The unheralded Malaysian quartet of S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaraaj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Mohd Yunus Lasaleh won the gold on Monday but flew home without receiving their medals because they had been booked on a flight home yesterday afternoon. The prize giving ceremony for the event was held yesterday evening.
The quartet, who had initially been dropped and only flew in on Saturday after somebody had a rethink, pulled off a stunning victory.
Clearly, nobody had expected them to win anything, least of all MAAU.
Having already treated them so poorly, the quartet did not even have their coach in Jakarta, the ultimate insult was to deprive the four men of their moment of glory.
Team manager Rajemah Sheikh Ahmad said they had tried to get their flight rescheduled but failed.
“There were too many people leaving and all flights were fully booked,” he said.
But that did not wash with Noraseela who attributed the foul-up to MAAU’s poor planning.
“This is shameful, They delivered gold for the country and were not even allowed to enjoy it,” an indignant Noraseela fumed.
“The athletes are suffering because of the bitter power struggle and bickering within MAAU. This has to stop right now or we athletes can never improve. Malaysian athletics will continue to deteriorate as a result.
“It breaks my heart to see the relay boys flying home without collecting their medals. This is so cruel. How do you think they must feel?
Is this the way to treat those who bring glory to the nation?”
Noraseela clearly took exception to the fact that the athletes have to go home immediately after their event while the officials stay on until the end of the Games.
“How is athletics in Malaysia ever going to improve if those in power only care about themselves and not for the athletes? There have been a lot of issues in the MAAU, like athletes missing dope tests and of irresponsible coaches,” she said.
“There isn’t even a proper training programme and athletes get abandoned when they are injured. I’m really disappointed at the state of affairs.
“But I’m not going to give up athletics because of this. I’ll continue to run for as long as I can.
“I’m probably reaching the end of my career but I really want to compete in the Olympics before I retire. I hope MAAU will be able to help me, Roslinda (Samsu) and (Lee) Hup Wei qualify for London.”
The 32-year Noraseela clocked a season best 57.41 to win the gold but admitted that even she was surprised at winning so comfortably.
“I was running really poorly this year, but when I got to the sixth hurdle I was surprised at how fast I was going,” said Noraseela, who also won gold in Brunei 1999, Vietnam 2003 and Laos 2009.
Her long-time rival Wassana Winatho of Thailand took silver in 58.
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