Latest news with #MarilynChua
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Barnama
NSC Open To Supporting Heritage Swimmers, Says DG
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The National Sports Council (NSC) welcomes the initiative by Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) to scout for heritage swimmers to further strengthen the national swimming squad. NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the council is prepared to support any heritage athlete who has the potential to contribute to Malaysian sports. However, these swimmers must first meet the requirements set by NSC, he pointed out. bootstrap slideshow 'They will only be given assistance if they qualify for the Podium Programme or other related programmes. So there's no additional financial implication. 'Like any other athlete, they must meet the criteria set by NSC to be admitted into the programme, or by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to represent the country in international competitions,' he told reporters after officiating the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) annual general meeting at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here today. Yesterday, MAS disclosed that the association is actively working to identify heritage swimmers based abroad. MAS swimming committee chairman Marilyn Chua said they have already identified five promising candidates, aged between 14 and 19 years old. Meanwhile, Jefri commended the leadership of PSM under its president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, saying it has improved significantly compared to the past. He expressed hope that other sports associations will follow PSM's example, which has led to its current strong standing.
The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
M'sia swimming follows football's lead as it seeks mixed heritage athletes abroad
Exploring a new idea: Marilyn Chua said said the initiative was launched with the awareness that a significant number of Malaysians are living abroad, particularly in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. PETALING JAYA: Following in the footsteps of football, swimming has now become the latest sport to explore the possibility of recruiting athletes of mixed heritage based overseas to bolster the national team. Malaysia Aquatics swimming chairman Marilyn Chua said the initiative was launched with the awareness that a significant number of Malaysians are living abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Efforts are now underway to reach out to them. Adding to the effort, technical director Megan Oesting is currently in the United States to identify potential heritage athletes with Malaysian roots. Marilyn also revealed that some have already expressed interest in representing the country. 'We have had several Malaysian citizens who had reached out to us in the past couple of years, which is very positive. 'We know they're out there, because Malaysians are everywhere. These countries are swimming powerhouses, but the competition to represent those countries is incredibly stiff. 'In Malaysia, however, there is a more open path and we welcome them,' said Marilyn after the 56th Malaysia Aquatics annual general meeting in Bukit Jalil yesterday. So far, about five swimmers aged between 14 and 19 have been identified. The practice of scouting heritage athletes is not new, with neighbouring Singapore having long adopted the approach. The move has paid off handsomely as they are now the dominant force in the region. Still, Marilyn emphasised that representing Malaysia was not a free pass, as all athletes must meet the necessary performance standards. 'Swimming is a very objective sport. We have time standards, so it's very black and white. If they meet the time standards we've set for each competition, they qualify, and by merit, they will be selected. 'So it's not just a matter of being a citizen or a Malaysian living abroad that will guarantee a place. They still need to hit the qualifying times and be ranked among our local swimmers as well,' she added. The national swimming team have a crucial mission at the end of the year as they gear up for the SEA Games in Thailand in December.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia Aquatics targets heritage swimmers to boost national squad
MALAYSIA Aquatics (MAS) is intensifying efforts to scout heritage swimmers abroad, mirroring Singapore's approach to enhance the national team's competitiveness. MAS swimming chairman Marilyn Chua confirmed the initiative, revealing that the body has been in talks with Malaysian citizens overseas who possess potential. 'Yes, of course. We've several Malaysian citizens reached out to us over the past couple of years, which is very positive. So far, we have identified around five swimmers, aged between 14 to 19,' she said after the MAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Sports Council (MSN). Heritage athletes are not new in Malaysian sports, with football previously leveraging such talents. However, Marilyn, also MAS deputy president, stressed that selection is merit-based. 'Swimming is a very objective sport and we have time standards. So if they meet the time standards, which we have set for every competition, they thus qualify on merit and will be selected,' she explained. The AGM also saw Andy Low and Yan Kong Lee appointed as secretary-general and treasurer, respectively, while five committee members were elected.
