WHILE the Covid-19 pandemic continues to plague the world, Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has urged local sports fans to trust the government's plan to gradually open up events to spectators.
Reezal, who made a courtesy visit to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) yesterday, the same day as the council's executive council meeting, said there are six phases in total to go through before the government can fully lift the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) on sports events.
"I hope everyone will remain patient as we gradually relax on allowing fans to sports events.
"For the record, the government is acting on the advice of the National Security Council and the Health Ministry.
"Furthermore, competitions are still played behind closed doors around the world.
"It's not that we don't want to allow fans in, but we have to be very careful. We cannot afford to have a Covid-19 sports cluster.
"There are six phases in total and beginning Aug 15, we will move into Phase Four, where we allow tournaments to be organised.
"Just be patient, we will slowly open up," explained Reezal.
Reezal, who met several National Sports Association (NSA) representatives, said his ministry will also be reviewing the Podium Programme to improve it further.
Former National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz, who was recently reappointed as sports medicine consultant, has been tasked with the responsibility to look into the review process.
Meanwhile, Reezal disclosed that further discussion on the number of events for the Vietnam Sea Games next year will only take place after the Sea Games Federation (SEAGF) virtual meeting later this week.
It is learnt that several NSAs have voiced their concerns over the possibility of athletes missing out on the Games next year due to the limited number of events.
"I have heard some of the concerns, but we will wait until after the SEAGF meeting before discussing further.
"I know that several events will be dropped because there aren't any venues for said sports in Vietnam.
"However, let's not jump the gun just yet. Let's wait until after the SEAGF meeting. We will cross the bridge when we get there," said Reezal.