Malaysians make presence felt in opening ceremony

JULY 27:  A total 22 athletes and officials, led by flagbearer Pandelela Rinong,  represented Malaysia in the glittering London Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

Although Malaysia had been allocated 30 places for the ceremony, Chef-de-Mission Tun Ahmad Sarji
decided on the lower number as several athletes will be in action on Saturday.

''Athletes from sports such as badminton, shooting, archery and the road cyclists were allowed to skip the opening ceremony as they have to focus on their events," said Ahmad Sarji.



ON A MISSION: Pandelela Rinong leads out the Malaysian contingent at the London Olympics opening ceremony.

Ahmad Sarji participated in the opening ceremony, which also saw Tan Sri A. Halil Mutalib, Datuk Naim Mohamad, Rosmanizam Abdullah, Jefri Ngadirin, Tang Kwai Mae, Ng Chin Chai, Muzli
Mustakim, Paul Birmingham, Yu Peng Kean, Heidi Gan, Khoo Chai Lin, Afendy Abdullah, Ng Yan Yee, Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Leong Mun Yee, Rao Bin,  Khairulnizam Afendy, Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng, Fatehah Mustapa and Pandelela representing Malaysia.

Meanwhile, pregnant shooter Nur Suryani Taibi, who has been a much sought after athlete in London, swings into action on Saturday hoping to make history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a shooting medal.

Though it will be tough, Suryani, 29, believes she has a chance as past records count for nothing in a major meet like the Olympics.

"Although there are many world class shooters in the field, anything can happen on competition day. I am here after so much of struggle and sacrifice and I am going to make it count," said Suryani.

Also in action today will be badminton players Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Tee Jing Yi and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

Cyclists Adiq Husainie Othman, Amir Mustafa Rusli will join a world class field in the gruelling 250km road race while the men's archery team will be out to make amends following their disappointing showing in the ranking round on Friday.

MALAYSIANS IN ACTION ON SATURDAY, JULY 28

ARCHERY

Cheng Chu Sian, Haziq Kamaruddin, Khairul Anuar Mohamad v Mexico
Men's Team - Elimination
(5.15pm)

BADMINTON

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong v Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato (Jpn)
Men's doubles, group stage
(8pm)

Tee Jing Yi v Bae Yeon Jo (Kor)
Women's singles, group stage
(3.30pm)

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying v Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing (Tai)
Mixed doubles, group stage
(7.30pm)

CYCLING

Adiq Husainie Othman, Amir Mustafa Rusli
Men's Road Race
(5pm)

SHOOTING

Nur Suryani Taibi
Women's 10m Air Rifle
(3pm)

(All in Malaysian time)