Mohd Manshahar Appointed As Jumps Coach In MA Restructuring Process

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Athletics (MA) have appointed Mohd Manshahar Abd Jalil as their jumps coach for the 2026-2027 season under the national governing body's coaching system restructuring, which introduces a discipline-based approach.

Under this restructuring, Mohd Manshahar, a former athletics coach, will also serve as the coaching programme coordinator to ensure the implementation of training, monitoring of performance and documentation of the programme are carried out in accordance with the guidelines set by the MA.

The MA said the new approach involves appointing a head coach for every major discipline, mainly sprint, jumps, throws and middle- and long-distance running, to ensure national athlete training programmes are implemented in a more orderly, systematic and focused manner.

"The coaches were appointed after undergoing the evaluation and interview processes handled by an independent panel to ensure every individual picked is experienced, skilled and capable of guiding national athletes to reach the highest level.

"The MA also set development targets for the two SEA Games cycles as part of efforts to strengthen the performance of national athletes through the expertise of local coaches,” the MA said in a statement today.

Apart from Manshahar, the other Podium Programme coaches appointed are Mohd Nizam Md Yusof, Mohamad Ali Hamid, Zainuddin Yusoff and Ahmad Firdaus Salim.

The MA also appointed seven coaches - Lee Hup Wei, Muhammad Hakimi Ismail, Tan Song Hwa, Lo Choon Sieng, Hisham Mustaza Ibrahim, Mohd Jironi Riduan and Roslinda Samsu - to strengthen the development of backup athletes.

Meanwhile, the MA said they will continue implementing coaching development initiatives, such as the train-the-trainer (TOT) programme, to ensure the transfer of knowledge and expertise to local coaches, thereby continuously strengthening the national athletics development ecosystem.

The MA also expect to hire several foreign coaches soon to complete the existing coaching structure, and they are targeted to begin work in April. 

-- BERNAMA