KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) anticipates about 20 track and field athletes to qualify on merit for the Hanoi SEA Games, scheduled from May 12 to May 23.
MAF president Datuk SM Muthu said the 97th Malaysia Open Athletics Championship scheduled from March 4 to March 6 would be the last platform for athletes to qualify for the SEA Games after only 10 athletes already qualified for the biennial Games.
“I hope all athletes will perform their best to earn their berth to Hanoi. We want to get as many athletes as we can to qualify on merit for the SEA Games,” he said when contacted.
The qualification criteria for the SEA Games is at least meeting the third place mark (time, distance or height) in its previous edition.
The athletes who have qualified are men’s hammer thrower Jackie Wong Siew Cheer, Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin (discus throw), Nauraj Singh Randhawa (high jump), Mohd Iskandar Alwi (pole vault), Mohammad Amirul Arif Mohd Azri (1,500m) and Muhammad Zulfiqar Ismail and Russel Alexander Nasir Taib (sprinters).
In the women’s category, hammer thrower Grace Wong Xiu Mei as well as discus throwers Queenie Ting and Choo Kang Ni have also surpassed the qualifying marks during recent meets.
However, 100m defending champion Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi, high jump champion Lee Hup Wei, long jump silver medallist Andre Anuar Anura, 2017 edition sprint king Khairul Hafiz Jantan and two-time 100m hurdles champion Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian have yet to qualify for the Hanoi Games.
Meanwhile, Muthu said apart from the Malaysia Open, MAF has also slated six other local meets throughout the year for the athletes, including the 3rd Malaysia Grand Prix in June, National Youth Athletics Championship (July), National Relays (September) and National Cross Country (November).
MAF also wants to play host for the SEA Youth Athletics Championship slated for October 22-23. – Bernama, January 28, 2022
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