KUALA LUMPUR: Andrew Cross will replace long-serving former national squad player Major (rtd) S. Maniam as the new coaching director of the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM).
Cross, who has been part of SRAM's coaching setup for the past 15 years, will officially assume the role on Jan 1.
SRAM president Gerard Monteiro said the national body has spent the last six to seven months preparing for this transition.
"Cross has played a pivotal role in our coaching framework. His understanding of the sport and his experience make him the ideal person to carry forward Maniam's outstanding work," Gerard said during SRAM's press conference today.
Sharil Shahidan's position will be upgraded from Podium Programme coach to head coach, replacing Ajaz Azman.
Ajaz, who has been head coach since 2017, will now serve as the high-performance coach.
"Ajaz will focus on our elite players. He will play a central role in our Road to Gold initiatives, and I have no doubt that his focused expertise will help our players reach new heights."
The reshuffle follows 70-year-old Maniam's decision to step down from his position after over 40 years with SRAM, first as a player, then as head coach, before taking the reins as coaching director.
He is leaving the national body to take up an advisory role at the Real Madrid Foundation Football Programme Malaysia.
"Maniam has shaped some of the finest athletes the country has seen and was at the forefront of many of its greatest achievements.
"He has guided the nation's players to victory on the Asian and world stages.
"He instilled in our athletes the resilience, determination, and discipline that define world-class champions.
"Although Maniam will be stepping down from his current role, he will continue to contribute to SRAM in an advisory capacity," said Gerard.