No further punishment for divers who broke drinking rule

PETALING JAYA: No action would be taken on the seven divers caught on videos partying and drinking alcohol while training in Guang­zhou, China, early this year.

The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) secretary Mae Chen (pic) said the disciplinary committee will recommend not to impose further punishment as the divers have already expressed remorse for their actions.

The videos filmed during a Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner hosted by an accommodation manager in Guangzhou were leaked out on social media last month involving three elite and four back-up divers from the national team.

“The divers have already apologised in public. They knew what they did was not acceptable but we also considered that they were on a holiday break at that time.

“A strict warning for them has been given and stern action like cutting their allowance in half will be taken if it happens again,” she said.

The national diving squad are training in China to prepare for the Indonesia Asian Games from Aug 17-Sept 2.

A 12-member strong team comprising seven men (Ooi Tze Liang, Ahmad Amsyar Azman, Chew Yiwei, Muhd Syafiq Puteh, Gabriel Gilbert Daim and Jellson Jabillin) and five women (Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee and Kimberly Bong) will fly the flag in Jakarta.

Diving are expected to contribute a few medals at the Asian Games where 10 events will be contested.

At the last Asiad in Incheon, South Korea four years ago, Malaysia collected two silvers and three bronzes.