PETALING JAYA: Following in the footsteps of football, swimming has now become the latest sport to explore the possibility of recruiting athletes of mixed heritage based overseas to bolster the national team.

Malaysia Aquatics swimming chairman Marilyn Chua said the initiative was launched with the awareness that a significant number of Malaysians are living abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Efforts are now underway to reach out to them.

Adding to the effort, technical director Megan Oesting is currently in the United States to identify potential heritage athletes with Malaysian roots.

Marilyn also revealed that some have already expressed interest in representing the country.

“We have had several Malaysian citizens who had reached out to us in the past couple of years, which is very positive.

“We know they’re out there, because Malaysians are everywhere. These countries are swimming powerhouses, but the competition to represent those countries is incredibly stiff.

“In Malaysia, however, there is a more open path and we welcome them,” said Marilyn after the 56th Malaysia Aquatics annual general meeting in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

So far, about five swimmers aged between 14 and 19 have been identified.

The practice of scouting heritage athletes is not new, with neighbouring Singapore having long adopted the approach. The move has paid off handsomely as they are now the dominant force in the region.

Still, Marilyn emphasised that representing Malaysia was not a free pass, as all athletes must meet the necessary performance standards.

“Swimming is a very objective sport. We have time standards, so it’s very black and white. If they meet the time standards we’ve set for each competition, they qualify, and by merit, they will be selected.

“So it’s not just a matter of being a citizen or a Malaysian living abroad that will guarantee a place. They still need to hit the qualifying times and be ranked among our local swimmers as well,” she added.

The national swimming team have a crucial mission at the end of the year as they gear up for the SEA Games in Thailand in December.