COVID-19: MAF HOPES M'SIAN EMBASSY IN GERMANY CAN ASSIST DISCUS THROWER IRFAN

2 JAN 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) hopes that the Malaysian Embassy in Germany can provide assistance to national discus thrower Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin, who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

MAF president Datuk S.M. Muthu said the embassy there would be contacted to get further updates on the athlete who is undergoing training in Leipzig.

"I am very sympathetic to Irfan who has been confirmed positive for the disease. We pray that he recovers quickly. We will also discuss with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council on how best to help him out," he said when contacted by Bernama.

On Friday, the 25-year-old Negeri Sembilan-born athlete revealed on Instagram that he had undergone a COVID-19 test on Tuesday as he was feeling unwell, and went under self-quarantine at home after he was confirmed positive the next day.

In his latest post on Saturday, Muhammad Irfan asked his followers to provide some tips to overcome the illness after he began experiencing some of the symptoms.

“Tiredness, dizziness, and a little sore throat, but still managed to complete all the workouts at home. Can whoever that has had the experience of contracting COVID-19 or treating it, share it with me, so that I can prepare myself.

“I do not have a (high) temperature. But my body feels tired and am experiencing dizziness around the eyes and the forehead. I am currently taking a daily dose of Vitamin C 2000mg, multivitamin D3 and a lot of tea. Sometimes when my head feels very heavy, I will take paracetamol. Appreciate your sharing," read the post.

Muhammad Irfan is the second athlete to fall victim to the pandemic, after national hammer throwing ace Jackie Wong Siew Cheer was confirmed positive for COVID-19 last March.

He is also the national record holder in the discus throw event, besides winning the SEA Games gold medal four times in a row since the 2013 edition in Myanmar, as well as a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, India. -Bernama