KUALA LUMPUR: A plan for a three-day centralised camp for Olympic-bound athletes has been scrapped.
But those preparing for the Games and are based in Malaysia will get a chance to break the ice and build team unity at a barbeque party in Bukit Jalil on Friday. Earlier, the athletes will attend the flag handing over ceremony at Istana Negara.
The National Sports Council (NSC) had decided to go against the norm of a centralised training camp to ensure that the athletes’ training programmes would not be disrupted.
The NSC’s elite programme director, Ariffin Ghani, said that if they stuck to the plan, it would mean having to recall the cyclists from Valencia and sailor Kevin Lim from Europe.
“We do not want a disruption to their training programmes. They will head to Beijing from their training bases,” said Ariffin yesterday.
“The idea behind the centralised camp is to get everyone in the Olympic programme to come together and build up the spirit of the Games and team unity. It is pointless if some of them cannot make it.
“The archers returned home (from a training stint in South Korea) today. The divers will be back (from China) tomorrow. We will get all those who are here for a barbecue party to build team camaraderie.”
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob will attend the party, where a motivational talk will also be held.
A total of 33 athletes from nine sports will represent Malaysia in the Beijing Games.
The Star
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