OCM Disagree Noraseela's Appointment As Athletes' Rep

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) expressed dissatisfaction over the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union's (MAAU) selection of hurdler Noraseela Khalid to represent athletes in the Union.

OCM Honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said selecting an athlete like Noraseela who frequently went for training overseas was not a wise decision as it would be difficult for other local athletes.

Noraseela, who is currently training in South Africa is expected to continue her training in Germany after that.

"The decision to appoint a representative from athletes to sit in the executive board was a good move by MAAU but the candidate must be able to shoulder the responsibility well," he told Bernama here Monday.

The MAAU had on Saturday nominated Noraseela, the national 400m hurdler to sit on the board so as to voice out grievances (if any) of athletes through the right channel, instead of highlighting their plight through the media.

Kok Chi said it would be better for MAAU to select a home-based athlete to enable other athletes to contact the said person easily.

"If MAAU are firm with their decision to appoint Noraseela, then they must also pick another athlete to take charge when she is not around or overseas," he said.

Kok Chi said he felt pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu was the best candidate to represent athletes in the MAAU executive board.

"Roslinda will be the best person to shoulder the responsibility as she always voiced out anything to do with the welfare of athletes," he said.

Meanwhile, MAAU President Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he was willing to meet any athlete who felt that MAAU's decision to bar them from speaking to the media on the Union's administration issues, was wrong.

He added that athletes should concentrate and focus on their training and show results through performances instead of meddling with the Union's administration matters.

-- BERNAMA