Kuala lumpur: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim made a surprising return to Malaysian Athletics (MA) today, less than a month after deciding not to seek re-election as its President when he was appointed as the Honorary Life President of the national athletics governing body, effective immediately. This latest development was announced by MA President, Datuk Karim Ibrahim during a press conference after chairing the MA Council Meeting at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) building here today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the announcement marked a significant moment in the history of Malaysian Athletics. “After our recent AGM, we proceeded with this appointment. Something different from before, where former MA President Shahidan was also present, and all have come together with one objective: to ensure athletics becomes the best sport in every aspect, be it competition, training, or participation in regional or even international games,” Karim told reporters during the press conference.
“So with that, the entire council today agreed to appoint Shahidan as the Honorary Life President of MA,” he added. Shahidan, who had previously led MA from 2006 to 2012, took a break before returning to helm the body after a decade and held the position from 2022 to 2025.
Shahidan becomes the second individual to receive such an honor after former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) President Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria was appointed as BAM Honorary Life President last November.
Karim also introduced a new working committee within MA, comprising former athletes, to focus on the development of athletics, namely comprising committee members Datuk Zaiton Othman, G. Shanti, Roslinda Samsu, Zaidatul Husna Zulkifli, and Datuk Seri Harjeet Singh. Also appointed to the committee are Datuk Salim Parlan and Mej Gen Datuk Padman K.P Bhaskaran.
“They will work together with the chosen individuals, or we will have a different pattern of approach, like having a think-tank talk with athletes. Former athletes know best what athletes need. That is the first thing,” Karim stated. “So, we have to approach this from many prospective angles, whether it’s training or motivation, encouraging athletes, meeting with parents of athletes and ensuring parental involvement. All of this will come together. That is the process we are moving on together with the World Athletics safeguarding procedure,” he added.