Malaysia’s Coaching Talent in High Demand
The talent of Malaysian coaches continues to attract the attention of foreign countries. The latest example is former national track cyclist Mohd Rizal Tisin, who has been hired by the Thai national team.
Coaching Job in Thailand
Mohd Rizal took up his coaching job in Thailand last month, after being given a one-year contract by the Thaicycling Association. The 40-year-old coach has previously trained teams from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and his primary task is to help the Thai cyclists prepare for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
Background on Coaching Job
Mohd Rizal was approached by the Thaicycling Association in 2018, but he declined the offer at the time because he was under contract with Singapore. However, after his duties with Indonesia ended last May, Thailand approached him again and he agreed to the deal offered in December last year.
Current Focus
Currently, Mohd Rizal is focused on training his riders, including key prospect and 2024 Junior Track Cycling World Championships silver medallist in the men’s keirin, Norasetthada Bunma. His team will compete in the 2025 Asian Track Cycling Championships (ATC) from Feb 21-27 in Nilai, and he hopes that the Thai cyclists will improve their performance in this event after competing in the ASEAN Track Series (President’s Cup) 1 at the National Velodrome, Nilai.
Medal Targets
Before the ATC 2025, Mohd Rizal will be involved in an official meeting with the Thaicycling Association to set the direction of the Thai cycling team, including medal targets for the 2025 SEA Games, which will be held in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
Competition for Local Talent
It is understood that there are currently no vacant positions in the Malaysian national cycling squad, and Mohd Rizal admitted that he was actually waiting for an offer to return to coaching the national squad. However, Malaysia has recently lost two former divers, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, who serves as the talent development coach for Singapore’s national diving team, and former national diving team technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas, who was poached by a country in Asia.
Conclusion
Mohd Rizal’s success in coaching abroad highlights the competitiveness and talent of Malaysian coaches in the international sports arena. It also underscores the need for the local sports fraternity to develop a system that encourages and retains its coaching talent to compete with international demand.
FAQs
Q: Who is Mohd Rizal Tisin?
A: He is a former national track cyclist from Malaysia.
Q: Who is his employer?
A: He is employed by the Thai national cycling team.
Q: What is his primary task as a coach?
A: He is tasked with helping the Thai cyclists prepare for the 2025 SEA Games.
Q: How long is his contract?
A: It is a one-year contract.