“Be prepared” may be the scout’s motto. But this same mantra has also helped Malaysian athletes cope with the chaos that’s going on in the Philippines Sea Games, said deputy chef-de-mission (CDM) Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli.
“We had already anticipated these issues during our final training camp in Bangi and our athletes and officials were told to get ready for the worst,” said Faedzal, who arrived in Manila yesterday with fellow deputy CDM Nurul Huda Abdullah.
“The teams were told to be mentally and physically prepared so that they are focused on their objective here — to win medals.
“These challenges are part of any multi-sport Games and we are grateful that we have not been affected in a major way.”
Faedzal was commenting on the various issues plaguing the Philippines Sea Games thus far — from football players sleeping on the floor or stranded at the airport to transport hiccups and handwritten fixture lists, insufficient drinking water and food unfit for athletes.
“Since our secretariat was set up a few days ago, a number of issues have cropped up regarding venues, food and logistics,” said Faedzal.
“We are working closely with the Philippines Sea Games Organising Committee (PHISGOC) to overcome these issues and we can see that there is improvement everyday.
“We did not have to wait for up to eight or nine hours for our food or did not get our food.”
Malaysia is supplementing the halal food prepared by the organisers with its own supply of ready-to-eat Brahim’s packed ration.
“There’s even another shipment of (Brahim’s) rations on its way here,” said Nurul Huda.
A number of nations have expressed their disappointment at PHISGOC for the shortage of halal food and the lack of signs to help Muslim athletes distinguish between halal and non-halal food, which led to an Indonesian Muslim official inadvertently consuming pork.