KUALA LUMPUR: "For now there is no need for the post of Podium Programme director."
This was the reaction of UiTM Shah Alam’s Sports Science and Recreational Faculty senior lecturer Mohd Sadek Mustaffa when speaking on the best possible candidate to fill the position to head the programme after Australian Tim Newenham resigned.
Sadek is of the opinion that the National Sports Institute (NSI) need to set up a special committee to manage the Podium Programme.
Therefore, Sadek is proposing that former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general, Datuk Mazlan Ahmad head the said special committee.
"We do not need to look for Newenham’s replacement, but instead set-up a special committee for the Podium Programmwe, a committee that has all the right expertise and experience needed to manage and further develop the programme in the right direction.
“Anyway, we just do not have the time because the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games is less than two years away, about 18 months before it begins.
"Actually, we can also rope in representatives from sports that qualify, such as representatives from track cycling, archery and sailing.
"And by right such a committee should be headed by an individual with vast experience who is outside the political circle, where the individual will report directly to the Sports Minister.
“In my personal opinion, Datuk Mazlan is the most qualified individual to head the committee as he has vast experience leading and helming NSC, apart from being the respected architect who was responsible for the 98’ Jaya Programme for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, as he set a high standard as a marker for success and he is also well respected,” Sadek pointed out.
Earlier, Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman voiced out that he prefers a local candidate to head the Podium Programme following Newenham’s resignation.
He believes that Malaysia has many worthy candidates among locals who are more than qualified to take up the post in the mission to ensure that the national contingent is able to win the country’s first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
When asked as to why he does not agree that the post of Podium Programme director be retained and filled, Sadek reasoned that with such a short period of time left before the Tokyo Olympics, it would be virtually impossible for just one individual to undo and address all the damage that has happened.
"Actually, there is more good to be had if a special committee is set up as we must eradicate the practice of ‘lobbying and sucking up’, apart from ensuring the the selection of athletes is carried out in a fair and just manner that is based on merit.
"If the post of director is retained, then the individual who is appointed to the post will have to face all sorts of obstacles and challenges in a short span of time, and a local individual could also be easily influenced by sports association presidents who are mostly made up of politicians.
"With the state of the country’s sporting arena in such a sorry, sad state, it is much better if we all work together collectively as a cohesive group to come up with the best ideas and decisions that can lead to the desired results and excellent achievements that are hoped for in the future,” stressed Sadek.