KUALA LUMPUR: National sprinter Russel Alexander Nasir Taib is disappointed to be "sidelined" from the Podium Programme, which would have given him financial support for training.
Russel, based at the Loughborough High Performance Athletics Centre in England since 2022, is Malaysia's No.1 in the 200m.
The 26-year-old, who holds the national 200m record of 20.77s, said: "To my knowledge, I have been taken off the Podium Programme without a conversation regarding that decision which has meant I have had to work a lot more hours on my feet and late nights (working for a salary) in England) while balancing training to continue my pursuit in athletics.
"It's been disappointing as I thought I deserved at least a conversation regarding a decision that directly and significantly impacts me and my ability to fund competitions and training elements," added Russel who clocked 21.32 to win the 200m at the Loughborough Outdoor Open recently.
Russel said he had planned to compete in the United States this week with other members of the Loughborough squad, but all that is not going to happen.
"A lot of athletes travel out there at this time of year because of the great conditions and fast tracks in Florida and Texas. But unfortunately it was not feasible."
Russel won silver in the 4x100m and bronze in the 200m (21.11) in the 2019 Manila Sea Games.
He has a personal best of 10.38 in the 100m. He won the 200m in 20.97 at the Arcobaleno Athletic Europa in Italy last July.
"Despite the aforementioned difficulties, I have had a great preseason and times in training show some real promise in terms of what times I can be capable of running.
"This included a pre-season camp I did in Tenerife in January to help do some quality training outside of the United Kingdom because the track was snowed over.
"Fortunately Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) has just reimbursed me for this camp, so I thank them for that as those funds now mean I can enter for more competitions in May.
"I have been invited to compete in a few around Europe but they are expensive and without funding it's extremely difficult to even attend one."
MAF general manager Nurhayati Karim said they recommended Russel for the Podium Programme to the National Sports Council last December.
"But NSC has yet to include Russel. We will be having a meeting with NSC and request them to include Russel in the Podium Programme."