KUALA LUMPUR – “I have stepped into the scene to complete what my father started.”
That is what drives Visnu Nair, eldest son of the late national head coach B. Sathianathan, to continue his father’s work of empowering youth coaches in Malaysia and ensuring they receive their rightful recognition.
The late Sathianathan, a legendary figure in Malaysian football, left an indelible mark on the sport with his unwavering dedication as the president of the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM) from 2011 until his death last year due to cancer.
His commitment to elevating coaching standards and fostering professionalism in the football community was unparalleled.
Following his father’s legacy, Visnu, who is the founder of MYCoachingHub, is determined to carry forward the mantle of excellence, passion, and service to the beautiful game.
MYCoachingHub, established last year, has been actively supporting local coaches through a free online platform tailored to their professional development.
With 400 youth football coaches already benefiting from tactical masterclasses as well as lessons on interviews and analytics, the company aims to nurture the next generation of coaching talent.
Speaking to Scoop, Visnu said that the idea of establishing a private coaching company was suggested by his father.
He emphasised his unwavering commitment to realising his father’s dream, declaring that he will “not rest” until it becomes a reality.
“To be honest, the idea of MYCoachingHub was conceived when FCAM was not garnering a good reputation among youth coaches in the country.
“The dynamics of the company vary greatly, not everyone was on the same wavelength, and my dad was the one who suggested running a private company independently.
“My dad wanted this, and I have taken it as a personal mission to provide a good platform for youth coaches in the country. During his time as FCAM president, he forked out hundreds and thousands from his pocket to resolve the coach’s salary issues.
“He always had that passion and gave his life for football. Now that I’m in the industry, I understand how much work I have to put in to elevate the industry to a higher level,” said Visnu.
Recognising the vital role youth coaches play in shaping Malaysia’s football future, Visnu plans to collaborate with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to address welfare issues, media training, safe sport education, and job opportunities for coaches.
With positive feedback from the football fraternity, the 30-year-old is determined to honour his father’s memory by continuing to support coaches across the country.
“I have received a lot of warm support from people in the industry for my ideas. My dad told me not to enter the Malaysian football industry, but I decided to do so because I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“By doing all of this, I aim to keep his name alive, as he is well known for helping many coaches in the country, whether it’s sharing knowledge or providing financial assistance.
“Whatever problems youth coaches bring to MYCoachingHub will not fall on deaf ears,” Visnu added.
FCAM, established in 1994 under FAM, remains the primary association dedicated to defending the rights of professional football coaches in Malaysia.
Under the leadership of Datuk Ong Kim Swee, the association has approximately 700 active members.
Following Sathianathan’s passing, Kim Swee assumed the role of acting president, ensuring the association’s continued commitment to coaches’ welfare and rights. – February 24, 2024