SHAN A RARE BREED OF SPORT ADMINISTRATOR

 

 

SHAN IS PROOF THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO BE AN ATHLETE, TO BE RENOWNED ADMINISTRATOR 

By Tony Mariadass

 

SHANMUGA RAJAH V NAVARATNAM, 72, long-serving gymnastics official, who passed away on Friday, is proof that one does not have to be an athlete to excel as an administrator.

Shanmuga, was just a school clerk from Kuala Kubu Bharu, who not only became an iconic name in the sports of gymnasium in Malaysia, but internationally.

He was the ex-honorary secretary-general of the Malaysia Gymnastics Federation (MGF) for 38 years (1978-2016), ex-honorary secretary-general of Southeast Asian Gymnastics Confederation (SEAGCON), ex-assistant secretary of the Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU) and ex-chairman (Asia) of the International Sports and Cultural Association (SCA).

One person who has known Shan, as he is affectionately known, is Datuk Datuk A. Vaithilingam, the former secretary-general of Selangor Schools Sports Council.

“I have known Shan from 1970s when he was the secretary of the MSS Hulu Selangor District Gymnastics Committee and was a clerk with SRK Inggeris Kuala Kubu Bharu where Gurdip Singh was the headmaster and Liu Kwai Kiat was the chairman MSS Selangor Gymnastics Technical Committee,” said the 87-year-old Vaithilingam.

AM Francis was the MSS Hulu Selangor Chairman then, with A. Trapadi (athlete B.Rajkumar’s coach) as secretary.

“Gurdip was the one who appointed Shan as the secretary,” disclosed Vaithilingam.

Liu was the Selangor Amateurs Gymnastics Association (SAGA) secretary and Vaithilingam was deputy president SAGA.

Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) secretary-general then, Abdullah Marzuki, agreed to appoint Liu as Technical Chairman of MSSM Gymnastics.

Shan was later appointed in Majlis Sukan Swekolah Selangor (MSSS) as technical gymnastics chairman. 

Shan attended courses conducted by Liu and later organised courses in most districts.

“Shan also helped to organise activities in Selangor and later assisted in the formation of MGF.”

Vaithilingam said C. Kula also played an important role in the development of the sports and together they persuaded Prof Datuk Dr Zakaria Ahmad to lead MGF.

“We struck a good partnership for future development.”

Vaithilingam added that Selangor had excellent support from former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad in setting up Sekinchang School Centre.

“The first ever SEA Games gold came from a Sekinchang gymnast.

A full-time coach appointed by NSC in Sekinchang led to many outstanding gymnasts for the nation. 

“Shan was largely responsible for the great development of gymnastics in the Klang Valley with these key people, which eventually developed to a nationwide programme with many key players arising from Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), MGF, NSC, Olympic Council of Malaysia and their state/district equivalent bodies.

“I have lost a good, honest, and sincere friend. We were together in the gymnastics action for about 40 years. 

“I am proud of his successes and treasure the memories of our struggles in the development and progress of gymnastics.”

Vaithilingam said Shan was proof that one does not have to excel in the sports to become a great administrator and promoter of the sports.

“Shan not only was passionate of gymnastics and was a tireless worker, but he became very knowledgeable of the technicalities of the sports and not only made his name in Malaysian sports, but internationally also,” added Vaithilingam.

Shan also saw one of his two daughters - Dr S. Priya Devi – become a gymnast and his wife S Poovanesvary, too got involved following her daughter in her development as a gymnast.

 In 2016, the FIG awarded the long-serving administrator the silver medal for his contribution and tireless service over 36 years in the world of gymnastics.

However sadly, in Malaysia he was not given the recognition he fully deserved like inducted him to the Olympic Council of Malaysia Hall of Fame or a Datukship.

A posthumous award in line?

Indeed, Shan has left behind a legacy in the sports of gymnastics and done the nation proud.

He may be longer with us, but he will forever be remembered.

Rest in peace Shan, you ran the race and walked the path with distinction.

Shan leaves behind his wife Poovanesvary, daughters S. Shamila Devi, Dr S. Priya Devi and son, S. Yogarajah, son-in-law Johnathan Keith Hartley, in-laws, brothers, grandchildren, nephew, and nieces.