Sporting events risk cancellation as health concerns rise due to haze

Syed Saddiq urges govt agencies and sports organisers, who had planned activities in the near term, to adhere to the haze guidelines set by NSC and NSI

by RAHIMI YUNUS/ pic by ARIF KARTONO

THE thick smog that engulfed the Klang Valley in recent days has heightened health concerns and could lead to cancellation of many sports and outdoor events. Thousands of schools have been ordered to close, while the public are advised to limit their outdoor activities.

A check by The Malaysian Reserve showed that there are more than 10 outdoor events which have been planned for this weekend within the Klang Valley.

Among the events are the Cyberjaya Half Marathon 2019, Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship Round 3, Auto Bavaria Performance Run Series 2019 and Mid Valley City Charity Run 2019.

The Putrajaya Bridge Night Ride 2019, which was slated for tomorrow, is cancelled, according to an announcement on the organiser’s Facebook account.

“Due to the recent haze, it is unfortunate that our event has to be cancelled. Despite the regrettable news, we do wish to inform all participants to collect their race packs as planned,” the organiser announced yesterday.

The Kuala Lumpur (KL) Standard Chartered Marathon 2019, which attracted over 38,000 participants last year, including from abroad, will take place on Sept 29.

Some participants have raised their concerns about the haze and are seeking clarity on the status of the marathon and contingency plans.

Other organisers could cancel or postpone their event if the situation does not improve.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has urged government agencies and sports organisers, who had planned activities in the near term, to adhere to the haze guidelines set by the National Sports Council (NSC) and National Sports Institute (NSI), Sinar Harian reported.

Syed Saddiq said the ministry will consider alternatives for the Malaysia Sports Challenge 2019 in October if there are no improvements to the air quality.

He, however, said it was too early to make any announcements on the event.

At 6pm yesterday, Kuching, Sarawak recorded the highest Air Pollution Index reading at 264, which is considered very unhealthy.

All schools including kindergartens in KL, Selangor, Penang and Putrajaya were shuttered since yesterday, affecting hundreds of thousands of students.

Malaysians are scrambling to buy face masks as a precautionary measure, but they are out of stocks in some outlets.

The low visibility has caused all flights from the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Perak to Singapore and Johor Baru cancelled.

Flights involving AirAsia Group Bhd, Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd and Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd were affected yesterday.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd’s flights from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang to Seletar Airport, Singapore suffered cancellations yesterday due to haze across the causeway.

Meanwhile, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the government may consider introducing Transboundary Haze Act to punish Malaysian companies that cause haze in other countries.