KUALA LUMPUR: Asia's top youth divers are in Kuala Lumpur for a week-long camp to help them become world-beaters in the future.
The Asian Diving Camp, co-organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), has attracted 28 divers from 15 countries. It is being held at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil.
Coach Shannon Roy of Australia is in charge of the camp.
The camp aims to lay solid foundations for young divers and create a sporting synergy between the 15 coaches and 17 judges who are among the participants.
The judges will inform the coaches exactly what they are looking for in marking individual or synchronised dives. The coaches will also better understand the elements that are not critical in gaining high scores in the overall judging process.
The camp will end with a competition focusing on different aspects of technical and aesthetic elements of the sport.
Roy, who has worked in the United States, Britain and Sweden, said: "The camp will give divers and coaches a better perspective about developing foundations and building the right steps for the future."
He acknowledges that, in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a dominant force, while Singapore is improving, with Vietnam and Thailand starting to close the gap.
"I want to see other countries challenging the top teams. I hope to see teams from Laos and Cambodia in competitions one day.
"We should inspire the smaller diving nations to push for more growth in their countries.
"I want to see diving thrive and grow," said Roy, who is currently the national coach of Thailand.
The camp will include dry gym and pool sessions each day.
The camp has also attracted participants from Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, who are trying to develop diving teams.
OCA athletes development and special projects head Tony Tarraf said the camp offers equal opportunities to all athletes and officials in Asia to learn about the sport.
"It is good to see divers as young as 10 participating in the camp. This will definitely help the sport grow in Asia," said Tarraf.
