Let’s play it Safe – Cub Prix C’ship seeks clearer directive

The Malaysian Cub Prix Championship promoters want a clearer directive from the government before allowing spectators in to watch their races.

Promoters Safe Aim Mutual (SAM) Sdn Bhd said the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Reezal Merican Naina Merican had announced in July that spectators would be allowed into sporting venues on a smaller scale.

The government has allowed social events, including wedding receptions, engagement parties, reunion and religious events to be attended by a maximum of 250 people from July 1.

However, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement last week that sporting events will be allowed to continue but without international participants and spectators, is rather confusing.

SAM director Ron Hogg said they are waiting for a clear directive on the issue as they hope to make changes for the second half of the season.

“We’re ready to allow spectators into races if the government gives permission but it’s a bit confusing because in the PM’s recent announcement, he mentioned there will be no spectators allowed until

It’s very tough to plan anything at the moment ... we are happy to at least be able to organise a few races.

Ron Hogg

the end of the year.

“In our initial discussions with the sports ministry, they did mention the possibility of spectators but now it is not clear. We understand that the football authorities are also trying to get approval for a limited number of spectators,” said Ron.

He added that the increasing number of local Covid-19 cases casts an ominous shadow over the championship next season.

“It’s very tough to plan anything at the moment ... it seems that the government looks at the situation on a weekly basis and if there is a slight increase (in cases), they tighten restrictions and you can’t blame the government,” he said.

“We’re actually quite worried about next year’s schedule because I think we will have to live with Covid-19 for some time. At the moment, we are happy to at least be able to organise a few races.”

The Cub Prix events were scheduled to start on March 14-15 but were disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak. It finally started off with the first round on July 17-18 at Sepang.

The second round was held at Tangkak, Johor, from Aug 22-23. The third round will be held at the south track of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) today.