Time for swimmers to shine at Malaysia Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Much will be at stake for Malaysian swimmers at the Malaysia Open which begins in Bukit Jalil tomorrow (April 24).
Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) will begin selecting swimmers to represent the nation at the Thailand Sea Games (Dec) based on their performances at the national meet.
Those who achieve the required 'A' or 'B' standards will be added to a long list.
The 'A' cut will be based on the bronze medal times from the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games while top-six times have been set for the 'B' standard. The qualifying standards have been provisionally approved by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
MAS assistant secretary-general Nurul Huda Abdullah stressed the importance of the Malaysia Open in the national swimming calendar.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of the Malaysia Open as it serves as a qualifying meet for major competitions this year — the World Championships in Singapore, the World Junior Championships in Romania, and the Bangkok Sea Games," said Nurul Huda today (April 23).
"This meet is a crucial checkpoint for our swimmers. MAS will be drafting the long list of swimmers for the Thailand Sea Games based on their results at the Malaysia Open.
"Since last year's Malaysia Games in Sarawak, we've seen the emergence of several promising young swimmers who could earn spots on the long list for the Sea Games.
"We expect to see many new faces. I urge our National Programme swimmers not to be complacent — it's time to post some fast times."
Nurul Huda co-chairs the MAS swimming committee alongside vice president Marilyn Chua.
The World Championships will take place in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3, followed by the World Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania, from Aug 19-24.
The Sea Games is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla on Dec 9-20.
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