KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Swimming (MS) has received the green light from the National Sports Council (NSC) to increase the number of its elite Podium athletes next year.
The current MS Podium squad includes Khiew Hoe Yean, Arvin Shaun Singh Shahal, Lim Yin Chuen, and Phee Jinq En.
“The NSC has approved in principle up to 10 athletes to be included in the Podium Programme.
“While in the backup squad, we have received approval in principle to increase the number of athletes from 10 to 18,” said MS assistant secretary Nurul Huda Abdullah after an MS-NSC working committee meeting yesterday.
Tan Khai Xin, Terence Ng, Andrew Goh, Bryan Leong, Ong Yong Qi, Low Zheng Yong, Welson Sim, and Chan Jie will be the new additions to the MS Podium squad.
Looking forward to the Paris Olympics next year, Nurul Huda said that the swimmers will be sent to several qualifying competitions leading up to the big event.
“We plan to send as many swimmers as we can to all these qualifying competitions so that they have the chance to qualify (for Paris Olympics).
“I cannot say as yet how many swimmers will qualify because the qualification period is still open until June.
“Our longer-term plan is working towards 2025 and 2027 SEA Games,” she added.
Nurul Huda also revealed that a group of Podium swimmers have left for Queensland, Australia to compete in a meet which offers Olympic qualifying points.
“They left for Australia this afternoon (yesterday) and will be there from December 9 until 16.
“This will be their last competition for this year, and for 2024 we have planned several competitions for them to meet the qualification period.
“With support from MS, NSC, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), and the National Sports Institute (NSI) we hope as many Podium athletes will qualify for the Paris Olympics,” she added. – December 7, 2023