ZAKRI AND AZLINDA WILLING TO HELP NATIONAL SQUAD DESPITE EXCLUSION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Despite being dropped from the 21st SEA Games squad, world silat champion 2000 Zakri Ibrahim and Azlinda Ahmad are still determined to help the national team in the preparation for the biennial games.

They are prepared to be sparring partners to the national exponents who are vying for the eight gold medals at the SEA Games from Sept 8 to 17.

"I will still come down to assist the national silat team by giving moral support. If necessary, I am willing to be a sparring partner to the other exponents," Zakri told reporters after a closed-door meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, here today.

The meeting of the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) Instructors Chamber on Monday had endorsed the decision of the Pesaka Disciplinary Committee on April 24 which dropped the two exponents for breaching discipline by leaving the training camp without permission.

Zakri said his passion for the sport would not diminish although he had been dropped from the Gemilang 2001 team.

He said he would abide by the decision to drop him but he would not give up and retire.

Meanwhile, Azlinda expressed satisfaction over the meeting with Hishammuddin.

"I feel relieved and satisfied. Datuk (Hishammuddin) had given us inspiration not to give up hope, as there are still many more silat championships to be faced.

"I'm also prepared to be a sparring partner for other exponents if necessary," she said.

Both exponents said the meeting was called by Hishammuddin and not meant to be an appeal against the punishment imposed on them.

During the meeting which lasted one-and-a-half hours, Hishammuddin advised the two national exponents not to lose hope following the decision.

"I advised them that there is always a lesson to be gained from whatever obstacles and challenges they were facing, but don't take these obstacles and challenges as something that can kill their spirit," he said.

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