KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Athletes and officials to the Hanoi SEA Games were once again reminded not to take lightly the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by Vietnam and the national contingent to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission there.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said if there were athletes or officials infected, they should immediately follow the SOP prepared by the contingent, including undergoing quarantine as set by Vietnam.
He said it was one of the most important steps to be taken so that others do not get infected as that could affect the overall health of the contingent.
“We have prepared our own SOP to ensure that if any of our athletes are tested positive, we must ensure that they do not infect other athletes (from Malaysia and other countries) because they all live in the same Games Village.
"So, of course, we need to comply strictly with our own SOP and also that of Vietnam’s," he told a press conference at the ceremony to hand over the Jalur Gemilang to the national contingent bound for the Hanoi SEA Games at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil, yesterday.
Previously, local media had reported that chef-de-mission Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad had warned that he would deport any athletes or officials who ignored the SOP while in Hanoi.
Earlier, Ahmad Faizal informed that the Malaysian target at the biennial Games from May 12-23 is 36 gold, 35 silver and 75 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal said almost all the national athletes showed high spirits to take on the challenge in Hanoi despite having to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in the sports bubble at the NSC.
The 859-member Malaysian contingent to the Hanoi SEA Games, comprising 584 athletes and 275 officials, will compete in a total of 37 sports out of a total of 40, involving 338 events out of a total of 526 contested.
— Bernama
