Ramlan thrilled to be back ‘home’ – as CEO of NSI

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz is delighted to be back “home” – as chief executive officer of the National Sports Institute (NSI).

It was just a year ago that he was removed from that position – allegedly due to some management issues.

But new Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin obviously sees it differently, re-appointing Dr Ramlan to post.

And Dr Ramlan, who has a wealth of knowledge in sports science, is glad that he managed to stay positive during those turbulent times.

Dr Ramlan, who was replaced by Ahmad Shapawi Ismail as the CEO of NSI became the special advisor to the previous Sports Minister – Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek.

In fact, he enjoyed the experience of being an advisor to Shabery, saying that he had gained valuable insight and experience over the last one year.

“I have a better insight now after working in the Ministy. The experience is valuable as now I know what works and what doesn’t in the Ministry as far as their partnership with the NSI is concerned.
“I have made friends and now I will nurture these new ties,” said Dr Ramlan.

But now that he’s back, he can’t thank Khairy enough.

“Of course, I’m happy with the Minister’s decision to entrust me with this job.

“I am thankful and grateful to him for this great opportunity to serve in the NSI once again,” said Dr Ramlan.
Dr Ramlan was also appreciative of Shapawi’s efforts in keeping the “motor running” in the NSI since he left.

“Under Shapawi, the general direction of the NSI has not changed. He maintained a great measure of continuity and stability and it’ll be easier for me to just get back into the picture,” he said.

With the strong support from the new and vibrant Sports Minister, Dr Ramlan has vowed to work together with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to serve the coaches and athletes in the best possible way through various areas of sports science.
“I’m glad that Khairy has stressed the importance of NSI’s role.

“This will spur us to approach every aspect of the sports science in the best possible way – without having to deal with any limitations and hindrances,” said Dr Ramlan,

For the record, Shapawi has been promoted to Sports Commissioner, replacing Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh, whose two-year contract expired in April.

Dr Ramlan Dilantik Semula CEO ISN, Shapawi Sebagai Pesuruhjaya Sukan

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Jun (Bernama) -- Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) Rabu mengumumkan pelantikan semula Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) yang baharu.

Unit Komunikasi Korporat KBS dalam kenyataan berkata Dr Ramlan, 53, sebelum ini dipinjamkan sebagai Penasihat Sains dan Perubatan Sukan kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan sejak 16 Ogos tahun lepas.

Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, 50, yang menjawat jawatan CEO ISN pula dilantik sebagai Pesuruhjaya Sukan.

"Pelantikan kedua-dua pegawai kanan (KBS) ini berkuat kuasa 17 Jun," menurut kenyataan itu.
Sebelum ini, Dr Ramlan pernah menjawat jawatan yang ketika itu sebagai Ketua Pengarah ISN bermula 2007 hingga 2012 sebelum dilantik sebagai Penasihat Sains dan Perubatan Sukan kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan terdahulu, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Ahmad Shapawi pula dilantik ke jawatan berkenaan bagi menggantikan Datuk Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh yang tamat kontrak pada April lepas selepas dua tahun memegang jawatan berkenaan.

Ramlan Returns To Head ISN, Shapawi Is New Sports Commissioner

 KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry today announced that former National Sports Institute (ISN) director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz will return to head ISN as the Chief Executive Officer, replacing Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

The ministry's Corporate Communications Unit in a statement issued Wednesday said Ramlan, 53, was appointed special adviser to the Youth and Sports Minister to focus on the development of national sports and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, last Aug 16.

Ahmad Shapawi, 50, who had taken over Dr Ramlan's post in a minor reshuffle by former Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek, was appointed Sports Commissioner.
"Both appointments are effective June 17," said the statement.

Ahmad Shapawi replaces Datuk Mohd Yasin Mohd Salleh whose two year contract expired in April.

Home sweet home

RAMLAN: His expertise will be useful at NSI

ANTI-Doping Agency Malaysia (Adamas) chief Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz will return to the National Sports Institute (NSI) as its chief executive officer.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is expected to make the announcement today.

Mailsport was informed that current NSI CEO Ahmad Shapawi Ismail (pic) will be made Sports Commissioner (SC).

“It is a good move by Khairy as Dr Ramlan’s expertise will not go to a waste. With the National Sports Institute Act 2011 in place, Dr Ramlan will be able to do more than he could prior to this,” said a ministry insider.

It remains unclear why Dr Ramlan was ousted from the position last year. Efforts to replace Ramlan started in March 2012, as reported by Mailsport on March 27, 2012, and it went on until he was officially replaced by former National Sports Council (NSC) director of athletes Ahmad Shapawi on Aug 16.

A special position, adviser to the sports minister, was created for Dr Ramlan. He was also made Adamas chief. Many, however, saw the move as a waste of his expertise.

Ahmad Shapawi a breath of fresh air for SCO

The move was expected as Khairy had earlier voiced the need for athletes to fully embrace sports science to churn them into champions.

Ahmad Shapawi, meanwhile, will replace former SC Datuk Yassin Salleh who retired last month.
Ahmad Shapawi was among the six candidates highlighted by Mailsport on May 28 anticipated to be named as Sports Commissioner.

Folks within the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO) will be delighted as the office is in dire need of an energetic individual who will be able to enforce the Sports Development Act 1997 effectively.
“Ahmad Shapawi enjoys a cordial relationship with several of the staff within SCO and is aware of the situation faced by national sports associations.

“Nevertheless, he needs to understand that the SCO is not all about elite sports and has a big task of ahead of him in enforcing the Act,” added another source.
Prior to this, the SCO has always been seen as a “retirement home” for former ministry secretary-generals.

Among the former secretary-generals who have occupied the position include the first Sports Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Bakri Shabdin and Yasin’s predecessor Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof.
Ahmad Shapawi’s move to the SCO will also be seen as a promotion. He is currently an S54 grade staff while an SC enjoys a higher pay grade (Jusa).

It, however, remains uncertain if Khairy is set to make any changes within the NSC.

Zulfahmi overcomes wrist injury to finish sixth

MOHD Zulfahmi Khairuddin defied the odds and a wrist injury that had hampered him all weekend to grab a worthy sixth place finish from 11th on the grid in the Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday.

It was a finish that the Red Bull-KTM-AirAsia rider was satisfied with, particularly after struggling through the three practice sessions and qualifying.

That sealed a strong start to the opening race weekend of the season as Zulfahmi, 21, saw Spanish teammate Luis Salom grab victory in style, ahead of Maverick Vinales and Alex Rins.

"I am very satisfied with the race. The team worked very well throughout the weekend," said Zulfahmi, who is touted as a title challenger this season after finishing seventh overall last season.

"During the practice sessions we had to work hard, and that is the same thing I did at the start of the race.
"I was passed by many riders, but I managed to recover and climb to sixth.

"However, I was unable to catch the leading group. Despite this, I'm very happy with the result at the first race and I hope to improve in Austin."

Zulfahmi's trip to the United States for the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas on April 19-21, however, will depend on the outcome of further examinations of his left wrist injury at the National Sports Institute (NSI) on Friday.

He initially sustained the injury in a crash at the Catalunya Grand Prix in 2011, but suffered a recurrence during his final pre-season tests in Spain last month.

There wasn't sufficient time for Zulfahmi to recover before the Qatar race, and the NSI has called him back into the treatment room upon his return.

NSI chief executive officer Ahmad Shapawi Ismail yesterday said Zulfahmi will be required to undergo an ultrasound scan.

"It will be to determine the extent of the damage, upon which we will seek advice from specialists.
"Then we will have to take the SIC's opinions as his manager and sponsor before making further decisions," said Ahmad Shapawi.

"After initial examinations, our doctors believe that surgery will be required to prevent the injury from recurring.

"But if Zulfahmi's schedule doesn't permit, we will have to provide physiotherapy to reduce the impact of the injury on his performances."