Sport Associations Seek Inclusion Of Category B Athletes For Sea Games

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- Local sports associations representing sports less prominent at the international level are seeking the inclusion of Category B athletes as well for the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in December.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said today not all Category B athletes would be allowed to participate in the SEA Games because their eligibility would be determined by the OCM selection committee.

Category B athletes are self-sponsored or sponsored by their respective associations and not by the OCM, and have to show that they are eligible for participation. The OCM will reimburse them if they win medals.

Sieh said the athletes of some associations only participate at the level of the SEA Games and that too under Category B.

"If the OCM does not allow them to take part, these athletes and associations would be unable to gauge their standard and would eventually become inactive," he said.

He said that though Category B athletes were usually regarded as passengers in a national contingent, they were actually more dedicated than some Category A athletes, who qualified automatically.

Sieh also said that 43 sports would be contested at the 24th SEA Games to be held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok and Chon Buri from Dec 6 to 16, and that Malaysia would participate in all except "muay thai" (Thai boxing), traditional boat race and wrestling.

-- BERNAMA