Adnan is back to deal with unfinished business
Archery coach Adnan Ahmad is back after two years to take care of unfinished business in the national compound team.
Adnan left the national squad after guiding Malaysia to a sensational four-gold medal haul at the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.
And now that he is back, he wants to continue where he has left – and that is to tap the full potential of his charges to hit more bullseye in the international stage.
National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) hired Adnan as a replacement for Zaki Mahazan, who left last year.
“I’ve been with the national team since 2009 but times were tough then,” said Adnan, who is attached with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza).
“We didn’t have a full-time programme those days because we were not in the Olympic programme.
“I was only called for major competitions. I assembled a team one or two months before the competitions.
“Despite the many obstacles, we always produced creditable results. The team have gone from strength to strength. Now, archery is recognised as a medal-contributing sport. I’m glad to be back. I hope to continue where I left off and help them fulfil their full potential.
“The current batch of archers are great, but I want to see them soar even higher.”
During his six-year stint, Adnan was instrumental in transforming Malaysia into a force to be reckoned with.
Malaysia were regular podium finishers at the Asia Cup series (formerly known as Asian Grand Prix) but the best-ever outing was when Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Saritha Cham Nong and Nor Rizah Ishak bagged a historic gold at the 2015 World Cup series in Shanghai.
Adnan’s major task on his return is to guide the team to their first ever medal at the Jakarta Asian Games in August.
Only three events will be contested – the men’s and women’s individual events and mixed teams.
When compound archery made its debut at the Incheon Asian Games four years ago, Zaki was the men’s team best performer when he reached the semi-finals of the men’s individual event.