Mazlan: Time to nurture local coaches
THE decision by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) to name a coach from Australia as Yang Zhuliang’s replacement to lead the national diving team from January next year is seen as a move or step backwards.
Former National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad said by right, the National Sports Institute (NSI) and Asum should by now be able to produce local coaches who are on par with foreign trainers.
“We will not advance if we continue to depend on foreign expertise.
“I am not here to dispute the ability of the Australian coach because I am confident that his impending arrival will be able to elevate the sport especially in terms of technique and other aspects concerning the divers.
“But what disappoints me is we are still unable to produce our own capable coaches whereas Australia have proven that they have moved forward by producing their very own trainers.
“NSI and NSC must change their approach. They should not just think about producing athletes but also think about how they are going to nurture good local coaches,” said Mazlan.
It is understood that the coach from Australia that will be engaged is Christian Brooker, who is an assistant coach with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI).
Brooker is not a novice as he was named Australia’s Best Elite Youth Coach for 2014.
If compared to Zhuliang, it is obvious that Brooker, 36, does not have the experience and exposure at the highest level as the Australian has only coached junior divers.
But his impending appointment is believed to be because of purported close links between a Podium Programme official and his father, Eric Brooker, who was appointed as technical director for the diving event at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last August. Naqib Nor Said