Thiruvananthapuram, 15 September (H.S.):

Two Malaysian middle- and long-distance runners underwent a month-long training programme at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) centre in Thiruvananthapuram as part of their preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. The camp concluded on September 10.

The camp was attended by Malaysian 800m runner Wan Muhammad Fazri and 400m and 800m runner Umar Osman. Both athletes trained under the guidance of head coach Mohammad Azruddin at the camp organised by Malaysia Athletics.

The initiative is part of several programmes under which international athletes are using SAI facilities in India ahead of the Asian Games. Earlier, boxers from Nepal trained at the SAI Guwahati campus, while kabaddi players from Iran underwent training at the SAI Sonepat campus.

These training camps are further strengthening the role of SAI centres as high-performance training facilities for international athletes. The upcoming Asian Games will begin on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

For the Thiruvananthapuram camp, the Athletics Federation of India had requested SAI LNCPE in July to arrange accommodation, meals and training facilities for the Malaysian contingent. The arrangements were provided at no cost to the Sports Authority of India.

For Malaysian athletics coach Mohammad Azruddin, choosing India as a training destination was a natural decision. A former Indian athlete and national team member, he was associated with SAI Bengaluru before joining Malaysian Athletics.

Speaking to SAI Media, Azruddin said, “I was part of the Indian national team from 2020 to 2025. After that, I resigned from SAI Bengaluru and joined Malaysian Athletics. So, coming to India is not a surprise for me. I know that the facilities here are very good, and I believe it is a good opportunity for Malaysian Athletics to gain experience here.”

He said the primary objective of bringing the athletes to India was to expose them to a stronger competitive training environment and give them an opportunity to train alongside Indian athletes.

“The first thing is to gain experience, so that they know what the Indian level is like. My main objective is to give Malaysian middle- and long-distance athletes an opportunity to see the facilities available in India. The second thing is training and practising with Indian athletes, which is more beneficial for them,” he said.

Azruddin said training in India was more useful for their Asian Games preparations than preparing in a European environment.

“The Asian Games are our top priority. That is why I did not choose European countries or other countries where competitions are conducted according to European standards,” he said.

During their training camp in India, the Malaysian athletes also had an opportunity to compete. They participated in the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level competition held in Bhubaneswar on August 22.

Azruddin said training and competing alongside Indian athletes would help the Malaysian runners improve their race strategies and approach to competition. He noted that India had performed exceptionally well at the previous Asian Games and that athletes training at SAI Bengaluru had won 16 medals.

“Spending quality time here and training with these athletes before the Asian Games is very important for the Malaysian athletes. By coming to India, they can compete alongside the athletes here. This helps improve their race strategy and their approach to racing,” he said.

The Malaysian athletes also experienced the training environment at SAI Thiruvananthapuram. Describing the centre as special, Azruddin noted that several Indian Olympians had trained there.

“SAI Thiruvananthapuram is something special. It is important to note that Olympians who have represented India have trained at this centre. That is what makes it special. I can say that it is a fortunate training centre,” he said.

According to Azruddin, the camp also provided an opportunity to strengthen sporting ties between India and Malaysia. He said the shared culture and training experiences in athletics between the two countries offered athletes valuable lessons that could remain with them throughout their careers.

He added that such exchange programmes could help improve the competitive standards of athletes from both India and Malaysia.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar