KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Mark Ling is hoping to bring long-overdue reform to Malaysia Athletics (MA) by offering an athlete-first vision that puts purpose before politics.
Mark, the current MA vice president and Negeri Sembilan Athletics Association president, is one of four candidates vying for the top post in today’s hotly anticipated annual general meeting (AGM).
Also head of the Coaching and Development Committee, Mark has quietly built a track record of structural reforms that now form the backbone of his election campaign.
“This is not a campaign for position,” reads the opening line of his 19-page manifesto, Back to Track & Field.
“It’s about restoring focus on the athlete. Service, not authority.”
The election comes just days after national discus thrower Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin alleged he was threatened by MA officials over post-competition remarks.
MA president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is seeking re-election, has denied the claims, calling them a third-party job aimed at creating tension within.
While the current leadership grapples with growing criticism, Mark has framed his campaign as a return to fundamentals — one that empowers coaches, supports grassroots development, and restores credibility to a federation often mired in controversy.
Backed by RM5 million in sponsorship from Cahya Mata Sarawak, Mark’s committee has rolled out Malaysia’s first World Athletics-sanctioned domestic circuit, revamped coaching certification pathways, and introduced safeguarding policies for athletes and coaches.
The Cahya Mata Super Series, launched under his leadership, has seen over 4,000 athletes compete across seven states and has been credited with helping to set six new national records.
Mark is also championing decentralised training and regional autonomy — allowing states to develop athletes in their own systems while still aligning with national goals.
“MA should be a partner, not a controller,” he wrote.
If elected, Mark plans to expand the Super Series into a regional Southeast Asian circuit and establish regional Centres of Excellence, all with the long-term goal of producing Malaysia’s first Olympic athletics finalist by 2032.
Other candidates in the four-way race include incumbent Shahidan, Terengganu’s Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, and former president Datuk Karim Ibrahim of Perak.
For Mark, the choice for delegates is clear.
“Vote not for us, but for the mission.
“Athletes first, always,” his manifesto concludes. — June 15, 2025
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