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KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) will organise an internal competition early next month to pick the team for the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
MWF president Datuk Ayub Rahmat said they have compiled a list of 38 weightlifters, comprising 11 from the Podium Programme, two from the back-up squad and 25 from the various state squads, to compete for the best position and qualify to represent the country at the Games.
He stressed that the 13 current national weightlifters would not be left out of the competition either so as to see whether or not they can maintain their positions.
“Through the guidance of the existing coaching panel, I hope our weightlifters can do their best at the competition. However, the panel has already prepared the planning for the SEA Games,” he said in a statement.
The two 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Muhammad Azroy Hazalwafie Izhar Ahmad (56kg category) and Muhamad Aznil Bidin (62kg), as well Muhammad Erry Hidayat (73kg) are among the national weightlifters who have been included in the list.
Ayub said that since the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) had banned national lifters from competing in the Tokyo Olympics in July because of past doping offences, the MWF had made plans to improve performances or at least retain the two gold-medal tally at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, Ayub said the MWF had also channelled emergency donation to the wife of former national weightlifter Muhammad Hidayat Hamidon in a bid to ease the family's burden.
Hidayat, the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and a former national coach, was reported to have been rushed to the National Heart Institute (IJN) two days ago due to heart problems.
“We are also monitoring the situation and will take further action after receiving a health report from the hospital authorities. We are always concerned with and care for the welfare of our former athletes, technical officials and those who support this sport.
“We will not only provide financial aid to those in need but also assist them through business and entrepreneurship courses and workshops to help them generate monthly income with the support of the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) and other corporate bodies,” he said. - Bernama, March 16, 2021
