Kuala Lumpur: New Malaysian Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim has reassured the country’s athletes that they need not fear when facing any crises or issues. Karim emphasized that the association stands firmly behind its athletes, who are pivotal to the nation’s athletic progress.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Karim highlighted that it is unjust for athletes to be sidelined due to external issues that might impact their focus on the track or field. “I want to tell athletes not to suffer in fear. I will defend athletes and will not sideline them,” Karim stated during a recent meeting.

The reassurance comes amid a training boycott issue involving MA technical director Robert Ballard, which has garnered media attention this year. Reports have surfaced that several sprinters decided to boycott Ballard’s training program and faced threats of expulsion if they expressed dissatisfaction with his management style.

Karim, who also serves as the president of the Perak Amateur Athletics Association, returned to the leadership of MA for the 2025-2029 term. He secured the position by winning 25 votes against his challenger, Negeri Sembilan Athletics president Datuk Mark William Ling, who received 14 votes during the MA’s annual general meeting on June 15.

Karim, who previously held the position from 2014 to 2019, expressed his dedication to providing more exposure to Malaysian athletes to help them achieve international success. Regarding the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, Karim stated that MA aims to surpass the five gold medals achieved at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. However, he noted that a thorough analysis of data and statistics from other Southeast Asian contenders is necessary before setting concrete medal targets for the games scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla from December 9 to 20.