Malaysia Swimming Denies Telling Cindy Ong She Can't Compete In Malaysia Open

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MS secretary-general Mae Chen told New Straits Times that she had only "advised" the swimmer to "go through" a state association if she is still interested in competing in next month's Malaysia Open. However, Chen gave no guarantee that Ong would be accepted.

"I am not sure who she spoke to but personally I never told her that she is not allowed to compete," said Chen when contacted by New Straits Times on Monday, 7 February.

The comment comes following reports last week that MS had barred 37-year-old Ong from competing at the Malaysian Open, despite meeting the tournament's merit requirement, as she is a masters swimmer.

Masters swimmers usually compete in older age group categories which begin from 25 to 29, and increases in five-year increments.

"Once we receive the registration from the state, we will then decide whether she will be allowed to compete or not. I am not able to say at this point," Chen was quoted as saying.

The national meet is scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 March and will be monitored by authorities, including the police. She added that they were forced to tighten the entry to the event to make it easier to adhere to the COVID-19 standard operation procedures (SOPs).

"It will be hard to manage the event from an SOP perspective if there are too many participants."

"We understand that there has been a lack of masters events available since the pandemic struck, and many of them (masters swimmers) are keen on competing again. But considering the current circumstances (COVID-19), I hope everyone can respect the national body."

The competition will serve as the final qualifying event for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games' national squad in May this year.

New Straits Times reported that she initially wanted to enter the event on a low profile and try to secure a spot in the Games. Ong is even a few tenths of a second away from meeting the 28.38s SEA Games qualifying standard for the 50m butterfly, which is her pet event.

Some states have also offered to appeal for the sprinter's participation on her behalf.

"But I am not sure if I still want to swim in the event as I have been pushed into the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and will have to compete with added pressure."

She revealed that the issue of her not being able to take part in the Malaysia Open due to her being a masters swimmer was "sensationalised" and "blown out of proportion", though it was not her intent to draw attention to herself.