KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Athletics president Datuk Karim Ibrahim has hit out at critics questioning Muhammad Azeem Fahmi’s potential absence from the Bangkok SEA Games in December, urging everyone to “leave him alone.”
Responding to commentary surrounding the sprinter’s priorities, Karim said athletes studying abroad have, in the past, skipped regional meets due to academic obligations.
“In the past we’ve had athletes based in the US or Europe who had to skip certain tournaments due to their commitment to the institution. This is not the first time, so why make it an issue?
“How come the so-called sports analysts didn’t make any noise back then?
“Please, just leave him (Azeem) alone,” Karim told Scoop today.
Karim also confirmed that Azeem will compete at the Indian Open in a last-ditch effort to meet the 10.00s qualifying mark for the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
Azeem, the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist, clocked 10.35s at the World University Games (WUG) in Germany last month, which wasn’t enough for automatic entry.
It is unclear if the national 100m record holder will also compete at the Malaysia Open at the end of August.
“So far, 11 teams have expressed interest to be part of the Malaysia Open,” said Karim.
“These tournaments will serve as the perfect platform for athletes who still want to improve and earn their ticket to the SEA Games at the end of the year, particularly throwers, hurdle runners and jumpers.”
Azeem, who studies at Auburn University in the US, clocked his season’s best of 10.20s in May. – August 7, 2025