PETALING JAYA − The Sports Industry Coalition (SIC), which represents the majority of mass participation sporting event industry players in Malaysia, expresses its gratitude to the government for allowing mass participation sporting events to resume.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused sporting events worldwide to come to an unexpected halt, has resulted in massive financial losses and uncertainty for the industry.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, event organisers, service providers, suppliers and related manufacturers have had their earnings plummet to zero.
Based on a survey conducted by SIC, over 90% of mass participation sporting events were postponed or cancelled in 2020, resulting in an unprecedented revenue loss of over 95% and an 85% reduction in total workforce.
Mass participation sporting events in 2019 attracted over 4.2 million participants – including in-bound travellers, who supported the sports tourism sector – and contributed over RM 550 million to the economy.
Formed on March 18, the SIC membership consists of 75 industry players, comprising event organisers and service providers as well as related manufacturers and suppliers.
“Having started as a result of being unheard and unrepresented, the mass participation community now have a dedicated platform,” ChampionChip Sports Timers technical operation & new business development head, W.S. Khoo, said in a recent statement.
The recent announcement by the government to reopen mass participation sporting events is a welcome reprieve for industry players who have lost their main source of income.
This much-needed breathing space is essential for local businesses, who are still reeling from the impact of the pandemic and have yet to recover.
On behalf of World Endurance Malaysia − organisers of the Ironman events in Malaysia − regional director C.G. Lim said: “SIC wishes to express its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Dato' Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu for his support to the industry.
“Although reopening will be a slow and steady process, and will appropriately vary across the country, this is a small step in the right direction, not only for the sports industry, but for the entire country.”
MUSE Group Asia − organisers of Spartan Malaysia − chief operation officer, Azman Fahmi, added that “SIC would also like to thank the Youth and Sports ministry (KBS) for engaging with industry players through feedback and ideas on how best to revive the mass participation sports industry without compromising on health and safety. Their continuous efforts to reach out to the industry has led to the reopening of the sector.”
According to the guidelines, the mass participation sports industry will continue to be fully compliant with standard operating procedures and will carry on efforts to support and help the country through these unprecedented times. – The Vibes, September 15, 2021
