Tour of S’wak organiser could be blacklisted – Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry are expected to withdraw the licence and blacklist the individual (organiser) of the Tour of Sarawak (ToS 2016).

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the cancellation of the ToS in the last minute had tarnished the image and good name of the country which has a very reputable standing among the world cycling fraternity.

“I am very disappointed with the organiser of the Tour of Sarawak...this clearly shows that the organiser was not ready and did not have the resources to organise such an event.

“We have checked and I was informed by the Sports Commissioner that the individual responsible and the company can be blacklisted and the licence withdrawn,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Khairy said the Sports Commissioner’s office would not compromise with the organiser for failing to fulfil their obligation towards the participants.

In KUCHING, news emerged that the ToS was cancelled because the organisers did not receive the RM3.5 million pledged by sponsors.

Project manager Mohd Fazli Mohd Yusof also refuted claims that the organiser Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd who had cancelled the ToS which was supposed to have been flagged off on March 16, had used up the RM200,000 from the Youth and Sports Ministry that was channelled through the Sarawak Cycling Association.

“Fadz Industries and its partners have spent RM500,000 of their own money in the run up to organising the ToS. However, the organisers did not receive the funds pledged by sponsors,” he said.

He reiterated that the organisers had not received any cash contributions from any private or corporate companies for the ToS from Miri to Kuching.

The first stage of the Tour of Sarawak, awarded a 2.2 Hors status by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), was scheduled from Miri to Bintulu over a distance of 193km but cancelled at the eleventh hour although riders from many countries had arrived in Miri a few days ago.

Mohd Fazli also denied claims that the organisers had absconded with RM4 million contributed by sponsors.

“The organisers will be responsible for all claims arising from the cancellation. We would also like to apologise to the Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Adenan Satem for the cancellation of the ToS,” he said. – Bernama