KUANTAN – It is time to decentralise the training of track and field athletes across the country according to their respective disciplines, rather than only focusing on a single location in Bukit Jalil.
Athletics encompass a multitude of events, totalling 48, which have historically served as sources of medals for the Malaysian contingent at major sporting events like the SEA Games and Asian Games.
Speaking to Scoop, Pahang Athletics Association honorary secretary Datuk R. Annamalai explained it had proposed this matter to the highest management of the Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) and the National Sports Council (NSC), but there had been no definitive response from them as of yet.
At present, most national athletes and coaches are centralised at the NSC facilities in Bukit Jalil, due to its comprehensive international-standard facilities and assistance from the National Sports Institute.
However, Annamalai believes that if MAF and NSC decentralise the national athlete training centres to the states according to event disciplines, it will yield more positive outcomes.
Among the benefits is that the states will receive international-standard expertise and training modules, indirectly benefiting grassroots athletes in those states.
“We should have discussed this matter long ago; we urge the management of MAF and the NSC to decentralise, not centralise all athletes in Kuala Lumpur.
“For me, it is better to decentralise athletes according to event disciplines, allocate them to other states with talented athletes, and track and monitor their progress.
“In addition, we should place national coaches in these states so that they will be motivated to produce higher-quality athletes.
“Sometimes when all athletes are gathered in Kuala Lumpur, the situation becomes too congested and it may lead to problems,” said Annamalai.
Annamalai is currently striving to ensure that Pahang becomes a successful host for the Malaysia Open Athletics Championships, which will kick off tomorrow.
He cited the example of the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan, which now has a track recognised by World Athletics.
Although their track is of grade B standard, it is suitable and comparable to any SEA Games venue.
Furthermore, the Pahang Sports School in Gambang has proven that it too is capable of producing quality athletes.
Based on this premise, Annamalai feels that it is time for the states to be given the responsibility of training national athletes, provided that the state sports associations also demonstrate their commitment to implementing this plan.
“I have proposed it, and I hope they (MAF and NSC) will agree to identify the potential states.
“For example, in Pahang, we are very good at producing talents in field events and have already produced several top athletes at the national level, including hammer throwers Siti Shahida Abdullah and Tan Song Hwa, as well as pole vaulter Nor Sarah Adi.
“So for Pahang, we are ready if this plan is to be implemented,” he added. – June 14, 2024
