KUALA LUMPUR – Sports science expert P. Vellapandian has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sports Institute (NSI), effective today. He takes over from Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli, whose tenure ended yesterday after leading the institute since February 25, 2019.
NSI Board chairman Datuk Marina Chin announced the appointment at a press conference in Bukit Jalil, highlighting that the selection process was open to all qualified candidates.
“Vellapandian brings over two decades of experience in the fields of sports science, sports psychology, research, and the development of athlete performance,” she said, according to Bernama.
“His expertise in high-performance athlete development, sports psychology, and elite sports programme management will contribute to driving NSI to a higher level in support of national sports excellence.”
Vellapandian, 56, previously served as the CEO of the Malaysian Youth Development Research Institute under the Youth and Sports Ministry. He has also held key roles at NSI, including director of the Sports Performance Division and head of the Podium Programme.
He holds a PhD in Sports Psychology from the University of Western Australia, along with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in sports science from local universities. – February 25, 2025