THE Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) remain tightlipped on whether sprinter S. Komalam Shally will be allowed back into the national squad for the Sea Games.
Komalam said on Wednesday that she had sent an appeal letter to MAF asking to be reinstated and apologising for her actions which led to her expulsion.
While neither MAF nor Komalam have commented on the unspecified disciplinary reasons which led to her axing from the sprints, it is thought that the sprinter's return is unlikely.
National chief coach Zainal Abas declined to comment while MAF president Datuk Karim Ibrahim did not return calls or reply to a message seeking clarification.
With Komalam's exclusion, Malaysia's hopes on the women's sprint events depend on Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, who will be seeking to win gold in the 100m and 200m for the first time since G. Shanti won the double in 200m.
But Husniah will be Malaysia's sole representative in the 200m as MAF elected not to fill the void left by Komalam's absence.
Siti Fatima Mohammad will accompany Husniah in the 100m with the two sprinters joined by Azreen Nabila Alias and Norris Foo in the women's 4x100m relay quartet.
The Sea Games athletics programme starts with the marathon on Saturday with the rest to follow from Tuesday.