ARE our sports associations being run competently, passionately and ethically by sports administrators and coaches in the country?
Coaches play a crucial role in our country’s sports development in discovering new talents for the future. However, of late, a number of controversies have cropped up in some national sports associations, such as factions (team A and team B), power struggles and bad mouthing through social media. Stop playing politics and bring results to the table or please vacate the seat professionally.
The irony of this is that some of these weak sports administrators have warmed their seats for far too long and have not brought in the desired results. Being a
deadwood and a “yes man” will not take sports to a higher level.
There is demand for sports science, innovative coaching and digitalisation in the administration of sports. Why can’t the National Sports Council (NSC) and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman intervene by working closely with the national sports associations. They can start at the state level and identify competent and committed sports administrators who are qualified and passionate about sports in general, especially former national and state athletes who can be on their payroll and who can contribute positively to the development of sports in the country?
Coaches have many responsibilities in overseeing sports organisations, co-ordinating and monitoring coaching staff, preparing reports and budgets, working on the selection of athletes, setting competition dates and other administrative duties. The administrators must create a conducive and interactive working environment and build partnerships with various stakeholders, including the media, as well as build committed fan bases.
There is no place for half-baked sports administrators who resort to playing politics and apple polishing their godfathers in sports associations, thus bringing down the standard of sports.
Malaysian sports is facing a tough time due to the scarcity of talent since the retirement of former world champions such as Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Lee Chong Wei who have not only won and brought fame and honour to the nation but are also an inspiration to other younger athletes.
The minister, national sports associations and state affiliates as partners in the development of sports in the country, must reject all deadwood by bringing in fresh blood through a stringent selection process to return sports to its glory days.
C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU
Seremban, Negri Sembilan