KUALA LUMPUR: Perak Amateur Athletics Association president Datuk Karim Ibrahim believes that Shereen Samson Vallabouy deserves to be included in the Podium Programme.
Karim said he was impressed with Shereen's progress in the women's 400m event since her move to the United States and is confident the Perak-born athlete still has room to improve.
Shereen, who is studying at Winona State University in Minnesota, broke the long-standing national record in the event after clocking 51.80s at the St Mac Relays Invitational Elite competition in California on Saturday.
The former national record of 52.56s had been set by Rabia Abdul Salam at the 1993 Asian Championships in Manila.
Last month Shereen broke the 400m national indoor record after clocking 52.27s at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II Indoor Championships in Virginia.
Athletes under the Podium Programme receive better support from the National Sports Council.
"We are proud of her success, it was her first outdoor event in the US and she nailed it," said Karim today.
"She always looks to lead from the start of races and never looks back, regardless of whether she is racing indoors or outdoors.
"It shows that she has good endurance and leg strength. She has made superb progress under coach Mason Rebarchek in the US. I believe that Shereen should be in the Podium Programme. She has a bright future and she can go even faster."
Karim is expecting the 25-year-old to do so at the upcoming Phnom Penh Sea Games (May 5-17).
"With stiff competition from Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand's athletes, Shereen will be pushed to the limit in Phnom Penh," added Karim.
"I am optimistic that she will be able to better her national record and, at the same time, set a new Sea Games record."
The current women's 400m Sea Games record of 51.83s had been set by Nguyen Thi Tinh (Vietnam) during the Hanoi edition 20 years ago.
Karim added that women athletes' strong performances in recent competitions warrants them being given more attention and support by the Malaysia Athletics Federation.
At last month's Philippines Open, Nani Sahirah Maryata rewrote her own shot putt national record with a throw of 14.69m (previous record 14.48m) en route to gold.
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