MAAU need to look for Ranau alternative

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RANAU: The Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) may have to look for an alternative venue if the Certificate of Fitness (CF) for the Ranau Sports Complex is not issued by the Ranau District Council by April.

MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who led a delegation to inspect the Ranau Complex and facilities yesterday said the complex must be fully equipped and facilities ready by April, so as not to delay preparations for the 2011 SEA Games, in Indonesia.

“We cannot afford to delay preparations and training for the SEA Games since the games is in November and expectations are high on athletics to deliver the gold medals.

“At the same time we must also ensure that athletes train under a conducive environment as safety of athletes is paramount,” he told reporters inspecting the venue yesterday.

Among those in the delegation were Sabah Amateur Athletic Association president Paiman Abdul Karim, athletics head coach Harun Rasheed, athletes Siti Zubaidah Adabi, Mohd Noor Imran, Rayzam Shah and journalist.

Shahidan said the MAAU would seek the assistance of the Sabah AAA to resolve the CF matter with the Ranau District Council.

Initially, MAAU had proposed Ranau as the training base for the 2011 SEA Games preparations and had claimed that the complex was ready to accept the first batch of 15 athletes and five coaches, but Sabah Sports Council general manager, Mahmood Kalong, claimed that the complex was not ready because basic facilities like water, electricity, roads and a gymnasium was lacking.

MAAU’s proposal was also not well received by the National Sports Council (NSC) that deemed the RM3 million cost for the duration of the training was high.

Building works on the complex which started in 2007 was expected to be completed in April this year.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek is also expected to visit the Ranau sports complex and check the facilities available, after receiving contradicting reports of its status.

Paiman in his briefing had said that both MAAU and SAAA officials had earlier made visits to Ranau (750m above sea level) and found that the Ranau Sports Complex has all to offer when it comes to facilities and high altitude environment.

The first batch of six walkers are expected to start their training in Ranau on Thursday. — Bernama