KUALA LUMPUR — Despite scepticism about local athletics, the German Athletics Association (DLV) has chosen Malaysia as a training site for their best athletes next year.
The announcement was made today by Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) vice president Datuk Mark Ling and DLV chairman Idriss Gonschinska.
The German squad will train in Kuala Lumpur for four weeks in April in preparation for the World Relay Athletics in Guangzhou in May and the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
Stadium Merdeka is one of the proposed training locations.
Gonschinska, who previously coached former national 400m hurdler Noraseela Khalid in Leipzig in 2003, believes Malaysia has great potential for athletics.
This would not be the first time the 55-year-old coach has brought the German team to train in Kuala Lumpur as he did the same ten years ago in preparation for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
“I was reflecting on my past experiences, where I had the opportunity to work with Malaysia’s best athletes, and I was privileged to coach them for about four years.
“I don’t see a significant difference between Malaysian and German athletes. For instance, Noraseela Khalid made remarkable progress, and we trained together during that time. They demonstrate a strong mentality and believe they can achieve great things.
“Throughout her career, she has earned numerous medals, including at the SEA Games and Asian Championships, and she even performed well at the Commonwealth Games,” said Gonschinska.
Gonschinska expressed admiration for Kuala Lumpur’s weather and the athletes’ commendable attitude.
“Now that I’m in a new position with DLV, I am constantly seeking collaboration at both the international and Asian levels. This creates a win-win situation for both countries.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the MAF to decide which athletes will train with us. If we have the opportunity for a four-week training camp in Kuala Lumpur, we could also organise workshops or clinics to enhance their training experience,” he added.
The German squad will bring 32 to 35 athletes, including sprinter Gina Lückenkemper, who recently won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, and dynamic 400m runner Alicia Schmidt, who captivated audiences with her impressive performance in Paris.
“We also want to involve our coaches in these clinics and workshops.
“This will allow us to explore opportunities for regional collaboration and engage with neighbouring countries’ sprint events, such as those in Singapore and Thailand.
“We aim to learn from each other during the camp,” said MAF general manager Norhayati Karim. — November 1, 2024