KUALA LUMPUR: In addition to boosting development at the grassroots level, Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) is also looking to retain quality talent at the other end of the age spectrum in a bid to turn around the flailing fortunes of the sport here.
MAS' newly appointed swimming technical director Megan Oesting said senior swimmers such as Welson Sim, who turns 27 next month, can still play an important role in Malaysian swimming.
"We have had conversations with Steven (Khiew Hoe Yean) and Welson and they are excited about the shift in vision (we have)," said Megan recently.
"Before, there was confusion but now we are unified and they (swimmers) are excited, not just in their (own potential) performances but also in the leadership they can provide the next group moving forward.
"Steven and Welson are important for their actual performances for the country but are more important for the future as they are going to provide a model and lead the way for younger swimmers."
In the past, Malaysian swimmers have tended to peak in their late teens and early twenties with their performances tapering off once they hit their mid-twenties.
This is not usually the case in more established swimming nations.
MAS swimming committee co-chair Nurul Huda Abdullah said in the past, Malaysia has largely focused on younger swimmers.
"It is important that we increase our pool of swimmers not just at the development level but also at the higher (age) levels as well," said Nurul.
"This is why we are encouraging the older swimmers to continue and we will have more competitions for them to join.
"We have seen in the past that the drop out rate for swimmers has been quite steep. Previously we tended to only focus on the newer ones.
"But if the older swimmers can perform and still show positive signs then of course we should be encouraging them to continue swimming."
Nurul added that MAS are planning to send Welson, Chan Jie, 28, as well a number of other senior swimmers to the Asian Age Group Championships in New Clark City, Philippines on Feb 26-March 9.