Farah has four for company in training

National artistic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (pic), the only gymnast to have qualified for the Olympics so far, will have plenty of co mpany in Bukit Jalil when training resumes on June 1 for the Road to Tokyo athletes.

Teammates Tracie Ang, Tan Ing Yueh, Nor Azira Aziri and Rachel Yeoh Li Wen will all be part of the squad training at the National Sports Council’s Gymnasium 2.

Malaysian Gymnastics Federation president (MGF) Rachel Lau confirmed yesterday that the four gymnasts have been given approval to join Farah for the training camp.

“They are all going to go in on a one-month camp in Bukit Jalil. We will see how it goes. There is a possibility that it might be extended. If so, we do not see major issues in that,” she said.

“My concern is there are 181 people in Bukit Jalil, are there proper precautions to monitor the health and safety of the athletes? Any census? What happens if they sneak out?” asked Rachel.

Bukit Jalil, the venue for archery, aquatics, gymnastics and karate, will house 40 athletes and 141 officials during the training.

“There are younger kids, so the bodies involved will have to make sure there are proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance given to the athletes to make them realise that this is a serious matter and not a time to be funny with anything.”

Rachel said MGF were satisfied with the guidelines provided by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

“I think the guidelines seem to be reasonable. My caveat to them is that we need to get proper cleaning services to come in, once or twice a day.

“The idea would be twice, hopefully. The good part of the SOP is you get tested before you go in. I worry that we are unable to control some of the athletes, but the bodies involved have given an assurance that everything would be stringent.”

However, she admitted that she personally had concerns over the timing as the pandemic was still looming large over the world.

“I am still very concerned about the Covid-19 situation. I do not strongly believe that this is the best time to open up training.

“I understand that they need to train, but I am also concerned that the worse is not over yet and this feels a bit too early.