Swimming’s Nurul Huda and athletics’ Zaki – a study in contrasts

CHANGE is a process, not an event. It can be a lengthy undertaking or otherwise. Entrepreneur gurus advocate micro speed, macro patience – the need to work hard every day, allied with tons of patience while enjoying the process.In sports, there is a predictable pattern in the ecosystem.

In a democratically-elected set of office bearers in any national sports association, you may find three types of leaders – those bent on retaining their positions in perpetuity no matter what, those who aim to effect change based on ethics and fair-play, while putting trust in the process and those who rule by an iron fist.

Against this backdrop, critics lament we do not give enough room for former athletes to run the associations administratively and be part of the policy-making process.

While many find it comfortable to slip into a technical or coaching role as a natural progression after ending their playing career, it is rare for an elite and high-profile athlete to reach the apex of sporting administration in Malaysia.

The only name that springs to mind is Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan. He became a deputy president of the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) when they were known as the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) in the 1990s and later, held the same position in the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

In restoring the battered image of athletics and swimming, close on the heels of a disappointing outing at the recent SEA Games in Cambodia, two legends in their chosen fields offer a study of contrasts.

While Nurul Huda Abdullah created a ripple in getting herself elected into the Malaysia Swimming Federation (MS) recently, Mohd Zaki Sadri has bid farewell to his role as the chief coach of athletics, less than four months into the job.

Interestingly they served the same president, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who helms both the MS and MAF.

Former long and triple jumper Zaki had intended to leap into new horizons when he was appointed to replace Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil in February.

Unfortunately, Zaki, who scaled regional heights in the SEA Games by accumulating eight gold and three silver medals from 1987 to 2001, grew frustrated with certain individuals in the MAF, insisting that he would not want to work with people who did not understand his role.

“As the chief coach and a former athlete, I have an idea how to revive our fortunes. I wanted to review the coaching structure and groom young coaches. But others seem to have different ideas.

“They seem to know better, despite not having any athletics background. It is difficult to work when we do not enjoy their trust. They listen to the wrong people and keep on interfering with all our decisions. I am not a yes man,” he was quoted as saying.

Under his watch, Zaki, who participated in the 1987 IAAF World Championship in Rome, the track and field team bagged five gold, three silver and 11 bronze medals in Cambodia.

A handful of athletes performed to expectations, such as Umar Osman (men’s 400m), Shereen Samson Vallabouy (women’s 400m) and Mohd Irfan Shamshuddin (men’s discus) yet Zaki has given up the opportunity to play a role in resuscitating the sport at the national level, with the MAF reportedly eyeing to lure former technical director, Robert Ballard, back to Malaysia.

Nurul Huda, meanwhile, is now part of MAS’ leadership that has taken on a fresh look after the recent elections.

The one-time darling of Malaysian sports who ruled the pool for eight years, Nurul Huda, representing Selangor, is the new assistant secretary after beating Tan Chin Chin (Kuala Lumpur) 28-20.

As the two measurable sports that are permanent fixtures in all multi-sports Games, swimming and athletics are plagued by similar issues – the lack of local circuit competitions, virtually no coaching courses to empower technical personnel, and little development done at state level.

As Nurul Huda decided to jump at the opportunity to create a new wave of leadership in swimming, Zaki is taking the opposite path. Running out of patience, he wants to avoid getting drowned in a cesspool.

In contrast, Nurul Huda, a banker trained in psychology, might just have the endurance to create a ripple effect on the swimming community.