ABOUT OUR CLUB
1970, that’s when it all started BUT never an intention to form any ‘CLUB’! A tiny group of ‘crazy’ sports enthusiast, gathering almost every evening for the purpose of ‘keeping fit’ and, to erode the agressive feeling to be a champion without any guidance of a coach. As athletics was another ‘active game’ amongst youths in the 60’s and 70’s, there were lots of young, talented and inspiring athletes during that era namely Tan Sri M. Jegathesen, Dato’ M. Rajamani, Karu Selvarethnan, Nashtar Singh and many more who had indeed inspired these youngsters to join them by proofing their ability.
It was also during this era, that we saw youngesters participating through various self proclaimed athletic Clubs namely Jets, Swift, Taiping Wonders, Kebas, Malay Sports Club, Kilat Club, Taiping Prisons Club, Pakat etc which were also a contributing factor in forming this Club. Amongst those who had regularily gathered, this so called enthusiast was Mr. K.Jayabalan, who was then a talented 400m runner who himself had represented our country Malaysia, in a few International competitions. With him together, this small group managed to achieve high goals, some even reaching to represent the country. As the interest and the group grew bigger, one Mr. M. Jothi joking suggested and pondered by the others, whether a ‘club’ should be formed for an identity. As it seemed a worthy thought, and finally the club was formed and thus named as “Panther Club”. Then on 6th March 1978 it was officially known as Panther Sports Club or KELAB SUKAN HARIMAU KUMBANG, which was officially registered under the Registrar of Societies, Perak.
The pioneers behind the formation of this Club were Mr. K.Jayabalan, Mr. A.Kandiah, Mr. L.Paramesivam, Mr. P.Ponnusamy, Mr. P.Muthusamy, Mr. R.Letchumanan, Mr. Rethna Pandian, Miss. V.Dewi, Mr. Pethan, Mr. J.David, Mr. S.Thevadass, Mr. L.A.Nathan, Mr. M.Jothi, Mr. D.Solaimuthu Mr. A. Manoharan and Mr S. Manogaran.
Late R G Kolandaisamy – 1st President
The first President of this Club was the late Mr. R.G.Kolandaisamy who was attached with the JKR Perak and had supported the club in all aspects till 1981. During the late 70’s and 80’s this club had accommodated for various other sports events in addition to athletics, where it had organized football league games, hockey 6-a side and even badminton. As for athletics, a string of activities had been organized namely ‘Walkathon’, ‘Jogathon’, ‘Inter-Club Relays’ and even ‘Cross Country Races’.
It was during the early part of 1990, that the name of this Club was changed from Kelab Sukan Harimau Kumbang or Panther Sports Club to Kelab Olahraga Panther or Panther Athletic Club which would be more specific to the core activity of the club.
From then on, we had moved a long way through thick and thin without loosing out our core bussiness on ‘grass root development’ in athletics till today.
With limited resources and razor thin financial support, the dedicated managemant committee and committed coaches we brave through, come what it may.
STANDING FROM LEFT : MR CHARLES, MR A.KANDIAH, MR P.SUNDRALINGAM, MR G.KRISHNAN NAIR, MR. M.LATCHUMANAN,MR MANOGARAN, MR P. MUTHUSAMY
SEATED FROM LEFT: MR D.SOLAIMUTHU, MR S.THEVADASS, MR L.A.NATHAN, MR. R.LETCHUMANAN, MR K.JAYABALAN (PRESIDENT) MR. S.ARUNASALAM, MR. NARINDER SINGH, MRS OON YEE CHAN
The first official Management Committee formed after receiveing resgistration from Registra of Socities. This were those who brought in lots of changes including further establishing the club.
