Ken Nee Determined To Ensure Divers Decorate Oympic Podium Once Again

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- The new technical director of the national diving squad, Yeoh Ken Nee, is determined to ensure that the country's divers return to the podium at the next edition of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

He believes that the mission can be realised given that Malaysia has talented young athletes, although he admits that it would not be an easy task.

Therefore, the former diver who competed in the Sydney Olympics said that he will use his previous experience to further hone the skills and talents of the country's divers to reach the best level.

“Based on the recent records, I can say our diving squad’s level is not there yet (podium). So as the new director, I will try my best and help whatever I can to bring back the glory. My job is to build a new team and we want to have more talent in the future,” he told Bernama when contacted.

Previously, Malaysia Swimming (MS) announced Ken Nee as the new technical director of the national diving squad effective last Monday, replacing Bryan Nickson Lomas who resigned in December.

MS secretary-general Andy Low said the 41-year-old former diver was selected based on his extensive experience in the diving pool.

Meanwhile, Ken Nee also hopes to be able to maintain the excellent record of the national diving squad at the SEA Games scheduled to take place later this year in Thailand.

According to him, four events will be contested at the biennial games, namely, 1 metre (m) men's individual springboard, 3m individual and men's synchronised springboard and 10m women's synchronised platform.

“We haven't decided yet whether we will send the juniors or the seniors for the SEA Games. We hope whoever we send can perform well,” he said.

Malaysia's diving squad won their maiden Olympic medal, a bronze in the women's 10m platform event, through Datuk Pandelela Rinong in the 2012 edition, while Pandelala and former world champion Cheong Jun Hoong won silver in the women's 10m synchronized platform event at the 2016 Rio Games.

However, the national diving squad came home empty-handed in the last two editions, namely in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

-- BERNAMA