* SEA Games medal prospects ‘forgive” each other for the fist fight
*Irfan is the defending SEA Games discus champion
Things do look good as SEA Games medal prospects discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin and high jumper A. Kavee Alagan made peace after coming to blows on Dec 20 last year with both filing police reports against each other and the National Sports Council (NSC) duly threw them out of the NSC hostel apart from leaving them out from elite squad.
The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) rightly did not name the duo in their initial SEA Games squad to Singapore. The 28th biennial games will be hosted by the island republic from June 5-16. Irfan is the defending SEA Games champion gold medallist while Kavee has yet to qualify. .
Media reports stated that there was no handshake as teneral he duo exchanged “documents” proclaiming peace under the watchful eyes of NSC director-general Ahmad Shapawi Ismail after apologising to each other. Also at the peace meeting was MAF president Datuk Karim Ibrahim.Â
With Irfan, 19 and Kavee, 22 coming to peace it is likely the duo could be back in the NSC’s elite programme with an eye on the SEA Games after Malaysia’s disastrous outing at the last games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
It is learnt that Irfan and Kavee have pledged to withdraw their police reports on the incident although the police investigation papers have been handed over to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.
Both, Irfan and Kavee, expressed their happiness in settling their feud which rocked the Malaysian athletics fraternity. Kavee came off worse from the brawl and was hospitalised.
MAF technical director Robert Ballard also played a key role in brokering the peace settlement as he did not want to lose the two young athletes who are Malaysia’s medal hopes not only in the SEA Games but also in other international meets.
