IS former chief coach P. Arivalagan returning to the national karate team soon?
The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) could rehire their former coach in a bid to restructure the national team following poor results last year.
The federation confirmed that they have approached Arivalagan and offered him a role pending approval from the executive committee.
Makaf deputy president Datuk Vincent Chen hinted at Arivalagan's involvement as one of the federation's moves to overhaul the national team.
All new initiatives are expected to be finalised by Jan 24. Makaf are not expected to retain underperforming exponents and coaches from the national team, which have been disbanded.
Among the national coaches who could lose their jobs are R. Puvaneswaran, S. Mahendran, Alexander Arlanthu, S. Senthil Kumaran (Kumite) and Ku Jin Keat (Kata).
"We are in discussion with Arivalagan to get his views. He presented some valid points. He will be playing an important part in the restructuring, but I can't reveal now," said Vincent.
"The restructuring not only involves the Kumite squad. It also encompasses the kata team.
"We had given them (the coaches) more than two years to develop the squad following Latvian Andris Vasiljevs's departure, but they showed no improvement.
"Makaf enjoyed quick growth after our major restructuring in 2013. The downfall, however, started after the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games.
"We are now at the bottom and cannot go down anymore. The only thing now is to rebound from the present situation."
Arivalagan was the chief coach from 2004-2011.
The seven-time Sea Games champion is now the Federal Territories Malaysia Games coach.
Vincent said Makaf are not looking for a foreign coach for now.
"We will stick to local players,"
Commenting on the financial challenges following the budget cuts in sports, Vincent said Makaf will try to secure funds from various parties, including individual sponsorship and crowdfunding.
The new national team will be tested at the Southeast Asian Championships in Cambodia and the National Championships in Kuala Lumpur, both in March. --BERNAMA
