The Malaysian water polo team will train at National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur for a year. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
THE Malaysian national water polo team is on track to create a sustainable ecosystem for the sport following a RM15,000 sponsorship deal with D Swim Academy (DSA).
Malaysia Water Polo chairman Goh Kah Yi said the sponsorship helped the national team secure a permanent training venue in the Klang Valley, where the players were based.
“The RM15,000 has allowed us to have regular training at the National Aquatic Centre since September,” he said.
Goh, who left the national polo team in 2013, said this was the first time that water polo had been able to set up a training base for the national squad.
“Having a permanent venue will have broader implications on the national team, for example cutting down on travel time, more consistent training as well as retaining the talent pool in Klang Valley.
The sponsorship will allow the national water polo team to secure a permanent training venue in Klang Valley. — Photos: D Swim Academy
“This is because most state players upon finishing their secondary education tend to head to Klang Valley or central region area in pursuit of tertiary education or for better working opportunities,” he said.
He said this would ultimately result in having more players continuously involved in water polo who could be absorbed into the national squad to attend regular training.
Goh said now that it had a place to call home, the squad aimed to focus on long-term preparations for the 2025 and 2027 SEA Games in Thailand and Malaysia, respectively.
“We will also look at competitions suitable for the team’s growth and exposure, such as the Invitational Water Polo Championship 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of this year,” he said during a mock-cheque handover ceremony.
(From left) Goh, Low, Yong and D Swim Academy deputy general manager Ooi Chia Weai during the mock-cheque handover ceremony.
While primarily known as a swimming academy, DSA also runs water polo and artistic swimming programmes at the grassroots level.
D Swim Academy Sdn Bhd director Cyrena Yong said they aimed to use the sponsorship to raise awareness and urge more corporations to support the national water polo team to greater heights.
“This collaboration with the national team is our commitment to aquatic sports development in the country.
“The ultimate goal is to cultivate a collective effort that contributes to the enduring growth and success of water polo in Malaysia,” she said.
The mock cheque presentation ceremony at National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur was also attended by Malaysia Swimming Federation secretary general Andy Low and athletes from the national water polo team.
