Malaysia Cup: Bitter reality to swallow

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no denying that people's safety and health agenda, which is the government's priority in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, is the main factor leading to the decision to cancel the 2020 Malaysia Cup football tournament.

The National Security Council (MKN) thinks the sport involves physical contact between players that can cause the risk of Covid-19 infection, but the reality is that no cases related to the professional football activities have ever been reported in Malaysia.

Sadly, the decision came after the first round of the Malaysia Cup has started, and after this season's Super League and Premier League ended successfully without any positive Covid-19 cases due to the discipline of the 24 teams in complying with the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOP).

It would be great if the oldest football tournament in Southeast Asia, which has three more rounds left - the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final - continues, thus preserving the prestige of the tournament ahead of its 100th anniversary next season.

Since the Malaysia Cup, formerly known as H.M.S Malaya and Malaya Cup, was first held in 1921, the tournament had to be suspended only during the Japanese Occupation of then Malaya.

The 2020 Malaysia Cup has become an element of ‘entertainment' for the sports community, especially football, as people seek various sources of entertainment during the Covid-19 pandemic to help with stress relief.

It was reported that the first round of the 2020 Malaysia Cup involving eight matches recorded 6.6 million views on YouTube with the epic clash between Kedah and Pahang managed to reach the highest number of views at 2.1 million.

Football fans also showed strong support during the Super League and Premier League matches which recorded 29.3 million views even though it was delayed for about five months before resuming at the end of August.

Apparently, the government's decision of not allowing the Malaysia Cup to take place during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period invited various netizens' reactions on social media.

“If the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the 2020 Malaysia Cup can be continued, more views would be recorded and it will be a positive development for the national football industry,” said a Facebook user.