Metro

Wednesday February 25, 2009

Association wants more local runners

By Y.P. SIVAM


metrospt@thestar.com.my

THE Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Association (FTAAA) will continue to bar foreigners, without PR status, from road races.

FTAAA secretary S. Vegiyathuman said they were happy with the high number of participants for the Kuala Lumpur City Day 10km Run at the Dataran Merdeka recently.

“Our aim is to encourage more local runners to take part as well as win the prizes.

Full concentration: Participants giving their names to collect their certificates.

Unfortunately some selfish people have taken advantage and roped in foreign participants for their own financial gain.

We have to stop the unsporting practice.

“The KL City Day Run was the first event we had implemented the ruling. We will continue to bar foreign participants, without PR status, from our future events as well,’’ said Vegiyathuman.

About 3,000 participants took part in the run which was organised in conjunction with the City Day celebrations. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup flagged off the run.

Vegiyathuman said the run was organised at a minimal cost and T-shirts were not provided to the participants.

“We are now looking into ways to promote running as an healthy activity. Monetary gain should not be the priority. We are happy with the big number of participants from primary schools. We hope the teachers, who had accompanied the primary school pupils, will continue to coach and guide them,’’ said Vegiyathuman.

Slow and steady: FTAAA officials guiding a young participant to the finishing line.

However, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi felt that the FTAAA should allow participants from Singapore and Thailand to take part in the road races.

“The participants from the two countries were regulars in road races in Malaysia. They would be able to give some competition to our local runners,’’ said Sieh.

Mark Williams, who is with the Alice Smith International School, won the men’s Open category. He completed the run in a time of 36:32 while Malaysians M. Arul Thevar and P. Subramaniam were second and third in 36:32 and 36:41 respectively.

In the women’s open category, China-born Yuan Yufang, who has represented Malaysia in international meets like the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics, clocked 43:58 to finish as the winner. Michelle Tan was second in 45:41, while Hayley Holle was third in 46:44.

Results

Men

Open: 1. Mark William 36:22; 2. M. Arul Thevar 36:32; 3. P. Subramaniam 36:41

Veteran: 1. Ong Chin 41:36; 2. Thierry Leon 42:03; 3. G. Supermaniam 42:39

Senior veteran: 1. M. Ramakrishnan 27:52; 2. Khor Ngee Leong 29:22; 3. R. Nanchappan 29:44

Senior citizen: 1. S. Murugesu 26:33; 2. Woon Too Leong 26:44; 3. L.K. Ayanar 28:09

Junior: 1. Girivasan 27:30; 2. G.Gananathan 27:42; 3. J. Daniel Prakash 28:05

Secondary schools: 1. M. Kesavan 23:04; 2. Shaick Salahuddin 23:20; 3. D. Aridas 23:56

Women

Open: 1. Yuan Yufang 43:58; 2. Michelle Tan 45:41; 3. Hayley Holle 46:44

Veteran: 1. Tan Lee Chin 32:16; 2. Lian Bee Hoon 33:27; 3. Chow Chooi Yeen 33:54

Junior: 1. N. Sri Suganya 35:12; 2. Y. Deepa 36:20; 3. C. Kumuthamalar 38:38

Senior citizen: 1. Lai Yook Ching 28:14; 2. Ng Chooi Lin 33:26; 3. Linda Trivino 35:08

Secondary Schools: 1. Sawin Kaur 23:07; 2. N. Sarmira 30:16; 3. P. Logeswary 30:29

Kids

Group N: 1. D. Kugan 11:27.35; 2. T. Satisram 11:27.36; 3. N. Thines 11:27.37

Group P: P. Praveena 12:09; 2. T. Priyashanthi 12:34; 3. Emy Tan Hui Lin 12:41

Group R: 1. M. Navintharan 13:18; 2. Yeong Yik San 13;48; 3. Gamal Ariffakri 15:28.

Group S: 1. S. Gayathri 14:19; 2. Aslinn Jane Liman 14:45; 3. Noor Sarah Ieira Raiei 14:50

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