COVID-19 | The National Security Council (NSC) has decided to proceed with its decision to postpone the Malaysia Cup (Piala Malaysia) football tournament after weighing Covid-19 risks.
This is after deliberating appeals for it to reconsider the move.
Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob explained this evening that the government was concerned that contact sports posed too high a virus transmission risk among players as well as to support staff.
Even if held without a live audience, he noted that the virus could spread on the field, in the changing rooms or during practice sessions.
“Other tournaments have also been called off. Basketball tournaments and also Sukma. All competitions have been called off.
“So we need to be consistent in our decision-making.
“We are not postponing the tournament on purpose but on advice from the Health Ministry. Ensuring the people’s health is paramount and we are forced to postpone the Malaysia Cup,” he explained.
JDT can’t fly to Doha
Ismail also said that sports teams would not be allowed to travel abroad for tournaments as national borders remain closed.
He was asked if Johor state football team Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) will be allowed to travel to Doha, Qatar for next week’s AFC Champions League tournament.
“Our policy remains the same. Our borders remain closed, meaning foreign citizens are not allowed to enter the country, and the rakyat are not allowed to leave the country.
“The policy applies to all, including football teams. We will not allow a large group to travel abroad [...]
“Therefore we will not be allowing our team to travel to Doha,” he said. - Mkini
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