KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Athletics (MA) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim announced today the return of sprint coach Mohd Poad Kassim to the national team.
This decision is viewed as an important step towards addressing recent conflicts, including a reported boycott, within the athletics fraternity.
“During today’s meeting, we resolved several issues, including the appointment of six new coaches that were approved by the National Sports Council (NSC),” said Shahidan, who led the Malaysia Athletics Council meeting at Wisma OCM.
“The NSC has also approved bringing back coach Poad, in addition to the six new coaches, and has given the green light to other matters arising.”
Poad’s comeback follows reports indicating that national sprinters were dissatisfied with his absence and had reportedly boycotted centralised training led by MA technical director Robert Ballard.
Shahidan said that the issue is now regarded as resolved.
“Regarding the recent media reports, we trust the board of inquiry and the discipline committee to handle it, and we prefer not to drag this issue out. Our priority is to keep the athletes concentrated on their training and preparations. We aim to settle other matters as quickly as possible.”
“I can confirm that the issue has been resolved. In fact, some individuals mentioned did not provide any statements,” he said.
“Athletes need to concentrate solely on their training plans. Our main objective is the SEA Games in Bangkok later this year.”
After stepping away from the national team last year, Poad has been coaching state athletes in Kedah. His return is viewed as a way to bring back stability, particularly since Malaysia’s leading sprinters have thrived under his coaching in the past.
“NSC has given the green light for coach Poad to come back, and we have also agreed to decentralised training,” Shahidan said.
“However, sending our athletes to Poad in Kedah will cost more than having him come here.”
Regarding the timeline for his return, Shahidan mentioned that talks with the NSC are still in progress, but suggested that he is expected to return soon.
“In principle, Poad will be joining us. The Youth and Sports Minister (Hannah Yeoh) is also quite concerned about this issue and wants it resolved as quickly as possible.”
He added that although one of the six new coaches specialises in sprinting, ensuring athlete comfort and maintaining continuity were important factors.
“We recognise that our athletes feel at ease working with Poad. It’s important to acknowledge that the previous issue stemmed from a miscommunication, and I don’t want to assign blame. Our focus should be on reducing problems and finding solutions, not creating more issues.”
Shahidan refrained from naming anyone related to the earlier controversy, simply stating, “That was something the media reported. My responsibility is to understand the situation fully and address it.”
It was previously reported that Khairul Hafiz Jantan, the 2017 SEA Games sprint champion, national women’s 100m record holder Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, and Nur Afrina Batrisya Mohamad Rizal, a double gold medallist at Sukma Sarawak, were among those who boycotted Ballard and complained about the situation.
While Poad’s immediate return is confirmed, it remains to be seen whether he’ll stay with the national squad after the SEA Games in Bangkok.
Given these developments, Malaysia Athletics is now concentrating on making sure all eight of their national sprinters, who are seen as potential medal winners, are fully committed to their training and in peak condition ahead of the regional competition. – April 24, 2025