Coach Sharmendran carries on as officials decide his status
Sharmendran was initially appointed as national development team coach following his retirement as a national karateka in 2023.
But he was moved up to the senior national team as interim coach last December following the unexpected depature of Egyptian coach Tamer Abdelraouf Mohamed Mourssy.
The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) is currently discussing with the National Sports Council (NSC) to determine Sharmendran's position in the national set-up.
Malaysia are expected to do well in karate at the Sea Games after winning four gold, two silver and four bronze at the 2023 Cambodia Sea Games.
Sharmendran said he is committed to continue training the national team, but is hoping for a swift decision on his position from Makaf and NSC.
"Being the head coach of the national team is a chance for me to improve things based on my experience of nearly 15 years as an athlete," he said.
Under Sharmendran's guidance, the national karatekas have been showing improvement especially C. Shahmalarani who is currently ranked world No. 12 in the women's below 55kg class. She also won silver at the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan in May. Newcomer S.Thevendran won gold in the men's below 55kg at the Southeast Asian championships in June.
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