JOSIAH OFFERS HIS COACHING SERVICES TO MALAYSIA
Ex-national cyclist Josiah wants to return as a coach in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: It will be Malaysia’s loss if Josiah Ng ends up taking a coaching job elsewhere. The former national cyclist wants to return to the national fold – this time as a coach. But the ball is at the National Sports Council (NSC)’s feet.
Josiah’s coaching contract with the Thailand track cycling squad ended after the Asian Games in August and he expressed his desire to return and work in Malaysia.
Josiah has received offers to coach outside but his heart is set on coming back to serve the country.
“I’ve been serving the country as an athlete for 15 years and I want to contribute something back as a coach.
“Cycling has been in my blood all this while and I’m interested to work with the national elite and back-up set-up. I know I can do a good job,” said the former Olympic finalist and World Cup overall winner.
Josiah is meeting up with the NSC management committee next month and is keeping his fingers crossed something good will come out of it.
“I had a meeting with NSC (National Sports Council) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail sometime after the Asian Games and he asked me to wait for the budget allocation first.
“I can only hope for the best,” added Josiah,
Cycling has been in my blood all this while and I’m interested to work with the national elite and back-up set-up. I know I can do a good job. Josiah Ng
who quit the national team three years ago before trying out coaching early this year.
Junaidi Nasir has also quit his job as coach to the back-up squad to take up a new position with the Johor cycling team and hopefully NSC will do the right thing.
Josiah has certainly proven himself as a coach. Despite being given a short time to work, he managed to deliver an unexpected Asian Games cycling gold medal for Thailand in August.
Josiah, who started coaching in Thailand in February, trained Australia- born Jai Angsuthasawit to win the men’s keirin final in Jakarta Asiad.
Azizulhasni Awang, the 2017 world champion, was the favourite to win the race to add to the sprint title he won two days before but had to settle for bronze instead.