KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of the Tour of Sarawak could face being blacklisted from any involvement in the organisation of sporting events, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced today.
Disappointed by what he termed as an embarrassing failure that has tarnished the country's image, Khairy has instructed Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman to look into the severest of action that can be taken against the organisers under the Sports Development Act 1997.
"From what had transpired, we can clearly see that this organiser was not prepared and did not meet all the requirements necessary to carry out the race," said Khairy.
"What has happened is damaging to the sport and the country's image."
Khairy said the ministry would be looking into provisions under the Act that could see those involved in the organisation of the race being blacklisted from organising sporting events in the future.
"This should be a warning to all organisers to not take the licences given to organise events lightly.
"This organiser of the Tour of Sarawak and those involved with it, should be blacklisted."
The cycling community is still reeling from the effects of the Tour of Sarawak fiasco, as teams left stranded in Miri yesterday began to arrive in Kuching to sort out their departure from the state this morning.
It was discovered that a large number of crew and side events performers are still left dumbfounded by what had happened, and are still in Kuching.
Singer Zelmi of the Mentor reality show TV series, said she is with a group of 26 performers who were roped in to perform in side events for the Tour of Sarawak.
"We were asked to come here (Kuching) and our expenses would be reimbursed by the organisers," said Zelmi when contacted.
"So I paid for my flight and when we got here, paid for accommodations. However, nothing is coming from the organisers. They keep saying it is coming, but then we are left here virtually stranded."
Zelmi said she was contemplating lodging a police report against organisers Fadz Industries Sdn Bhd today.
The Tour of Sarawak, scheduled to start yesterday and run till Sunday, turned chaotic from the start with teams left stranded without accommodation in Miri.
It was understood that project director Mohd Fadzli Mat Yusof had given initial assurances that funding was forthcoming.
But it turned out otherwise with international teams having to endure being locked out of hotel rooms by management due to unpaid bills, then needing to sort out their own return tickets after the race was finally cancelled yesterday.
Foreign teams from Iran, Japan and Australia began the walk-out yesterday, followed by other teams, which would have left the race without any competitors, forcing them to cancel the event.
About 100 participants then boarded two express buses for the 14-hour trip to Kuching.