NATIONAL SQUAD TOLD TO BUCK UP
NSC want coaches and divers to start delivering results
THE National Sports Council (NSC) have made it clear they are not happy with the results of the national diving squad.
And a frowning NSC are taking a hard look at the performances of the national coaches, apart from the divers.
The NSC have warned that they will take corrective action if necessary.
Malaysia got only one medal, a bronze, in this season’s four-leg Diving World Series, a stark contrast to last year when national divers won a medal in every leg of the series.
NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, who usually shows restraint, did not mince his words on the current situation in the sport.
“The NSC management are aware of the national divers’ lacklustre performances, especially in the campaign for qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Shapawi in a written statement to Timesport. Shapawi was responding to a Timesport report on May 21, 2019, which pointed out that the national divers have failed to perform because Malaysia hired coaches who lack the experience to handle teams at senior level.
“We are disappointed with the senior divers’ performances in individual events. They are still depending on synchronised events to maintain their position in the Podium Programme.
“The senior squad are still riding on the success that Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong have achieved and did not improve their individual performances while the juniors are still trying to find their rhythm.
“The injuries suffered by Pandelela and Jun Hoong have made a clear impact and
has also highlighted that the other divers depend on them.
“The achievements of the divers for 2019 will be reevaluated after the World Championships in Gwangju in July. This is in line with the overall evaluation of athletes and coaches involved in the Podium Programme.”
Shapawi pointed out that the Amateur Swimming Association of Malaysia’s (Asum) new lineup of coaches and their new approach to training have yet to yield results.
Former national head coach Yang Zhuliang’s strict training regime did not go down well with the divers despite its effectiveness in delivering results.
Zhuliang, though not directly involved, was blamed for allowing a “culture and environment of fear” within the squad. His contract was subsequently not renewed at the end of 2017.
The national squad are currently trained by three coaches: Li Rui and Li Teng, who are from China, as well as Australian Christian Brooker.
“We are still feeling the loss of our (former) head coach Yang Zhuliang whose contract was not renewed by Asum, as well as the departure of his assistant Zhang Yukun who has resigned and returned to China,” added Shapawi.
“Our new coach, Li Rui, has so far not been able to make an impact and the ability of the other coaches has yet to match the combination of Zhuliang and Yukun.
“Asum’s combination of China and Australian coaches, in deciding the training regime for the squad, has not paid dividends.
“NSC will reevaluate this approach after the national squad complete their first phase of training, which is after the World Championships in South Korea.”
Shapawi, however, declined to delve into details regarding the status of national diver Ahmad Amsyar Azman who is said to be retiring from the sport.
“Nothing is confirmed yet, again we will evaluate his position as well as the rest of the squad in July.”