No major problems closing early, says Khairy
“MOVING the closing ceremony a day earlier will not cause any glaring problems in terms of venue, competition, lodging etc.”
This was Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s reaction following the announcement that the 2017 Sea Games closing ceremony will be brought forward to a day earlier from the originally proposed Aug 31.
The decision was announced after the Sea Games management meeting in Putrajaya, yesterday.
The closing will now take place on Aug 30 at the National Stadium and Khairy assured it will be a grand celebration as it falls on the eve of Merdeka Day.
“It’s been shifted to respect the night before Hari Raya Haji which falls on Aug 31,” said Khairy
“After consulting Muftis and after consideration of sensitivity, we decided to move it.”
Promotions for the Sea Games via billboards and other printed materials that started as early as February will need to be altered but Khairy said the cost of these changes is minimal.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary general Datuk Low Beng Choo said a typical Sea Games is only held for 12 days but for Malaysia, it’s at 13 days.
“There could be changes to the sports that have finals scheduled on Aug 30-31, so we have to readjust all these finals to maybe, one or two days earlier.
“By the 30th, we need to wrap-up all events because on Merdeka eve, we would like to announce the overall champions.”
The Aug 30-31 dates will see a total of 16 sports (48 events) being affected by the change in dates.
Meanwhile, Khairy said the venues for KL2017 are at 80 per cent completion.
“The upgrade to the National Shooting Range in Subang is completed and this month will see the handover of the National Velodrome (Nilai), MABA Stadium (basketball) and Water Sports Complex in Putrajaya (waterski and wakeboard),” said Khairy.
“In May, the National Sailing Centre (Langkawi), Pudu Recreational Park (petanque), Titiwangsa Closed Stadium (sepak takraw), Kinrara Oval (cricket) and MBPJ Stadium (rugby) will be handed over.” Farah Azharie