MAAU WITHDRAWS FROM PHILIPPINES OPEN DUE TO SWINE FLU OUTBREAK

By HILARY MERRAI SEBASTIAN KUEH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU)
has decided to withdraw from the Philippines Open athletics meet that starts on
Sunday, due to the recent Influenza A H1N1 outbreak.

MAAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim said the decision to withdraw was made
in accordance with advise from the Health Ministry.

"We wrote a letter to the Health Ministry on May 4, seeking advise and after
three days, we received a reply from the (ministry) that advised us not to
participate in the Philippines Open due to health hazards posed by the H1N1
virus," he told Bernama here Thursday.

Thus, in complying with the advice, MAAU has informed the Philippines
athletic association of the decision to withdraw from the annual competition, he
said.
"Instead, the Malaysian team comprising 23 athletes will now participate in
the two-day Kedah Open held at the Darulaman Stadium on May 9-10," he said.

Among the national athletes in the team were -- Robani Hassan (men's 110m
hurdles), M. Vadivellan, Mohd Jironi Ridzuan (men's 1,500m, 800m), Zabidi Ahmad
(men's 100m, 4x100m); Roslinda Samsu (women's pole vault) and Noraseela Khalid
(women's 400m hurdles).

According to the World Health Organisation website Thursday, 23 countries
globally have reported 1893 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Mexico, the epicenter of the virus, reported 942 laboratory confirmed
cases, including 29 deaths while the United States reported 642 laboratory
confirmed cases, with two deaths.

Countries reported to have confirmed cases with no deaths are Austria,
Canada, China, Hong Kong, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal,
South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

-- BERNAMA