NATIONAL coach Yang Zhuliang is having a headache in preparing the depleted men’s diving squad for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Incheon Asian Games.
Two of the five divers are sidelined with an array of injuries due to the gruelling training regime.
Mohd Nazreen Abdullah suffered an arm injury and doctors have advised him not to dive for an unspecified period.
Teammate Mohd Danial Sabri is nursing a head injury and has been advised to rest for three months.
Triple Sea Games gold medallist Ooi Tze Liang is the only experienced member in the squad following the retirements of Bryan Nickson Lomas, Yeoh Ken Nee and Huang Qiang.
Ahmad Amsyar Azman and Chew Yiwei are the other elite members.
“Nazreen is only doing gym training but is staying out of the pool. It is a huge loss as I had big plans for him this year,” said Zhuliang yesterday.
“Danial has not been diving after injuring his ear before last December’s Sea Games in Myanmar. I am unsure whether he will ever return to training.
“Both are effectively out of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. It is a pity as I wanted them to gain as much exposure as possible this year.”
With a squad of only three divers in the men’s squad, Zhuliang has no choice but to register them for only selected events in Glasgow and Incheon.
Tze Liang and Amsyar are competing in the ongoing World Series but both have yet to make an impression in the opening four legs. As for Yiwei, the Klang-born is competing in the World Grand Prix.
“We will win medals in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games but it would all likely come from our women’s squad.
“Our men do not have a chance in Incheon but I believe Tze Liang-Amsyar could surprise the form book to finish on the podium in the 3m springboard synchro in Glasgow,” said Zhuliang.
The China-born coach is also hoping his second stringers will produce good results in the four-day World Grand Prix Mexico leg, which starts today.
Reigning Asian Cup double gold medallist Nur Dhabitah Sabri leads the squad, also comprising Olympian Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Loh Zhiayi, Kam Ling Kar, Jasmine Lai and Yewei.
Dhabitah, 15, will compete in the 10m platform individual and synchro (with Traisy); and 3m springboard individual.
It is an important event for them as those who succeed will be selected for the Commonwealth Games. By Ajitpal Singh
Comments are closed.