Only camp-based training allowed during MCO: MFL

THE Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced that teams within the league would only be allowed camp-based training sessions throughout the duration of the Movement Control Order (MCO). 
According to MFL’s chief executive officer, Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, the league has been working with the National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in an effort to curb the increasingly virulent spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.  
The change in training rules was declared following Tuesday's meeting between the MFL, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council and MOH. Ab Ghani confirmed that teams under the MCO will have to adopt the new camp-based training from now on. 
He stated that the teams, who have been under the sports bubble since February 15, 2021, will no longer be allowed to conduct home-based training sessions during the present MCO. 
“As a result of working with different branches of the government, MFL understands the current situation caused by the pandemic and agrees to further tighten the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) throughout the league’s 2021 season. 
“For the time being, teams located in MCO-affected areas will only be allowed to organise camp-based training sessions and will not be allowed to conduct home-based training. 
“With the updated SOPs, team officials and players will have to undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and submit their proposed training and safety plans, along with the proposed venue and accommodation details for their camp-based training sessions to the MFL.
“Teams are allowed to start camp-based training at any time after a request has been sent to the MFL and forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” Ab Ghani said in an official statement. 
For teams located in Sabah, Sarawak and Kedah, he added that “seeing as the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is still being implemented in Sabah, Sabah FC are allowed to carry on with home-based training. 
“However, for Sarawak United FC and Sarawak FC, they will not be allowed to conduct camp-based training sessions even though they are under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) as the Disaster Management Committee of Sarawak has prohibited all types of sporting activities.
“Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) will also not be allowed to conduct any training in their area as Kota Senar is still under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO). The team has to move out of that location into other areas, that are either under the MCO or CMCO, to conduct camp-based training sessions,” mentioned Ab Ghani. 
Meanwhile, Ab Ghani stated that there would be some amendments to the Super League and Premier League schedules once the Malaysian League gets underway in June and July. He says this decision is unavoidable as Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), who are playing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League in Thailand, and Terengganu FC (TFC), who are playing in the AFC Cup in Singapore, would have to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon returning home.
“Before this, the quarantine period was for seven days but in an effort to prevent any new transmissions of the virus from returning players, the quarantine period has been extended to 14 days. 
“Besides that, the national team, who will be returning home from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after playing in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers and 2023 Asia Cup, would also be subject to the 14-day quarantine. This is also another reason for the change in schedule for the Super League and Premier League. 
“Although the league is currently on a break, I hope the teams are all well-prepared and adhere to the sports bubble SOPs,” added Ab Ghani. 
Meanwhile, Ab Ghani confirmed that the Super League and Premier League teams that are in the camp-based training bubble will only be allowed to have spectator-free friendly matches after receiving an approval letter from the local police.
The strict SOPs that have been set in place will be monitored by the MFL and teams will be notified of any new developments. ─ The Vibes, 20 May 2021