PEKAN: It is only a matter of time before football matches, which has been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resumes in the country.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said although the National Security Council (NSC) and Health Ministry would decide on this next week, there had been positive indications.
"A proposal to resume full-contact training for teams will be tabled at the special meeting on the Implementation of the Movement Control Order next week (July 9).
"This will then allow sports without spectators including motor sport races and badminton (singles) games to restart.
"This will later pave the way for football matches and the Sepak Takraw League (STL) to resume. It will give confidence to the people to return to their normal routine and lifestyle," he told reporters after a series of Chini by-election campaigns in Paloh Hinai near here today.
Reezal said if the green light was given for full contact training and sports, then athletes would have to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
"The decision next week lies in the hands of the NSC and the health ministry. And, there are positive signs. So lets wait for next week," he said.
Yesterday, Reezal Merican said a proposal on the resumption of full-contact training for team and combat sports would be tabled at the said special meeting on July 9.
The minister also said he would also propose to restart sports championships, recreational activities and individual events such as extreme sports not involving body contact in stages.