500 Athletes From Seven States Take Part In Two-day Trials

By Y.P. SIVAM
metrospt@thestar.com.my
Photos by RAYMOND OOI

THE Federal Territories Amateur Athletics Federation (FTAAA) have reasons to be happy with the overwhelming response for the FT All-comers Athletics Championships at the National Sports Council (NSC) training centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur recently.

The two-day championships also served as selection trials for FTAAA to identify athletes for the Malaysia Games in Kuantan, Pahang from July 7 to 16.

FTAAA secretary S. Vegiyathu-man said about 500 athletes from seven states took part in the championships.

“We are thankful to the states of Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Johor, Penang and Kuala Lumpur for making the championships a success.

On the line: BJSS Zaidbatul Husin (right) pips teammate Chiew Hui Lian to the gold medal in the women’s 400m.

“This is the first time we have had about 500 participants for a championship organised by the FTAAA.

“The championships was also a platform to identify athletes for the Malaysia Games,” said Vegiyathuman.

He was impressed with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) student Yap Sean Yee who cleared 1.68m to win the silver medal in the women’s high jump. The gold medal went to Wong Boon Syian with a 1.70m effort. Negri Sembilan’s Norliyana Kamaruddin settled for the bronze medal in 1.60m.

For Sean Yee, it was a new personal best and Vegiyathuman said the youngster was a medal prospect for FT in the Malaysia Games.

Last push: International S. Kannathasan (left) anchored Selangor to the gold medal in the men’s 4x400m relay.

FTAAA coaching chairman S. Arunandy also felt that Sean Yee should be given the chance to take part in more competitions.

“She is certainly a promising high jumper and we would like to ensure she gets all the opportunities to improve,” said Arunandy.

Popular road race ace R. Venugopal, representing Police, won the gold medal in the men’s 10,000m in 33:17.45. In second place was Indonesia’s Yusof (34:31.84) followed by Perak’s S. Takeindran (34:36:42).

Venugopal’s coach P. Sidamparam said it was a good effort but there was room for improvement.

“It was Venugopal’s first track event for the season. He should be able to better his time in the coming meets,” said Sidamparam.

I did it!: BJSS’s S. Navin Raj clears 2.13m to win the gold medal in the men’s high jump. 

Former international Josephine Mary, who had represented Malaysia in the SEA Games and Asian Games, came with the Perak juniors as their coach.

Currently with the Perak State Sports Council, Josephine said the championships was an evaluation programme for her proteges.

“Most of them are preparing for the Malaysia Games. Some of them have clocked good times while it was valuable exposure for others,’’ said Josephine.

Vegiyathuman said they would be initiating a similar competition soon to finalise their athletes for the Malaysia Games.

“Several athletes, particularly from FT, had skipped this championships. And we are unable to determine their condition.

“Unless and until they take part in competitions, it would be not possible for us to consider them for the Malaysia Games,” said Vegiyathuman.

He was particularly unhappy with the absence of FT in both the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays.