KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Athletics (MA) is expecting the arrival of six new coaches by May or June, with some local coaches potentially beginning work by the end of this month, said technical director Robert Ballard.
He confirmed to Bernama that all six individuals have been notified, with the next step being the formalisation of their contracts.
Ballard added that MA has been in regular contact with the National Sports Council (MSN) since last year to address the matter.
“We’ve made all the recommendations and we’re really, really hopeful that these appointments will go ahead. I hope this can happen very soon. The requests have been in place for more than a couple of months, not just since last week.
“We’ve been following up constantly, but delays are inevitable when it comes to funding, visas and the fact that some of the international coaches are still employed elsewhere. We are hoping that this will now occur in May or June.
“There’s a possibility some of them could be here towards the end of this month, as some of the six are local coaches,” he said, when met at the Kuala Lumpur Super Series Athletics Championships at Merdeka Stadium yesterday.
Ballard said the appointments are vital for MA’s long-term plans to expand the national athletics programme to include over 100 athletes—not only in Kuala Lumpur, but across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
“We need to have greater outreach and if we get these new coaches on board, then we’ll be able to dedicate the time and effort needed to structure these programmes and assist state coaches with the athletes in the national set-up.
“…hopefully help those coaches with workshops and developing other younger athletes who can push themselves and elevate into the programme,” he said.
Commenting on the Kuala Lumpur Super Series Athletics Championships, Ballard said he was thrilled to see a new wave of young talent emerging, with younger athletes challenging their seniors and driving overall progress through healthy competition.
He noted that while the 2025 SEA Games is a key milestone this year, it should be viewed as a stepping stone rather than the ultimate goal.
Ballard also outlined a long-term vision leading up to the 2032 Olympics, expressing hope that Malaysian athletes will eventually reach the finals on the world stage. — May 5, 2025