KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Most national athletes will continue training as usual with strict compliance of the standard operating procedure (SOP) at their respective training centres during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period enforced in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from today until October 27.
National Sports Council (MSN) Athletes Division director Jefri Ngadirin said this included athletes from aquatic sports - swimming and diving - as well as indoor and combat sports such as sepak takraw, karate, taekwondo, gymnastics and wushu.
However, he said certain sports, such as rugby and lawn bowls, had decided to discontinue training while tenpin bowling still could not train because the venue is in a commercial centre.
"The men's rugby and lawn bowls squads chose to train on their own at home as they are worried about the Covid-19 pandemic and their inability to comply with the SOP guidelines. Tenpin bowling is included in the list of sports not approved by the National Security Council (MKN) since they train at Sunway Pyramid.
"Sunway Pyramid is waiting for clarification from the MKN on whether the national bowlers can train there," he said when contacted by Bernama.
Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that centralised training programmes for athletes implemented by the NSC and State Sports Councils could be continued in a closed and controlled manner as implemented at the MSN Complex, Bukit Jalil and Keramat; Malaysian Badminton Academy (ABM), Bukit Kiara; and the Paralympics Sports Excellence Centre, Kampung Pandan during the CMCO.
However, Ismail Sabri stressed that the organisation of sports or championships are not allowed during the CMCO in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Commenting further, Jefri said all athletes involved must undergo training in a closed and controlled manner (‘Quarantine Based Approach’) and stay in the NSC hostel to reduce the risk of infection.
"Athletes must continue training as usual by following tightened SOPs, such as training in small groups, maintaining social distancing, scanning MySejahtera applications at each venue, wearing face masks, using hand sanitisers and having no contact with outsiders.
"Field sports, like hockey, which has a large number of players, should be broken down into small groups. The NSC and National Sports Institute must also continue providing services, such as nutrition and treatment, for athletes,” he explained.
— Bernama
