Malaysian athletics crying out for change – are we brave enough to do it?

IMAGINE this – a new Malaysian Athletics (MA), led not by politicians or power brokers, but by former athletes who once shed blood, sweat and tears to fight for the Jalur Gemilang on the track.

Not just one ex-athlete, but a collective force of former national stars coming together to rebuild a sport that has drifted far from its glory days.

They do not need to be superstars or Olympic medallists.

What matters is that they once wore national colours with pride and understand the sacrifices needed to compete at the highest level.

Race, background and status should not matter.

The mission should be singular – to restore credibility, stability and direction to an association too often dragged down by infighting, political manoeuvring and endless clamouring for positions.

It may sound idealistic, but why not? Why can’t Malaysia dare to try something different?

Former sprint king Nazmizan Mohd could well be among those capable of leading the charge.

The 45-year-old, who captured the 100m and 200m gold medals at the 2003 Hanoi SEA Games, has remained active in sports administration and recently served as deputy chef de mission for Malaysia at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games.

He has experience, credibility and, more importantly, passion for the sport.

Others also come to mind, like Roslinda Samsu, Noraseela Khalid and Siti Mariam Tobias. Strong personalities, outspoken figures and former athletes who understand what is lacking in Malaysian athletics today.

They are already contributing in different capacities within the national sports ecosystem and know how sports administration works.

Former race walker Annastasia Karen Raj is another name worth considering. So too is Josephine Mary, herself a former athlete and the mother of national sprint sensation Shereen Samson Vallabouy.

Former high jumpers Lee Hup Wei and Nauraj Singh Randhawa are already involved in coaching and could play important technical roles in shaping the next generation.

The idea is simple as we want to give former athletes a genuine opportunity to manage and shape the sport.

Let those who truly understand athletics from the inside try to steer it out of its current mess.

Right now, MA are in turmoil. President Datuk Karim Ibrahim, who was elected only last year, recently stepped down amid mounting external pressure.

Questions had continued to surround his suitability to lead after his past World Athletics sanction was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Deputy president Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, who is now overseeing daily operations on an interim basis, described Karim’s decision as selfless.

But perhaps the truly selfless move would be for Malaysian athletics to embrace sweeping reforms for the sake of the sport’s future.

The association’s annual general meeting in June will see the search for a new president begin.

The concern, however, is whether Malaysian athletics will once again fall into the same cycle – same drama, same script, just with different actors.

Hopefully not.

Recently, several former athletes, including Noraseela, Datuk Zaiton Othman and Datuk Karu Selvaratnam, launched Reform in Sports and Excellence (RISE) to push for meaningful change within MA.

That alone should be a sign that former athletes are no longer content merely watching from the sidelines. They want to be part of the solution.

And honestly, Malaysian athletics desperately needs one.

The sport has stagnated badly. Malaysia are no longer even a dominant force at SEA Games level, once considered our minimum benchmark.

If constitutional amendments or special provisions are needed to bring capable former athletes into leadership roles, then so be it.

Sports bodies should evolve if they genuinely want progress.

Look at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

President Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz entrusted Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei with overseeing key aspects of coaching and training, and the former world No. 1 has already begun enforcing stricter standards and accountability.

The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) also feature former internationals such as Sharon Wee and Mohd Azlan Iskandar in leadership roles.

Their presence brings an athlete’s perspective into decision-making.

And this conversation should not stop with athletics alone.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) also have former players involved, but many remain on the fringes without meaningful influence.

Perhaps it is time Malaysian sports finally trusted their former athletes not just to inspire from the sidelines but to lead from the front.