KUALA LUMPUR — Former National Sports Institute (NSI) CEO Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz and former Malaysian Swimming Federation (MS) secretary-general Mae Chen have been appointed to the Road to Gold (RTG) committee for the 2025-2026 term.
Their appointments were approved by the National Sports Council (NSC) board of directors last Thursday.
In a statement today, the Youth and Sports Minister said the inclusion of both figures would strengthen the RTG programme, particularly in the areas of sports science and administration, by bringing fresh perspectives and ideas.
“Both are highly respected in their respective fields, and we look forward to working with them in shaping the future direction of this programme,” the minister said.
Ramlan, a former NSC director-general, has over 35 years of experience in sports science and medicine.
He has served as the national contingent’s medical officer in six Olympic Games (1992-2012) and held key positions such as director of the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) and chef de mission for Malaysia at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos and the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China.
Mae Chen, meanwhile, has vast experience in sports administration, beginning as assistant honorary secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Swimming Association in 2008.
She later took on the same role in the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia in 2011 before serving as secretary-general of the Malaysian Swimming Federation from 2015 to 2023.
She currently sits on the World Aquatics Bureau and is a certified international technical official for World Para Swimming.
The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) also confirmed that Hannah Yeoh remains the RTG Committee chairperson, with Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria continuing as deputy chairperson.
Other key figures retained include KBS secretary-general Datuk Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, new NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin, and NSI CEO Vellapandian Ponnusamy.
Three former national athletes—Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Nicol Ann David, and Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi—will continue their roles as mentors to guide and inspire RTG athletes throughout the upcoming Olympic cycle.
Datuk Stuart Ramalingam remains the RTG project coordinator, assisted by Road to Gold NSC branch head Halif Asro Ramzi Sulaiman.
The next RTG Committee meeting is expected to take place after the Aidilfitri holidays, with the list of athletes for the RTG 2025 cycle to be announced thereafter.
Road to Gold Committee 2025–2026
Chairperson: Hannah Yeoh
Deputy chairperson: Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria
Committee members: Datuk Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, Jefri Ngadirin, Vellapandian Ponnusamy, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Nicol Ann David, Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi, Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz, Mae Chen
Project coordinator: Datuk Stuart Ramalingam
Assistant project coordinator: Halif Asro Ramzi Sulaiman
— March 24, 2025