October 26, 2009 20:37 PM

MAAU Seeks To Increase Number Of Athletes To SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- After submitting 45 names for the Laos SEA Games to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) is seeking to increase the number after holding another training camp in Kota Kinabalu in November.

Its president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the 21-day camp would provide the chance for category B athletes to be reclassified into Category A and others to compete in the Games.

"However, the plan will have to be approved by the National Sports Council (NSC). Kota Kinabalu was suggested by the coaches to give the athletes a change in atmosphere," he told reporters here Monday.

Category A athletes are fully sponsored while those in Category B have to pay their own way but will be refunded if they win at least silver.

Shahidan, however, said if the participants at the Kota Kinabalu camp were off the mark, the number of the union's athletes to Laos would be revised downwards.

Athletes who have qualified under Category A for the laos SEA Games: S.Mathialagan, Mohd Jironi Riduan (800m), Yuan Yu Fang, Lo Choon Sieng, Teoh Boon Lim (20km walk), Lee Hup Wei (high jump), Mohd Hafizuddin Shahadan (pole vault), M.Vadivellan (800m, 5000m, 1500m), Chan Woo Yew (marathon), Noraseela Mohd Khalid (400m hurdles), Roslinda Samsu (pole vault), Tan Song Hwa (hammer throw).

Category B athletes with the potential to move up to Category A: Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian (110m hurdles), Mohd Hasrolnizam Yaakob (discuss), Adi Aliffuddin Hussin (shot put) and Noor Amira Mohamad Nafiah (triple jump).

MAAU has set a target of eight gold for Laos following Yu Fang, a sure bet for the gold in the women's walk events, deciding to withdraw from participating.

MAAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim said Norliana Mohd Rusni from Kelantan would be filling Yu Fang's place.

"Norliana will likely go to Laos under Category B," said Karim.

-- BERNAMA

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