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Langkawi will play host to the inaugural Asian Sailing Championships from Dec 12-20.

The Kuah Harbour will act as the racing area and National Sailing Centre as the shore venue.

Organised under the authority of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the Asian meet will feature the Optimist Individual events (boys and girls) and the Optimist Team Racing event.

The event launching was held in Langkawi yesterday and Malaysia Yachting Association deputy president Lukman Abu Bakar said Malaysian sailors would have a fair shot at winning top honours.

Tournament secretary Lawrence Yeow confirmed that 140 sailors from 30 countries, including China, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and hosts Malaysia, had confirmed participation when entries closed at the end of October.

Among the top Malaysian sailors taking part are Korat SEA Games gold medallist Mohd Romzi Mohamad and Khairunisa Affendy. – The Star

LANGKAWI, Nov 2 (Bernama) — Thirteen- year-old Mohamad Faizal Norizan’s future is set to be smooth-sailing.

The national teenage sailor has been selected a recipient of the Selangor Athletes Education fund, following his emergence as runner-up in the World Sailing Championship in Niteroi, Brazil recently.

Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohd Zubir Idrus said the teenager was selected along with two other national swimmers.

“The fund will be used to sponsor Mohamad Faizal to further his studies in a course of his choice when he finishes school,” he told Bernama after handing over contributions of RM500 to the athletes at the Langkawi Sail Training Centre here.

Mohamad Faizal, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kelibang Kuah,here, is currently undergoing training at the centre.

His other successes include being runner-up for the IODA World Championship 2009 in Niteroi, Brazil and helping Malaysia win the best team title at the same event.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Yachting Association (MYA) general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah said such contributions would raise the spirit and motivate the national sailor.

He said, however, he was disappointed with the National Sports Council athletes affairs division for not rewarding the national sailor who had made Malaysia proud at international-level.

“They should give national sailors rewards or recognition for giving their best in a world event participated by 247 sailors from 48 countries,” he said.

Malaysia will be hosting the 2010 World Championship in Langkawi.

- BERNAMA