KOM still optimistic of organising two events
The Malaysian Athletics Federation (KOM) is optimistic that it will be able to continue with two tournaments planned at the end of this year despite the current worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Athletics Federation (KOM) is optimistic that it will be able to continue with two tournaments planned at the end of this year despite the current Covid-19 situation in the country.
The two tournaments are the National Under Distance Trials scheduled for Nov 7 and the Malaysian Open from Dec 11 to 13 in Bukit Jalil.
KOM president Datuk S.M. Muthu said the organisation of the two events was important for the national athletes to prepare themselves for the 2021 season after an almost eight-month hiatus since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed in March.
“Currently, we are 70 per cent confident of continuing with the National Under Distance Trials next month. If there are no problems related to Covid-19, we will go ahead, otherwise, we will make other plans.
“This is a platform to find athletes for the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, because we plan to send more young athletes to the Games, “he told Bernama.
He said KOM needed to ensure that national track and field athletes were in the best physical shape to qualify for the world's biggest tournaments, with the Tokyo Olympics qualifying period to resume from Dec 1 to June 29, 2021, after being postponed since April 6.
A total of 28 athletes under the Podium Programme and 23 backup athletes involved in athletics have been undergoing training at the National Sports Council (MSN) since June 11.
Commenting further, Muthu said KOM had to organise the Malaysian Open to give national athletes the opportunity to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics - scheduled to take place from July 23, 2021 - on merit.
He said the competition could allow national athletes the opportunity to achieve the qualifying standards for the Olympic Games according to their respective events, as well as for those on the world ranking list to collect points to improve their chances to qualify.
“When we call it the Malaysian Open, foreign athletes can participate in this tournament, but they have to comply with all standard operating procedures (SOP) and conditions set. For example, they have to undergo quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Malaysia and maybe 14 more days after returning to their country, so that is their decision (if they wish to join).
Muthu explained that KOM would seek permission from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Security Council to hold the event, and if there was no participation from foreign athletes, the tournament would continue with only local athletes.
Meanwhile, Muthu confirmed that KOM's Annual General Meeting which was supposed to take place today (Oct 24) has been postponed due to the Conditional MCO, and a new date would be set after discussions on Oct 28.