All's not lost, Irina

21/08/1998

THERE is every possibility that Irina Maharani will be able to shoot for
Malaysia at the Commonwealth Games after all - provided the National
Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) get her `release' from their
Russian counterparts.
There were doubts about Irina's eligibility after shooting officials
found out that she may not meet International Shooting Federation (UIT)
residential requirements.
Irina has been residing in Malaysia for three years and received her
citizenship in July this year.
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) ruling states that an athlete who
fulfills a three-year residential requirement can compete, but the snag
here is the UIT ruling which requires citizenship for at least three
years.
"The three-year citizenship ruling will not be contested but there are
other provisions that will allow Irina to compete," said National Shooting
Association of Malaysia (NSAM) executive secretary Ong Hoon Chin in Kuala
Lumpur yesterday.
"The UIT ruling also says that an athlete can shoot for another country
if he or she receives the approval of both associations."
"We have already written to the Russian Shooting Union (RSU) to release
her and we hope to get a favourable reply soon."
Irina returned to Russia last week, using a Malaysian passport, to sort
out matters and she did get a letter of release from the RSU but it was
adressed to her and not NSAM.
"Since the UIT only recognise affiliates and not individuals, the letter
is not valid. The RSU must deal directly with the NSAM," said an NSAM
official who did not want to be named.
The UIT executive committee monthly meeting is scheduled for the end of
the month and NSAM would have to make sure Irina's case is on the agenda.
"The NSAM are working against time to clear Irina for the Games and we
are confident of a favourable outcome."
Coach-turned-shooter Irina received her citizenship after she fired 383
points to finish ninth among 105 shooters at the world championships in
Barcelona in July.
"The decision to send her to Barcelona was made by the National Sports
Council (NSC) to gauge her performance before finalising her citizenship.
"The NSAM only knew about it at the eleventh hour but since the NSC were
willing to pay for her expenses we did not object.
"When we told the NSC that she needs the UIT greenlight to shoot in
Barcelona, we were told not to worry about it because she would be there
not to win medals so the issue of a protest would not arise.
"Her mission in Barcelona was just to prove that she still has the touch
to represent Malaysia."
Irina's 383 points in Barcelona is good enough to win her the air pistol
gold at the Commonwealth Games level.
While Irina will have to wait for the Russian letter at the end of the
month to know if she will be able to shoot at the Games, Nurul Huda
Baharin will know on Monday about her participation.
Like Irina, Nurul is a medal prospect but she broke her arm in an
accident earlier this month.
The doctors at Kuala Lumpur Hospital will decide on Nurul on Monday.
(END)