KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — Malaysia will be organising the Southeast Asian Youth Athletics Championships next year after the turn to host the meet this year was handed over to Thailand.
Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said Malaysia should have been the host from December 7 to December 10, but it was turned down due to a lack of suitable venues.
“We have problems this year as no stadiums could be used for the championships.
“Stadiums at the state level were under various stages of construction, except the Pahang Stadium, which has yet to receive the certificate of occupation,” he said during a press conference after the annual general meeting of the governing body today.
In this regard, Shahidan said MAF will send 44 athletes, comprising 25 men and 19 women, for the meet in Bangkok.
The selection of athletes was made at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council Athletics Championship, which took place from October 15 to October 19.
"This is not an issue because we have sent a large team of athletes to compete, and next year, it is certain that almost all stadiums will be ready.
"If it cannot be held in Kuala Lumpur, we will do it in the states and among the states that are ready are Sarawak, Sabah, and others; so next year, there will be no problem to organise it," he said.
Shahidan added that MAF is simultaneously intensifying efforts to reshape the development programme to get new talents and produce more potential young athletes in preparation for the 2027 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
— Bernama
