* SEA Games discus champion Irfan could miss trip to Singapore
* Irfan out in the cold for alleged assault
Defending SEA Games discus champion Irfan Shamsuddin could have knocked himself out cold from the 28th Singapore SEA Games – thanks for an alleged assault on national high jumper A. Kavee Alagan.
The duo have been left out by the Malaysian Athletics Federation’s (MAF) squad of 19 who have been identified to carry Malaysia’s challenge at the biennial games which will be hosted by Singapore from June 5 – 16.
It is a serious setback to Malaysia’s hopes in athletics after a poor haul of only four gold medals in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
MAF president Datuk Karim Ibrahim, however, said that Irfan and Kavee can vie for a place in the team to Singapore but much will depend on the investigation by the police. Both have lodged a police report and the duo have been thrown out of the National Sports Council’s elite programme.
Karim further added that the “door is still open” for others to vie for a place in the SEA Games squad.
In the same breath, Karim also made it clear that none of the 19 named in the SEA Games squad are assured of a place if they are “not able to keep their form and momentum or improve further” before the games get underway.
Meanwhile, in the latest development Irfan and Kavee have also been given the boot by the National Sports Council (NSC). Newly appointed NSC director-general Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the move was taken after the two athletes failed to settle the matter amicably despite efforts by NSC.
This means Irfan and Kavee will not be funded by the NSC and will not be allowed to use any of the NSC facilities.
THE SEA GAMES ATHLETICS SQUAD
MEN
100m, 200m: Harith Amar Sobri
110m hurdles: Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian
400m: Arif Zulhilmi Alet
High Jump: Nauraj Singh, Lee Hup Wei, Azli Ghazali
Triple Jump: Hakimi Ismail
Pole Vault: Iskandar Ali
Hammer: Jackie Wong
Shot Put: Adi Alifuddin
Walks: Khairil Harith Harun
WOMEN
100m, 200m: Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli
400M: Siti Nur Afiqah Razak
100m hurdles: Raja Nursheena Raja Azhar
Long Jump: Noor Amira Nafiah
Javelin: Siti Nur Nadiah
Discus: Yap Teng Tzan
Hammer: Casier Renee Kelly Lee, Grace Wong
