RUB SHOULDERS WITH BEST TECHNICAL ADVISORS DURING TRIATHLON YOUTH CAMP - OCA DG

IPOH, July 11 (Bernama) -- Athletes and coaches at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) World Triathlon/Asia Triathlon Youth Development Camp should make the most of the opportunity by rubbing shoulders with the best technical advisors in the sport this week.

OCA director-general Husain Al-Musallam said the camp with 73 participants, including 48 athletes and 25 coaches is a massive step in raising the standards of athletes and coaches in Asia.

"I hope everyone in Kampar will make the most of this golden opportunity and have a fruitful week," he said in a statement issued by the OCA, today.

Husain also expressed his appreciation to all the Asian National Olympic Committees (NOC) for showing interest in the youth development camp of the Olympic sport where athletes compete in a 1.5 kilometre (km) swim, 40km cycling and 10km run.

A total of 25 Asian NOCs were invited to send two athletes (a male and a female), aged between 14-17, and a coach each for the July 10 to 17 residential camp in Kampar.

Husain said the unprecedented interest shown by Asian NOCs in sending participants to the important residential camp shows the commitment towards the Olympic sport.

"The OCA has taken an active role in promoting the development of young athletes, coaches and officials in a number of sports in recent years and we are grateful for the support we have received from World Triathlon and Asia Triathlon towards making this camp a huge success," he added.

The OCA has previously held similar residential camps for young athletes, coaches and officials in sports like ice hockey and swimming.

In another statement issued by the OCA, the World Triathlon has expressed concern for the health of the sport in Asia and hopes the first steps for greater representation at future Olympic Games will be taken in the backwater town of Kampar over the next few days.

World Triathlon development officer Vicent Beltran said they are worried about the standards of triathlon in Asia and hope this week they will be laying the foundation for the growth of the sport in the continent. 

"Having an event like this is beneficial and all credit to the Olympic Council of Asia for organising it," he said.

Vicent is leading a team of World Triathlon and Asian Triathlon officials at the inaugural OCA Triathlon Youth Development Camp in Kampar.

-- BERNAMA