KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Institute (ISN) will send 21 personnel with the national contingent to the Paris Olympics (July 26-Aug 11).
NSI chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli said the group would comprise three doctors, five physiotherapists, five masseuses, one exercise physiologist, two performance analysts, one strength and conditioning trainer, while the rest would be secretariat staff.
This would be than the 14 personnel NSI sent to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
"We can send more personnel this time as there are less restrictions now compared to Tokyo (due to the pandemic)," said Faedzal today.
"A number of the personnel will be attached to the badminton and cycling teams, according to the set quota, while the others will provide services in the general pool.
"We have appointed Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme, a medical specialist at NSI, as chief medical officer (CMO) and he will lead our team there.
"We will head to Paris a few days earlier than the athletes. Usually, the CMO and the chef de mission (Datuk Hamidin Amin) will oversee the setup at the games village for our athletes.
"We have to pay great attention to detail, especially in terms of logistics and so on. NSI will provide strong and detailed support to the contingent."
A total of 18 athletes have qualified on merit for the Paris Olympics so far. The final number, including athletes who receive wildcards, could approach 30.
Faedzal said national athletes who qualified for Paris were in good shape and free from serious injuries.
This includes track cyclists Shah Firdaus Sahrom and sailor Nur Shazrin Latif, who received treatment from NSI for shoulder and wrist injuries recently.
"After examination, we found that the injuries sustained by both athletes are not major. There is nothing to worry about," said Faedzal.
"They are undergoing scheduled rehab with NSI and we are continuing to monitor them. Shah received platelet rich plasma treatment last week."
Faedzal was speaking after he officiated the launch of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) Premier Sevens in Kuala Lumpur today.
The Premier Sevens, which is in its 12th edition this year, will be held at the MCKK school grounds in Kuala Kangsar from June 28 to 30.
Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (Pernas) is the title sponsor of the event this year.
ENDS
KW: Sports, Paris Olympics, Paris 2024, National Sports Institute