Podium bombshell
Podium director quits after failing to meet top-10 target
Just three days after the Asian Games ended, Podium Programme director Tim Newenham tendered his resignation and took the blame for Malaysia’s failure to meet the top-10 target. “As director, I take responsibility for the performances of athletes on this programme,” said Newenham. With less than two years before the
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, his shocking decision has put the programme in limbo. Who will take over the hot seat? What will happen to the athletes and coaches? Will there be a new programme and can it guarantee Malaysia’s first Olympic gold?
PETALING JAYA: Englishman Tim Newenham dropped a bombshell by resigning from his post as the Podium Programme director after Malaysia failed to meet a top-10 finish at the two major Games this year.
Malaysia won seven gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia and the recent Asian Games in Indonesia but they did not finish among the top-10 nations.
“Now that the Asian Games have concluded and the athletes are safely back, it’s time to reflect,” said Newenham.
“The athletes achieved seven gold medal target in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games but this was not enough to reach the top-10 target.
“As director, I take responsibility for the performances of athletes on this programme and therefore, I’ve today, given my notice of resignation to the Youth and Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman),” he said.
Newenham has served as the director since the programme was launched in 2016. The multi-million programme was geared to give the Malaysian elite athletes the cutting edge to be on par with the worldclass athletes.
“The past two years and nine months since setting up this programme has been amazing, with the athlete improvements being the highlight. There have been lows too.
“Since the Podium was launched, there have been considerable success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the staff and coaching team.
Under the Podium Programme, more medals were won at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games than any other Olympics before.
Malaysia won three golds for the first time at the Paralympic Games in Rio, including two world records.
There have been over 30 athletes ranked top six in the world – more than ever and there were more medals and golds won at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games than the previous edition in Glasgow.
“Improvements and recommendations for the high performance system have been made throughout, using the integrated staff team from home and abroad and their combined experience and training,” said Newenham.
“It is my hope that all these systems are adopted across sports to benefit everyone in Malaysia. It was always my intention to cascade the best practices developed by the Podium Programme to help others.”
Newenham thanked his staff for their support and for going the extra mile.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have assisted sports in Malaysia and my special acknowledgement goes to the members of staff who have worked tirelessly, to the partner agencies and particularly to the athletes themselves, for their determination to make Malaysia proud,” he added.