54 Coaches Successfully Complete Muaythai Basic Coaching Course in Kota Kinabalu

A total of 54 participants have successfully completed the Muaythai Basic Coaching Course, which took place over two days on 5th and 6th July 2025 at Arena Belia, Kota Kinabalu. The course was fully organised by the Sabah Muaythai Association (Persatuan Muaythai Negeri Sabah – PMNS)as part of its key initiatives to strengthen Muaythai development in the state.

The programme was coordinated by Sabah State Head Coach, Cyrille Dhillon Tahing, who also led the team of speakers and trainers. According to Cyrille:

“This course is a vital step towards expanding coaching capacity throughout Sabah and paving the way for a more structured and professional coaching career pathway. By empowering more coaches, we hope to nurture more athletes, especially at the school level, and ultimately boost both the number and quality of Muaythai athletes in the future.”

Among the speakers involved were Cyrille Dhillon Tahing (Head Coach, Muaythai Sabah), Mardiana Mohd Maulana (Sabah Muaythai Art Coach), Ranjit Singh Maan (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Jonathan Quan, and Greg Sipidi (Muaythai Coaches). PMNS President, Ir. Hj. Nazri Abdul Razak, also participated as a speaker.

Two guest speakers were invited: Mr. Nik Faiz from the National Sports Institute (MSN) Sabah Sports Science Centre and Ms. Valerie Wong, Deputy Director of the Sports Sector at MSN Sabah.

The course syllabus covered essential coaching components such as coaching ethics and responsibilities, methods for teaching basic Muaythai techniques, the association’s development roadmap, and a deeper understanding of Muaythai as a sport. Participants also gained valuable insights into sports science relevant to combat sports, the roles and career pathways for coaches, session management, effective communication in sports, and the technical and tactical aspects that form the backbone of quality instruction.

The course balanced both theory and practical sessions, emphasising a holistic approach to talent development from the grassroots level. Participants gave highly positive feedback on the comprehensive course content and the delivery by the experienced speakers.

PMNS President, Ir. Hj. Nazri Abdul Razak, who officiated the closing ceremony together with Ms. Valerie Wong, expressed his satisfaction:

“The organisation of this basic Muaythai course was excellent, with a well-structured syllabus. The focus on balancing theory and practical sessions, along with delivery by expert speakers, has made a significant impact on the participating coaches. Feedback from the participants has been very encouraging.”

The closing ceremony also included a symbolic certificate presentation, with Mr. Stefanus Andreas from Sipitang receiving his certificate on behalf of all participants who successfully completed the course.

Through initiatives like this, the Sabah Muaythai Association hopes to produce more certified coaches across Sabah, strengthening the ecosystem for athlete development from grassroots to national and international stages.