Category Archives: Sport

AFTNews, Rugby, Sport

Rugby World Cup 2019 Final referee appointed

World Rugby has announced that France’s Jérôme Garcès will referee the Rugby World Cup 2019 final between England and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama on 2 November.

One of the world’s most experienced referees with 55 tests, Garcès will be the first Frenchman to take charge of a Rugby World Cup final, in what will be his 11th Rugby World Cup match.

Garcès will be joined by Romain Poite (France) and Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) as assistant referees and Ben Skeen (New Zealand) as TMO.

Garcès said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed to referee the Rugby World Cup 2019 final. It is a dream as a referee, but this is a team sport, and as a team of four, we will be out there to do the best for the teams, the fans, the sport, but also the entire match officials team, selectors and support team, who have worked so hard over the last four years, culminating in Rugby World Cup 2019.”

England’s Wayne Barnes will take charge of the bronze final – as he did at RWC 2011 – between New Zealand and Wales at Tokyo Stadium on 1 November. It will be his 90th test match as a referee and his 21st at Rugby World Cup.

He will be joined by Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Pascal Gaüzère (France) as assistant referees and Marius Jonker (South Africa) as TMO.

Click here to view appointments >>

The appointments were made after a comprehensive review of the weekend’s semi-finals by the World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee comprising Chairman Anthony Buchanan (council member), Joel Jutge (EPCR), Lyndon Bray (SANZAAR), Nick Mallett (former international coach) and Alain Rolland (World Rugby).

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “This has been one of the great Rugby World Cups, perhaps the greatest and there is significant excitement ahead of what promises to be an exceptional final between two former champions – England and South Africa.

“Our match officials have played their full role in this special tournament and I would like to congratulate Jérôme and the team on their appointments, which are thoroughly deserved. I would like to wish them all the best for what promises to be a very exciting finale to Rugby World Cup 2019.”

Previous Rugby World Cup final referees:

1987 – Kerry Fitzgerald (AUS)
1991 – Derek Bevan (WAL)
1995 – Ed Morrison (ENG)
1999 – Andre Watson (RSA)
2003 – Andre Watson (RSA)
2007 – Alain Rolland (IRE)
2011 – Craig Joubert (RSA)
2015 – Nigel Owens (WAL)

AFT Features, AFTNews, Sport

Lee Xin Ni shines at 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge

When I was 13, I had just entered high school and it was a new school too! I was trying to adjust to not only a new school but a higher level of education. To be honest, at this age I was just trying to go with the flow and trying to find a foot in society. But this is not the case for Malaysia’s Lee Xin Ni.

I thought I was awesome making new friends in a new school but Miss Lee is cooler than that. This 13-year-old has been busy playing table tennis. So busy that she recently won her third singles match win at the 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge in Wladyslawowo, Poland.

This Under 15 player is part of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Hopes team and her recent win meant that her team is going into the final round to meet team Europe.

A total eight teams from Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Oceania, Hopes, and host team Poland participated in 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge held from 26 – 28 October, 2019. Players for the tournament were selected from the Continental Junior Championships, World Rankings, or coaches’ decisions from each continent.

Lee Xin Ni has been selected by ITTF to be a member for the 2019 World Hopes Team since 14 August, 2019. ITTF Hopes Programme is a series of events at national, regional, continental and world level featuring education, training camps, competition, and talent identification.

Selected Hopes team players must demonstrate qualities of sportsmanship, such as training ethics, respect for other players, coaches and teamwork.

At the 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge, Xin Ni played in two key matches that helped ITTF Hopes team finished as group champion and thereafter in the semi-finals sealing ITTF Hopes team a Final outing.

In the 3rd group match against Latin America, Xin Ni playing as 3rd singles, beat Latin America player Divina Ding 3-0 (11-4,11-5,11-8). ITTF Hopes team went on to win 4-1 to be group champion. In the semi-finals playoff against Poland, Xin Ni again played 3rd singles and won 3-2 in an exciting, gruelling match, showing her steel despite under pressure to bring in the winning point. Xin Ni won her match 8-11, 12-10,11-8, 6-11,11-9 against  Polish player Ilona Sztwiertnia. ITTF Hopes team went on to win 3-1 against Poland.

Lee Xin Ni (1st from Right) with her ITTF Teammates with their Silver medals.

The rest of Hopes team members are Ser Li Qian (Singapore), Sophie Earley (Ireland) and Emily Tan (USA).

Hopes team, however, lost 0-3 to team Europe in the Finals. Xin Ni did not play in the Final.

Table Tennis Association Malaysia (TTAM) Vice President, Dr. Chin Kuen Liang said, “Although Xin Ni did not get to play in the Final match, she has shown exemplary and commendable attitude and progress. There’s always a tremendous pressure playing in the 3rd singles to bring in the winning point and Xin Ni did it, demonstrating much maturity and skills in the two important matches.”

TTAM’s reinvention exercise, he said which focuses on emulating a “high impact performance” model is showing results.

“We are pleased that TTAM’s plan to have smooth succession of players to become podium abled athletes of world standing, is moving in the right direction,” Dr. Chin added.

AFT TV, Boxing

Boxing Fight Night | Undefeated Malaysian Fighter Aiman Abu Bakar vs Wilford Wade | Quibors

Video
27-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia super feather boxer, Aiman H Abu Bakar has been fighting since 2015. Standing at 5′ 7″ and 170cm, Aiman AB remained undefeated as he entered the ring across Wilford Wade, 30-year-old at 5′ 5″ and 165cm from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines.

Boxing Fight Night video credit: Powcastsports

Language: Tagalog
AFT TV, Olympics

Olympic Channel presents All Around: Gymnastics Episode 1

Video

Twelve teams will head to the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo after two qualification days at the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships held in Stuttgart from 4-13 October 2019. Here are the results.

Right from the heart of the official Olympic Channel, we are pleased to feature the first episode of All Around. It’s 3 episodes all about gymnastics, following gymnasts Morgan Hurd, Chen Yile, and Angelina Melnikova on their journey preparing for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Click here to watch the first episode here.

AFT Features, AFTNews, Rugby, Sport

Asia’s first Rugby World Cup will leave an important and lasting legacy for tens of thousands of children in the region

  • 25,000 children and youth to benefit from their involvement in rugby for development programme ChildFund Pass It Back
  • More than 1.8 million tickets sold, with 50 per cent increase in opt-in ticket donations in a powerful show of support
  • Over £2 million pledged to ChildFund by global rugby community, including worldwide fans, RWC worldwide partners and merchandise operator
  • Most impactful Impact Beyond programme in Rugby World Cup history
The first ever Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia will leave a lasting legacy for tens of thousands of children from developing communities in the region, as part of World Rugby’s Impact Beyond programme.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the global rugby family, the award-winning rugby for development programme ChildFund Pass It Back will now be expanded to six countries in Asia, giving more than 25,000 children the chance to play, learn and grow through their involvement in rugby.

In addition, donated funds will support emergency relief activities in Japan, with ChildFund and its partners operating in accordance with government authorities to provide assistance to communities recently impacted by the devastation caused by Typhoon Hagibis.

World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: “Rugby World Cup Japan 2019 has proven to be a very special tournament in every way.

“It has demonstrated the best of rugby and Japan, characterised by family, community and solidarity off the field, and compelling, world-class sport on the field, engaging new fans in record numbers.

There has been a 50% increase in opt-in donation to ChildFund

“With more than 1.8 million tickets purchased, we have seen a 50 per cent increase in opt-in donations to ChildFund, surpassing any tournament in history.

“Coupled with the support of our worldwide partners, more than £2 million has been pledged to a programme that will support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Asia.”

Japan 2019 has already been a breakthrough event with record-breaking levels of game attendance, broadcast audience numbers, and fan engagement across social and digital media.

The pool stage and quarter-finals showcased the best of Japan and the best of rugby on and off the field, with some unexpected results and outstanding performances set to generate many edge-of-the-seat moments for fans watching the upcoming semi-finals and finals.

ChildFund CEO Nigel Spence said: “It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of this global sporting event, and we are humbled by the extraordinary support shown by the global rugby community.

ChildFund aims to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Asia

“The Rugby World Cup may soon be coming to an end, but ChildFund’s work to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Asia will continue, boosted by the support from the rugby family.

“Not only will these young people have the opportunity to play the game we all know and love, but they will learn valuable life skills, drive positive social change, and have the potential to break the cycle of disadvantage in their communities.”

In the coming years, ChildFund will continue to partner with Asia Rugby and World Rugby to bring ChildFund Pass It Back to children and young people across Asia.

Ross Mitchell, Asia Rugby’s General Manager, said: “We are excited to be continuing our work with ChildFund and building a new generation of rugby players in the region.

“Together, we can ensure that more girls, children from developing communities, and young people living in rural and remote areas have the opportunity to benefit from the transformative power of sport.”

For more information on the ChildFund Pass it Back programme, visit www.childfundpassitback.org

AFTNews, Events, Sport

Raja Futsal Returns for Its Second Year with Grand Prize of RM100,000 Cash

Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (“Digi”), together with partners Huawei, Era, & Figos, is bringing back Raja Futsal, the most exciting amateur futsal tournament with the largest grand prize offered to date in Malaysia.

Raja Futsal 2019 will see amateur futsal teams nationwide battling it out for the title of ‘Raja Futsal’ and the grand prize of RM100,000 cash. Tournaments will be held at 6 regions throughout the length and breadth of Malaysia to find the nation’s top 20 who will compete in the Grand Finals held in Selangor at the end of November. 

Bernard Lee, Digi’s Head of Marketing Services said, “We were thoroughly impressed by the enthusiasm and the spirit of sportsmanship shown by everyone during the last tournament. Due to the overwhelming response last year, we are expecting to see more than 1000 teams take part this year.”

Building on the momentum from last year, Raja Futsal 2019 will also feature women tournaments at the regional level. 12 teams will take part in fast-paced matches to discover the best talents in women futsal space at each region.

The first regional tournament will be kicking off at Pahang on 21 September 2019, Saturday. It is the home ground of Mozai FT, champions of Raja Futsal 2018 who will be making another appearance this year. 

“We had a great time participating in last year’s tournament as it gave us exposure to the different styles and skills of teams all over the country. We hope a grand tournament like this continues as a yearly affair to develop the youth talent in sports, and we look forward to defend our title this year,” said Mohd Alif Fahmin bin Razali who is the captain of the Mozai FT team.

Bernard added that Raja Futsal 2019 is one of the many initiatives that is carried out by Digi to continuously connect with communities at the grassroot by engaging them through a channel that is close to their heart.

“Besides uniting Malaysians together via a popular sport well loved by Malaysian youth and adults alike, we are creating a platform for them to put their futsal skills to the test and the chance to walk away with the RM100,000 grand prize. We hope the new women’s tournament introduced in this year’s Raja Futsal will further intensify the tournaments to create more excitement and inclusion for the players,” he said.

The public can expect special activities and exclusive offers by Digi and partners while watching their favourite teams at each of the regional tournaments. The Grand Final day is also open to all and fans can expect a mix of action-packed matches and special entertainment featuring sports icons and Malaysian artists.

Raja Futsal 2019 is open to Men and Women aged 18-35 years old. Interested teams can register starting today and find out the latest news and updates on the tournaments at rajafutsalmy.com.  

The regional tournaments will take place on the dates and venues as below: 

 

Date  State Raja Futsal Location
21 & 22 Sept Pahang Ferro Futsal
5 Oct Sabah Arena Futsal Yayasan Sabah
12 & 13 Oct Kedah Amanjaya Sports Arena
19 Oct Sarawak Arena Sukan
2 & 3 Nov Johor Sports Prima
9 & 10 Nov Kuala Lumpur KSL Sports Setapak
AFT TV, AFTNews, Sport

Hiroshima to host 1st Parkour World Championships in 2020

Video

The Executive Committee of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) announced on 23 August 2019 that they will hold the first World Championships in Parkour, the FIG’s new urban sport discipline.

The inaugural edition will take place in April 2020 in Hiroshima, Japan while the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships will return to Sofia in 2022 and, in that same year, Baku will welcome the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships.

The EC also confirmed the definitive inclusion of the Junior World Championships on the competitions calendar for both Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics.

About the FIG

The International Gymnastics Federation is the governing body for Gymnastics worldwide. It is the oldest established international federation of an Olympic sport and has participated in the Olympic Games since their revival in 1896. The FIG governs eight sports: Gymnastics for All, Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline – including Double Mini-trampoline and Tumbling -, Aerobics, Acrobatics, and Parkour. It counts 146 national member federations and has its headquarters in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne (SUI).

About parkour

Parkour is a training discipline using movement and was initially developed for military obstacle course training. The traceurs, as they are called get from one point to another in a complex environment, without assistive equipment and in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

AFTnewsnetwork
Olympics

Countdown to Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony begins!

AFTnewsnetwork – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach officially invited the world’s Olympic athletes to take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. The announcement was made exactly a year ahead on 24 July 2019 for the official opening ceremony that will be held on 24 July 2020.

CLICK HERE FOR TOKYO 2020 OFFICIAL WEBSITE

To date, over 3.2 million tickets have been sold, and 200,000 people applied to be volunteers. President Bach said: “One year from now, Japan will make history. It will be a wonderful and unique moment for our gracious Japanese hosts to show the world the best of Japan: your rich history and traditions, your cutting-edge innovation, your culture of hospitality, and, of course, your love for sport.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commented: “I believe the Tokyo 2020 Games will be passed down to the next generation as an important turning point in Olympic history. It will be the second time that Tokyo hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the world is united as one, regardless of differences in nationality, race, culture or religious views. I strongly hope the younger generation who learn to respect, understand and recognise each other through the Games will play a central role in building an inclusive society.”

Let’s GoGo event brought the Tokyo community together to try their hand at Olympic sports. IOC President Bach is pictured fencing with local children. PHOTO: IOC/GREG MARTIN

At the end of the ceremony, the Tokyo 2020 medal design was unveiled. Tokyo will host the Games of the XXXII Olympiad from 24 July to 9 August 2020.

AFT Features, AFT Interviews, AFTNews, Sport

FPV pilots today, athletes tomorrow

A special feature on tomorrow’s athletes by creative, events and technology entrepreneur, Jasmine Low.

Two years ago, I had a dream of starting a vocational school to upskill the youth. I have come across many talented young people around the world who may not have the opportunity to go into college or university, but highly capable and adept with their hands and have technical expertise in fixing electronic gadgets, devices etc. When you’re in Kuala Lumpur, take a walk into any of the malls and approach a mobile phone counter. You’ll find these boys. And there are girls too! So the question is, if only we could train and upskill these youngsters in the doing and making of STEM, as opposed to the academic study in STEM. I’ve been researching and still am and the dream is getting close to fruition but not yet.

In 2008, my partners and I founded by accident, the GO INTERNATIONAL youth empowerment program when we took on the license to promote eSports with ESWC in 2008 then DreamHack in 2009, Global Battle of the Bands and most recently the FAI Drone Racing World Championship in Shenzhen this year.

Q. What’s your background and why drone racing?

It was a Miss World Malaysia competition that I worked on during my days as a PR Consultant for DDB PR that inspired me on to working on international competitions. In 2008, my partners and I brought the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) from Paris to KL. From eSports, music, beatboxing, rubiks cubes to drone racing, we’ve just kept our ears close to the ground and listened to what young Malaysians like and we’re so happy 68 young Malaysians have been able to pursue their dreams and push their personal goals at international festivals around the world.

All our programs so far have been funded by corporate and government agencies – kudos and mentions to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Intel, DiGi, Cyberview, Yokohama Batteries, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsiaX, Gary of PLAY Interactive, Jack of DOJO KL, Nikki Yeo and my team at Go InternationalGroup.com.

Q. Why are you championing drone racing as a sport?

It promotes athleticism, and just drives kids towards excellence while doing something they love. Ya… remember Nintendo? Ya, same thing, using fingers to control la.
I’ve also been inspired into this journey by the sheer passion for airsports by the people like Tengku Abdillah of AFA, Aerolomba Magazine and Capt. Arif, Paraglider and President of the Malaysian Sport Aviation Federation. Meetings with them are fascinating and jaw dropping as they show you their latest antics in the sport they love so much.

Q. First you ask us to admit eSports as sport because it’s physically challenging (it is!!!), now you’re asking to admit dSports? What’s next? Paper plane flying?

Uhm… yes. This was a question posed by an official and I’m asked this quite often too by sponsors. Happy to report eSports is officially in 2019 Southeast Asian Games Philippines. In fact, paper plane flying or free flight was one of the earliest in “Aeromodelling”, as with drone sports and are sanctioned under FAI – World Air Sports Federation (doing the teeheehee dance)

Q. Alright. And all this leads to an increase of STEM uptake by our kids?

Absolutely! I’m in the media/publishing/events industry because as a Gen X-er, I was inspired by TV3’s Majalah 3, ABC’s 60 Minutes, MacGyver, Moonlighting and rainbow socks in Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. So media and content was my game! I loved it! But yes, with eSports, dSports and VRsports around the bend, we’ll definitely see an upswing of STEM uptake in schools.
This preamble leads to two articles recently published in New Straits Times article by SuLyn Chong and in The Star Online coverage by Sharmila Nair about the two drone pilots, their helper and Coach Shah Johan (Joe).
The trip was made possible by the collaborative efforts by Malaysia Sport Aviation Federation, MDEC, DOJO KL and Go International Group Dotcom. It also made it possible for two Malaysian pilots – Amir Rijal Haziq and Saw Zhi Ying to make a historical leap into the FAI world rankings because of the support given.
Thank you, everyone! Blue skies ahead, as they say in airsports!

Affiliations:
Asiafitnesstoday.com
Move8 movement
FEYST . Indie Youth Fest OFFICIAL
Malaysian E-sports Community // Go International E-Sports Cup

Drone Racing supported by #Move8pro advances youth in sports, fitness and wellness. Check it out here: www.move8.org

AFTNews, Features Malaysia, Sport

eSports finally a medal sport at SEA Games 2019 under the International Olympic Committee

Just a month ago, our team listened to an official at the National Sports Council of Malaysia where he expressed his concern about admitting eSports as a sport, despite positive affirmation from the newly appointed twenty-something Minister of Youth & Sports.

When the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) announced two days ago, all media channels were in a frenzy announcing this latest news about eSports admitted as an official medal sport in SEA Games 2019. On 28 November 2018 at a event in Manila, David Tse, global eSports director from Hong Kong-listed, Singapore-founded gaming computer and accessory maker Razer must have taken great pleasure in being the man who had the opportunity to announce an historical moment. Singapore-based Razer is the official eSports partner of the PHISGOC and is among those who led the bid to bring eSports to the 2019 games, also taking on the role of sponsorships and marketing as well as choosing the games that will appeal to the SEA community.

Mobile Legends Bang Bang from Chinese publisher Moonton is the only game confirmed so far, with another 5 games to be announced breaking it down into two mobile, two PC, and two console games. What will be most interesting is to witness how and what games will be selected since they are the ones who will benefit MOST. We read that the games will also need to comply with International Olympic Committee (IOC) values and a stress that it should not promote violence or gambling. It will be on the onus on Razer to work with the games publishers to finalise the games for SEA Games 2019, confirmed in an email correspondence with Channel News Asia.

What needs to be brought forward is Philippine’s ambition to host the 2030 Asian Games, as announced by its Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. In a bid to remain not just relevant but as the No. 1 tourism destination in the region, Cayetano, chairman of the 2019 Southeast ASEAN Games had said that they are already building a world-class athletic coliseum and stadium, as well as aquatics stadium.

TRIBUNSTYLE.COM – Pesta olahraga terbesar Asia, Asian Games 2018 resmi dibuka, Sabtu petang 18 Agustus 2018, digelar di Jakarta dan Palembang, namun opening ceremony digelar di Stadion Gelora Bung Karno Jakarta.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, Erick Thohir, the chairman of the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee said, “Personally, as partners of the Philippines, I’m really sure that the next step for the Philippines can be hosting the Asian Games in 2030,”.

Jakarta and Palembang recently hosted the Asian Games in September 2018 and was powered by over 30,000 volunteers with only 3-years to prepare for the games.

Hangzhou, China will host the games in 2022, and thereafter, Nagoya, Japan in 2026.

Cover photo courtesy Razer.com.