourinho heads the top-paid list as he earns €13.5m a year.

The Portuguese tactician, who won the Champions League as well as Serie A and the Coppa Italia with Italian giants Inter Milan last season, was appointed as manager for Real last summer.

Barca's Josep "Pep" Guardiola is second behind Mourinho with an annual income of €10.5m while Rafael Benitez, who is without a club at the moment after parting ways with the Nerazzurri last December, earned €10.2m.

England head coach Fabio Capello is fourth with a salary of €8.5m.

Last month Deloitte's annual report on European football revenues was released in which it was revealed Spanish giants Real and Barca are the top earning clubs in the world with Premier League powerhouse United following them in third.

Klasemen (main, menang, seri, kalah, selisih gol, poin):

• 1 PERSIPURA 16 12 2 2 46-12 38
• 2 PERSIJA 17 10 2 5 29-17 32
• 3 SEMEN PADANG 18 8 8 2 26-19 32
• 4 PERSISAM 18 9 2 7 22-23 29
• 5 PERSIWA 17 8 3 6 24-25 27
• 6 AREMA INDONESIA 16 7 5 4 26-16 26
• 7 SRIWIJAYA FC 17 8 2 7 27-23 26
• 8 DELTRAS 16 7 1 8 25-25 22
• 9 PSPS 15 6 3 6 21-21 21
• 10 PERSIBA BALIKPAPAN 16 5 4 7 21-27 19
• 11 PERSELA 16 5 4 7 16-21 19
• 12 PERSIB 17 5 4 8 22-31 19
• 13 PERSIJAP 17 5 2 10 19-35 17
• 14 PELITA JAYA 17 4 1 12 16-24 13
• 15 BONTANG FC 17 3 3 11 20-41 12

Jadwal Rabu (23/3):

Sriwijaya FC vs Persipura (Gelora Sriwijaya, Jakabaring)

Persiba vs Arema (Persiba, Komplek Pertamina Parikesit)

Jadwal Kamis (24/3):

Persib vs Persiwa (Si Jalak Harupat, Soreang).(*)
(T.T009/I015/)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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Michel Platini (AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI )

Berita Terkait

Mantan pemain terbaik Eropa asal Prancis berusia 55 tahun itu akan menjalankan mandat keduanya selama empat tahun. Pertama kali dia terpilih pada 2007 saat mengambilalih jabatan tersebut dari Lennart Johansson asal Swedia.

Pada masa jabatan keduanya sebagai orang nomor satu UEFA yang bermarkas di Jenewa itu, salah satu agenda utama yang akan dijalankannya adalah Kejuaraan Eropa 2012 yang akan digelar bersama Polandia dan Ukraina.

Berbeda dengan 2007, saat Platini meraih keunggulan tipis 27 suara melawan 23 suara atas Johansson, terpilihnya kembali Platini kini tidak mendapat saingan.

"Besarnya tanggung jawab ini adalah melindungi permainan. Bagi saya, sepak bola hanyalah sebuah permainan," kata Platini.

"Selama kita menjaga permainan, dengan semangatnya, kita akan meraih kemenangan," katanya.

Dengan belakangan ini disarankan Pele untuk menggantikan Sepp Blatter sebagai ketua badan sepak bola dunia FIFA, terpilihnya kembali Platini di Paris itu akan membuat dia berada di posisi terdepan.(*)
(Uu.I015/Z002)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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MANCHESTER – Manchester United terus sibuk untuk mencari kiper anyar sebagai persiapan menghadapi musim depan, dimana kiper Edwin van der Sar akan pensiun di akhir musim ini.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP): Denmark's anti-doping body has acquitted cyclist Philip Nielsen of intentionally doping during last year's Tour of Mexico.

Torben Jessen of the Danish sports federation's doping board said on Tuesday that Nielsen didn't know there was a risk when he ate beef contaminated with clenbuterol, for which he tested positive.

Jessen said there was "no reason" to ban him for doping. The board immediately lifted his suspension imposed by the UCI on Sept. 30.

Nielsen was a member of Team Concordia when he rode the Tour of Mexico in April and May 2010.

Alberto Contador also tested positive for clenbuterol from beef in winning his third Tour de France last year. He eventually was cleared.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP): Organizers of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix say the absence of Formula One powerbroker Bernie Ecclestone from the season opener should not be read as the death knell for the event.

Ecclestone will not attend the Melbourne race but will instead be in New York to hold talks with its mayor Michael Bloomberg about a possible future race on Staten Island.

Ecclestone had expressed impatience at the local government's complaints about the cost of staging the Mebourne race, as well as the seeming impossibility of making it a night event to suit European television audiences.

Melbourne mayor Robert Doyle said Tuesday that "it is reasonable that we have a discussion about the grand prix when the time comes, which is when the licence fee is up again."

RIO DE JANEIRO, KOMPAS.com - Pemain legendaris Brasil, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, menjadi salah satu pemain "langka" yang pernah membela dua seteru abadi, Barcelona dan Real Madrid. Ketika ditanya klub mana yang memilki arti lebih dalam hidupnya, pemain berjuluk "Il Pheomenon" ini memilih "Los Blancos". Kenapa?

Dalam wawancara eksklusif dengan AS, Ronaldo mendapat banyak pertanyaan yang membuatnya pusing. Salah satunya adalah persaingan seputar Barca dan Madrid. Bila 10 tahun lebih muda dan Anda mendapat tawaran dari Madrid dan Barca, klub mana yang akan dipilih?

Dengan tenang, pencetak gol terbanyak sepanjang sejarah Piala Dunia itu menjawab, "Sandro Rossell (Presiden klub Barcelona) seperti seorang teman, dan dia tahu saya. Akan tetapi, hubungan saya dengan Florentino Perez (Presiden Madrid)... Saya akan selalu memilih bersama Florentino," ujar Ronaldo yang merupakan salah satu "anak kesayangan" Perez di Santiago Bernabeu.

Tak lama, Ronaldo kembali dibuat pusing dengan pertanyaan mana yang lebih hebat antara Jose Mourino (pelatih Madrid) dengan Pep Guardiola (pelatih Barca). Dengan tegas ia menjawab, "Mourinho. Dia pernah di Barcelona di mana dia membantu Sir Bobby Robson (sebagai asisten). Saya kenal dia (Mourinho) dengan baik. Dia adalah sosok yang hebat, bahagia dan mengasyikan."

Ronaldo memang hanya semusim membela Barcelona, yakni pada 1996/1997. Namun, hingga kini, kehebatannya masih tak bisa dilupakan publik Nou Camp. Ini karena torehan golnya yang mencapai angka 47 dari 49 pertandingan. Di musim itu ia juga menyumbang trofi Copa Del Rey, Piala Super Spanyol dan Piala Winners.

Adapun bersama "Los Blancos", pria yang kini menginjak 34 tahun itu menghabiskan 5 tahun kariernya. Ia juga sukses memberikan dua trofi Divisi Primera, Piala Interkontinental dan Piala Super Spanyol.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Presiden Federasi Sepak Bola Selandia Baru (OFC) Frank van Hattum dijadwalkan menghadiri Kongres PSSI di Pekanbaru, Riau, Sabtu (26/3/2011). Van Hattum merupakan perwakilan FIFA yang bertugas memantau jalannya kongres yang mengagendakan pembentukan Komite Pemilihan dan Komite Banding.

"Selain itu, salah satu anggota FAM (Federasi Sepakbola Malaysia) juga akan datang. Mereka merupakan perpajangan FIFA. New Zealand merupakan Komite Asosiasi FIFA. Sementara AFC belum ada konfirmasi. Mereka sudah hadir di Pekanbaru pada 25 Maret mendatang," kata Sekjen PSSI Nugraha Besoes kepada wartawan di Kantor PSSI, Selasa (22/3/2011) malam.

Selain Presiden OFC dan anggota FAM, Nugraha mengungkapkan, KONI juga akan hadir dalam kongres tersebut.

"Tadi, Sekjen KONI Djati Waluyo datang. Sesuatu yang patut kita sambut baik. KONI maupun KOI menginginkan suasana ini reda dan damai. Mereka hadir di sini meminta KONI dan KOI memberikan support kepada PSSI. Saya katakan terima kasih. Kami juga mengharapkan KONI bisa hadir dalam kongres nanti. Sekaligus saya katakan, mereka menjadi pendamping karena kita berada dalam masalah," beber Nugraha.

Sementara itu, Nugraha mengungkapkan, kongres akan digelar Hotel Premier. "Di Pekanbaru, ada dua tempat. Satu di Hotel Premier dan Hotel Arya Duta. Kongresnya di Hotel Premier. Dua-duanya akomodasi karena di Premier enggak muat," pungkas Nugraha.

Menteri: Misbun masih perlu masa

Oleh HELMI TALKAH
helmi@kosmo.com.my

"BILA sudah terluka, adakalanya ia boleh terubat sendiri tetapi adakalanya hanya masa yang mampu mengubatinya."

Itu gambaran yang diberikan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek ketika diminta mengulas mengenai isu peletakan jawatan jurulatih perseorangan badminton negara, Datuk Misbun Sidek yang sehingga kini masih belum ada jalan penyelesaian.

Sikap Misbun yang seolah-olah sengaja mendiamkan diri berhubung isu peletakan jawatannya itu telah membuatkan banyak pihak tertanya-tanya apakah kesudahan 'drama' yang diciptanya itu dengan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM).

Biarpun BAM telah meminta Misbun menimbangkan semula keputusannya itu, namun jurulatih tersebut masih tetap membisu sehingga ke hari ini.

Bagaimanapun, Shabery mempunyai pandangan beliau yang tersendiri berhubung kemelut yang telah berlanjutan selama hampir dua bulan itu sejak Mis- bun menyerahkan surat peletakan jawatannya pada 31 Disember tahun lalu.

Bagi Shabery, mungkin Mis- bun masih belum bersedia untuk kembali menjadi jurulatih dan disebabkan itu, dia perlu diberikan masa lagi sebelum membuat sebarang keputusan.

"Misbun pernah berkata kepada saya bahawa apa jua kepu- tusan yang dibuat adalah untuk kepentingan negara.

"Mungkin sehingga kini beliau masih belum bersedia lagi untuk membuat sebarang keputusan. Bagilah beliau sedikit masa untuk memutuskannya demi kepentingan bersama," kata Shabery.

Tambah Shabery, beliau tidak merasakan kemelut yang melanda berhubung peletakan jawatan Misbun itu akan mengganggu fokus jaguh negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

"Saya tidak anggap masalah yang timbul ketika ini mengganggu prestasi Chong Wei berdasar- kan pencapaian yang dilakarnya apabila bergelar juara pada Terbuka Seluruh England baru-baru ini.

"Saya juga hormati cara Mis- bun (berdiam diri) dan mungkin suatu masa nanti pasti akan ada jalan penyelesaian," tambahnya.

Ketika ditanya mengenai sikap BAM yang dilihat terlalu berlembut dengan Misbun bagi menangani masalah tersebut, Shabery berkata: "Saya lihat perkara ini bagai 'menarik rambut dalam tepung'.

"BAM pastinya mahu menjaga hati pelbagai pihak terutama Chong Wei dan Misbun sendiri, sebelum boleh membuat sebarang keputusan.

"Mereka (BAM) perlu memikirkan mengenai prestasi Chong Wei serta tidak mahu pemain itu hilang semangat disebabkan keputusan yang mereka buat dan pada masa yang sama mereka tidak mahu Misbun terus terluka lagi."

Malaysia tak dapat bye

Oleh WAN FAKHRUL BAKAR
fakhrul@kosmo.com.my

ANDAI laporan berita di laman web rasmi Persekutuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA), www.fifa. com pada Sabtu lalu diambil kira, Malaysia akan mendapat bye pusingan pertama Kelayakan Piala Dunia 2014.

Menurut laporan berita bertajuk Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014 itu, aksi pusingan pertama pada 29 Jun dan 3 Julai depan hanya melibatkan 14 pasukan ranking terendah di Asia (kedudukan ke-30 hingga ke-43).

Situasi itu menyaksikan Malaysia boleh menarik nafas lega kerana berada di ranking ke-28 Asia.

Selepas itu, tujuh pemenang perlawanan pusingan pertama itu akan layak ke pusingan kedua pada 23 dan 28 Julai depan, menyertai 25 pasukan lain yang berkedudukan di ranking kelima hingga ke-29.

Hanya empat pasukan teratas Asia iaitu Jepun, Korea Selatan, Australia dan Korea Utara mendapat bye pusingan pertama dan kedua untuk terus mara auto- matik ke saingan kelayakan pertama peringkat kumpulan membabitkan 20 pasukan terbaik.

Namun, hasrat untuk menyaksikan Malaysia mendapat bye dan layak terus ke pusingan kedua tidak kesampaian apabila Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) semalam mengesahkan bahawa Malaysia masih perlu mengharungi pusingan pertama.

Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad yang dihubungi Kosmo! berkata, laporan berita di laman web FIFA itu tidak begitu tepat kerana sebenarnya 16 pasukan ranking terendah perlu beraksi pada pusingan pertama.

"Saya baru saja terima faks daripada AFC (Konfe- derasi Bola Sepak Asia) yang mengesahkan bahawa Malaysia akan beraksi pada pusingan pertama dan kami perlu hadir majlis undian pada 30 Mac (Rabu depan).

"Laporan laman web FIFA itu menyatakan 14 pasukan ranking terendah tetapi sepatutnya 16 pasukan ranking terendah (ranking ke-28 hingga ke-43).

"Malangnya Malaysia berada di ranking ke-28, maka kita perlu juga mengha- rungi pusingan pertama dan tidak mendapat bye," kata Azzuddin.

Ia sekali gus menamatkan spekulasi bahawa Malaysia akan mendapat bye pusingan pertama.

Berdasarkan 16 pasukan pada senarai ranking terendah Asia itu, Malaysia boleh diundi bertemu sama ada Afghanistan, Kemboja, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestin, Timor Leste, Macau, Taiwan, Myanmar, Filipina atau Laos pada pusingan pertama.

Andai layak ke pusingan kedua, Malaysia akan berdepan salah satu pasukan di ranking kelima hingga ke-27 iaitu Bahrain, Arab Saudi, Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, UAE, Syria, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Singapura, China, Kuwait, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Lebanon, Yemen, Taji- kistan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives dan India.

Misi melakar kejutan

Oleh SHAHRIL NIZAM ABDULLAH
shahril@kosmo.com.my

AZIZULHASNI tidak dapat beraksi pada Kejohanan Dunia di Belanda.

BIARPUN turun tanpa kelibat jaguh keirin No. 1 dunia, Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang, skuad trek Malaysia masih tetap mampu melakar kejutan pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia yang bakal membuka tirainya di Apeldoorn, Belanda hari ini.

Skuad negara terpaksa melupakan Azizulhasni dalam misi mencipta sejarah membawa pulang kilauan emas pertama dari bumi Belanda setelah pelumba yang digelar The Pocket- rocketman itu cedera akibat tertusuk serpihan kayu di betisnya dalam insiden kemalangan pada Siri Piala Dunia Klasik UCI di Manchester, 19 Februari lalu.

Azizulhasni yang memenangi Jersi Putih sebagai juara Siri Trek Piala Dunia Klasik 2010/11, masih menjalani proses pemulihan, sekali gus menyaksikan sandaran untuk menghadiahkan pingat di Belanda kini tergalas di bahu rakan sepelatih, Josiah Ng dan Mohd. Rizal Tisin.

"Bagi saya ketiadaan Azizul- hasni bukan satu alasan untuk kita gagal membawa pulang sebarang pingat," kata pengurus skuad negara, Datuk Naim Mohamad.

"Pelumba lain seperti Josiah (Ng) dan Rizal (Tisin) tetap mampu melakar kejutan membawa pulang pingat, malah tidak mustahil mereka mampu memenangi pingat emas.

"Jadi, apa-apa pun boleh berlaku. Suasananya dan tekanannya mungkin berbeza tetapi peluang masih tetap terbuka," ujar beliau lagi.

Naim yang juga Timbalan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PK- BM) turut menjelaskan, tempat Azizulhasni dalam acara keirin akan diisi oleh Rizal manakala pelumba muda, Muhd. Arfy Qhairant Amran yang beraksi cemerlang pada Kejuaraan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) di Korat, Thailand bulan lalu akan menggantikan tempat pelumba kelahiran Dungun itu dalam acara pecut individu.

Malah, Naim turut menegaskan bahawa selain Josiah dan Rizal sebagai harapan utama, pelumba wanita, Fatehah Mustapa juga mampu menghadiahkan kilauan pingat kepada negara dalam acara keirin wanita.

"Selain Josiah dan Rizal, saya juga dapat rasakan Fatehah (Mustapa) mampu membuat kejutan dalam kejuaraan ini berdasarkan prestasinya pada ACC baru-baru ini.

"Fatehah mungkin mampu menghadiahkan pingat dalam acara keirin wanita manakala Arfy yang akan bersaing dalam acara pecut pula saya anggap ia adalah suatu pendedahan yang baik untuk dirinya yang masih muda," ujar Naim lagi.

Pada Kejohanan Dunia yang akan berakhir 27 Mac ini, sku- ad negara mempertaruhkan lima pelumba – Josiah yang menyertai acara keirin dan pecut berpasukan, Rizal (keirin, pecut berpasukan dan 1 kilometer ujian masa), Muhd. Edrus Yunos (pecut individu dan pecut berpasukan).

Pelumba berusia 18 tahun, Arfy pula bersaing dalam acara pecut individu, 1 kilometer ujian masa dan scratch manakala Fatehah akan menyertai acara kegemarannya, keirin, pecut individu, 1 kilometer ujian masa serta scratch.

Pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia di Copenhagen, Denmark tahun lalu, Azizulhasni menyumbang pingat perak acara keirin.

Azraai Khor Abdullah

After dominating the league with Kedah a few seasons ago, Azraai, after his short tenure with the FA of Malaysia, makes his much anticipated return with Negri Sembilan when the Super League resumes on April 1.

The Negri FA announced yesterday the appointment of the former national Under-21 coach as its new chief coach on a two-year contract.

Azraai succeeds Wan Jamak Wan Hasan, who resigned on March 17 after a spate of poor results in this season's M-League.

The 59-year-old's arrival in Seremban should trigger a new beginning for Negri, who are hoping to bounce back when the league resumes.

"I am proud and honoured to be the coach of Negri. It's an exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best," said Azraai.

"Negri are a fantastic team that are well respected in the league and have great fans. I'm looking forward to getting to work with my players and preparing them for competition."

Azraai is regarded by many as one of the most successful coaches in the country.

The Alor Star-born had early stints with the Kedah President Cup side before joining TNB Kelantan for a season.

In 2004, Azraai accepted an offer to coach the Kedah team where he enjoyed his best years, winning back-to-back trebles (Malaysia Cup, Super League and FA Cup titles) in 2007 and 2008 before signing on with FAM as the national under-21 chief coach, a year later.

But it was an unhappy experience for Azraai with FAM as he was removed as their Under-21 coach last July following an internal squabbling upon the return of his team from their Slovakia stint. He was only released from his contract, with compensation, on March 9.

"It is good to be back after eight months. And to get an offer from a team almost immediately after I got my release from FAM is good for me," said Azraai.

"My job with Negri starts immediately. I will take my first look at the team tomorrow (today). I have no time to relax as I have less than two weeks to shape them up before the league resumes."

Negri are ninth in the 14-team Super League with nine points from seven matches. They have scored only six goals and conceded nine.

But if Azraai can weave his magic once again, Negri will definitely bounce back. His first match in charge of Negri will be against Terengganu at home on April 2.

Azidan (left) hopes to impress in his first senior call-up.

Azidan, who plays for Selangor and Rizal Fahmi, a Kelantan recruit, are both determined to impress in their first ever senior call-up. Both are hoping to be shortlisted for the March 26 friendly against Singapore League's French club side Etoile FC.

Kedah striker Baddrol Bakhtiar also received his first national team call-up since suffering an injury before the Guangzhou Asian Games.

National coach K. Rajagobal, however, did not include former Selangor striker Safee Sali, Negri Sembilan's G. Mahathevan and Young Tiger Faizal Muhamad, who all featured in last month's friendly against Hong Kong, in his 24-man squad.

Rajagobal hopes to gauge his players, especially the new ones, in the friendly against Etoile, as part of their preparation for the 2014 World Cup Asian Zone first round qualifiers.

The Asian Football Federation will conduct the Qualifying draw on March 30.

The national team are full of confidence after their victory in the AFF Championships in December where they defeated Indonesia 4-2 on aggregate in the two-leg final. They hope to make it at least to the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

"Of course we need to start preparing early for the World Cup Qualifiers as it will be a tough event. Currently, I have a large pool of quality players with the majority from the AFF Cup winning squad," said Rajagobal.

The squad: Amar Rohidan, Baddrol Bakhtiar, Mohd Azmi Muslim, Mohd Sabre Mat Abu (Ked), Azidan Sarudin, Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal, Asraruddin Putra, Safiq Rahim (Sel), Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Aidil Zafuan Abd Razak, Farizal Marlias, S. Kunalan (NS), Ashaari Samsudin, Sharbinee Allawee (Ter), S. Chanturu Suppiah, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Rizal Fahmi Abdul Rosid, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Kel), K.Gurusamy, Izzaq Faris Ramlan, Mahalli Jasuli, Muslim Ahmad, Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas (Young Tigers), Shahrizal Mohd Saad (Johor FC).