Zaiton rejects top coaching role, Malaysia Athletics left reeling By Frankie D'Cruz

The golden girls who ruled Southeast Asia’s tracks in the 1980s: from left, Zaiton Othman, Mumtaz Jaafar, Saik Oi Cum and V Angamah. (Code Computer Design pic)

FMT : Zaiton Othman’s decision to decline the post adds to a string of controversies shaking the national athletics body.

KUALA LUMPUR Former heptathlon queen Zaiton Othman has declined Malaysia Athletics’ (MA) offer to head its new coaching and development board. Her decision deals a blow to the association’s bid to bring past greats back into the fold to help revive the sport.

Zaiton, announced in June as chairman of the board, told FMT she never signed the acceptance letter. She said she had already informed then MA general manager Nurhayati Karim in July that she would not be able to take up the role.

“I’ve not been well lately and I never signed the acceptance letter,” she said. “After my return from overseas, I had a discussion with my former coach, C Ramanathan, and decided not to accept the offer. “I told Nurhayati that I had to pull out because of my health reasons.”

She added: “I think I have done enough for the sport as an athlete and as a national juniors coach.” Her decision means she will not attend the coaching and development board’s first meeting on Thursday.

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