KUALA LUMPUR – In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic brought the whole world to a standstill with many falling victims to this unknown catastrophe.
Many industries are in the doldrums due to this crisis, but compared to many others the sports industry was hit the hardest.
Globally, the sports industry was severely hit, and many events had to be cancelled or postponed in order to curb the spread of the virus that impacted the entire world.
Daily activities and simple pleasures of life, such as playing futsal or going to the gym, became victims of the pandemic. Unfortunately, many sports facilities had to call it a day, only to slip into oblivion.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) President Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said that nobody could have foreseen in January 2020 that the biggest and most celebrated multi-sports games, the Olympics, would be cancelled. The national games, SUKMA, also suffered a similar fate.
“Our national sports associations were also not able to organise any tournaments, which greatly impacted their revenue streams. In addition, sponsors too started shying away.
“Those at the grassroots were also not spared as the government implemented various movement control orders and SOPs to protect the health and well-being of Malaysians,” he told The Vibes when contacted.
Norza said that OCM, in its limited capacity, introduced two COVID-19 financial assistance packages of RM300,000 each to its affiliate members, while providing rental discounts to tenants.
“Having said that though, these difficult times saw many of us come together and strive to find solutions for the sporting industry to make a comeback.
“Thanks to the leadership of the Minister of Youth & Sports, and the close collaboration of stakeholders, such as the OCM, National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI) and National Sports Associations (NSA), our elite athletes were able to return to training as early as June and, recently, the National Security Council had announced a sports bubble beginning January 2021,” he added.
However, he said that with the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines and the return of several sporting events, not least the Olympic Games, we have many reasons to be optimistic for 2021.
At the same time, Norza added that next year, local sports tournaments will be allowed once again, albeit with a more relaxed SOP. Similarly, on the international front, the elite athletes, those who are aiming to qualify and those who have qualified for the Olympic Games, will resume competition as early as January.
“And of course, we are looking forward to the Olympic Games in 2021. It will be the light at the end of the tunnel. Sports has the power to unite and to bring that feel-good factor that we all so deserve at this moment.
“With the lessons learnt in 2020, I am sure we will be more resilient and come out for the better as we lean into new beginnings. The success of any country in coming years will be measured by how fast they bounce back from this very unprecedented moment in history,” he said.
Meanwhile, former OCM secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic caught the whole world by surprise.
He said that with the very strict conditions imposed by governments, such as lockdowns, social distancing, compulsory wearing of masks, testing, quarantine, etc., sports activities almost came to a complete standstill.
“Although a few vaccines have been approved and mass inoculations are being carried out, a clear solution has still not been confirmed and no one can be sure when the situation will return to normal,” he said.
Kok Chi added that Malaysia ─ being a small player in the world of sports, training and competitions ─ has been quiet throughout the year as all national championships have been postponed or cancelled.
As for 2021, with the Tokyo Olympic Games in July, qualifiers for sporting events that have yet to be conducted will be held soon and, hopefully, Malaysian athletes who are competing will be able to qualify.
In addition to the Tokyo Olympics, Malaysia will be participating in the Asian Indoor & Martial Art Games to be held in Bangkok in May 2021, the 3rd Asian Youth Games to be held in China in early November and the 31st SEA Games to be held in Hanoi in late November 2021.
Depending on the extent of the pandemic, hopefully, the situation will gradually return to normal by year-end. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021
