BUKIT JALIL: The national gymnasts, both in the rhythmic and artistic disciplines, will be sent to at least two legs of the World Cup Series as part of their preparations for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
It was agreed upon in Monday’s working committee meeting between the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) and the National Sports Council (NSC).
MGF president Datuk Jaya Al Bakri assured that both disciplines will be treated equally in regards to their preparations for the multi-sports games.
"We came to an agreement on all the matters discussed which included our preparations for the Commonwealth Games and the Indonesia Asian Games," said Jaya.
"We hope to send them to at least two World Cup legs before the Commonwealth Games. We are looking at the Japan, Slovenia or Russia legs at the moment.
"We will send only nine gymnasts who have been confirmed for the Commonwealth Games as NSC have a budget which we need to work within. We will announce the final list of athletes and our target for the games later this month.”
He said overseas trips will be limited to the World Cup series with all training to be done in Malaysia.
It was also agreed in the meeting that all six rhythmic and eight artistic discipline coaches will be retained for another year.
"At the moment, we are looking to maintain the status quo with the Commonwealth Games being so close. We do not want to risk a change in coaches.
"Our coaches are assessed based on their performances and we are quite happy for now. We want to maintain the level of performance we showed at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games,” he added.
The national gymnasts did well at last year’s Sea Games by attaining a haul of 13 gold, nine silver and two bronze to emerge overall winners. Malaysia won one silver and two bronze at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.