ROAD TO OLYMPIC GOLD
MAS introduces Fast Track programme to produce new divers
MALAYSIA Aquatics (MAS) and the National Sports Council (NSC) have formulated recovery plans following a post-mortem of the divers’ abyssal outing at the Doha World Aquatics Championships last month.
The national squad, comprising 13 divers, had a disastrous campaign during the assignment, which doubled up as an Olympic qualifier.
None of the Malaysian divers secured qualification for the Paris Olympics at the event.
To revamp the national diving programme, two new elite coaches will be introduced as part of the recovery plan.
Additional initiatives include a state talent development programme, the Fast Track initiative, tournament preparation restructuring and the implementation of the Minimum Qualification Score (MQS).
MAS honorary secretary Andy Low is optimistic that these initiatives will yield positive results with the cooperation of all parties.
He noted that national coach Li Rui, who was hired in early 2019, resigned last week.
“We will welcome two new coaches from China and one local coach to train the athletes. The Chinese coaches are expected to arrive at the end of March or mid-April,” said Andy.
“Li Rui has tendered his resignation and is serving his notice until the end of May.
He will hand over to the new coaches before leaving.”
Under the Fast Track programme, 16 athletes aged 11 and under will receive full-time training at the national training centre in Bukit Jalil.
The aim is for these new divers to become competitive by 2026.
“The target is for these 16 divers to win medals when they are 16 years old at the Sea Games and World Youth Championships. We hope these talented divers will be challenging for medals at the 2032 Olympics at 19,” added Andy.
Andy said the Fast Track programme aims to produce talented young athletes to replace the current divers in the national team.
“Our Fast Track programme is not similar to the Road To Gold’s (RTG) Fast Track programme. Our target is different.
“We are looking to find replacements for the current national divers. We must work quickly to get the replacements ready, and success will come with everyone’s cooperation,” said Andy.
MAS is hell-bent on arresting the declining standard of Malaysian diving.
Last year, the association appointed former national divers Bryan Nickson Lomas and Khairul Safwan Mansur as technical and high-performance directors to improve the quality of the national team.