Selangor Athletics Association vice-president backs president Nurhayati Karim, says nothing to fear if there is an EGM

Selangor Athletics Association vice-president A. Varughese is backing president Nurhayati Karim amid claims by several affiliates that they have lost confidence in her leadership and are calling for an emergency general meeting (EGM).

Six affiliates – Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Klang, and Hulu Selangor – recently alleged financial irregularities in the association’s accounts and claimed the annual general meeting (AGM) on April 26 did not follow proper procedures.

Nurhayati has yet to respond to the allegations, but Varughese said those making the accusations should reflect on their own actions.

“Many of those pointing fingers should ask themselves what they’ve truly contributed to the association,” said Varughese, who is also the Kuala Selangor AA president.

He added that Nurhayati is not one to rush into making statements, preferring not to air dirty linen in public.

“Some of those unhappy with Nurhayati were previously office bearers, and were partly responsible for the association being deregistered in 2022 – one of the reasons being issues with the accounts,” he said.

“The new Selangor AA was formed in 2023, and we’ve been in office for just over a year. I believe we’ve done more in the past 16 months than some of them did in 15 years.”

Varughese cited last weekend’s athletics meet in Kuala Selangor, which attracted 600 track athletes, as proof of grassroots progress.

“That’s just one of several events we’ve organised since taking office. We had 600 young athletes competing – it was a great success.

“There’s too much politics in athletics. Sometimes I wonder why I bother, but when I see the enthusiasm on the young athletes’ faces, I know I have to keep going for their sake.”

On whether the association would convene an EGM, Varughese said the leadership had nothing to hide.

The six affiliates are expected to meet officials from the Sports Commissioner’s Office tomorrow (May 20) to hand over a memorandum requesting an EGM to “rectify procedural deficiencies during the state body’s AGM”.

“Will there be an EGM? That’s not for me to say. The president will need to discuss that with the Sports Commissioner,” said Varughese.

“What I can say is we’re not afraid. They’re making false accusations. Nurhayati has done nothing wrong and has my full support.”

Main image: Selangor Athletics Association / Facebook