Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 9, 2020: The President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Norza Zakaria, issued a statement on Monday, June 8 thanking the government for allowing sport to be resumed across the country.
“The OCM are very pleased and welcome the decision of the Government to allow the return of most sporting activities, albeit under strict guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),” he said.
“We would like to place on record, on behalf of the sports fraternity, our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government, the Ministry of Health, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the various stakeholders in the sports industry for their combined efforts in granting this permission.
“In particular, the OCM pays tribute to YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican bin Naina Merican, Minister of Youth and Sports, for taking into account the constrains of the sports industry while, at the same time, the health and well-being of the society.
“Sports have always brought with it a feel-good factor and this ‘new normal’ return is timely as we can now move towards the recovery phase of Covid-19.
“However, while we are enthusiastic on the return of sporting activities, by 15 June 2020, we would like to urge and appeal to all involved in sports to play their part in ending the Covid-19 outbreak by abiding to the SOPs and guidelines issued by the relevant Ministries.
“It is now time for the sports and fitness industry to practice self-discipline and self-governance to ensure we remain on course in defeating this pandemic.
“The health and well-being of all sports practitioners must remain our utmost priority.
“Together we can defeat this unseen enemy and, therefore, I call upon all to adopt the new normal that comes into effect for sports.
“Lastly, let’s all play a role in our small way to make sure that our tolerance levels remain intact and respect the SOPs which are outlined by the Government,” he concluded.