IPOH: "I don't really understand athletics," said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu today in explaining that it was not his job to determine whether to end or extend the contract of national para-athletics head coach R. Jaganathan.
"The decision to end the contract or whether MSN (National Sports Council) wants to extend the contract, it is not the job of a minister to know that," he said, adding that MSN was trying to get a long-term coach.
Ahmad Faizal said this to reporters after attending the XXII Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay at Padang Lintau, Kampung Tengku Hussein in Manjoi here, today.
He was commenting on 64-year-old Jaganathan's contract which ended last December, due to him being over 60.
On Thursday, sprinter Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, who appeared on Astro Arena could not hold back his tears when asked about the fate of his coach during the interview.
Ahmad Faizal added that to his knowledge, para-athletes including Mohamad Ridzuan had agreed with the decision but he could not control his emotion once he was asked about the departure of his coach by the media.
"He (Mohamad Ridzuan) agreed with the decision but once he was asked by members of media, he was touched since he has to part ways with his coach who has been with him for so long.
"In my view, whether in sports including politics... coach, athletes, politicians, and ministers, we come and go.
"What is important is that sports must continue and I hope our athletes can have more success to carry the name of Malaysia in the world sporting arena," he added.