MWF proposes higher pay to retain local coaches amid lucrative offers from neighbouring countries, aiming to prevent talent drain

THE Malaysian Wushu Federation is advocating for a significant salary increase for local coaches to stem a talent drain.

MWF president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt has proposed that the National Sports Council set a minimum monthly salary of RM8,000.

This initiative aims to prevent local coaches from being lured abroad by more lucrative offers.

Kim Fatt revealed that countries like Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore are offering Malaysian coaches between USD 2,000 and USD 2,500 monthly.

That amount translates to approximately RM7,700 to RM9,700, far exceeding the current local rate of around RM5,000 to RM6,000.

“We need to safeguard our local talent so they are not enticed,” he told reporters after a meeting at the NSC in Bukit Jalil.

In other developments, the national wushu squad will undergo a month of centralised training in Tianjin, China, starting next month.

This training camp is crucial preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The federation is pinning its medal hopes on three key exponents for the Games.

They are world champion Tan Cheong Min and male athletes Wong Weng Son and Pang Pui Yee.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

 The Sun Malaysia