KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- National sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi is one of the main prospects to take on the country's challenge at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (Universiade) in Germany, according to contingent head, Datuk Assoc Prof Ts Dr Mohd Hafiz Yusoff.
However, he explained that the final selection still depends on discussions with the National Sports Council (MSN) to ensure there are no schedule conflicts with other tournaments, in addition to taking into account the athlete's current performance and fitness level.
"Muhammad Azeem is indeed one of the candidates on the list but we need to verify and review with MSN to avoid any schedule overlap. That is our priority.
"If his performance is ok and he is free from injury, God willing we will bring the best team to Germany this year," he told reporters after the Malaysia University Sports Council (MASUM) Programme Launch last night.
Mohd Hafiz said the Malaysian Contingent Committee will hold an athlete selection workshop to shortlist 60 athletes who will compete in seven of the 19 events contested at the 2025 Universiade.
Malaysia will participate in archery, athletics, badminton, diving, artistic gymnastics, swimming and taekwondo.
“The target and achievements of the contingent will be announced later as we are still in the process of selecting athletes by assessing their current performance based on input from MSN and the University Sports Excellence Centre.
“The cost of going to Germany is quite high so we need to do some research and only participate in events that have the potential to win. This tournament is very competitive so we want the selected athletes to be able to compete and improve their records,” he said.
According to Mohd Hafiz, Malaysia will face stiff competition at the elite-status tournament scheduled to be held from July 16 to 27.
-- BERNAMA
