AFTER being taken to task by some critics, the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) insisted they have not lost track of their runners.
And yesterday, the federation clarified that they have been keeping tabs on Shereen Samson Vallabouy's progress in the United States.
It was claimed that Shereen's success at the American National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II track and field competition received little recognition in Malaysia.
According to the MAF, they are aware of Shereen's exploits at the NCAA meet.
Shereen, who is the youngest daughter of former national track stars Josephine Mary and Samson Vallabuoy, won the NCAA 400m race after clocking 53.79s at Pittsburg State University, Kansas last Saturday.
Sheeren's sub 54s run in the indoor event also broke the national record of 54.58 set by Olympian Noraseela Mohd Khalid in 2006.
National track and field chief coach Manshahar Abdul Jalil said yesterday that Shereen has been in the national set-up since she clinched the 400m bronze at the 2015 Sea Games and was part of the 2017 Sea Games women's 4x400m relay bronze-winning team.
Shereen, however, left the national set-up in 2019 after accepting a scholarship from the Winona State University in Minnesota to pursue a degree in Physical Education.
Manshahar said Shereen missed out on the qualification deadline for the Vietnam Sea Games in May despite beating the 53.95 qualifying mark.
"Shereen was in the national set-up before and we have been in contact with her and keeping track of her progress.
"She's currently under a scholarship with a US university and is obliged to compete under them," said Manshahar.
"We know that she beat the Sea Games qualifying time but unfortunately the qualification deadline has ended.
"On top of that, she will need to get clearance from her university if she wants to take part in a non-NCAA event.
"The universities in the US are quite particular with their scholarships and they have their rules and regulations for their athletes.
"We cannot simply get Shereen to compete for us without her university's permission as it could result in the scholarship being revoked."
Manshahar said Sheeren could still qualify for the Hangzhou Asian Games in September based on her 400m timing of 53.79.
In comparison to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Shereen's timing is the fourth fastest.
Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain set the Asiad record with a time of 50.09, India's Hima Dass won the silver with 50.79 while Elina Mikhina of Kazakhstan was third with 52.63. China's Huang Guifen was fourth with 53.89.
"We will have to see if Shereen can meet the Asian Games qualifying mark and whether the Asiad clashes with her university programmes.
"Previously, we could not have her services with the national team as she had exams," added Manshahar.