BEIJING: Chinese badminton great Chen Long has announced his retirement aged 34, ending a decorated career that included Olympic gold and two world titles. The former world number one won the Olympic crown at Rio 2016 and followed it up with silver at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. HeContinue Reading
PHNOM PENH: Nearly two weeks of triumphs, tears and the occasional tantrum will come to an end on Wednesday (May 17) when the Southeast Asian Games close in Cambodia, with Vietnam topping the final medal table. Women’s football gold capped a glittering Games for Vietnam, who reigned over the medalsContinue Reading
PHNOM PENH: Indonesia won footballing gold at the Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday (May 16), beating Thailand in a hot-tempered match that had seven goals, four players sent off and two brawls. The match had been billed as a chance for Indonesia to restore some pride to a national game recentlyContinue Reading
Indonesia, who are ranked 149th in the world, have qualified for the expanded Asian Cup, which takes place in Qatar in January and February next year. The last time they contested the regional showpiece was in 2007 as co-hosts. Signs of success on the pitch come during a dark timeContinue Reading
PHNOM PENH: Everyone in Phnom Penh, it seems, wants a selfie with Bou Samnang. The Cambodian runner has become a star of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games since her gritty performance in the 5,000m event. Although she came last, her determination to finish the race under torrential rain charmed theContinue Reading
PHNOM PENH: Pole vault star Ernest John Obiena will auction off his gold-medal-winning spikes to raise money for children back home in the Philippines who practise in a sawdust pit. Ranked number three in the world, Obiena took his third consecutive gold at the SEA Games in Phnom Penh onContinue Reading
“Although you lost, you won the hearts of Cambodia,” wrote Facebook user Mao Vanthan. Another user, Chanphal Ngy, was equally effusive: “We dropped tears with you … You will be successful in life as your wishes.” “Your resilience is a true inspiration to all of us,” chimed in Kong Dara.Continue Reading
HONG KONG: China wants to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to oppose the politicisation of sports, Premier Li Qiang said, after protests over human rights and the playing of a Hong Kong protest-linked song at some events angered Beijing. Premier Li made the comments at a meeting withContinue Reading
About 50,000 watched the opening ceremony and match in the stadium, according to official figures. The game, which ended 1-1, was the first held since the Workers’ Stadium underwent a vast rebuild. The Communist Party-run tabloid Global Times called it “the perfect location for the start of a new eraContinue Reading
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will resume operations in China this year, it said on Thursday (Apr 13), ending a stance taken in 2021 to suspend tournaments in the country due to concerns over the safety of former doubles number one Peng Shuai. The WTA had received widespread praise forContinue Reading