KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian coaching talent continues to be in demand overseas, with former national track cyclist Mohd Rizal Tisin the latest to secure a position abroad.
The 40-year-old has been hired by the Thai national cycling team, having taken up a one-year contract with the Thai Cycling Association last month.
Rizal, who has previously coached teams in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, said his main task will be to prepare Thailand’s cyclists for the 2025 SEA Games, which will be held in Thailand from December 9–20 this year.
“They approached me back in 2018, but I turned them down as I was under contract with Singapore,” Rizal explained.
“After my time with Indonesia ended last May, Thailand reached out again. I agreed to the offer in December, and started in January 2025.”
Although Rizal had been hoping for an offer to return to coaching the national squad, it is understood that no vacancies currently exist.
The Olympian is satisfied with the progress of his new team, particularly after leading them to two bronze medals in his first assignment as coach at the ASEAN Track Series (President’s Cup) 1 at the National Velodrome in Nilai last month.
Kanawat Chuathahan won bronze in the junior men’s keirin, while Sirawit Saensai took bronze in the junior men’s sprint.
Looking ahead, Rizal is focused on preparing his riders for the 2025 Asian Track Cycling Championships (ATC), which will be held in Nilai from February 21–27.
Among his key prospects is Norasetthada Bunma, who won silver in the men’s keirin at the 2024 Junior Track Cycling World Championships.
“I hope the performance of the Thai cyclists will improve at the ATC 2025 after their experience at the ASEAN Track Series,” said Rizal, who anticipates an official meeting with the Thai Cycling Association before the championships to set goals, including medal targets for the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
In addition to Rizal, Malaysia has recently lost two former divers to overseas roles.
Wendy Ng Yan Yee has taken up the position of talent development coach for Singapore’s national diving team, while Bryan Nickson Lomas, the former technical director of the national diving team, was poached by a country in Asia. — February 3, 2025