Malaysia Athletics president Datuk Karim Ibrahim defends his leadership, emphasising transparency and athlete welfare as top priorities since taking over the association last year
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim has clarified that his leadership has not disregarded checks and balances in governance, and that the welfare of athletes and coaches has been prioritised since he took over the association last year.
Karim also stressed that he is open to the views of all parties, particularly former athletes, to ensure the transparent and professional management of the MA.
He said that one of the initiatives involved discussing various topics with former national athletes at a meeting on Jan 3.
“The issues discussed included coaches’ contracts, incentive payment for former athletes, involvement of ex-athletes in coaching, talent identification, foreign coaching expertise, organisation of competitions, motivational support, role of former athletes in development programmes and the establishment of an organisation for former athletes.
“During the session, the MA also took into account the views of former national athletes in drafting a strategic collaboration with other stakeholders, such as the National Sports Council (NSC) and other government agencies,” he said in a statement today.
According to him, some of those who attended the discussion were former national athletics head coach Mohd Zaki Sadri, Nordin Jadi, Nur Herman Majid, Datuk Zaiton Othman, G. Shanti, Sajarutuldur Hamzah, Annastasia Karen Raj, Nazmizan Muhammad, Zafril Zuslaini and Mohd Robani Hassan.
Karim also said that he has outlined changes in policies and guidelines covering all aspects of MA’s governance, including a safe sport code, standard operating procedures for the approval of competitions, marathon events, medical and anti-doping methods and a contractor registration system.
He also called on stakeholders with ideas to develop athletics to come forward through proper channels.