Olympic dream sinks for Kevin

PETALING JAYA: The lack of support from the National Sports Council has forced sailor Kevin Lim to take up full-time employment instead of preparing to achieve qualification for his fourth Olympics in Beijing next year. 

Kevin, who has been Malaysia's top sailor in the Laser category for more than a decade, is skipping the World Championships in Portugal next month, which is the first Olympic qualifying event. 

Kevin, who is a doctor, said that he started work in Sydney last month. 

“I was offered a job in Sydney and since I had not heard anything further from the NSC, I decided to accept the post,” he said in an e-mail from Sydney. 

Packing up: Kevin Lim hopes to save some money from his full-time job in Sydney to fund his sailing career.

“I am tired of waiting for a concrete answer from them. Besides, it is good to make some money again. I still have interest in sailing but it is difficult to start any serious campaign without proper funding. 

“Sailing is a very expensive sport. Already I have had to sit out the racing season in Australia because of a lack of funds. I have no more financial reserve to pay for my sailing expenses upfront as I had done before.” 

Kevin finished as the best Asian sailor in 53rd spot in a field of more than 120 sailors in the last world meet. And his absence from the international scene will be for good unless he can save up some money. 

“My plan is to earn some money now so that I will be able to take part in regattas in Australia at the end of this year and the beginning of next year to prepare for the 2008 World Championships, which will also be in Australia,” he said. 

“It is the second and last event to offer Olympic spots. If I do not compete, there is nothing really to look forward to.” 

Kevin hoped that his absence would encourage other Malaysian sailors to strive for Olympic qualification in the various classes. 

“I know they have the talent and ability to do it. Youngsters like Tiffany Koo, Mohd Romzi, Rufina Tan and Nurul Elia Anuar have true talent and they are dedicated to the sport,” he said. 

Kevin's failure to deliver a medal at the Doha Asian Games last December was the main reason the NSC slashed his funding. 

He had won the silver in two previous Asiad in Bangkok (1998) and Busan (2002). However, he only managed fourth place in Doha after being disqualified in the first two races.