KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aquatics have identified a direct replacement for outgoing national diving coach Li Rui, who will be leaving the national setup at the end of May.
Its secretary-general Andy Low said the new coach, who he declined to name, is expected to join the national team at the end of next month.
"We began the search process earlier this year and started interviewing six shortlisted coaches since February," said Andy today.
"The coach we have selected to coach the elite team is from China and is an Olympian. We believe this coach is the best option we have considering the resources available to us.
"We are finalising some documentation and will name the coach once everything is settled.
"The coach has been offered a two-year contract and we are hoping to go beyond that if everything goes smoothly.
"Li Rui is currently serving a three-month notice until the end of May."
Andy added that one more coach from China will also be signed to be part of the national backup squad programme.
Malaysia Aquatics have already brought in former national diver Nor Aznizal Najib to strengthen the backup squad coaching lineup.
Li Rui, who is also from China, has been with the national team since Jan 2019.
The squad has struggled to produce results in recent seasons and only one diver, Bertrand Rhodict Lises, was able to qualify on merit for the Paris Olympics.
Malaysia, however, could send more divers to the games if there are unused quota places available at the end of the qualifying window in June.
"To be honest, our chances of gaining slots are slim.
"Our best chances will likely be through Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Ooi Tze Liang based on their rankings during the recent Doha World Championships (in springboard events)."
Dhabitah had placed 24th overall in the women's 3m springboard individual event in Doha while Tze Liang was 23rd in the men's category.