KUALA LUMPUR – The lack of diving coaches has impacted the quality of national juniors being produced, according to Malaysia Swimming (MS) diving technical director Bryan Nickson Lomas.
The former diver said that there is an urgency to add coaches for both the junior and elite programmes.
Right now, Malaysia only has one coach handling 13 junior athletes, which has resulted in the significant gap between the juniors and seniors.
“We want to increase the number of coaches for the national backup squad by two, right now we only have one and he is handling 13 athletes.
“The standard of the juniors are far behind the seniors and we want to close the gap by adding the two coaches.
“We are looking for one local and a foreign coach to fill the vacancy,” said Bryan when met at the National Sports Council (NSC) after a Sports Working Committee meeting here today.
Bryan added that MS would also like to add another coach for the elite Podium Programme.
Right now, there are only three coaches for the programme – Li Rui and Li Jun Bai from China, and Datuk Leong Mun Yee.
“We want to add one more coach for the Podium Programme.
“I have also proposed hiring specialist coaches for the platform and springboard events.
“We are looking to hire a foreign coach who has experience coaching athletes at the Olympics.
“The NSC has agreed to our proposals in terms of hiring the right coaches because there is an urgent need,” said Bryan.
He added that the hiring of new coaches is expected to be finalised by February next year. – December 6, 2023