‘Fair Farah’ on the other side of the mat

KUALA LUMPUR: “Fair Farah”. That is what retired national gymnast Farah Ann Hadi hopes to be known as from now.

For the first time, Farah, 28, is a member of the jury for Malaysia Games artistic gymnastics at the National Sports Council inn Bukit Jalil.

The seven-time Sea Games champion said even when she was a national gymnast, she had thought of being a competitions judge when she retired.

And it is a challenging task as artistic gymnastics is a subjective sport marred by controversies over judges’ decisions.

And Farah admitted that she will be judging competitors who might be her friends.

But she has made it clear, they can forget about any favours from her.

Emphasising on the need for a high level of integrity in judging, Farah will just be “Fair Farah” behind the table.

“When I was competing, I had always wanted the juries to be fair, so I take that principle with me,” she said.

“I will judge (at the Malaysia Games) in a way that is fair, and this is what we want as athletes.

“I’m happy that I can still help and stay in my sport. I get to see gymnasts produced in almost all the states,” said Farah.

NST