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Sprint relay coach calls it a day

SINGAPORE — Melvin Tan’s tenure as the Singapore men’s sprint relay coach has come to an official end after four years, during which he guided the runners to two SEA Games silver medals and a new national record.

From left: Melvin Tan with his charges Lee Cheng Wei, Muhammad Elfi Mustapha, Muhammad Amirudin Jamal and Gary Yeo in 2010. TODAY FILE PHOTO

From left: Melvin Tan with his charges Lee Cheng Wei, Muhammad Elfi Mustapha, Muhammad Amirudin Jamal and Gary Yeo in 2010. TODAY FILE PHOTO

SINGAPORE — Melvin Tan’s tenure as the Singapore men’s sprint relay coach has come to an official end after four years, during which he guided the runners to two SEA Games silver medals and a new national record.

The 44-year-old, who is also a sports teacher at the Raffles Institution, has written to the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) telling them his time is up.

“They have acknowledged the e-mail I sent them after I returned from the Incheon Asian Games, and they thanked me for all I have done for the association,” said Tan, who took charge of the squad in late 2010.

After four dedicated years, Tan signalled his intention to move on to his undisclosed next professional challenge, leaving his former employers to start working on a succession plan.

“Now it’s up to the SAA to look for a replacement. I believe I have done my best and I have left behind a strong squad for whoever is taking over. There is still one more strong year’s worth of performances in the current squad,” said Tan. “It is a squad good enough to challenge for the gold medal at the SEA Games which we will be hosting next year.”

Under his charge, Singapore won silver at both the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia and the 2013 edition in Myanmar. Tan also steered them to a new national record of 39.45secs at the Asian Grand Prix event in Thailand in 2012.

“My only regret, if there is one, was not winning a SEA Games gold medal for Singapore. The quartet of Muhammad Amirudin Jamal, Muhammad Elfi Mustapha, Gary Yeo and Lee Cheng Wei came close in Indonesia, losing by just 0.004 of a second to Indonesia, with both teams clocking 39.91s,” he reminisced.

The athletes Tan helped nurture are not happy to see him leaving.

Elfi, 27, told TODAY he sees Tan as an older brother, father figure and friend rolled into one.

“He was my first and only athletics coach. We will miss him for his experience and knowledge. And I guess the only way we could thank him is to win a gold medal at the SEA Games, something which I think would make Melvin proud of us,” said Elfi.

Amiruddin, a semi-finalist at the 100m in Incheon, also paid glowing tribute to his former mentor.

“All of us in the squad went through thick and thin with him. He is a good man and a dedicated coach,” said Amiruddin.

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