Blow for Selangor

DENIED: Cry foul after ASUM shoot down request for Maryann to replace Jinq En

THE Selangor swimming squad are outraged that they have not been allowed to register Maryann Kok as a replacement for Phee Jinq En in the breaststroke events at the Malaysia Games.

Team manager Mark Chua said he was deeply disappointed that the organisers have only allowed junior swimmer Liew Chern Xin, who is not adept at the discipline, to replace Jinq En.

Selangor had placed their hopes on Jinq En to contribute to their gold count at the Games.

The 19-year-old, however, earned a late berth to the Rio Olympics earlier this month under the ‘B’ qualifying standard and has already left with Welson Sim for their final training camp in Florida.

“We have a big problem trying to replace Jinq En here,” said Mark.

“She (Maryann) is already swimming in the 50m and 100m freestyle and all we wanted was to add her in the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Maryann has a proven track record and would definitely win a medal.

“But they (organisers) said we are not allowed to add to her events.

“They only allow for us to enter a new swimmer (instead of one already registered for events) as a direct replacement and insisted we enter our junior swimmer (Chern Xin) who has no experience in the Malaysia Games and is not even a breaststroker.

“The funny thing is that this issue was already discussed at the Chefsde-mission meeting on Wednesday and we were given permission to have Maryann swim the events because this is a special case.

“We had invested 10 years of time, money and effort into developing Jinq En (for national duty) and it is only fair for us to have a say who we replace her with here.

“But the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia overruled that at the team managers’ meeting today (yesterday). Obviously this does not look good. We have already filed an appeal but it was rejected on the spot.

“They (organisers) claimed that we should have already known to register someone else from the start as Jinq En had already qualified for Rio three or four month ago, which is ridiculous as (world governing body) Fina had only announced it (‘B’ qualifiers) on July 12.”

Selangor coach Marilyn Chua, who represented Malaysia as a swimmer at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, urged for more transparency when it comes to rules and regulations.

“This was not included in the rules. At least make the rules clear in black and white so we can make a proper decision,” said Marilyn, who is Mark’s sister.

“This is exactly why we have not gone far in the sport. It was the same when I was competing years ago and it will remain the same until we change our ways.”

Selangor emerged overall champions in swimming in Perlis two years ago after winning 11 gold.

Having also lost Asmalia Filzati Redzuan to a long term shoulder injury, the state have lowered their target to winning seven gold in Sarawak.

The swimming events kick off today at the Sarawak State Aquatics Complex.