Why Shahidan is bad for Malaysian athletics

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Malaysian athletics currently languishes without a coherent strategy or clear identity, and has shown no tangible improvement.

This troubling regression can be directly traced to the president of Malaysia Athletics (MA) and his management team, whose misguided priorities and inertia have stifled progress at every level.

It’s unfortunate that Shahidan Kassim seeks to cling to the MA presidency.

His continued tenure as president threatens to overshadow genuine leadership reform precisely when the sport urgently requires a revival.

Re‑electing Shahidan in the MA election on Sunday would likely entrench the very stagnation that has long hampered our athletes’ progress.

Shahidan and three other veteran administrators, Karim Ibrahim, Mark Ling and Wan Hisham Wan Salleh are competing for the No 1 post.

Each has served in administrations that delivered modest successes yet oversaw growing dysfunction.

None can claim flawless stewardship; the crucial question is whether any will inject fresh vision or simply uphold the status quo.

An effective president is a bridge‑builder, someone who not only crafts a bold strategic vision, but also turns it into operational excellence, fully appreciating the relentless demands of elite sport.

He must honour the autonomy and expertise of athletes and coaches, and foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration and shared accountability.

Shahidan has had his chance, let’s move on from him.

During his three-year term, Shahidan failed to usher in a new era of resurgence, leaving Malaysian athletics in a state of gloom.

Rather than galvanising the sport, he presided over a widening gap between Malaysia and its regional rivals.

He has condemned the country to further mediocrity, stifling progress and talent development, while further delaying the structural overhaul.

Shahidan’s tarnished tenure

Malaysia’s halcyon days in regional track and field, when the nation strode the podium with confidence, are long behind us.

Once imperious at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA), and a constant challenger at Asian level, our athletes now scramble for a single bronze.

The recent Asian athletics championships in Gumi, South Korea, delivered a stark indictment.

Malaysia’s 29 athletes managed only a solitary bronze medal, claimed by men’s discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin with a modest 58.82m effort.

That lone podium finish pales against the haul of our neighbours: Thailand’s seven medals, the Philippines’ gold, Singapore’s silvers, and Vietnam’s humble return.

Such performances exposed a deeper malaise — an erosion of talent and training standards.

Yet, there has been no serious examination of the fiasco in Gumi.

An independent inquiry would have helped us understand why established talents have all flopped in South Korea.

Shereen Samson Vallabouy, the US-based 400m bronze medallist at the 2023 Asian Games, clocked a sluggish 54.80 in the heats and failed to reach the semi-finals.

Khairul Hafiz Jantan, once a promising sprint star, clocked 10.71 in the 100m heats, far from his personal best.

Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, who holds the national women’s 100m record of 11.49, ran a season best of 11.65 in the heats, but in the final, clocked 12.01 to finish eighth and last.

The disqualified 4x100m men’s relay team were victims of a bungled baton exchange.

National hammer thrower Grace Wong and discus star Queenie Ting also underwhelmed, their best efforts landing three and four metres shy of their respective national records.

Did Shahidan and the MA management recognise this as a watershed moment, a siren for renewal?

With the SEA Games looming in December, time is rapidly running out for meaningful action.

Beyond quick fixes

There are no quick fixes to Malaysia’s athletic woes.

The sport’s illness requires a complete diagnosis and a commitment to long-term rebuilding.

This means honest assessments, embracing independent reviews, and acting decisively on recommendations.

It also involves fostering a transparent leadership that is genuinely committed to athlete development and excellence.

The current crop of athletes, some of whom showed flashes of promise at the recent championships, deserve a system that supports their growth.

They need access to better coaching, more competition, and a culture that celebrates perseverance and resilience.

A future in doubt or hope?

So, what can the new leadership do? Can the new president and his team turn the tide?

The answer hinges on their willingness to confront reality, prioritise athlete growth, and implement transparent, calculated reforms.

They must foster a culture of accountability, invest in coaching and facilities, and ensure that talented athletes receive the support they need to excel.

More importantly, they must move beyond personalities and politics.

The focus should be on building a sustainable ecosystem for athletics, one that encourages young talent, provides exposure, and nurtures a winning mindset.

Yet MA’s operations have been insular.

A vibrant athletics culture thrives on grassroots engagement – school meets, club competitions, district championships – that feed into national squads.

Under past administrations, these structures have shrunk.

The incoming leadership must prioritise connectivity: between clubs, districts and the national body; between athletes and administrators; and between Malaysia and international athletics networks.

Malaysia’s problem is not a lack of individual talent but a systemic failure to cultivate and sustain it.

A call for courage and change

Sunday’s election is not just about choosing leaders but about deciding whether the sport will continue to falter or rise anew.

Malaysia’s past glories are not lost forever, but they will remain just that — history — unless a new, bold leadership emerges to reimagine the sport’s trajectory.

It’s time for courage, honesty, accountability, and a genuine duty to excellence.

Only then can Malaysia hope to reclaim its place on the athletics map, fix its dignity, and inspire a new generation of champions.

Can the new president spark a convincing recovery, or will he merely extend the stagnation?

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

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