KUALA LUMPUR – Athletes who have qualified for the 2025 Bangkok SEA Games will be considered part of the national contingent unless they formally withdraw due to other commitments, Malaysian Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim has stressed.
Speaking to Scoop today, Karim said this position applies to all qualified athletes, including US-based stars Muhammad Azeem Fahmi and Shereen Samson Vellabouy, who have yet to confirm their participation owing to potential university obligations.
Azeem, fresh from winning the men’s 100m gold at the Indian Open Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, faces a possible scheduling clash with commitments to Auburn University and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC).
“So far, nobody has said anything. On our side, we believe they will all participate in the SEA Games unless they have university examinations or any other unavoidable circumstances,” Karim said.
He noted that these athletes – including middle and long-distance prospect Kristian Tung – have all earned Category A status, meaning they will be fully funded for the Games in December.
MA has so far confirmed 35 athletes under Category A, with another 17 in Category B (self-funded). The Malaysia Open later this month offers one final chance for athletes to upgrade to Category A before the athletics entry deadline on September 4.
This firm stance from MA comes amid the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) delayed finalisation of selection criteria following the committee’s meeting on Tuesday.
It is learnt that several National Sports Associations (NSAs) are still appealing for more of their athletes to be granted Category A status.
“For us, it is quite straightforward. If you qualify under the qualification time, you’re in Category A,” Karim added. – Aug 14, 2025