LETTERS: The Malaysian Athletic Federation (MAF) should be ashamed of their five gold medal win at the 31st Sea Games in Hanoi.

Why does the National Sports Council (NSC) not challenge MAF on their five gold medal target this time?

It is also shocking that reliable Nauraj Singh (national record holder at 2.30m) could only clear 2.18m to settle for the silver on count back, with our young jumper, Mohamad Eizlan Dahalan settling for the bronze at the same height.

The event was won by Thai jumper, Kobsit Sittichai, who cleared 2.21m to win the gold. 

History of Malaysian athletics at the Seap/Sea Games on average saw us winning at least 10 gold medals except in 1975 and four gold medals in Bangkok 2011; five in Palembang, and now we are repeating the poor results.

Our best years were at the 1965 KL Seap Games with 19 gold and in 1967 Bangkok with18 gold, 1997 Sea Games in Jakarta when we won 16 gold medals.

The decline in the winning of gold medals started after the year 2000 when athletics was getting into the doldrums, with weak leadership, clique system and infighting and doping scandal rocking the MAF.

No disrespect to our medal winners in Hanoi, kudos to the gold medal winners especially Jackie Wong — men's hammer and Grace Wong — women's hammer; Nor Sarah Adi (Pole Vault); Mohd Irfan Shamsuddin (discus) and Andre Anura Anuar (triple jump) including winning three silver and eight bronze in athletics.

What we are asking is, can the present leadership at MAF revive athletics? Transform its structure, find sponsors, come up with an elite and grassroots development plan?

It seems the present leadership together with state affiliates are not goal driven.

Since the inception of the Podium Programme, equipped with world-class facilities, equipment and scientific training, Malaysian athletics should be doing exceptionally well.

We, once a powerhouse in Asian atletics, are lagging behind a new sports power — Vietnam. Formerly a war-torn country. Over the years through sheer hard work and dedication, Vietnam is topping the table in athletics and overall medal tally surpassing over 100 medals.

The time has come for the state affiliates to think rationally and not rest on their laurels and hope for miracles to happen in athletics.

There is a call for MAF to re-engineer its association through a passionate, knowledgeable leader who has the foresight and vision for athletics in the country to progress.

The key areas of focus are talent identification, nurturing and development while working closely with MSSM, Sports Schools, and identification of centres of excellence, two for every state and to be monitored by State School Sports Centres and engagement of talent scouts.

In short, there is greater emphasis on grassroots development at the district, state and national levels, intensified to spot talents.

Revival of club athletics and competition by organising inter-club open relays, open road relays, government services meet, golden mile races, half and full-marathon races, decathlon and pentathlon open competition will unearth more talents.

There should be a technical director to implement the identified programmes nationwide and MAF must be well-equipped with a website to enhance its professionalism.

Come June 12, all the hopes and aspirations in the future Malaysian athletics will again be decided through the MAF election.

Hopefully, the12 states AAA affiliates will opt for leadership change by voting former Deputy MAF president Rear Admiral Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, a no-nonsense man, former navy rear admiral and a former MP for Port Dickson.

C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU

Seremban, Negri Sembilan

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/05/797638/when-can-we-see-revival-malaysian-athletics