Asum shortlist four foreign coaches for swimming team
KUALA LUMPUR: The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia ( Asum) have shortlisted four candidates from the United States and the United Kingdom to coach the national squad.
Asum honorary secretary Mae Chen said they needed an experienced coach to train the national swimmers, who are preparing to compete in next year’s qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“The four of them are not only vastly experienced as coaches but also as athletes.
“They are among the coaches who helped Asum prepare the training blueprint for the swimming team.
“We also looked at the communication aspect. The coach chosen must not only be able to communicate well with the athletes but also share experiences with the local coaches,” she said when met at the Training Programme Stipulation Workshop at the National Sports Council ( NSC) in Bukit Jalil.
She said the candidate list would be handed over to the NSC and hoped that a coach would be appointed soon as the swimmers had important assignments next year.
Local news portals had earlier reported that American coach Chris Martin and British coach Dr Micheal Peyrebrune were among the four coaches shortlisted to replace Paul Birmingham next month.
It is important that the right foreign coach is chosen as Malaysia has a swimmer of great potential in Welson Sim.
“Welson is among our most talented swimmers and we are concerned that his performance may take a dip.
“Next year is important for our swimmers as they wil l be competing in the various qualifiers to grab a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
“So, a coach must be appointed soon,” said Mae.