KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 – Sarawakian Lucas Kalang is Sabah’s pick as the head coach for the 2021 Malaysian Football League season – replacing Indonesian Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto whose contract has not been renewed after one season.
Sabah, known by its nickname as Tambadau, finished 10th in the Super League last season which was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic and played over only one round.
Lucas, who hails from Baram, was in Kota Kinabalu over the weekend and was confirmed by Sabah FC’s newly appointed chief executive officer, Dato Verdon Bahanda as the pick against several other candidates with his sports science degree giving him the edge plus his Pro ‘A’ license.
The former Sarawak assistant coach holds a Degree of Bachelor of Sports from the University of Malaya and was the head coach of the football team.
He was also the FA of Malaysia (FAM) coaching instructor from 1991 to 1993.
From 1991 to 1998 Lucas was the Sarawak FA’s assistant coach and was a key figure when the team won the Malaysian League in 1997.
Lucas donned Sarawak colors from 1983 to 1988 and was head coach of the Sarawak FA Youth Coaching Development in 2017.
He received the Best Player Award from Sarawak FA in 1985.
Another feather in his cap in coaching was leading the Malaysian Under-18 Asian Schools Football competition in Hong Kong in 2003.
Lucas, a teacher by profession, was loaned by the Education Ministry to the Sarawak Sports Council where he rose to become the acting director from 2014-2016.
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