GET MAAU’S PERMISSION WHEN ORGANISING MARATHONS, SAYS KARIM

May 26 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) today advised organisers of marathon events in the country to get its permission first before conducting an event.

MAAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim said the status of several marathons held so far were questionable as they were carried out without the sanction of the MAAU, the governing body for athletics in the country.

“It will lead to questions whether they are run in accordance to International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) standards,” he told Bernama here today.

Karim said only MAAU had the authority to recognise Malaysian marathon events, which are mushrooming in the country with many of them unsanctioned.

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Hup Wei Qualifies For Olympics After Soaring To New National Record

May 25, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) — High jumper Lee Hup Wei soared to a new national record en route to qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games after clearing 2.27m to win the gold in the China Open athletics championship at the new Olympic Stadium in Beijing today.

Hup Wei, who equalled the national record of 2.24m held by Loo Kum Zee since 1995, on his way to winning the gold medal at the Asian Track and Field championships in Amman, Jordan last year, beat two Chinese jumpers to match the Qualifying mark for Category B.

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MAAU To Restrict Athletes From Participating In Commercial Championships

April 29, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) will restrict local athletes from participating in commercial championships to enable them to concentrate on world tournaments.

Its vice-president, Karim Ibrahim said many local athletes, especially middle and long distance runners had been taking part in local championships almost every month to earn supplementary income. (more…)

April 27, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) — The issue of Kenyan runners dominating the marathon scene in the country has come under question because their presence has somewhat jeopardised the chances of locals in winning marathon events held in the country.

The questions being asked are where are Malaysia’s middle and long distance runners in such events and whether the prize money is so good that it is causing Kenyan runners to flood our shores. (more…)

April 7, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Games-bound Yuan Yufang intends to improve on her season’s best time in the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia, on May 10.

The China-born walker clocked the season best time of 1′32:48 in the women’s 20km race in the Asian Race Walking Championships in Nomi City, Japan last month to beat the Olympic Category A qualifying mark of 1′33:30. (more…)