Malaysian track star Shereen Samson Vallabouy is looking for additional funding to continue her training in Florida with American coach Derrick White. On June 1 of the previous year, the Youth and Sports Ministry provided RM400,000 to support her training expenses for 13 months. However, she now requires more financial support to sustain her training.
The Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist is confident that remaining in Florida for continued training with coach Derrick White will be crucial for furthering her athletic progress. She believes that staying with White will provide her with the optimal environment to refine her skills, break her own national records, and improve her rankings in the 200m and 400m events. By dedicating herself to this focused training, she aims to achieve the performance standards necessary to qualify for the World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan, next year. This extended training period is seen as essential for reaching the high level of competition required for success on the global stage.
Shereen holds the national records for both the 200m (23.33s) and 400m (51.79s) events. The 26-year-old has set her sights on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as her long-term goal. She narrowly missed the chance to compete in the Paris Olympics, falling short by just 0.86 seconds in the 400m event. Her mother, Josephine Mary, a former national athlete, stated that the RM400,000 allocated for training in Florida was exhausted as of July 31.
“Shereen has submitted her request for continued funding to the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) and the National Sports Council (NSC), with hopes that it will be approved by the Youth and Sports Ministry. If a new budget is not allocated soon, she may have to return home or seek financial support from other organizations. Shereen would prefer to remain in Florida, as she has made significant progress under coach White’s guidance,” said Josephine.
As Shereen Samson Vallabouy seeks additional funding to continue her training in Florida, her determination to achieve her athletic goals remains steadfast. With her sights set on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and having narrowly missed the Paris Olympics, securing further financial support is crucial for her continued development and success on the global stage. The outcome of her funding appeal will be pivotal in determining whether she can maintain her training in Florida or if she will need to explore alternative options.
Source: Vanakkam Malaysia
