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Newly-elected president aims to repair damage done to athletics

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad finally has his shot at restoring Malaysian athletics to its glory days.

Zainal, who defeated incumbent Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim by two votes at the annual general meeting yesterday, however, faces a stiff challenge in lifting the battered image of the association and sport.

But he had been so confident of winning that he came prepared with his victory speech to outline his plans for the future.

The 71-year-old Zainal, who has been Negri Sembilan AA president since 1992, said he had long wanted to get athletics back on track.

Zainal had served as MAU secretary from 1969-1972 and vice-president from 1980-2001. He was also the coaching committee chairman from 1979-1990.

Victory yesterday has thrust him into the hot seat and he is looking forward to repairing the damage done to the sport in recent years.

“I will have to deliver now that the baton has been passed to me. I don’t have a magic wand but I have a good track record as an athlete and official,” said Zainal, who was a sprintler and hurdler at state level from 1965-68.

“We must close ranks and work as a team to transform MAU and get athletics flourishing again. There are no short cuts, we must work hard to achieve success.

“I want to run MAU in a professional way with capable, committed and experienced officials.”

Zainal said his wife, Tan Sri Nuraizah Abdul Hamid, had discouraged him from contesting the MAU elections for the past 10 years.

“This time, I didn’t ask her but just plunged in and only told her afterwards. I’m happy that she respects my decision and continues to be my inspiration,” he said.

Zainal said he cannot bring changes by himself and needs all the support he can get from the government, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), the Education Ministry, the states and other agencies as well as the corporate and private sectors.

The Star

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