KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — National coach Paul Birmingham refused to set his 16 charges the target of qualifying for the Rio Olympics at the Malaysia Invitational Age Group Championship.

The meet started yesterday and will go on until Sunday at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre.

“They just came back from the Singapore National Age Group Championships (March 16 to 20). It wouldn’t be fair to put too much pressure on them,” said the Australian.

“Of course, if one or two can meet the B or even A Olympic time, it would be a bonus. 

“Let this meet be their training ground for the next Olympic qualifiers, the Malaysia Open in May.”

Birmingham was also keen to handle Malaysia’s latest swimming sensation Welson Sim with “utmost care”. 

“He’s still young. He’s definitely an asset to the country but it would be better to stay calm and not push him into the limelight too fast,” he said.

Besides Welson, other swimmers to have met the “B” Olympics time are Khoo Cai Lin, Phee Jinq En, Chui Lai Kwan, Kevin Yeap and Wong Fu Kang.