MAF MULLS RAISING AGE LIMIT OF BACK UP ATHLETES

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) is mulling to increase its development programme age limit to under-27 years for potential athletes, from the current under-21.

MAF Technical Director Robert Ballard justified that, based on data, track and field athletes reach peak performance in their late 20s, unlike sports like gymnastics and diving, where the athlete retires by mid 20s. 

Speaking to reporters after a working committee meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC) here, Ballard said by raising the pelapis (backup) athletes age limit, they will have a bigger talent pool to represent the country in international events.

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“We will use sports science with National Sports Institute (NSI) to analyse the athletes with the characteristics, that in a few years' time we'll see great achievements. We don't want to penalise somebody just because they haven't got the right physical capabilities right now, but shows the potentials.

“It is not just age categorised, but actually performance-based...They need to meet certain criteria and achieve certain performance, for example did they qualify for under-20 or junior world events? In a typical Asian culture, we mature a little bit later than other countries, that's why we believe below 26-27 years is development,” he said.

The Australian said, MAF will try to seek new sponsorship to cater for the additional fundings for higher number of development athletes.

He also hoped that, the under-21 age limit for track and field athletes in future Malaysian Games (SUKMA) would be increased. 

Meanwhile, Ballard said the committee agreed for the appointment of a few new foreign and additional local coaches, aiming to achieve successful results at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, and beyond. 

He said, under the new set up by early next year, the MAF will have 22 coaches, including four foreign head coaches for jumping and throwing, running disciplines, as well as strength and conditioning.

“We are considering hiring a few foreign coaches for events like hammer throw and high jump, where we need strong coaching support. Domestically, we are also focusing on jumps and race walking. 

“We have some promising young male and female race walkers who excelled at the Sarawak SUKMA...It’s important to recognise and encourage their performances to uphold our tradition as a strong race walking nation. We are also looking to enhance local coaches’ education and development,” he said. 

On another development, MAF General Manager Nurhayati Karim said the MAF Board is expected to expedite the process of opening a special bank account to receive government funding after having obtained clarification on the process from the NSC, today.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh previously said, the special bank account is a primary responsibility that the national sports associations need to follow to ensure all funds channelled to them can be audited and used for athletes, with nine associations reported yet to do so. 

-- BERNAMA