It's High Time The Private Sector Lent A Helping Hand

Diving has made Malaysia proud on many occasions but our divers need our help to win medals at the London Olympic Games.

We, Malaysians, who are known for our generosity, must now come forward to help the divers realise their ultimate dream.

It is time for the private sector to assist our national diving team.

National coach Yang Zhuliang wants only the best for his divers but financial constrains threaten to deny them the chance from giving their best in London.

The deplorable conditions of the dry gymnasium and the diving platforms that do not meet FINA's specifications for synchronised events in Bukit Jalil are among the problems facing them.

And because of the poor state of the facilities, the divers have to spend their time in China on short stints three or four times a year to polish their skills.

It has so far paid dividends but Zhuliang said: "We can keep on going for short stints in China and win medals at the Asian Games and World Series but we must do more in order to earn an Olympic medal.

"Diving equipment need to be replaced, depending on usage but it is not done regularly here."

Zhuliang's dream is for Malaysia to have a world class facility but he realises it won't be possible anytime soon.

He only wants longer stints in China to prepare his divers for the Olympic Games.

But his request is likely to be turned down by the National Sports Council (NSC) due to budget constrains.

The budget for a diver undergoing training in China is between US$30 (RM95) and US$40 a day. It covers all training expenses, including meals and lodging.

It is quite a huge amount, especially if you have about 10 divers per-stint in China.

Diving is not as popular as football and badminton, where in both sports, private firms come in droves to become sponsors.

It is a business move for them as their products are promoted through the popularity of these sports.

The private sector, however, should lend a helping hand to sports like diving, which has made the country proud in several world class events.

We, however, shouldn't point fingers at the NSC for failing to provide funds.

The council is doing its best to fund sports in the country. Diving is not the only sport affected.

Bowling, which produced a world champion in Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore last year, is also having a tough time getting money.

To get sponsors, the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) should market its divers to Malaysian companies.

With the Malaysian aquatic team having won a total of 19 gold in the recent Sea Games, ASUM should use the achievements as a platform to attract sponsors, and not just depend on the government.

At a time when our divers need funds for a noble cause, the private firms should help them take the plunge into the Olympic realm.