There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the Malaysian sports industry, including private trainers and gym operators, whose businesses have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As many of them are cash-strapped, especially after the Movement Control Order was introduced on March 18, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican confirmed efforts are being made to address their plight.
“We are compiling information on the woes of those in the sports industry, including private trainers,” said Reezal Merican.
“We will come up with suggestions and proposals to the Finance Ministry and other relevant stakeholders.”
He pointed out some of these business owners and even private trainers may have obtained some form of relief through the stimulus packages announced by the government.
“But the Youth and Sports Ministry will reach out to other ministries and agencies to see how else we can assist.”
Twentytwo13 had yesterday published the plight of gym operator R. Kumareswarren, who is finding new ways to run his business as the Covid-19 fear coupled with physical distancing may see patrons shying away from fitness centres.
While appreciating the government’s various stimulus packages, Kumareswarren added it only eased some 20 per cent of his cash flow woes.
The fitness industry has boomed over the past two decades with many Malaysians subscribing to some form of gym membership or taking part in some form of sporting activity – from Zumba to swimming and tennis classes. This has led to the mushrooming of gyms and services by private trainers, some being former state or national athletes, nationwide.
Veteran sports administrator Datuk Sieh Kok Chi had on Monday told Twentytwo13 that private coaches in badminton, swimming, golf, fencing, tennis, table tennis, ice skating, gymnastics and martial arts are the real victims of Covid-19 and that they need to upgrade their services and skills to survive.
Mohanjit Kuckreja, who owns Kuckreja & Co, said online sales of sporting goods have increased but his overall monthly sales remain far lower than normal average monthly sales.
“We’ve seen a spike in the number of online sales, 100 per cent increase in fact. But we are still not able to cover the cost of operations as overall sales remains low,” said Mohanjit, whose sports company is the nation’s oldest and was set up 74 years ago.
“Our hottest selling items are skipping ropes, dart boards and Frisbees. We are giving massive discounts for most of our products but the pick-up is restricted to the smaller items.”
He added board games like carroms were quite a hit throughout the MCO.
“It will naturally take some time before business goes back to normal.”
