MAF chasing after marathon organisers

THE Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) said they will seek legal advice if the organisers of the Belt and Road China Malaysia Marathon Kuala Lumpur fail to comply with MAF’s guidelines.

MAF president Datuk Karim Ibrahim said the federation had sent two letters, dated March 3 and May 3 on a request for sanction fees.

Karim said if the organisers did not respond by the end of this month, MAF will seek legal counsel.

“We just ask for their cooperation, we do not want to clash heads with anyone, any agencies or even the ministry,” said Karim.

“We are just looking for a solution through this agreement because the sanction fees are to be used for the purpose of development.”

In the letters, MAF had given the event organisers two options in sanction fees payment: a lump sum payment or payment per head (on the number of participant in the marathon).

Karim said the Chinese Athletics Association have no rights to interfere in the matter as MAF are the sole athletics governing body in Malaysia as stated clearly in the constitution and attested to by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

“The China AA has no rights to get involved in organising a marathon in this country, they have to comply.”

Karim does not want this incident to open the floodgates for future marathon organisers to avoid paying sanction fees.

“One thing is clear, if Standard Chartered (KL Marathon) can pay then why can’t they?”

The marathon, scheduled for Oct 1, is said to be organised by Wisdom Sports Group from China and is reported to generate an estimated RM40 million, targeting some 20,000 participants. Farah Azharie