KUALA LUMPUR: Sailor Kevin Lim plans to set up base in Europe as he prepares to put up a good challenge in the Beijing Olympics in August.
Kevin does not believe in just making up the numbers in his fourth Olympics appearance in the Laser category and hopes to secure funding towards that purpose.
“For me, the priority now is funding. To have a decent outcome, I will need to go to Europe and start racing and training there ... if possible next month,” said Kevin in an e-mail interview from Australia yesterday.
He is the only Malaysian athlete to have qualified for four Olympic Games so far.
Kevin earned Malaysia a quota spot in the event in Beijing after finishing 15th out of 52 sailors in the silver fleet in the World Championships, which ended in Australia on Wednesday.
Only 10 countries were awarded quota places in the world meet, which was the last qualifying event.
The two-time Asian Games silver medallist revealed that he already has invitations from various sailors and coaches to go to different parts of Europe to be their training partner.
Kevin, a qualified doctor, hoped that the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA) would support his plans.
“As soon as I have the money, I can book and pay for my accommodation, flights, hiring of boat and car, ferry tickets, coaching fees and regatta fees. That is in addition to the many other things, like rent in Sydney, health insurance in Australia, travel insurance, physiotherapy, gym fees, sailing club fees, daily travelling expenses, boat transportation expenses, food, electricity, telephone, internet ....” said Kevin.
“Any delay in getting funding will adversely affect this process and make my life very difficult. In addition, I will have to return to work to support myself in Australia.
“So my training will again be affected. What I really need is a grant or a lump sum of funding before the end of this month so that I can pay for everything before I leave home.
“Then I can get on with training and racing in Europe with peace of mind and a clear conscience and focus on the task at hand.”
NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong said Kevin would be reinstated into the elite programme for athletes towards the Beijing Olympics now that he has made the cut on merit.
“He will also be entitled to receive a special incentive of RM5,000 for athletes who qualify under Category A and a monthly allowance of RM1,500 until the Olympics in August,” said Zolkples. “I congratulate him for his determination to prove himself despite being out of the elite programme.”
Star
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