SERDANG: Identifying talent is only half the battle – knowing how to manage and retain it is what separates champions from the rest, says Johor Sukma athletics coordinator S. Ananda Raja.
His comments came after Johor were crowned overall champions of the competition at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) with nine gold, eight silver and five bronze medals, completing a hattrick of titles following wins in the Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur editions.
Terengganu finished second with seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals, while Federal Territories rounded out the top three with 6-1-3.
"People often talk about talent identification and development, but talent management and athlete welfare are paramount – we put the athletes first, and that is our secret to success," said Ananda, a teacher at SMK Seri Perling who has spent 20 years with the Johor Sukma squad, first as a coach, then team manager and now coordinator.
He explained that Johor’s structure sets it apart from other states.
"Unlike other teams that rely on traditional team managers and head coaches, Johor athletics have a coordinator who manages the team year-round, while team managers typically join two to three months prior to the Games."
Johor had set a target of five golds but nearly doubled that tally, matching their combined haul from the Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur editions.
Four of the nine golds came with new Sukma records, while two silver medallists also bettered existing marks before the gold medallist broke them again.
Their overall medal count rose to 21, up from 18 previously.
Ananda added that preparation for the next Games begins almost immediately.
"Within two to three weeks, we list athletes eligible by age and begin two years of continuous preparation."
He credited the Johor State Sports Council for their consistent backing, noting athletics – with 47 golds up for grabs – remains a state priority.
The gold medallists will receive RM10,000 each.
About 60% of Johor’s current squad of 40 athletes remain eligible for the next Sukma, with scouting conducted year round, largely through the Johor School Sports Council.
The star of Johor’s campaign was sprinter Danish Iftikhar Mohd Roslee, who swept the 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles.
