IKRAM'S EXCLUSION NOT FINAL YET
Sea Games champ still has a chance of joining recurve squad
DEVINDER SINGH devinder@nst.com.my (NAAM) to discuss the recurve squad's final composition.
Ikram, who won the team gold medal with Khairul Anuar Mohamad and Haziq Kamaruddin in Singapore two years ago, is being replaced by Southeast Asian Championships winner Zharif Syahir for the KL edition.
NAAM honorary secretary Datuk Abdul Hamid Hasan said Ikram would need to produce a good performance at the World Cup meet in Salt Lake City, Utah this week to justify his place in the Sea Games squad.
"The manager has already announced that Zharif will replace Ikram for the Sea Games but it appears the selection is not final," Hamid told Timesport yesterday.
"NSC has asked for a meeting after the archers return from the World Cup next week to discuss Ikram's exclusion. It has to be done soon because we don't have much time left before the registration deadline."
The decision to drop Ikram was based on the recommendation of national coach Lee Jae Hyung following the archer's display at the previous World Cup meet in Antalya, Turkey earlier this month.
Ikram, 21, was eliminated in the second round of the individual event, along with Khairul and Haziq, and was replaced by Akmal Nor Hasrin in the team event.
In the opening World Cup meet in Shanghai in May, Ikram crashed out in the first round.
"Ikram will need a good performance in the US this week to get back in the Sea Games squad. Khairul, Haziq and Akmal are confirmed for the Sea Games.
"We will hear what NSC has to say but if Ikram does not perform, then the decision to exclude him is final,” Hamid added.
The World Cup meet in Salt Lake City began yesterday with the qualification round.
NAAM are targeting five gold medals, including two from the recurve archers, at the Sea Games, where archery will be held at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.
“It was more of a community outreach programme and I did it with a friend, so it meant a lot to me,” she said.
Ann also worked with Malaysian celebrity Datuk Siti Nurhaliza on the singer’s new single, Segala Perasaan recently.
“I got a call a week before filming and her team said she wanted me to help with the music video. I was surprised because her songs are very balladic.
“And you wouldn’t have guessed that she trains muay thai and that she is such a diehard MMA follower,” Ann added.
Ann was the stunt body double for Siti in the music video where takedowns, punches and a lot of action were required. Farah Azharie