PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will not compete in waterpolo in the Laos SEA Games at the end of this year as the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) have decided against funding the team.
Asum secretary Edwin Chong said it was decided during the exco meeting on Sunday that it would be better to concentrate on building up a stronger team to get ready for the next SEA Games in Jakarta in 2011.
The decision was also made after taking into consideration the lack of fitness of the current crop of players due to poor turnout in centralised training.
“With six months to go, it will be hard to form a team able to compete competitively. If we enter them to compete in Laos, they are not likely to go far,” said Edwin, adding that it would be better to set their sights on the next SEA Games instead.
“We will rebuild the national team around the Malacca players. Malacca won the national senior and also junior waterpolo championships recently.”
If Asum had proposed for waterpolo team to go for the SEA Games, they would have to foot the bill as the sport is likely to be placed under Category B.
This is based on their performance in the last SEA Games in Korat two years ago. Then, Malaysia lost all their group matches.
At that time, Malaysia went under Category A after winning their first-ever bronze medal in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila.
Under Category A, the expenses are all paid by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). A sport under Category B can claim for the expenses provided they win a medal.
Besides waterpolo, swimming and diving will also be contested under the aquatics programme in Laos. A total of 32 golds are on offer in swimming while eight golds are up for grabs in diving.
THE STAR
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