KUALA LUMPUR: National sailor, Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy is hoping that the request for his father, Mohd Afendy Abdullah to be retained as a coach is duly considered during the working committee meeting for the sport of sailing with the National Sports Council (NSC) tomorrow (Friday).
According to the country’s first athlete to book a place to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the experienced coach is very much needed by him to best prepare for the prestigious Games next year.
"Im hoping that all the hardwork all this while in qualifying for the Olympics will be more than worth it with the NSC agreeing to provide the best possible coach to help guide and prepare me.
"The experience I was lucky to have in being able to compete at the Rio Olympic Games back in 2016 and the silver medal that I won in the laser event during the Indonesia Asian Games recently will open NSC’s eyes to seriously consider my request,” said Khairulnizam.
At the Asian Games that was held in August last year, the sport of sailing contributed one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
Khairulnizam is currently training on his own without guidance and advice of a coach after Mohd Afendy’s contract was ended, and he hopes that his father’s valuable services will be re-engaged up until next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
"I need a good coach who really understands me. My previous coach knew exactly what I needed and he really understood me very well.
"I am hoping that NSC will give my request due consideration,” said Khairulnizam who qualified on merit for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on the Asian ticket quota after winning silver at the Asian Games.
This is because gold medallist, South Korean Ha Jee Min has already booked his place during the world championships that was held in Denmark last year.