KUALA LUMPUR: Hebei in China has emerged as the preferred destination for the national diving squad’s final training camp ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
National diving team technical director, Yeoh Ken Nee, said plans to hold the training camp at a diving club in the province near Beijing are, however, still subject to official approval from the National Sports Council (NSC).
Ken Nee said Hebei was chosen for its comprehensive training facilities and environment, which allows athletes to focus entirely on their preparations without distractions.
“The facilities there (Hebei) are all in one, with the pool located close to the accommodation and dining hall. So, no time is wasted travelling to and from training,” he told BERNAMA.
He said if the NSC gives the green light, the national squad is expected to train there for about two to three weeks before departing directly to Japan for the quadrennial Games.
Ken Nee said Hebei is no stranger to the national squad, as they have trained at the same diving club on several previous occasions.
“The national diving squad has trained there before, I think about three times,” he said.
The six-time Asian Games medallist also acknowledged that options for overseas training camps are limited, as several countries in the region have closed their doors to foreign teams ahead of the 20th edition of the Games.
“If we go to a country like Japan, they cannot accept us because they are the host. We also tried South Korea, but they could not take us either,” he said.
The national diving squad will field 10 divers to represent Malaysia at the upcoming Asian Games.
The men’s squad comprises Bertrand Rhodict Lises, Muhammad Syafiq Puteh, Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim, and Yong Rui Jie.
Six-time Asian Games medallist, Datuk Pandelela Rinong, continues to lead the women’s squad, alongside Lee Yiat Qing, Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj, and Ong Ker Ying.
At the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, the national diving team returned with one silver and four bronze medals.
The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4. – BERNAMA
