Dataran damper for Games’ archers

PUTRAJAYA: The national compound archers may not get to compete at the iconic Dataran Merdeka for the KL SEA Games this August.

This is due to preparations for the Merdeka Day celebrations at the venue on Aug 31.

The SEA Games will be held from Aug 19-30, with the compound archery being staged from Aug 16-18.

The archers were hoping to provide the national contingent with an early boost at the iconic venue – and repeat the four-gold medal feat they achieved at the Singapore Games two years ago.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (Masoc) are still awaiting the Communications and Multimedia Ministry’s decision on the venue for the 60th Merdeka Day celebrations.

“All sport venues have been confirmed, except for archery, as the Communications and Multimedia Ministry may want to use Dataran Merdeka for National Day celebrations,” said Khairy, who is also Masoc chairman.

“If that’s the case, then we will move archery to the National Sports Council archery field in Bukit Jalil.

The NSC archery field, which is also the training ground for the national team, has previously staged several Asian Archery Circuit (now known as Asia Cup) events.

The Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, is another possible venue, having hosted the Asian University Archery Championships a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Malaysia has become the KL Games’ 11th sponsor and official restaurant.

It has pledged RM1mil sponsorship in cash and in-kind.

McDonald’s sponsorship comes under the silver category (RM1mil-RM3mil).

They are the fifth silver category sponsor after 100PLUS, Milo, Prudential and SCGM Berhad.