KUALA LUMPUR – The sudden resignation of S. Maniam as the national squash team’s coaching director was indeed a surprise to the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), but the national body has already put contingency plans in place.
Speaking to Scoop, SRAM secretary-general Mohd Nafzahizam Adnan said that the association has already shortlisted two candidates to replace Maniam, who is a retired major.
Nafzahizam declined to name the two candidates but revealed that they were both former national players and currently active coaches, adding that the executive committee will discuss the matter in more detail before an official announcement is made by president Gerard Monteiro.
“The announcement may be made early next week or by the end of this month, depending on the situation,” Nafzahizam told Scoop. Maniam will officially leave SRAM in December.
Before his return to Malaysia in 2016, Maniam spent 14 years in India as a consultant coach for the Squash Rackets Federation of India, making him the longest-serving foreign coach for any sport in the country.
Nafzahizam explained that Maniam’s absence from the national coaching lineup would be a significant loss. With his vast experience, SRAM still hopes that Maniam will reconsider his decision or at least continue his services with the national squad as an advisor.
“We have asked him to reconsider, but we are aware that he is now 70 years old and has been involved in squash coaching for over 40 years. We hope he can assist us for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Nagoya Asian Games in 2026, especially in the doubles event.
“As for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, I’m not sure, as that will depend on the Road to Gold (RTG) Committee.
“In any case, I sincerely hope Major Maniam can stay with us, as we need someone like him to refer to in coaching matters,” he added. – October 10, 2024