PETALING JAYA: The target has been set by Dr Craig Duncan – he wants to make Harimau Malaya the fittest team in Asia.
The new national team High Performance and Sports Medicine Head said he has begun planning to implement a “world-class” framework within the new organisational structure of the national team.
Tapping into his extensive experience, especially in Australian football and sports, he wants to enhance sports science, medical science, fitness, nutrition, and the psychology of the players.
“For me, all these aspects are crucial to maximising the performance of each player to assist the head coach, Peter Cklamovski,” said Dr Duncan.
By focusing on sports science, he is determined to elevate the reputation of Harimau Malaya to the highest level someday.
“My target is to make the Malaysian national team the fittest team in Asia. Right now, our journey is still long.
“But we will reach that level. It all relates to the strategies that we will adopt. This effort must align with a world-class high-performance framework.”
Dr Duncan is one of the key hires made by the football body together with chief executive officer (CEO) Rob Friend and coach Cklamovski.
The national team project is being overseen by Johor Regent and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Dr Duncan expressed his admiration for Tunku Ismail’s vision to succeed in the national team’s revolution.
“I am very excited after meeting with my team members, including physiotherapists, fitness coaches, and the sports medicine department,” he said.
“I know we can work together and produce more positive aspects within the team.”