COVID-19: Sabah athletes’ participation unaffected by Sukma Games postponement

KOTA KINABALU,. The participation of Sabah athletes over 21 years of age is expected to be unaffected by the postponement of the 2020 Johor Malaysia Games (Sukma) following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said he was informed that the 21-year-old age limit for athletes’ participation in Sukma was one of the matters that would be discussed regarding the organisation of the 2022 Sukma.

“I was told that the participation age would be increased from 21 years to 23 years and below for the 2022 Sukma.

“All matters will be discussed and fine-tuned at the Sukma Special Technical Committee at the national level before being presented again at the Sukma Supreme Committee meeting. Only then will it be announced officially,” he said in a statement tonight.

Ellron said the Sabah contingent was prepared to participate in both the Sukma and Para Sukma Games with training for athletes being conducted as usual since the last edition in Perak in 2018.

Ellron said all athletes’ training was fully monitored by the Sabah State Sports Council and his ministry was following the performance and development of the athletes.

He said 736 athletes involving 31 types of sports in the first list have registered for Sukma while Para Sukma involves 113 athletes who will compete in nine sports.

Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican confirmed that the 2020 Johor Sukma scheduled to take place from March 6 to 14 next year will be postponed to 2022 following an increase in COVID-19 cases.

— BERNAMA