Vietnam-bound athletes won’t get to celebrate Raya with loved ones

KUALA LUMPUR – As Malaysians flock to their hometowns to celebrate Hari Raya with their loved ones following the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions, national athletes that are bound for the Hanoi SEA Games won’t get the same opportunity.

The Malaysian contingent has been placed in a sports bubble to eliminate the chances of anyone in the 783-strong (584 athletes and 199 officials) squad to be infected by Covid-19.

As the 2022 SEA Games are scheduled to begin on May 12 until 23, athletes who are already in the sports bubble won’t be able to celebrate Raya with their family and friends.

However, the games’ chef de mission Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said that parents of the athletes are allowed to come visit for a couple of hours during the auspicious festival, which is to be celebrated on May 3 and 4.

“It is unfortunate that our preparations for the Hanoi SEA Games are during Raya and the athletes will have to miss the celebrations with their families because they are in the bubble.

“But I am very thankful to all the athletes and their families for sacrificing time with each other and putting all their focus on achieving their best during the games,” he told The Vibes.

Nur Azmi also said that preparations and training for the games have been going well, although he cautions officials that are not in the sports bubble.

“Not all the officials going for the games are in the bubble with the athletes, so I hope they follow the required SOPs and stay safe,” he added.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria told The Vibes although the Raya atmosphere has arrived, many athletes are also in the SEA Games mood.

“After two years of being in the pandemic, the athletes are looking forward to getting out of the country and competing.

“I also think they are celebrating the freedom they have now after coming out of a difficult period, both mentally and physically,” he said.

Norza said due to the large number of athletes heading to Vietnam, they will have a community of their own.

“They will be celebrating Raya with each other, which will promote the spirit of togetherness and boost morale within the contingent,” he added.

Unfortunately, The Vibes was not able to contact athletes in the sports bubble as they are busy with their respective training programmes. – The Vibes, May 2, 2022.