MAS LEAVES IT TO DHABITAH
Diver can choose which disciplines she wants to compete in
MALAYSIA Aquatics (MAS) is still hoping to field diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri in both the platform and springboard disciplines, but will not force her to do so in future competitions.
Dhabitah, upon returning from the Doha World Aquatic Championships earlier this week, said competing in too many events had taken a toll on her.
MAS honorary secretary Andy Low stressed that Dhabitah remains an important diver for the national team.
"She had been competing in these events (for some time). It is possible she was fatigued, she is moving up in age now (24)," said Andy yesterday.
"In Doha she said she was tired but was still able to perform well despite also being injured.
"As far as MAS is concerned, she is still a very talented diver in all the these events. The coaches have also said this.
"We will discuss this further but if that (competing in only one discipline) is what she wants, then okay.
"If she cannot do it (multiple disciplines), we will field our backup divers."
Dhabitah, who was carrying a tricep injury, competed in the women's 3m springboard individual and synchronised with Wendy Ng as well as the 10m platform synchronised event with Pandelela Rinong in Doha.
The national squad, comprising 13 divers, had a dismal outing at the Doha World Aquatics Championships which doubled up as an Olympic qualifier.
No Malaysian diver secured qualification to the Paris Olympics at the event.
Bertrand Rhodict Lises, 19, is the only Malaysian diver to qualify for Paris. He secured qualification in the men's 10 platform individual at last year's Fukuoka World Championships.
MAS is hoping to send Rhodict for an training attachment programme aboard to prepare him for Paris.
"We are preparing a comprehensive programme for him ahead of Paris," said Andy.
"We have a to find a country which has a suitable coach and programme for him. There is no point sending him to a country where the coaches don't have time to train him.
"Rhodict is prepared to undergo an aggressive training plan."
Andy added that MAS is hoping to have Rhodict included in the Sports Ministry's Road to Gold (RTG) programme.
The RTG committee is expected to meet at the end of this month to discuss the intake of new athletes and the status of those already in the programme.
"Rhodict should be in RTG. I have been told that they will meet at the end of this month so we will let them decide," said Andy.
"If he is not listed in the programme, then we will appeal (for his inclusion)."
RTG is an elite athlete preparation programme intended to provide cream-of-the-crop athletes the additional support they need to challenge for gold in Paris, LA2028 and other major international competitions.
In addition to extra sport science support, competition exposure and coaching, athletes under RTG also receive an additional allowance of RM3,000 a month.