MAF SETTLES OVERDUE MONEY OWED TO SPRINTER RUSSEL

Tony Mariadass

 FMT

July 26, 2020 9:00 AM

On the go… Russel Taib is relieved the problem of delayed payment has ended.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) has paid the RM20,000 owed to Brisbane-based national 200m sprinter Russel Taib for training expenses.

MAF deputy president Mumtaz Jaafar said the money was released after Russel submitted the relevant documents and his training expenditure. She said MAF was in the process of making payments to several athletes whose record-breaking rewards were in arrears.

Russel said he was glad the 15-month controversy over the payment has ended, and thanked FMT for helping to resolve the delayed payment that was first highlighted on June 23.

Team Russel Taib adviser Russell Thompson said they hoped for improved relations with MAF going forward.

The issue arose when Russel was only paid RM1,000 after breaking the national 200m record although he received a mock cheque for RM21,000 from then MAF president Karim Ibrahim at an official dinner in March last year.

Russel with Mumtaz Jaafar last year at a dinner where he was presented with a mock cheque for RM20,000.

The money was part of US$25,000 allocated by the International Association of Athletics Federations for athletics development.

Russel spent more than RM100,000 since he began training for Malaysia in 2015, first in Tasmania and now in Brisbane.

He broke the 200m record at the Queensland Track Classic in Brisbane last year when he clocked 20.77 to erase Khairul Jantan’s mark of 20.90s set at the 2017 Malaysian Open.

Russel, 22, has also been recruited by the National Sports Council for the 2020 Podium Programme, for which he will receive RM2,000 in a monthly allowance until the year-end.

 

 

BLOG VERSION

Russel’s RM20,000 owing payment finally paid up

Tony Mariadass

 MAF banks in payment after 15-month delay for closure to controversy

Russel receiving the mock cheque for RM21,000 at the MAF dinner. (from) left Asian Athletics Association president Dahlan Jumaan al-Hamad of Qatar, Karim Ibrahim, then MAF president and OCM president Mohmad Norza Zakaria.

 

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) has finally made the RM20,000 to national 200m sprinter Russel Taib for training expenses in Australia yesterday

The 15-month controversy over payment after a mock cheque of RM21,000 was presented by former MAF president Karim Ibrahim at an athletics dinner last March and Russel’s woe was first highlighted by FMT on June 23.

RM1,000 of the RM21,000 to be paid out to Russel, was paid immediately after the dinner as a reward for his record breaking feat.

Following some heated exchange over the delayed payment between Karim and present MAF president SM Muthu, the duo met last month on June 25, to resolve the matter.

It was following the meeting, that MAF decided that they will make the payment which was part of US$25,000 allocated by the International Association of Athletics Federations for athletics development.

And yesterday morning, Russel and Team Russel Taib adviser, Russell Thompson confirmed receiving the payment.

“Thank FMT for the help given on this delayed payment which has been settled. I appreciate it,” said Russel in a Whatsapp message from Brisbane

Thompson on the other hand messaged: “This issue is closed now. Thank FMT for all your help and it was very much appreciated.

“The matter is now closed and we hope to work with MAF better going forward.”

MAF deputy president, Mumtaz Jaafar said they were glad that the matter has been settled and looking to moving forward with Russel.

“He has submitted all relevant documents and expenditure pertaining to his training and everything was in order and we immediately released the fund,” said Mumtaz when contacted this morning.

“We are happy that we have settled the issue which has been prolonged since last year.”

Mumtaz also said that MAF are in the final process of making payment to several athletes whose record breaking rewards was in arrears.

“Everything will be settled soon once we have all documentation in place,” added Mumtaz.

Russel who broke the 200m record at the Queensland Track Classic in Brisbane last year when he clocked 20.77 to erase Khairul jantan’s 20.90s record set at the 2017 Malaysian Open, has also been recruited by the National Sports Council (NSC) for the 2020 Podium Programme, for which he will be paid RM2,000 in monthly allowance until year-end.

NSC are in the process of signing the contract for the inclusion in the programme.

Ends.