Auburn University Gives Sprinter Azeem Nod To Join Centralised Training In M’sia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- National sprint sensation Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi has received the green light from Auburn University in the United States to return home and join the national athletics training camp to prepare for the 2022 Asian Games that will be held in Hangzhou, China in September.

Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) general manager Nurhayati Karim, who confirmed this, said the 19-year-old sprinter is set to return to Malaysia soon to train together with the national contingent before heading for the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, Thailand from July 12-16.

“… we are not sure when he will fly home but we hope will be with the contingent heading to Bangkok. Azeem has received the green light from his university to compete in Bangkok as well as the Asian Games. 

“(But) it’s still not certain whether Muhammad Azeem will continue to train here after the Bangkok meet or return there (the United States),” she told reporters after the selection of athletes and officials to the 2022 Asian Games, here, today.

It was previously reported that Muhammad Azeem, who has been based in the United States for five months, might return home to compete in the Malaysian Open in July.

Commenting on the selection of athletes for the Asian Games, Norhayati said she is still waiting for the final decision on the actual number of athletes who will compete in Hangzhou.

She said that, so far, a total of 21 athletes have been confirmed for the Asian Games, with five in Category A and 16 in Category B1.

“However, this is only the preliminary forecast and we hope more athletes will get to go after the Asian Athletics Championships (in Bangkok),” she said.

-- BERNAMA