Noraseela after winning 400m hurldes at 2009 Laos Sea Games
It brought me no surprise when I saw The Star's back page minutes ago - but for the first time I felt disappointed not being able to cover the SEA Games. Click here to know what unfolded in Palembang.
Hats off to Noraseela Khalid for voicing out - most athletes are to afraid to speak up against MAAU for fear of a backlash. This includes several athletes who bring back honours for the country.
It was good for her to stand up for 4x400m gold medal winning team S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaraaj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Mohd Yunus Lasaleh. The quartet were not given a chance for a medal finish and was also a last minute inclusion to the Games. They had to return to Malaysia even before the prize giving ceremony as their flight was already booked.
What a shame MAAU! - why is it that athletes fly back earlier but officials stay on until the end?
MAAU and Noraseela are not in the best of terms. She was shouted at previously at the MAAU office when she went to ask about her welfare. All this because Karim Ibrahim sees her as the golden daughter of NSC director general Zolklpes Embong, oh he's no saint too.
I hope more athletes will come out of the shadows and reveal their dissatisfaction. Maybe then something can be done - only maybe.
