KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of the 2020 Malaysia Games (Sukma) have assured that it will not be held in December this year, as it will affect the preparation of athletes who are set to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
Sukma Johor Secretariat chief executive officer On Jabbar @ Ja’afar said several key aspects would be taken into account when deciding on a new date which is expected to be decided after the Movement Control Order (MCO) ends.
Besides SPM, he said the committee would also take into consideration the Northeast Monsoon from November to March, with the risk of prolonged rainfall and floods in several states, including Johor, and focus would be given to assisting flood victims.
“SPM will only end on Dec 7 after the Ministry of Education reschedules the public examinations. If we organise Sukma in December, it will have an impact on the athlete’s preparation.
“The Johor contingent itself has 106 athletes who will sit for the SPM examination, I think other states have about the same number. The SPM will determine their future and career path... it should not be compromised,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican on Wednesday announced that Sukma 2020, initially scheduled to be held from July 11 to 19, had to be postponed for safety and health reasons following the Covid-19 threat.
Meanwhile, On said among the key aspects to be considered before setting a new date would be the declaration from the Ministry of Health that the country was safe from the pandemic, besides getting the approval of all stakeholders, especially the Sukma Supreme Council.
He said they were also assessing matters such as venues, equipment and other technical aspects, including age limits if the biennial event was held in 2021, as many had expressed their concerns over the matter.
“It would not be fair for athletes who have been preparing for the event for the past two years if they are not allowed to compete, because Sukma’s age limit is 21, while there are sports such as gymnastics which have set the limit at 15 years and below.
“Things like this (age limit) can be considered because this postponement was unexpected. Whatever decision is made, it must be agreed by all parties,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the preparation of venues, which now stands at 85 % complete, may be slightly delayed as all construction work was halted during the MCO.
Based on initial plans, all 39 venues should have been ready by May. - Bernama
