THE Commonwealth Games athletics training camp is now closed.
However, the closure is only a temporary measure as the National Sports
Council (NSC) review their training plans for the '98 Games.
"I have been told that there will be changes after the Malaysian Amateur
Athletic Union (MAAU) meet NSC tomorrow. Some of the athletes who
performed below par will be dropped from the training camp," said MAAU
president Datuk Khalid Yunus in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Khalid was speaking at the function where MAAU paid RM32,000 under their
incentive scheme to their athletes who won gold medals and had set Sea
Games and national records in Jakarta.
Before the Jakarta Sea Games, NSC director-general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad
said that there is no reason for athletes not to perform at the Sea Games
because most of them had been training for almost two years now.
Sprinter Watson Nyambek was one of those who failed to perform and ended
up with a bronze medal in the 100m.
"Those who don't make the camp are assured that the MAAU will take care
of them. They can still run in the local meets and a few selected overseas
assignments and if they perform well, who knows, they may even make the
Games squad again," said Khalid.
"Those selected will receive the best attention available. NSC have
lined up impressive methods for them which we will know for sure on
Saturday."
The meeting will also discuss MAAU's plans for the 21st century.
"We will finalise the plans to prepare athletes with a special emphasis
on the Commonwealth Games and also development of a steady pool of
reserves as a back-up for the ageing stars," he said.
"Some quarters were sceptical of our success at the Sea Games because no
new talent emerged. Most of the medal winners were veterans. Plans to
rectify this situation will be discussed."
On the Commonwealth Games, Khalid said: "We know the standard of our
athletes, so we should not fool ourselves with ambitious targets. Our
athletes are good at Sea Games level but Asian and Commonwealth Games
golds are hard to come by. Maybe with proper planning and development,
Malaysia can produce athletes who will do us proud."
MAAU have also made arrangements with a local college to provide free
education for eligible athletes so that when they retire, they will have
an education to fall back on."
Meanwhile, MAAU turned 91 this year and low-key celebrations which had
began in July with the Junior Grand Prix on July 26 ended with the MAAU
Open in Kluang, Johor last month.
"We launched the MAAU magazine "Kepuncak" (to the top) in conjunction
with the Diamond Jubilee and the second edition will be in the newsstands
soon.
(END)
However, the closure is only a temporary measure as the National Sports
Council (NSC) review their training plans for the '98 Games.
"I have been told that there will be changes after the Malaysian Amateur
Athletic Union (MAAU) meet NSC tomorrow. Some of the athletes who
performed below par will be dropped from the training camp," said MAAU
president Datuk Khalid Yunus in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Khalid was speaking at the function where MAAU paid RM32,000 under their
incentive scheme to their athletes who won gold medals and had set Sea
Games and national records in Jakarta.
Before the Jakarta Sea Games, NSC director-general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad
said that there is no reason for athletes not to perform at the Sea Games
because most of them had been training for almost two years now.
Sprinter Watson Nyambek was one of those who failed to perform and ended
up with a bronze medal in the 100m.
"Those who don't make the camp are assured that the MAAU will take care
of them. They can still run in the local meets and a few selected overseas
assignments and if they perform well, who knows, they may even make the
Games squad again," said Khalid.
"Those selected will receive the best attention available. NSC have
lined up impressive methods for them which we will know for sure on
Saturday."
The meeting will also discuss MAAU's plans for the 21st century.
"We will finalise the plans to prepare athletes with a special emphasis
on the Commonwealth Games and also development of a steady pool of
reserves as a back-up for the ageing stars," he said.
"Some quarters were sceptical of our success at the Sea Games because no
new talent emerged. Most of the medal winners were veterans. Plans to
rectify this situation will be discussed."
On the Commonwealth Games, Khalid said: "We know the standard of our
athletes, so we should not fool ourselves with ambitious targets. Our
athletes are good at Sea Games level but Asian and Commonwealth Games
golds are hard to come by. Maybe with proper planning and development,
Malaysia can produce athletes who will do us proud."
MAAU have also made arrangements with a local college to provide free
education for eligible athletes so that when they retire, they will have
an education to fall back on."
Meanwhile, MAAU turned 91 this year and low-key celebrations which had
began in July with the Junior Grand Prix on July 26 ended with the MAAU
Open in Kluang, Johor last month.
"We launched the MAAU magazine "Kepuncak" (to the top) in conjunction
with the Diamond Jubilee and the second edition will be in the newsstands
soon.
(END)
