Puzzled by booting, exco asks minister why Penang not part of National Sports Day

GEORGE TOWN – Penang Youth and Sports exco Soon Lip Chee is requesting clarification from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu on why the state is no longer part of the 2021 National Sports Day (NSD) celebration.

In a Facebook post today, Soon said he was invited by the ministry to attend the National Sports Day 2021 main committee meeting held on September 14.

Following the meeting, he was also invited to chair the 2021 NSD Celebration main committee meeting for the Penang level on September 21 to discuss the organisation of the event with the relevant agencies.

However, Penang was booted out of the celebrations, along with Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

“This is not in line with the concept of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ introduced by the prime minister.

“I hope the ministry can provide an official explanation on why the Penang government is no longer invited for the NSD 2021 celebration,” he said.

“As the youth and sports exco, I have always emphasised and promoted the spirit of ‘Sports For All’ among the people of Penang. As a result, many athletes have represented the state to compete and succeed in making a name for Malaysia in international tournaments.”

Meanwhile, former deputy youth and sports minister Steven Sim in a tweet called on Faizal and his deputy, Senator Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Ahmad Kamal, to stop politicising sports.

“Don’t you have the courage to guarantee not to play politics? I ask his honourable minister and his honourable deputy minister not to taint @KBSMalaysia with old-fashioned mentality and disgusting politics,” said Sim.

Takkan nak bagi jaminan untuk tidak bermain politik pun tidak berani? Saya minta YBM dan YBTM jangan mencemar @KBSMalaysia dengan pemikiran kolot dan permainan politik jijik.

— Steven Sim ?? #Bangsa (@scheekeong) October 7, 2021

The NSD is held annually every second Saturday in October, and is aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. The first NSD was held in 2015. It was not celebrated last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Faizal, this year’s NSD will feature professionals such as social media influencers, industry players, athletes and sports icons to attract people to take part in the activities. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021