Jaganathan slams press hype over contract issue

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national para-athletics chief coach R. Jaganathan has expressed regret that the press had played with para sprint champion Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi’s emotions in regard to his contract issue.

The coach, who will no longer train the squad after his contract was not extended, said the issue could have been avoided if the press did not break the news to Mohamad Ridzuan, better known as ‘Dek Wan’, without his knowledge.

“It became an issue because the press came and played with his emotions. This is all misunderstanding.

“The press came and blew up everything. If only they came and asked me personally, I will tell them everything from A to Z,” he said when met at a media conference at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil on Thursday. At the press conference, the NSC explained that the decision not to extend Jaganathan’s contract as head coach was to give way to younger coaches.

NSC added that the post would be filled by his assistant Ahmad Rafee Arifin, who has been involved in coaching since 2018.

Last month, Mohamad Ridzuan, the 2016 Rio Paralympics gold medallist, broke into tears when asked about the fate of his coach during an interview with a paytelevision station.

In response, Jaganathan said: “Of course he was sad. We have been together for so long, but I’m sure he will understand my situation.

“After this, if the press have any questions, please come and see the coach first before you go and talk to the athletes.

“These athletes have feelings too. We must work in line, talk to then coaches, they will brief you all,” he added.