HEAVYWEIGHTS CAST ASIDE
Several sports experts sidelined for post-mortem on Podium Programme
IT is puzzling that several experienced sports experts in the country have been sidelined for the two-day post-mortem on the Podium Programme, which starts on Thursday, at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Bukit Jalil.
Among those left out are former National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad, sprint legend Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan and former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.
Except for former OCM secretary general Datuk Low Beng Choo, the other two independent members — UiTM sports science lecturer Sadek Mustaffa and Economic Planning deputy director general (community development) Ahmad Faedzal Ramli — are relatively unknown in the sports industry.
The main reason for the postmortem, to be moderated by former Sportswriters Association of Malaysia president Ahmad Khawari Isa, is to come up with solutions and new strategies following mediocre performances at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the Indonesia Asian Games.
Among those invited are Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, NSI chief executive officer Dr Khairi Zawi, former Podium director Tim Newenham and OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.
Also on the list are the heads of respective national sports associations (NSAs) whose athletes are under the programme.
The event will start with a presentation from Podium on their overall performances at the two major games and it ends with presentation of reports and recommendations.
The Sports Ministry will be represented by six officials, the NSC — 27, NSI — 21, OCM — three and NSAs — 33.
The Podium Programme was launched in 2016 to produce athletes good enough to win Olympic titles at the 2020 Tokyo edition.
A total of RM67 million has been invested into the programme.
At the Asian Games, the national contingent finished 14th with seven gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals, and at the Commonwealth Games, Malaysia were 12th overall with a 7-5-12 haul.
The sports under the programme are hockey, weightlifting, swimming, diving, badminton, cycling, gymnastics, silat, lawn bowls, karate, archery, shooting, athletics, sepak takraw, squash, bowling and wushu.