DIVING: Contract Dilemma For Huang

FUTURE WORRIES: NSC's silence has coach considering other offers

National divers pose at the Chevrolet Malaysia Presents Chevrolet Captiva to the National Sports Council and the National Diving Team event yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe

HUANG Qiang opted for coaching over competitive diving after the London Olympics but the naturalised Malaysian, whose contract ends on Dec 31, may leave as he has not been offered a new contract.

The 30-year-old, hired by the National Sports Council (NSC) as an assistant diving coach in 2007, received his Malaysian citizenship last year and subsequently represented the country at the Olympics.

But Huang stopped training after NSC told him to either remain as a coach or become a full-time athlete.

"I thought about my family's welfare here and realised that the salary from coaching offered stability while athletes only get a monthly allowance," said Huang after Naza Quest Sdn Bhd handed over two Chevrolet Captiva SUVs to NSC and the national diving team in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"I am, however, in a dilemma now as I do not know whether my services are still needed here.

"Although my contract ends next month, I've not heardfrom NSC."

Huang made his Olympic debut after he and Bryan Nickson Lomas earned a quota spot in the 3-metre springboard synchro at the World Cup in London where they also made history by clinching bronze.

The Fujian-born and Lomas then continued their impressive performance by winning gold in the United States and Canada legs of the Diving Grand Prix Circuit.

Huang, however, failed to draw inspiration from his previous wins with Lomas by finishing eighth in the men's 3m springboard synchro and 19th in the individual discipline in London.

The diver hinted that he has received several offers but will pick Malaysia if the NSC offers an extension.

"I prefer Malaysia but if I am not needed then I will look for work elsewhere.

"I like the life here and, hopefully, NSC will offer me a better deal as I never had a pay rise since I came here,"

On his future as an athlete if his contract is extended, Huang said he would like to represent Malaysia in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Incheon Asian Games.

"I can coach and also train for competitions. It is not a huge problem for me as I did that prior to the Olympics," he added.

Huang will guide a five-member squad for the Asian Championships, scheduled for Nov 22-25, in Dubai as national chief coach Yang Zhuliang wants to focus on helping Pandelela Rinong recover from her ankle injury.

The team, led by Ooi Tze Liang, will leave for Dubai on Nov 18.

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