KUALA LUMPUR — Outgoing national athletics technical director Robert Ballard hopes the development strategies he helped design will continue to guide Malaysia’s track and field scene after his departure this month.
In a message to Scoop today, Ballard expressed gratitude for the chance to contribute during his two-year tenure, which ends on July 31.
“I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the planning and development strategies for athletics in Malaysia during my two-year tenure,” said Ballard.
“The HPDM 2024–2032 Strategy (high performance development programme) requires time, alignment, and commitment from all supporting structures to fully implement its vision and objectives. I trust that the framework we have laid out will serve as a valuable template for the continued success of Malaysian athletics — for athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and the wider volunteer network.”
Malaysia Athletics (MA) confirmed yesterday that Ballard’s contract will not be renewed, citing a lack of government funding and private sponsorship to sustain the role.
Ballard, 60, was appointed in August 2023 for a two-year term. He previously held the same post from 2014 to 2015 before parting ways with the association.
Reflecting on his time in Malaysia, Ballard said he remained hopeful that the foundations laid under his tenure would outlast his departure.
“As I return to Australia, I will continue to follow the progress of Malaysian athletics with great interest and wish everyone involved the very best in achieving future growth and excellence,” he said.
Malaysia will next turn its focus to final preparations for the 2025 SEA Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games, both seen as important testing grounds for the strategies Ballard helped chart. – July 2, 2025