sport 쐽 THE STRAITS TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 14 2009 PAGE B11

Youth sports development gets $15m boost Only 6 put up plans

BY WANG MENG MENG Darren for the YOG, with the remaining tential of Singapore youth and produce But of more immediate concern is help- 쐽 NSAs who have already submitted their
& JONATHAN WONG $10 million to be used for developing a na- winners in their chosen field.” ing the Republic’s YOG hopefuls put up a plans for YOG: Badminton, Basketball,
tional talent framework in schools. While Singapore’s estimated 535,000 good show. Singapore will field about 70 Sailing, Shooting, Swimming and Table
DARREN Choy is hoping to win a medal Senior Parliamentary Secretary students under the age of 18 go through athletes for the YOG. Tennis.
when Singapore hosts the inaugural (MCYS) Teo Ser Luck called the an- physical education lessons, only 10 per Mr Teo estimated it will cost about
Youth Olympic Games next year. nouncement a “major milestone”. cent represent their schools in competi- $70,000 in training and expenses for 쐽 NSAs who have not yet submitted:
He said: “Every child will get an oppor- tions. overseas competitions to groom each ath- Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling,
But, with the multi-sport event just 16
tunity to learn and play a sport, be identi- Among the plans to unearth more tal- lete. This works out to $4.9 million in to- Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics,
months away, the 15-year-old national
fied and have a chance to realise their po- ent and grow the sporting pool are the for- tal. Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon,
Byte sailor is racing against time to get mation of training centres for each of the
himself ready to battle the world’s best. tential.” For a start, each NSA will receive tem- Rowing, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon,
26 YOG sports. porary funds of up to $100,000. NSAs Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
A multi-million dollar boost is now set The SYSD initiative will complement
Specialised workshops and pro- can get more if they submit a detailed
to help him and other young athletes pur- previous MOE plans to promote sports in
grammes will also be organised, on top of
sue their sporting dreams. schools. In 2006, $700 million was YOG plan to the Singapore Sports Coun-
more sports medicine and sports science
The Singapore Youth Sports Develop- pledged to build an indoor sports hall for cil. poreSailing chief executive Andrew Sand-
support.
ment (SYSD) committee announced yes- every school by 2014. Plans are also in Peicai Secondary School PE teacher But only six out of the 26 sports have ers said the extra funds will lead to a 25
terday that $15 million will be jointly com- place to lay more than 70 artificial pitch- Gregory Ong, 35, whose school excels in submitted plans for next year’s Aug per cent increase in international competi-
mitted by the Ministry of Community, es in schools. basketball, volleyball and softball, wel- 14-26 Games, and Mr Teo called on the tions for the YOG squad.
Youth and Sports (MCYS), the Ministry Said Senior Parliamentary Secretary comed the additional funds. rest to act quickly. Competing in events like the World
of Education (MOE) and the Singapore To- for Education and Home Affairs Masagos He said: “Youngsters need to acquire He said: “The money will only be dis- Youth Laser 4.7 Championships in Brazil
talisator Board to support youth sports de- Zulkifli: “Through working with MCYS, psycho-motor skills and good hand-eye tributed to NSAs that have mapped out in July is something Darren is looking for-
velopment initiatives. we hope that our students always have co-ordination early. Hopefully, the addi- and submitted a plan for YOG. The ball is ward to.
The committee, jointly set up by structures that will support a healthy and tional funding could create more pro- in their court.” He said: “I’m glad more sailors will get
MCYS and MOE last September, will allo- sporty lifestyle throughout. grammes to equip them with such skills, Sailing is among the six sports which to compete in high-quality overseas com-
cate $5 million for training athletes like “We can also better maximise the po- which are critical in sports.” will benefit from early planning. Singa- petitions and training camps.”

REDS SET TO GAMBLE ON GERRARD

Injured Liverpool captain
responding to treatment Champions League
and will travel to London
Quarter-finals, 2nd leg:
LONDON: Inspirational captain Steven
Gerrard is winning his battle to lead Liver- Today
pool into today’s Champions League quar- Chelsea v Liverpool
ter-final second leg against Chelsea at Live, Ch23, tomorrow, 2.40am
Stamford Bridge.
He picked up a groin injury in last Bayern Munich v Barcelona
week’s first leg at Anfield, where his side Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 2.40am
went down 1-3. His appearance in the
away leg is considered crucial to the Tomorrow
Reds’ slim hopes of going through. Arsenal v Villarreal
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez told Live, Ch24, Thursday, 2.30am
the Press Association that Gerrard was re-
sponding well to treatment and would Porto v Manchester United
travel to London. Live, Ch23, Thursday, 2.30am
“Steven is getting better, he has been
working with the physio and will train
with the squad,” the Spaniard said.
“We do not want him to break down of Blackburn. And he believes the result
again, he could then be out for 10 to 16 Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic celebrating one of his first-leg goals last week with Michael Essien and Didier Drogba as Liverpool captain Steven proved Liverpool have the power to
days. But the injury is not a massive one, Gerrard and Lucas Leiva watched. Liverpool need to score at least three goals today to progress. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS mount a remarkable fightback.
it will be a calculated gamble to play him “The way we played is good for our
but one that I will consider.” Chelsea v Liverpool Bayern Munich v Barcelona build-up and preparation for Tuesday,”
Gerrard was rested for Saturday’s 4-0 (First leg: Chelsea won 3-1) (First leg: Barcelona won 4-0) he said.
win over Blackburn, which kept Liverpool “This win gives us confidence after the
in the Premier League title hunt.
After conceding three home goals, almost everyone has written Bayern Munich have to do one better than Liverpool, as they 1-3 defeat. But I believe the team can
But Benitez knows the midfielder score three goals at Stamford Bridge. We
could spark a revival against Chelsea. Liverpool off. So, can they advance to the semi-finals? need to overcome a four-goal deficit from the first leg against
Their current form gives hope. If their loss against Chelsea is Barcelona. won away to Manchester United, they
“We know that everything can change scored but we still won 4-1.
if we have Steven in the side and he plays taken away, they have scored 20 goals in the past six matches But they will be having home advantage, and the fact that
and conceded only one. they have scored 24 goals in the competition will give them “Chelsea could just defend, but I
well,” said the manager.
That is more than three goals per match, and those victories belief that they can score four goals in the second leg. doubt that. They will want to score them-
Midfielder Javier Mascherano will also
include a 4-0 win over Real Madrid and 4-1 away victory over Barcelona are one of the favourites, so if Bayern were to selves and that will give us a chance.”
return from suspension.
Manchester United. On top of that, they beat Chelsea both comeback it would be considered a big shock. Chelsea will have to do without skip-
Liverpool’s impressive winning run
home and away in the league. per John Terry, who serves a one-match
ended abruptly against Chelsea, but they Still, Bayern can take heart from Getafe’s comeback against
will be keen to exact revenge on the eve ban after his booking for a foul on Liver-
If Liverpool can score four goals at Old Trafford, who is to Barcelona in the 2006-07 season in the Copa Del Rey semi final.
of the 20th anniversary of the Hillsbor- pool goalkeeper Jose Reina last week.
say they cannot do it at Stamford Bridge? They beat AC Milan in Then, Getafe thrashed Barca 4-0 in the second leg after losing
ough disaster. Ricardo Carvalho, who returned to the
the 2005 Champions League final after trailing 0-3. the first 2-5 at the Nou Camp.
If they want extra inspiration for the side after missing the last three games, is
enormity of today’s task, they need look expected to fill Terry’s role.
only as far as Bolton. Liverpool will be hoping to avoid a sec-
The team lying 12th in the Premier the pressure on Liverpool and leaders Chelsea v Liverpool find a tactical retort. ond successive exit from the Champions
League scored three goals in eight min- Manchester United in the title race, but Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 2.40am (S’pore time) He could do worse than tell his players League at the Bridge, where they lost in
utes at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Bolton showed that the Blues’ defence to test Cech early on. last season’s semi-finals.
When Bolton managed their first, they was not impregnable. cerned about the form of goalkeeper Petr If Liverpool do claim a famous victory, However, they have won there already
were already trailing 0–4 and Chelsea in- “I am a bit concerned we let in three, Cech, who looked especially vulnerable in it is safe to say Fernando Torres will have this season, when their 1–0 victory in Oc-
terim manager Guus Hiddink had taken but every match is different,” said Hid- the game. played a key role. tober ended Chelsea’s record 86-match
off Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba dink. “However, let’s say it is a lesson After the ruthless way Hiddink exploit- The Spanish striker scored with a stun- unbeaten home run in the Premier
with the game seemingly won. learnt.” ed Liverpool’s zonal marking system in ning half-volley as he took his season tal- League.
Chelsea held on to win 4-3 and keep The manager, though, may be con- the first leg, Benitez will be desperate to ly to 14 with two goals in Saturday’s rout REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Guardiola warning for Barca

BERLIN: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola
has warned his side not to think they are
watch the match from the stands, after
being dismissed from the bench in the
SPORTSWORLD
already in the Champions League semi-fi- first leg and seeing his appeal to Uefa re-
nals, calling for a professional perform- jected.
ance in today’s quarter-final second leg Barca central defender Rafael Marquez Hewitt wins first title in two years
against Bayern Munich. is suspended, after picking up a yellow
card in the first leg. HOUSTON: Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt ended a
Barca lead 4-0 after a whirlwind
Bayern, who had not lost in the Cham- two-year title drought on Sunday with a victory over Wayne
first-leg display at the Nou Camp, and Odesknik in the final of the US Clay Court tennis tournament.
Bayern are going to have to pull some- pions League this season before last
week’s defeat, said the team have an obli- The Australian won 6-2, 7-5 to claim his 28th ATP title –
thing special out of the hat to overturn just his second on clay. He had last won a title in March 2007,
that deficit in Munich. gation to restore the club’s pride.
when he triumphed in Las Vegas.
“Bayern are capable of scoring four Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said: “We
Until a winless 2008, he had won at least one ATP title for
goals,” said Guardiola. have a lot to do on Tuesday so that we
10 straight years.
“(Franck) Ribery, (Luca) Toni, (Bas- can say goodbye to the competition in a
good way.” AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
tian) Schweinsteiger and company are
dangerous. Klinsmann is under fire for his team’s
“I didn’t have to see them score four
erratic performances throughout the sea- Young Lions record second victory
son.
goals (Bayern beat Eintracht Frankfurt The Young Lions clinched their second win of the season when
But the German will have a largely fit
4-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday) to they defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0 in an S-League football
squad today, with only central defender
know that.” match at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday.
Daniel van Buyten in doubt.
Guardiola rested Samuel Goals from defender Irwan Shah (34th minute) and Chinese
Defenders Lucio and Philipp Lahm,
Eto’o, Carlos Puyol, Xavi and who both missed the first leg through in- striker Yang Mu (64th) sent the Young Lions to seventh place
Yaya Toure for Saturday’s 2-0 jury, should be fit to play. in the table on nine points. Balestier are 11th with six points.
win over Recreativo Huelva in
the Spanish league. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
All are expected to re- Sharapova no more in top 50
turn against Bayern de- Bayern Munich v Barcelona
Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 2.40am PARIS: Maria Sharapova slid out of the top 50 in the new
spite the first-leg cush- Women’s Tennis Association rankings published yesterday.
ion. The Russian, who is currently injured, dropped 23 places and
“The tie isn’t over now stands 53rd on the list.
yet and the return leg Yaya Toure, one of the The 21-year-old underwent shoulder surgery in October and
won’t be easy,” said Barcelona players only recently returned to training. She missed major
midfielder Toure. rested at the weekend, tournaments, including the US and Australian Opens.
could feature in American Serena Williams is still No. 1, though she is set to
“We have to play today’s return leg
with caution because surrender her status to Russia’s Dinara Safina next week.
against Bayern Munich.
Bayern is a big club.” PHOTO: AGENCE AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Guardiola will have to FRANCE-PRESSE