Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz
KUALA LUMPUR: Former National Sports Institute (NSI) CEO Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz and former Malaysia Swimming Federation (MS) secretary-general Mae Chen have been appointed as committee members of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme for the 2025-2026 term.
The appointment of these two prominent figures in the national sports scene was approved by the National Sports Council (NSC) board of directors last Thursday.
Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, in a statement on Monday (March 24), said their appointment would strengthen the RTG programme, particularly in the fields of sports science and administration, by introducing new perspectives and ideas.
"Both figures are highly respected in their respective fields, and we eagerly anticipate working with them to chart the future direction of this programme," she said.
Ramlan, who previously had served as NSC director-general, has over 35 years of experience in sports science and medicine.
He has also served as the medical officer for the national contingent in six editions of the Olympic Games (1992-2012) and has held key positions such as director of the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) and chef de nission for the Malaysian contingent at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos and the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China.
Mae, meanwhile, is a seasoned sports administrator who began her career as assistant honorary secretary of the Kuala Lumpur Swimming Association in 2008 before being appointed to the same role in the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia in 2011.
She later served as MS secretary-general from 2015 to 2023 and is currently a member of the World Aquatics Bureau as well as a certified International technical official for World Para Swimming events.
Hannah remains as chairman of the committee, while Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, continues to serve as the deputy.
The RTG committee also retains several key individuals from the ministry and national sports institutions, including Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, newly appointed NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin, and NSI CEO Dr Vellapandian Ponnusamy.
Three highly respected former national athletes - Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi - will also continue as mentors, guiding and inspiring RTG athletes throughout the upcoming Olympic cycle.
Datuk Stuart Ramalingam remains as RTG project coordinator, assisted by the Head of the Road to Gold Division at the NSC, Halif Asro Ramzi Sulaiman.
The next RTG Committee meeting is expected to take place after the Aidilfitri holiday, with the list of athletes for the RTG 2025 cycle anticipated to be announced following the meeting. - Bernama
