Serian appeals again to join state swim body
KUCHING: Serian Amateur Swimming Association (Serians) is appealing to the Amateur Swimming Association Sarawak (Asas) to accept their application to join the state body as an affiliate member in order to compete in the 2017 Sarawak Age- Group Swimming Championship.
According to a press statement by Serians, they were told during a recent dialogue that they would not be allowed to participate in the upcoming state meet.
Last year, Serian swimmers were barred from the state championship.
The newly formed Serian association first submitted an application to join Asas in Jan 2016.
A few months later Asas asked Serians to provide additional information to facilitate their application.
Serians said they were informed in June 2016 that their application to join Asas was rejected on grounds that it did not meet the criteria of Asas’ Constitution which was amended in March 2016.
“While Serians is of the view the March 2016 amended Asas Constitution’ seeks to frustrate Serians’ application submitted in January 2016; but more importantly Serians view such amendment will be detrimental to future development of aquatic sports in Sarawak as it seeks to limit talent development through membership by geographical locations.
“Serians sincerely hope that Asas will reconsider Serians application and reverse its previous decision,” the statement said.
“Now the parents and swimmers are appealing to the Minister of Sports, Sarawak Sport Ministry and Sport Council assistance to resolve the matter amicably so that Serians application as affiliate of Asas is approved and be allowed to take part in the Sarawak Age Group competition.
“It is their hope that swimmers can continue to focus on training, participate in swimming competitions and talented swimmers can be selected and represent Sarawak in national competitions,” it added.
The divisional association conduct daily training at the Aquatics Centre next to Wisma Saberkas in Kuching.
The statement reported that their swimmers were training hard to achieve outstanding results in the coming Kuching Age-Group Competition with the hope of participating in this year’s state championship.