Tight schedule is a dampener

Arnaz M. Khairul

A BIGGER swimming squad than those that contested the previous three editions have been confirmed by the Amateur Swimming Unionl of Malaysia (ASUM) for next month's Laos Sea Games, but setting targets will prove the tricky part.

Not until the team arrive and go through the details of participation will there be a clear picture of what to expect although there are clearly possibilities of more than the two gold medals which ASUM secretary Edwin Chong devised as a safe target.

This is because main hope Daniel Bego is faced with a tight schedule, needing to possibly give up what could be two clear shots at gold medals.

"The 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle, for instance, fall within minutes of each other, so it could be too much to ask Daniel to go all out for both," said Edwin.

"The schedule is very tight and there are other events too which need more planning. But this can only be done when we get there and go through the details after the team managers' meeting."

Edwin said although rankings and form show that the squad are capable of producing much more than the two gold medals set as safe targets, what the medal haul can be expected to be like can only be announced after the team managers' meeting.

DANIEL BEGO

But what is clear is that much work needs to be done on the development area, with the team comprising a new batch of youngsters with the Malaysian relay squad making a comeback after missing out on the previous three editions.

The 20-year-old Daniel will also be under pressure to perform as part of the 4x100m freestyle and medley squads, with one gold medal looking possible from either one.

The men's squad will feature Daniel, Melvin Chua, Ian James Barr, Kevin Yeap, Kevin Lim, Foo Jian Beng, James Chen and Yap See Tuan.

Veteran Siow Yi Ting will lead the women's line-up which also include Khoo Cai Lin, Leung Chii Lin, Marellyn Chua, Chan Kah Yan, Christina Loh, Erika Kong, Hii Siew Siew, Lai Wei Li and Cheng Karmen.

SIOW YI TING