MAAU To Meet Ministry's Sec-Gen Over Ranau Training Proposal

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) officials will meet Youth and Sports Ministry secretary general Datuk Mohid Mohamed over its request for a RM3 million funding to conduct an athletic training in Ranau, Sabah.

Its president, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the MAAU had sought a meeting with Mohid after the National Sports Council (NSC) rejected its proposal.

The NSC rejected the proposal on the basis that it would be a waste of fund and unsuitable as the Ranau Sports Complex is situated at a high altitude.

Shahidan said the MAAU's meeting in Perlis on Sunday unanimously agreed to pursue the matter with the ministry.

"We will explain to the ministry's secretary-general on the rational of shifting the training venue from the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex to Ranau," he said when contacted Tuesday.

The MAAU had complained that national athletes track workouts at Bukit Jalil had always been distracted by training conducted by athletes from other sports.

The MAUU has drawn up plans for 72 athletes to undergo an intensive training in four phases, starting next month as part of its preparation for the SEA Games in Indonesia in November.