Malaysian girls book final's berth against Sri Lanka

Hosts India tired their best to create an upset to book a place in the 7th Asian Youth Netball Championship at the Thagaraj Netball Stadium in New Delhi yesterday afternoon in the first semi finals tie, but the Malaysian proved to be a better all round team to defeat them 59-36.
On Thursday in the final Group match, Malaysia had defeated India 67-41.
Malaysia who are the only unbeaten team after six matches have qualified to defend the title they have won for three consecutive times prior to this championship.

However, in the final today they will meet Sri Lanka who defeated Singapore in the second semi final 55-47.
Singapore who had defeated Sri Lanka 64-49 in the Group match, were stunned by the s the simply latter yesterday as they won 55-47 for an upset win.

However, Sri Lanka fully deserved to win with their determined performance and it only underlined that their junior team has improved tremendously to match their seniors who are Asian No 1 team and ranked 13th in the world.
Malaysia's ranking from the latest senior team ranking list released is 21st, while Singapore is 19th.

Pictures by Ramble Oxley

Singapore who were the losing finalist to Malaysia in the last championship, simply could not match the Sri Lankans yesterday who put up a determined performance with full of gusto.
Malaysian team manager, Zainon Nd Noh who celebrated her birthday yesterday, said that it is going to be a difficult final and Malaysia will have to be at their best against Sri Lanka this evening.
"We would have preferred to meet Singapore in the final. The Sri Lanka junior team has improved tremendously and although we had defeated them in the Group match, we cannot take anything for granted," said Zainon.
"The Sri Lanka players are tall and are a very determined lot who never give up. It was a close match when we met them in the Group match and it is going to be no different in the final. Infact, it is going to be more difficult as the championship title is at stake.
"But we are not going to to let our chance to win the title for a record fourth consecutive time, just slip away just like that after having reached the final unbeaten. It maybe going to be a difficult match, but I am confident we will rise to the occasion to win the title."
Yesterday, Malaysia's win over India was witnessed by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to India, Datuk Tan Seng Sung, his wife and High Commission officers.
Datuk Tan said that he will be at the final today and is looking forward to Malaysia winning the title for the fourth consecutive time.

Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Boss Says........

Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of Organising Committee Delhi 2010  Commonwealth Games
Column from Hindustan Times

The FIFA World Cup may have engaged nearly everyone’s attention over the past month but, at the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC), we have not allowed any distraction —sporting or non-sporting — to affect our focus from the task on hand: that of ensuring that we produce the best ever Commonwealth Games in October. One of the most satisfying events in the headquarters of the OC was the hosting of a meeting for the High Commissioners earlier this week.

I was heartened by the positive response we drew from the Heads of Missions or the representatives of Commonwealth nations.
We briefed them about a number of aspects like security, transport, visa, accommodation, catering — areas that focus on the athletes’ welfare. The interactive session was memorable and the High Commissioners went back with confidence that their athletes would have the best facilities to showcase their talent.
We had a similar successful meeting with Members of Parliament, international sportspersons, presidents and secretaries of State Olympic Associations, nodal officers from state governments to brief them about the Queen’s Baton Relay, which has been on a rousing tour of the country since arriving at the Wagah-Attari border a fortnight ago. I am delighted that the baton has drawn tremendous attention on its travels in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
I am very excited as our venue operations team will move into the Talkatora Indoor Stadium on Friday. There is no denying that it will be a milestone moment for us as we move from planning stage to operational stage. The shift will give us ample time to pay attention to detail at the venue.
The venue for the boxing competitions will become the first where a team from the OC will move in. I must compliment NDMC for refurbishing the stadium, adding an administrative block and making it world class — and all this in time. The stadium will be a model venue for most integration activities of several functional areas of the OC. Such an early shift will help the venue team to be better integrated, better acquainted with one other, with the venue itself and with the venue owners.
Yes, with 86 days to go for the start of the Games, I am excited that we will begin the process of moving into competition and non-competition venues on Friday. I am sure that in a week’s time, we will have moved into many venues. I got the feeling during our meeting with the High Commissioners that they know we can deliver a great Games. We will.

Malaysian girls in line to win the title for the fourth consecutive time

The Malaysian national junior netball team ended their qualifying round unbeaten  in the 7^th Asian Youth Netball championship at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi yesterday afternoon with their fifth consecutive win.

This time, Malaysia beat host India 67-41 to top the Group to meet fourth placed India again in the semifinals on Friday.

However, yesterday victory was not handed on a silver platter. It was India who won the first quarter 13-12 to give the Malaysian girls some anxious moments. The second quarter saw Malaysia bounce back to win 16-11 to take the lead.

And superior physical condition of the Malaysian players saw them take control in the third and final quarter to keep their unbeaten record intact.

However, Malaysian Netball Association, Suraya Yaacob, was not amused with the way Malaysian went about to win the match.

"We used to beat India easily and scoring more than 100 goals. But today, we were made to work very hard especially in the first two halves. Only our superior physical condition assisted us to pull away in the last two quarters," said Suraya.

"I feel the players were over confident against India and paid the price in the first two halves. We certainly cannot afford to have this attitude in the semifinals and have to be on top gear from the first whistle.

"We cannot afford to lose our focus at this stage. We have had close matches against Singapore, Sri Lanka and today against India, we can no longer take things easy.

"We have to get serious if we want to win the title for the fourth consecutive time. Based on our strength we should win the title, but that does not mean we should take things for granted and make things difficult for ourselves.

"I will be talking to the girls and hope that they will mean business from the word go."

Sri Lanka had in the earlier match defeated Hong Kong 60-33 to book their semifinals berth.

The other semifinals will be between Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Diplomats reassured of safe and secure Commonwealth Games environment

NEW DELHI, 5 July 2010: Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi today reassured High Commissioners of Commonwealth nations that things were well on track to host athletes and officials from their nations, offer them the opportunity to stay and perform in world class facilities – and in a safe and secure environment.
“The athlete is the centre of attention and everything that goes into the making of the Games has been designed with this in mind,” Organising Committee Chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, MP, told the High Commissioners during an interaction at its headquarters here on Monday. “We also want to leverage the Commonwealth Games 2010 to help promote India’s economic potential and attract greater economic co-operation from the Commonwealth nations and territories.

 In Conference......Suresh Kalmadi (right) and Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Organising Committee secretary-general Dr Lalit Banot (beside Kalmadi)

“I seek your co-operation in helping the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi be a resounding success,” he told the High Commissioners. “I look forward to your using your good offices to help us make this a memorable Games by ensuring that the best athletes represent your nations in the Commonwealth Games.
“I am also confident of your support in encouraging high-power business delegations come and participate in the Games and the number of business seminars we have planned. It is our endeavour to create a networking environment for business leaders of the Commonwealth and our partnership with CII and FICCI will go a long way in ensuring that our objectives are met,” Mr. Kalmadi said.
Mr. Kalmadi quoted Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO, Mr. Perry Crosswhite that “these Games have the potential to be better than the Melbourne Games.” He thanked the Commonwealth Games Associations for showing their enthusiasm by confirming the participation of a large number of athletes and officials. He made special mention of Australia, England and Wales which are sending the largest ever contingent for the Games. Mr. Kalmadi said that all venues are world class and would be completed well in time.
He spoke of the Business Club India, which held road shows in all continents along with the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010, as a major part of the attempt to showcase the seamless synergy between modern sport and business. “BCI has projected India’s image and attracted co-operation in key areas like information technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, higher education, skills, environment, advance and high technologies.”
Mr. Kalmadi said the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has on board a number of consultants from overseas who bring in rich expertise in a variety of fields. “Together with a huge team of trained personnel to take care of the protocol and hospitality, we will ensure that your athletes and officials are at home here, experiencing the famed Indian hospitality,” he said.
Representatives, including High Commissioners, Deputy High Commissioners and trade delegates from various Commonwealth nations attended the meeting. South Africa, UK, Australia, Mauritius, Kenya, Jamaica, Singapore, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Gambia, Zambia, Bahamas and Malaysia were some of the nations that were represented. The delegates expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010).

Malaysian girls toil to keep unbeaten record intact

The Malaysian national junior netball team qualified for the semi finals of the 7^th Asian Youth Netball championship at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi yesterday afternoon with their fourth consecutive win.

But victory over Sri Lanka did not come easy and were made to sweat and slog it out before they won 59-45.

It was a nail-biting match, similar to Malaysia’s encounter with Singapore on Monday, as Sri Lanka with their gusty performance kept the pressure endlessly.

The first quarter saw Malaysia going for the break with a narrow 16-14 lead, while in the second it was 14-11. But the third quarter saw Sri Lanka throwing in everything to catch up with Malaysia as the quarter ended 11-11.

However, the fitter Malaysians in the final quarter, proved their superiority as they scored 18 goals as opposed to Sri Lanka’s 10 for the final score of 59-45. Syazana Mohd Wazir scored 13 while Noor Atikah Mat Salleh scored two.

Malaysia play host, India, this evening, and another close encounter is expected.

India had earlier yesterday lost to Singapore 59-40. They have earlier wins over Hong Kong and Thailand.

The top four teams from the six competing qualify for the semi finals on Saturday and everything points to Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and India making the cut at the end of today’s matches.

Malaysian girls fight hard to stay on winning track

The Malaysian national junior netball team had to dig deep into their reserves to edge Singapore 51-41, for their third consecutive win in the 7^th Asian Youth Netball championship at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi this afternoon.

Malaysia aiming to win the championship for the fourth consecutive time, had to fight tooth and nail in the first two quarters, before slowly but surely pulling away in the third and final quarter.

However, Singapore gave the Malaysians a run for their money till the final whistle.

In the first quarter, Malaysia led by a single goal with the score standing 13-12.

In the second quarter, Singapore had the edge by scoring nine goals to Malaysia’s eight, but both teams were tied 21-21 for the break.

In the third quarter, Malaysia managed to pull away by scoring 15 goals to Singapore’s 9 for a score of 36-30.

Singapore tried hard to level terms with Malaysia in the final quarter, but Malaysia managed to score 15 goals against Singapore’s 11 goals for a final score of 51-41.

There was indeed relief from the Malaysian camp and Malaysian Netball Association’s president, Suraya Yaacob conceded that it was a close call.

“However, I am proud of the players for fighting hard till the final whistle for this hard earned victory,” said Suraya.

“There were anxious moments especially in the first two quarters, but the girls kept the composure to go about their normal game without panicking. In the end, they were rewarded for their determined and disciplined effort.”

It was Norashikin Kamal Zaman again who top scored for Malaysia with a total of 43 from 53 attempts while Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir scored the remaining eight goals from her ten attempts.

Norashikin had scored 69 goals on Sunday in Malaysia’s 104-10 victory of Thailand.

In the second match of the day today, Sri Lanka defeated Thailand 67-39.

Malaysia plays Sri Lanka tomorrow before their final round-robin match against host India on Wednesday.

All indications are that Malaysia will play Singapore in the final on Saturday. The top four teams from the six teams competing will play in the semi finals on Friday.

Netball girls on track to fourth title

The National junior netball team aiming for their fourth consecutive title in the Asian Junior Netball championship at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi, are right on track with two consecutive wins since Saturday.

On the opening day on Saturday, Malaysia got off to a winning start with a 78-11 win over Hong Kong.

And yesterday afternoon, in the second match against Thailand, they ran rings to win 104-10. Thailand had earlier on Saturday in their opening match against host India, went down 57-44.

Yesterday Malaysia’s top  goal scorer, Norashikin Kamal Zaman scored  69 goals from 82 attempts, while Noor Atikah Mat Salleh contributed  36 goals from 40 attempts. Malaysia’s other scorers were Izzan Syazana Mohd Wazir – eight goals and Nur Salfarina Muhamad Amin – 21 goals.

The Malaysian team who were promised incentives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports if they emerged champions again, certainly are on track in this six nations championship – where the top four teams after the one round League will play in the cross over semi-finals on Friday.

Malaysia plays Singapore today before taking on Sri Lanka on Tuesday and India on Wednesday. The final is on Saturday.

Malaysian captain Aziemah Abd. Aziz, said, “I think we played well today, but we did not expect to score more than100. Our opponents made some simple mistakes when we tried to interrupt their passes and this gave us opportunities to score more goals.”
In the second match of the day, Singapore beat Hong Kong 66-19. Charmaine Soh top scored with 40. Singapore in their opening match had defeated Sri Lanka 69-49.
The Singapore senior team is ranked 18 in the world and netball is the fastest growing women’s sport in Singapore.

Malaysian Netball Association’s newly elected president, Suraya Yaacob who is here to lend support to the team said: “It is a great start, but the team has to stay focussed to make the final. Our target here is to win the title for the fourth time and we cannot get distracted in our mission.

Malaysia, who are ranked 16^th in the world, should have a tougher match today against Singapore who are ranked 18^th in the world.
Malaysia however will not be competing in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October because only the top 12 teams in the world among the Commonwealth Games will be competing.

However, Soraya has set a target for the Malaysian team to rise in ranks to be among the top 12 by 2014 and qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Next year, Malaysia will be competing in the World Championship which will be hosted by Singapore.