Malaysia’s national kabaddi coach, Gurmit Singh has announced his retirement after leading the country to a historic gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, choosing to step away at the peak of his coaching career.
Speaking to Bernama, Gurmit said his decision to retire was not influenced by salary concerns or personal gain, but rather by a deep sense of fulfilment after completing what he described as his mission to bring glory to the nation. He added that achieving success on the international stage made the decision easier.
“Many retire when things are going down. I chose to leave after giving Malaysia gold and this is the right time for me,” he said, adding that he felt proud and content with the achievements delivered under his leadership.
Under Gurmit’s guidance, Malaysia’s kabaddi teams recorded an impressive medal haul at the SEA Games, securing one gold, one silver and four bronze medals across the men’s and women’s categories. The gold medal triumph marked a significant milestone for the sport in the country.
Reflecting on his journey, Gurmit said hearing the national anthem played following the gold medal victory in Thailand was a moment he would cherish for the rest of his life. He describes it as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and hard work that went into building the team.
A former national hockey coach and player, Gurmit ventured into kabaddi coaching in 2018. Since then, he has played a key role in shaping the national setup and elevating Malaysia’s standing in the sport at the regional level.
Despite stepping down, Gurmit expressed confidence in the future of Malaysian kabaddi, saying the sport is now in good hands. He argued for the next generation of coaches and players to continue pushing boundaries and raising standards.
“I leave at the peak, but Malaysian kabaddi must continue climbing,” said the retired Malaysia Armed Forces Physical Training Instructor.
Sources: Bernama
