He said this in response to the press statement issued by Power Aquatic Swimming Club (PASC) that 120 of their swimmers are prevented from competing in this weekend’s State Age Group Championship (SAG).
“I’m sad with the politics and development in swimming sports in Sarawak. I always believe that all potential good athletes must be given the oportunity to compete, whether in the Pool, Tracks, Courts or Arena.
No association or officials are too big to dictate who should compete and who should not as I can see that in the forthcoming Age Group Swimming Competition. This is happening and it’s not good for the development of swimming sports,” he said in an interview yesterday.
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No association or officials are too big to dictate who should compete and who should not as I can see that in the forthcoming Age Group Swimming Competition. This is happening and it’s not good for the development of swimming sports,” he said in an interview yesterday.
He said the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and the State government have engaged many swimming coaches to train swimmers but lamented many swimmers get barred by ‘stupid rulings’ from so-called smart officials.
“SSC as custodian of Sarawak sports and its development will not allow this selfish officials to dictate who should be allowed to swim or who should not be. My advice to them …. be sincere and honest in developing the sports that’s under your care. Do not play politic in sports.”
In the statement published yesterday, PASC took Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (Asas) to task for using “unscrupulous tactics” to prevent 120 swimmers from competing in the upcoming SAG.
According to PASC, Asas rejected these swimmers under the Limbang Amateur Swimming Association (LASA) submission entry because LASA did not meet its new rule (Rule No 1 c. (under eligibility) which states ‘At least 50 per cent of the swimmers representing their respective Divisional Affiliates in SAG 2019 must be a resident of that Division. Residence means the Division (in Sarawak) where the swimmer “lives and sleeps” and where he/she can be found in the majority of days of the year.”
PASC coach Voon Yong Hui also revealed that the 120 affected swimmers include some from the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) elite squad. -TheBorneoPost
I strongly with the minister. That ruling must be amended. We want to produce the best atheltes.. i this case swimmers yo represent Sarawak. So long as she/he a Sarawakian, DO let her/compete. She/he could be the the best to represent Sarawak. I support you YB. I was a state swimmer & water polo player too during my early age.
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