Past, present MAF chiefs spar over RM20,000 for
sprinter Russel Taib
June 24, 2020 10:06 AM
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MAF president SM Muthu (left) says he is in the
dark about the RM20,000 for record-breaker Russel Taib’s training expenses
while his predecessor Karim Ibrahim says the MAF council was aware of the
funds.
PETALING
JAYA: Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) president SM Muthu has denied
knowledge of funds amounting to RM20,000 being claimed by national 200m
record-holder Russel Taib for training expenses in Australia.
He
said the matter should be referred to the previous MAF leadership whom he
labelled a “one-man show”, adding that “they (had) all the power”.
Muthu
was referring to his predecessor, Karim Ibrahim, whom he unseated at the MAF
elections last June.
When
reminded that he had been deputy president in the previous administration, he
said the present office-bearers were never told about Russel receiving the
money.
When
asked if he had questioned or sought clarification about the mock cheque for
RM21,000 presented to Russel at an official dinner last year, he said council
members “never asked questions because we fully supported the president”.
Russel
has only received RM1,000 so far for breaking the 200m record at the Queensland
Track Classic in Brisbane in March last year.
He
has spent more than RM100,000 per year on training since 2015, first in
Tasmania and now in Brisbane.
When
contacted, Karim said the RM20,000 due to Russel was part of the annual IAAF
Olympics Athletics Dividend grant of US$25,000 allocated for various activities
including athletics development.
He
said discussions at council meetings about the payment had been minuted, and
that the treasurer had recorded the money from the international body in the
MAF account.
“Muthu
must have been sleeping during council meetings if he is not aware of the
grant,” he added.
Karim,
who is president of the Perak Athletics Association and a MAF council member,
also maintained that he would assist in resolving the issue.
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