KBS satisfied with SIC preparations to organise motorsports events

SE PAN G: The Se pang International Circuit (SIC) is ready to organise any motor sport activity by complying with the standard operating procedure (SOP), said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

In his visit to the SIC yesterday, Reezal Merican said preparations by the SIC were meticulous and detailed in accordance with the procedures set by the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Security Council (NSC) and Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS).

“During the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), sports events were among the prohibited activities as they involved large scale gatherings. However, noncontact sports such as motorsports can be considered but MOH and NSC need to be convinced.

“Personally, I am optimistic that the prestigious motor sport which is held in SIC will return after the Special Ministers' Meeting,” he said after a visit yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Youth and Sports Ministry confirmed that it would propose relaxation for all teams to hold contact sports training at the Special Ministers' Meeting on the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) on July 9.

In the meantime, Reezal Merican said the main focus now is on organising domestic motorsports events before finalising the status of international events including MotoGP races.

“Let's take one step at a time, at this time I want to focus on domestic events. The question of border control is not under my jurisdiction,” he explained.

Meanwhile, SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said he and the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) had taken more than a month to complete the SOP.

He hoped that motorsports events could be held at SIC as soon as possible.

“We have received positive feedback from the minister from his visit. Our SOP is very meticulous so my hope is that motorsports events can be allowed as soon as possible,” he added.