Former Malaysian coach Norizan Bakar nominated for national award

Former national coach Norizan Bakar is thrilled to have been nominated for this year's 100Plus-Astro-FAM National Football Awards. 

To him, it is recognition from his peers for his efforts as a leading coach in Malaysia.

The Perak coach has been shortlisted for the Best Coach award alongside Irfan Bakti Abu Salim, the coach for FA Cup winners Terengganu last season and Datuk M. Karathu, who led Kelantan to the Malaysia Super League crown this season.

"As a professional coach, there is nothing more important than getting recognition from your peers," said Norizan, 50,  who hails from Perlis.

"I feel honoured that I have been shortlisted even though Perak did not win any title this year.

This recognition shows that there are people out there aware of the work that I'm doing."

Norizan played for Perlis  from 1978-1989, winning the Division Two title in 1989.

He started his coaching career with Perlis, leading them to the runners-up spot in the FA Cup in 2003 before winning the Malaysia Cup title the year after.

He led Malaysia to the bronze medal at the Sea Games in Manila in 2005 and to the semi-finals of the AFF Championship in 2007.

The winners will be revealed tomorrow.