SUPER COACH HOSPITALISED
Poad, mentor of Khairul Hafiz, suffers lung infection
COACH Poad Md Kassim, credited with producing a new generation of record breaking sprinters such as Khairul Hafiz Jantan and Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap, has been warded at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.
It is learnt that the 48-year-old coach is undergoing treatment for lung infection.
“Cikgu Poad has been warded at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru for the past two days,” said Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) principal Suhaimi Sun Abdullah.
“He is currently undergoing treatment and the doctor has advised him to be warded. Insya-Allah hopefully it is nothing serious.
“I pray that he makes a full, speedy recovery with no complications whatsoever. We have a lot of challenges to shoulder next year,” said Suhaimi yesterday.
Sprinters Khairul Hafiz, Badrul Hisyam and Asnawi Hashim have posted on Facebook and Instagram, appealing to the public to pray for their coach’s speedy recovery.
“Assalamualaikum, please pray for my coach (Poad) so that he is protected and given recovery back to good health as before.
“Today the doctor will put him in a medically induced coma because of bacteria spreading in his lungs which are worsening… Hopefully with all your prayers answered by Allah S.W.T., Amin,” read the posting.
Poad, a teacher who hails from Chabau, Jasin in Melaka, holds a degree in physical education from the Open University of Malaysia (OUM).
Among his notable achievements are unearthing and nurturing 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games 100m gold medallist Khairul Hafiz Jantan.
Poad groomed “The Speedy Jantan” into the speed demon that ended Malaysia’s 100m gold drought in the Sea Games.
Under Poad, Khairul also broke the 49year-old national 200m record at the Malaysia Open on July 18 with a time of 20.90s to eclipse the 20.92s set by Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.
I pray that he makes a full, speedy recovery with no complications whatsoever. We have a lot of challenges to shoulder next year. SUHAIMI SUN ABDULLAH Principal, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School