Malaysian Triathlon Federation - Politics gone mad?

Simon says: -

 

I have just read this open letter on Facebook, I'm speechless and absolutely amazed. Surely there has to be another side to this story or maybe it's just the case that the wheels turn a little slower in Malaysia? I for one am not going to judge the Malaysian Triathlon Federation guys (not yet anyway), I know that they are good people and I have always thought that they have their hearts in the right place. I shall email this link to them and ask them to comment on it. I shall then publish their responses to give a balanced side of the story.

 

Steve Lumley is a world class coach and we are privileged to have him here helping us "Weekend Warriors" out but also working with the grass routes of Malaysian traithletes to get them on to the world stage. He needs our support and that of the Malaysian Traithlon Federation. So come on Traithlon community of Malaysia. Leave your comments of support for up and coming Malaysian triathletes competing and representing your country.

 

Let's keep everything positive for now, there's a time and a place to force change but in the meantime we owe it to the guys that represent TRIAM to put their side across.

 

An open letter from Steve Lumley

a letter to TRIAM:

Dear TRIAM,

I am mailing again to ask you again to reconsider the TRIAM policy to not allow Malaysian athletes entry to International Triathlon Union races
...

in general, and in particular the upcoming Asian Cup races.

The Continental junior cup races provide a valuable and scarce opportunity for young athletes to gain experience at an appropriate level.

 They cannot gain this in Malaysia. It seems logical to allow, and indeed encourage, as many as appropriate to race rather than preventing all from racing.

No 'invitation' is required from race organisers - any athlete and NF can request entry.

There are effectively no limits to numbers that can be entered as races are under-subscribed and each NF can enter at least 10 men and 10 women.

 So again, no reason to prevent entry or even set restrictive entry criteria.

Athletes are required to pay their own costs. Again, no reasons for TRIAM to prevent them racing.

 No TRIAM officials need to accompany athletes - again, no cost implication

No explanation or reason has been forthcoming for this effective ban.

A reason has been given for the refusal to allow the senior athlete from Malaysia to enter the senior race in Hong Kong. TRIAM is on record as stating that this because he didn't race when selected to race for Malaysia in 2010 (he actually couldn't afford to travel to race). Do TRIAM see it as appropriate to punish an athlete due to his economic circumstances or that of his family?

Also, if not racing in 2010 is the real reason for banning him, why was he selected for the Asian Championships in 2012? Is there another reason he is banned?

TRIAM has received several requests from a junior athlete who is eligible to be entered onto the wait list for the JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

 It appears that this has not been done, again without explanation.

TRIAM is supposed to be the body responsible for developing and promoting the sport of triathlon in Malaysia. It takes less time and effort to actually enter athletes into races than to avoid doing so and costs TRIAM nothing.