Trail runners accuse athletics chiefs of ‘failing Hong Kong’ as heated World Championships row breaks out
- Trail Running Association criticises selection of just four athletes for showpiece event, and offers to fund more, only for HKAAA to demand apology
- ‘We are talking about sending athletes to the World Championships and they have to meet the required standard,’ official says
The Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) and the Trail Running Association of Hong Kong (TRAHK) are at loggerheads over the selection of athletes for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) next month in Austria, according to emails seen by the Post.
TRAHK wants more runners selected for the WMTRC, but the HKAAA has demanded an apology for the perceived implication that they are neglecting trail runners. TRAHK has accused the HKAAA “blocking the sport’s development in Hong Kong” in response.
The HKAAA selected four athletes – three men, and one woman – but TRAHK believes they should select 13. In a series of back and forth emails, TRAHK offered to fund additional athletes and even take over the selection process.
HKAAA took umbrage to the implication that it is neglecting trail running.
“Your unfounded accusation against the HKAAA with no evidence in support whatsoever that HKAAA is not committed to the development of trail running and your further suggestion that [TRAHK] be authorised to select athletes show a complete disrespect for the HKAAA and a total disregard of the rules and regulations of the HKAAA,” executive director Dennis Ng Yu-ho wrote.
“Just because you may disagree with a certain opinion of the RSC [Representative Selection Committee] does not give you the right to make unfounded accusations. In this respect, the HKAAA requests an immediate and unreserved withdrawal of your accusations and suggestion together with an appropriate apology from you,” he added.
