Jagjit wants MAU and states to include 20km walk in their programmes

What say you on the issue below?

FORMER international walker Jagjit Singh, currently a coach with the back-up squad, has urged the Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU) and state athletics associations to include the 20km walk for women in their programmes.

Instead of having the 5km and 10km walks for women, Jagjit, who had represented Malaysia in the SEA Games and Asian championships, said the priority should be the 20km which is a regular event in international competitions.

There was only one 20km walk event for women last year. And that was in the Malaysian Open in Kangar, Perlis. Of course, there was not much response to the meet.

In the SEA Games in Jakarta, Malaysia had two representatives — Yuan Yufang and Nurliana Mohd Rosni — and both were taking part under category B. The 35-year-old Yufang, who had dominated the 20km walk since the 1999 Brunei Games to the 2007 Games, was hailed as the favourite.

Bright star: Gie Chee (left) walking ahead of Mohd Khairil during a training session.

However, due to lack of competitions and training, Yufang failed miserably in Jakarta and finished a dismal fourth. She clocked 1’48:29 about 16 minutes slower than her personal best of 1’32.25. Nurliana could only manage a seventh spot in 2’03:42.

Jagjit said it was important for the MAU and state athletics associations to include the 20km walk event in all competitions.

“It would be good if the 20km walk becomes part of the Malaysia Games in Kuantan in July. We have a big pool of women walkers but they would not be able to excel in international competitions without taking part in the 20km walk regularly.

“Being a former walker, I understand the walkers’ physical and mental condition,’’ added Jagjit.

Currently, national junior Song Gie Chee, a 19-year-old pre-university student from Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), looks like a good bet to spearhead Malaysia’s challenge in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

Gie Chee, who won the 5km and 10km walks in the Malaysia Games in Malacca two years ago, said she was looking forward to representing Malaysia at the Myanmar SEA Games.

Words of wisdom: Jagjit (right) giving instructions to Mohd Khairil (left) and Gie Chee.

“But it will be difficult for me to evaluate my progress without competitions. Except for the Malaysia Games, there are no other major competitions. I am keen to defend my two gold medals in Kuantan,’’ said Gie Chee.

Gie Chee has a personal best of 25:43.53 and 53:43.59 in the 5km and 10km events respectively. To improve on her endurance, Gie Chee has Mohd Kharil Harun for company in training. Both Gie Chee and Mohd Khairil, under the supervision of Jagjit, train six days a week.

Mohd Khairil, who is from Kelantan, is a pre-university student at BJSS. He is also preparing for the Malaysia Games. He would be staking a strong claim for a podium finish in the men’s 20km event.

At the Malaysia Games in Malacca, the 19-year-old Mohd Khairil had to settle for silver and clocked a personal best of 1’40:00.

Jagjit said both Mohd Khairil and Gie Chee were dedicated athletes and committed to training diligently.

“They have shown their potential. It is our responsibility to guide them for international competitions. They will be taking part in local competitions which will give them the chance to evaluate their progress,’’ added Jagjit.