MANY national sports associations (NSAs) don't have a clear idea yet of their final squads to the Vietnam Sea Games on Nov 21-Dec 2.
This is due to a lack of competitions that are "recent enough" for them to evaluate their athletes, and this also includes requests by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and National Sports Council to send more young athletes to the Sea Games.
The NSAs sent in their "proposed long lists" of athletes to the Sea Games selection committee at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur this week.
Malaysian Swimming honorary secretary Mae Chen said they will use a number of upcoming events to evaluate their swimmers and divers.
"We gave a long list to OCM last month but it mainly comprised junior athletes.
"We can't actually come up with a 'good list' at the moment because we have been without competition for a long time," she said.
"I have applied to the Sports Commissioner's Office to host the Malaysia Open on May 20-23 and hopefully it will be approved.
"Probably, in June we might do another age group and open event that will specifically target the age group, between 16-19, that we are looking at for the Sea Games
"We also have some seniors but there are not many left. The Sea Games squad will combine both younger and more experienced swimmers."
BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh said they have no plans to send newly crowned All England champion Lee Zii Jia and fellow seniors Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik to the Sea Games.
"This year is going to be a busy year as the Olympics, Thomas Cup and Uber Cup have been postponed to this season and we also have the world championships and Sudirman Cup," said Kenny.
"We recently started our junior programme and we feel that it is the right time to give these players a chance to compete in major competitions.
"We have proposed that our Sea Games squad should comprise (senior) backup squad and junior players.
"We want them to experience this competition and it will also help to boost their motivation. We hope they will live up to our expectations."
Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail said he is looking to send a balanced squad to the Sea Games.
"At least 30 per cent of the squad will consist of Under-23 players.
"However, there are a few factors which are yet to be confirmed yet.
"For example, at the moment the competition rules state that we are only allowed to enter for two of the four events on offer. But there is talk that it may be increased to three events.
"If we are able to compete in three events, then we will be able to send a larger squad of 15 to 16 players.
"If this is the case, we will be looking to send a squad of 50 per cent Under-23 players.
"There is still time as we only have to send in our shortlist squad in August."