Malaysia is set to host a number of international sporting events this year, with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place, despite the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.
Malaysia today recorded 17,134 Covid-19 cases. However, 99.5 per cent, or 17,048 cases, were in Categories One and Two.
The MotoGP pre-season testing at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) last weekend started the ball rolling, with the Badminton Asia Team Championship in Shah Alam, scheduled next week.
Discussions between SIC and the Department of Youth and Sports (JBSN) were held last October, and the proposed motorsports travel bubble received the green light from the National Security Council (NSC) on Jan 24.
Various other stakeholders were also involved in the discussions. They included the Youth and Sports Ministry, the NSC, Health Ministry, Immigration Department, police, Sepang Municipal Council, National Disaster Management Agency, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, and other service providers and strategic partners.
Following the success of the official pre-season test, SIC has seen a surge in interest from international organisers to hold events there.
Other events scheduled to take place in Malaysia this year include the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers (final round), the 18th Langkawi International Regatta, Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup, Asia Road Race 2022, and the Malaysian International Basketball tournament.
It remained unlikely that the surge of cases would affect the hosting of these events. However, participants may pull out from competitions for fear of the coronavirus.
Yesterday, the National Recovery Council, chaired by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, agreed to open the nation’s borders next month. The move was to support Malaysia’s economic recovery.
International Trade and Industry Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said recently that there would be no total lockdown of the economic and industrial sectors in Malaysia, even if Covid-19 cases increased.
Many Malaysians, especially those in the sports and tourism industry, were badly hit by the earlier lockdowns imposed by the government since the pandemic first hit the country in early 2020.
