KUALA LUMPUR: Sports observer Sadek Mustaffa believes that more former athletes should be roped in to help with developing the next generation of Malaysian talent.
The Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sports and Recreation Faculty senior lecturer said the unique perspective they bring can prove valuable when it comes to grooming athletes.
This, he claims, can be clearly seen recently in sports such as squash.
"The squash community, since being led by former players, has shown some positive changes," said Sadek recently.
"They have shown difference in how they are developing the younger generation and how they are approaching future competitions.
"I think Sharon Wee and Co have made some very good changes, so congratulations to them.
"In aquatics, we now have Nurul Huda Abdullah and Bryan Nickson Lomas who are teaming up well to help change the landscape in swimming and diving.
"I would like to see more former athletes getting involved in their associations. With their experiences and critical thinking skills, I think they will be able to make a difference.
"We need this kind of former athletes who sincerely want to build up the next generation of talent."
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia's elections in 2020 saw former internationals Gerrard Monteiro coming in as president, Azlan Iskandar as deputy president and Sharon as vice president.
National squash players S. Sivasangari and Ng Eain Yow have both made great strides in the sport over the past 12 months while there has been no shortage of promising juniors coming up the ranks in recent seasons.
Malaysian aquatics, especially swimming, has been in a state of decline over the past decade.
This led to a change in the Malaysia Aquatics committee last year with Marilyn Chua coming in as vice president and Nurul elected as the new assistant secretary.
Bryan was then brought in as the technical director for diving. The trio are all Olympians.
