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3rd July, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Institute (NSI) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Bath, United Kingdom in October to enable Malaysian athletes preparing for the London Olympics 2012 to train there.
NSI director-general Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz said this would pave the way for the university to be used as Malaysia’s High Performance Training Centre (HTPC) in Europe.
“After the MoU, Malaysian athletes will be undergoing training at the university especially in three sports with good gold medal prospects – badminton, archery and cycling,” he told Bernama.
Malaysia’s wish to turn the 16ha Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARCC) in Brikendonbury, Britain into a HPTC was rejected by the East Herts Council in November 2007.
Dr Ramlan said the choice of the University of Bath over Loughborough University as the HTPC had the support of Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said he visited both universities, which were well known in sports science applications, in March.
“The University of Bath is noted for sports science training especially in biomechanics while Loughborough University for sports science coaching,” he said.
“The University of Bath is not only capitalised as a venue to prepare athletes for the London Olympics 2012 but is also a forward base for sports events like the Commonwealth Games 2014, badminton Super Series and cycling circuits in Europe,” he added.
Dr Ramlan said there was no plan to sign any MoU with Loughborough University for now but Malaysia may seek cooperation in certain projects with the university which had already forged cooperation with China and Japan.
He said Malaysia would continue to maintain close cooperation with the University of Leipzig and the University of Frankfurt, both in Germany, which boast world class sports science facilities and training venues.
“Malaysia will enhance relations with both universities and if necessary may sign a MoU with them,” he added.
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