KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling head coach John Beasley has stressed the importance of having more women coaches to help boost the development women athletes in Malaysia.
Beasley said female athletes have different requirements and go through different experiences then their male counterparts during their growing years.
"I haven't got any daughters but (I consider) all of the girls' in the (track cycling) programme as my daughters," said Beasley recently.
"But if I was a dad, I'd be horrified to hand them (daughters) over to a group of males (for training).
"To me, females need a female around to guide them, especially when they are young.
"There are a lot of changes that go on in an adolescent female when she is growing up and women coaches are better equipped to guide them.
"I think it's vital."
Beasley added that he is not fond of the sports school system implemented in Malaysia, however, is aware that it necessary due to infrastructure restrictions.
"I don't agree with the sports school (system) but it has to be that way for cycling because we don't have facilities all around the place (country)," he said.
"I believe the children should be with their parents. Parents teach them discipline, manners and many other things which are missing when they go to sports school.
"Moving forward, if we could do things differently I would have all the young females living at home if we had the facilities (to train at various locations) and good women coaches to service them.
"That would be the ideal world for me."
Beasley was speaking after attending the Sime Darby Foundation (SDF) Women and Girls' in Sports Forum in Kuala Lumpur recently.