Games squad not competing in Cup

07/08/1998

NATIONAL shooters will not be allowed to take part in the three-day
President's Cup which begins at the Subang Shooting Range today.
The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) believe their
shooters have had enough tournament experience leading to the Commonwealth
Games.
"The shooters have had an active competition year and they deserve a
break before resuming training on Aug 13 at the Langkawi Shooting Range,"
said NSAM executive secretary Ong Hoon Chin.
And even if the State shooters break national records during the Cup,
they will not be selected for the Games.
"We have named 22 shooters for the Games and there will be no additions,
even if the State shooters do better than the national shooters during the
President's Cup.
"NSAM took this stand because we do not want to disturb those who have
been selected, we must let them prepare in peace."
Presently, the national shooters are enjoying a well-deserved break
after the recent World Shooting Championships in Barcelona.
Malaysia's stars Nurul Huda Baharin and Irina Maharani did the country
proud at the World Championship. Nurul finished 13th out of 107 shooters
in the air rifle while in the air pistol, Russian coach-turned-Malaysian
shooter Irina fired 383 points to finish ninth among 105 shooters.
After the President's Cup, the shooters will re-group on Aug 13 and head
for the Langkawi Shooting Range to train.
Malaysia have never won a shooting medal in the Commonwealth Games.
At the 1994 Victoria Games, veteran Mutalib Razak returned empty handed
while Ali Noor Razif and Hashim Desa took fifth place in the air pistol
with 663.4 points.
(END)