KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s track and field athletes still have everything to play for in the race to qualify for the Thailand 2025 SEA Games in December.
Malaysia Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim told Scoop that the selection process remains ongoing — and promising middle-distance runners Kristian Tung and Shawn Roshan Singh are already on the Road to SEA Games programme longlist.
Tung, who clinched three gold medals at last year’s Sukma in Sarawak, has been making his mark abroad. Now based at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, the 21-year-old clocked a time of 3 minutes 52.43 seconds at the British Milers Club Grand Prix last month — the fastest 1500m time by a Malaysian this year.
By SEA Games standards, he is considered a genuine medal contender.
“Yes, Kristian and Shawn are already part of the long list under our Road to SEA Games programme,” said Karim.
“As for the Podium Programme, the Podium team have their own criteria to evaluate athletes. For now, let’s focus on SEA Games medal prospects,” he added.
MA is scheduled to hold a working committee meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC) next week to discuss further preparations. Karim said the federation is currently awaiting confirmation from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) on qualifying results and the deadline for final entries.
The OCM Selection Committee, chaired by its president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, is expected to announce the qualification criteria for the Bangkok Games on August 12.
Karim also confirmed that the Malaysia Open — set to run from August 29 to 31 — will serve as one of the official selection meets for SEA Games hopefuls.
Tung, however, has chosen to skip the Malaysia Open in favour of staying in the UK, where he plans to continue racing as part of his build-up. He is also targeting qualification in the 5000m — his favoured event.
“Yes, the Malaysia Open is one of the events identified to select athletes for the SEA Games. For now, let’s hope for the best over the next five months,” Karim said.
“NSC will set a date next week for the joint committee meeting focusing on the SEA Games. Many matters will be discussed. We’ll hold a press conference afterwards,” he added, also noting that six coaches are currently being reviewed following MA’s decision not to renew former technical director Robert Ballard’s contract. — July 5, 2025