KUALA LUMPUR: To help them qualify for the Paris Olympics, the United States-based Azeem Fahmi and Shereen Samson Vallabouy will be sent for athletics competitions in New Zealand and Australia in March and April next year.
Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) technical director John Ballard said Azeem and Shereen would not be able to compete in high level competitions in the United States because of their world rankings.
"Furthermore it will be winter in the US and they will only be competing in indoor meets. They need outdoor competitions to qualify for the Olympics.Three competitions each in New Zealand and Australia will definitely benefit them.
"The competitions in New Zealand and Australia are of a high level and they will compete against some top athletes.
Ballard said he will discuss with Azeem's coach, Ken Harnden, and Shereen's coach, Derrick White on the matter.
"Competing in these two countries can also help them to improve their world rankings."
Azeem, who is ranked 77th in the world, clocked 10.11 seconds to win bronze in the Hangzhou Asian Games last month.
The 19-year-old Perak athlete needs to clock 10s flat to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Shereen, ranked world 92nd, won the women's 400m bronze at the Hangzhou Asiad with a time of 52.58s.
Shereen, 25, needs to run at least 50.95 to qualify for the Olympics. The qualifying deadline is June 30, 2024.
Ballard said MAF also plan to send discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin, who won gold (60.60m) in an international meet in Mokpo, South Korea last month, along with Azeem and Shereen.
"It will benefit Irfan as New Zealand and Australia have good discus throwers.
Ballard said Sea Games 400m champion Umar Osman (who holds the national record of 46.09s set at the World University Games in Chengdu, China in August), will also be going.