Upgrade Paroi aquatic centre, Negeri govt told

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan Aquatic Centre in Paroi here is in bad shape and it is high time the state government carried out repair and upgrading works, said Negeri Sembilan Amateur Swimming Association (PRANS) president Zainal Othman.

He said some of the facilities at the aquatic centre, such as the electronic scoreboard and pool touch pads, were faulty beyond repair and needed to be replaced.

“All of the equipment and facilities at the centre have been used since Negeri Sembilan hosted the Sukma Games in 2004, and they never have been replaced.

“There was a time Negeri Sembilan hosted many swim meets, but not anymore. In fact, this centre used to be the training ground for many nations such as Indonesia, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Finland, New Zealand and Sri Lanka,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

Zainal was elected PRANS president once again in April after helming the association from 1996 to 2016.

Commenting further, Zainal said now that he has been elected president again, he aspired to return Negeri Sembilan aquatic sports to its glory days.

“We (PRANS) used to produce excellent swimmers such as former national swimmer Siow Yi Ting and very good divers, synchronised swimmers and water polo players.

“Our athletes here used to be trained by three coaches from China. I have lots of plans for the sport's future here and for these plans to succeed I need cooperation from all parties,” he said. - Bernama