SEPANG: Discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin claimed that he has spent more than RM100,000 for his training stint in Prague.
The 23-year-old left for his three-month stint in Prague on Tuesday.
"Yes, I have forked out more than RM100,000 for the training stint," said the Sea Games champion before boarding his flight to Prague at KLIA.
"I am an athlete who wants to excel in the sport. I am a person with an ambition."
Irfan, ranked second in Asia, criticised the Sports Ministry recently for terminating the contract of his coach (Frantisek Petrovic) and also not approving a budget for his training in Prague.
"I do not want to go to war... I want solutions.
"I just wanted to know what were the plans after my requests were not approved.
"I vented my frustrations after the concerned parties could not give me answers," said Irfan.
Irfan also claimed that other elite athletes are also affected by the cost cutting measures in sports.
"Many were scared to voice out at first, but did so after I vented my frustrations (on social media).
"I have yet to receive a respond to my requests from the Sports Ministry," he added.
