Don’t lose sight of grassroots, says former sports school principal amid reform push

Suhaimi Sun Abdullah, former principal of Bandar Penawar Sports School, says while reform is needed, Malaysia must not neglect grassroots development in its pursuit of sporting excellence.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a room full of champions, yet a quiet voice spoke out not to laud them, but to give a gentle reminder: “Don’t forget about the kids.”

Suhaimi Sun Abdullah, former principal of Bandar Penawar Sports School (now known as Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail), was one of the guest speakers at Saturday’s Reform in Sport and Excellence (RISE) press conference.

RISE, a coalition of former athletes, has banded together to call for clarity, accountability and systemic reform in Malaysian sports in general, and athletics, in particular. It is spearheaded by hurdler Hamdi Jaafar, Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed, former National Athletes Welfare Foundation chairman; double international Lieutenant-Commander (Rtd) S. Karunakarer; heptathlon queen-turned Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman; and former hurdler Noraseela Khalid, now president of the Malaysia Olympians Association.

“Sport fosters unity. I have seen this throughout my 36-year career in education,” said Suhaimi, who retired in 2020 as the deputy director of the education ministry’s sports, co-curriculum and arts division.

“I have seen athletes of different faiths and religions share rooms in hostels and non-Muslims fasting alongside Muslims during Ramadan. This is the beauty of Malaysia.

“When a Malaysian athlete wins gold, you will hear them sing the Negaraku. Students who earn 10As don’t hear the national anthem.”

Suhaimi added that while there is a need for reform in sports, he warned that “we must not take our eyes off grassroots development”.

Despite playing a part in developing 55 Olympians during his time at the two sports schools, Suhaimi said more could be done.

“There are over 10,000 schools in Malaysia – primary and secondary. How many of these schools are producing quality athletes?” he asked.

“We need to cast our net wider, as we may be losing out on talented athletes.

“So, while RISE is campaigning for clarity, accountability and systemic reforms, I urge them to also think about grassroots development.”

He added that education and sports play an important role.

“They must go hand-in-hand, as we need to ensure there is a career path once the athletes’ sporting days are over,” he said.

“If they don’t have to worry about their future, they can give their all to the sport.”

Suhaimi cited sepak takraw as an example of a sport that had come under pressure for its lack of results.

However, since the change in leadership in 2022, when Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan became president, the sport has seen a turnaround.

Last year, Malaysia won two gold medals at the Thailand SEA Games, ending a 34-year drought.

“Leadership is crucial. There are often many challenges, but we must never neglect grassroots development, and a long-term athlete development framework,” said Suhaimi, who was also the Bukit Jalil Sports School’s head of sports science before his move to Bandar Penawar Sports School.

“Strong leadership and governance are essential. Look at sepak takraw today.

“Since I started working with them in 2022, we now have a National Sepak Takraw Development Programme, 37 centres and 74 coaches across Malaysia, from Perlis to Labuan. Why? Because its leadership recognised that development matters.”

The RISE press conference was organised as questions remain over Datuk Karim Ibrahim’s eligibility to be Malaysia Athletics president, following his 2018 suspension by World Athletics, then known as the International Association of Athletics Federations. Although the decision was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the duration and scope of the suspension remain unclear, while Karim has denied claims that he was banned for life.

Zaiton, a former Sports Commissioner, warned that Malaysia Athletics could face sanctions from the world body if it does not comply with World Athletics’ rules and regulations.