The Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) have defended their action to exclude Fairul Iqwal Abd Muin from the national team.
Fairul, a Malaysia Games champion, was upset with the MLBF for informing him late that his national contract would not be renewed, and this has affected his career at a bank.
However, MLBF claimed that they had informed their athletes officially on Jan 7 last year and on Jan 27 this year about their plans.
MLBF acting secretary-general Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Zain said Fairul was dropped after failing to meet the selection criteria for the Asia Pacific Championships in Australia and the Philippines Sea Games in 2019.
"Based on the selection criteria, Fairul did not perform, and he was not selected for both the competitions when he was on contract in the Podium Programme. Both competitions were the main competitions for athletes to be picked for the 2022 Podium Programme."
Syed Zainal said Fairul, an IT officer seconded from a bank for two years (Jan 2019-Dec 2021) to the National Sports Council, was informed that his employer would not allow secondment anymore, and that he will have to report for work on Jan 1, 2022.
"His employer only allows secondment for a maximum of two years and they have told him to take unpaid leave or resign."