The Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) has announced a strategic shift in its preparation for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4, 2026. Instead of sending national exponents abroad, Makaf will invite elite karateka from the United States and Europe to Malaysia for intensive sparring sessions. This move is supported by the National Sports Council (NSC) as a cost-effective way to expose a larger group of local athletes to world-class competition standards. 

The initiative aims to refine the tactical skills of the national squad on home soil, ensuring they are peak-ready for the Asiad challenge. Makaf Deputy President Datuk Vincent Chen highlighted that bringing in high-quality sparring partners allows for more controlled and specific training environments compared to overseas stints. This "timely boost" is expected to benefit both the elite senior squad and emerging talents within the national setup. 

In tandem with this preparation, former multiple SEA Games gold medalist R. Sharmendran has officially had his contract extended as the national head coach until the 2027 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. This extension provides much-needed stability to the coaching structure, allowing Sharmendran to oversee the long-term development of the team through both the Asian Games and the home-hosted regional games next year.