KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Athletics (MA) technical director Robert Ballard has denied allegations that national sprinters were boycotting training under his watch, saying the recent media report was “entirely untrue” and “defamatory”.
In a strongly worded statement today, Ballard said he had never threatened any athlete with removal from the national programme for choosing not to train under the centralised system, and criticised the media for publishing the claim without first seeking his response.
“To publish an unverified statement implying abuse of authority is highly irresponsible,” he said. “I am seeking legal advice on the protection of my public image and professional reputation.”
Ballard, who joined MA in August 2023, also stressed that decentralised training had not only been supported by the association, but formally proposed as part of a long-term development model.
The approach was endorsed in 2024, he said, to give athletes greater autonomy while ensuring they remain accountable to performance targets.
“If an athlete chooses to train under a decentralised arrangement, MA respects and supports that decision,” he said, provided it falls within the terms agreed with the National Sports Council (NSC).
Ballard’s statement follows a media report claiming several sprinters were unhappy with his role and had opted out of centralised training, while also highlighting a vacuum in national sprint coaching following the departure of coach Mohd Poad Md Kassim.
According to Ballard, neither Poad nor the NSC formally notified MA of his exit, leaving the team without a proper handover.
“His exit occurred without transitional planning… MA responded by implementing an interim structure under my supervision,” he said.
Ballard said MA had already begun a search for new sprint coaches — both domestic and international — but delays in finalising appointments resulted in multiple candidates withdrawing.
“This situation is symptomatic of wider structural challenges,” he said, while reiterating MA’s commitment to strengthening high-performance coaching frameworks across all disciplines.
He also addressed concerns over the hammer throw programme, noting that MA had consistently pushed for the appointment of a dedicated coach since the 2022 Asian Games.
Efforts included inviting a Cuban Olympic medallist to run clinics in 2024 — a figure who remains in active contact with athletes like Grace Wong and could be appointed in a formal capacity.
“Reform and standardisation can take you out of your comfort zone,” Ballard said. “But our athletes deserve a system that is modern, equitable, and internationally competitive.” — April 20, 2025