KUALA LUMPUR – Aiming to strengthen its presence beyond the SEA Games, the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) plans to hire four foreign head coaches, along with additional local coaches, next year.
The national body aims to build a coaching roster of 22 by the end of 2025.
“Today’s meeting with the NSC and the Working Committee (JKK) was positive. I can confirm that we will be appointing new foreign head coaches and local coaches across the event groups.
“We will also expand our coaching education and development programmes to help Malaysian coaches excel at the highest levels. This isn’t just about the SEA Games or developing one or two athletes; it’s about producing a group of Olympians to travel the world.
“It’s a big ask, but very encouraging as we strive to progress,” MAF technical director Robert Ballard said following his meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC).
Although he declined to share specific names for confidentiality reasons, Ballard indicated that MAF expects to announce its new coaching hires within the next two weeks.
Addressing MAF’s current coaching team, Ballard confirmed that Mohd Nizam Md Yusop and Muhammad Amir Izwan Tan Abdullah will remain with MAF, while the contract of former sprint coach Poad Kassim will not be renewed.
“It’s natural for athletes to feel unsettled when a coach leaves,” Ballard said.
“We saw the impact in hockey when the coach left, but these are professional athletes, and they will adapt.
“When new coaches step in, it brings fresh energy. We need to embrace the positives and keep moving forward. I want to see our athletes push further and compete as a force in Asia and beyond. Staying where we are isn’t enough; we need to view these investments as vital steps for the future.”
“We’ll see foundational improvements. With a full 12 months of preparation under these head coaches and local coaches, we’ll make progress, but it’s too early to set expectations,” Ballard added.
The four foreign head coaches will lead the coaching in jumping events, throwing, middle- and long-distance track events, and strength and conditioning. – November 12, 2024