KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s preparations for the Paris Olympics are being disrupted by another controversy, just two weeks before the event.
Following the Olympic attire scandal and the allocation of accreditation cards, the latest drama centres around the Malaysia Athletic Federation’s (MAF) contentious decision to exclude local coach Muhammad Amir Izwan Tan Abdullah from accompanying national sprinter Muhammad Azeem Fahmi to Paris.
Datuk Karim Ibrahim, president of the Perak Athletic Association (PAA), has publicly questioned MAF’s decision to send technical director Robert Ballard instead of Amir, raising serious concerns about the federation’s priorities and transparency.
Karim contends that Azeem, who will be making his Olympic debut, should be accompanied by a coach who is intimately familiar with his needs and circumstances.
Despite Amir no longer being Azeem’s coach due to his current role as the national junior coach, Karim argues that Amir, who has mentored Azeem since he was 14, is the ideal candidate to accompany him.
Karim expressed his concerns during a previous MAF board meeting, questioning why Azeem’s longtime coach was being overlooked.
He claims he received no response until he discovered that Ballard had been selected.
“Why was Ballard chosen? His role is merely as the technical director, responsible for overseeing MAF competitions and developing overall sports programmes in Malaysia,” Karim told Scoop when contacted.
“All of this utilises taxpayer money. When I raise this issue, this doesn’t mean I’m against sending Ballard with the athlete to the championships, but this is the Olympics.
“Azeem should be accompanied by his coach.”
Karim emphasised that Amir’s deep understanding of Azeem’s needs and training regimen makes him the best person to support Azeem in Paris.
He also expressed concern that MAF’s decision undermines the morale of local coaches who have dedicated their lives to training national athletes.
Although Azeem’s coach from the United States, Ken Harnden, will be in Paris, he will also be responsible for guiding four other runners – Favour Ashe, Kayinsola Ajayi, Dario Matau, and Makanakaishe Charamba – who are also studying in Auburn University.
Karim insists that Azeem needs dedicated support to ensure his best performance.
If MAF fails to provide a detailed explanation regarding the selection of officials for the Paris Olympics, Karim said he will request the intervention of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to ensure Azeem receives the fair treatment he deserves.
“I’m not afraid to speak out on this matter. If MAF takes action, on what basis?
“My coach, Amir, may not dare because he’s a government employee, (because he is) worried about potential consequences, but I am not a government employee.
“I am simply the president who seeks justice for my coaches, as this issue is crucial for those who have dedicated their lives to training athletes from a young age.
“If MAF remains obstinate, I will ask the minister to intervene seriously,” he added.
Earlier, Southeast Asia’s sprint king, Nazmizan Muhammad, had expressed similar concerns when Azeem was selected to represent the country through a wild card slot.
This issue is not new. Malaysian athletes who competed in the Olympics without their respective coaches include Nazmizan Muhammad in Athens 2004, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli in Rio 2016, and Azreen Nabila Alias in Tokyo 2020. – July 11, 2024