MALAYSIA GAMES: Call to beef up security

SPORTS Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has asked hosts Perlis to ramp up security for the May 24-June 4 Malaysia Games to ensure that incidents like the alleged rape case that marred last year's edition does not happen again.

Khairy, who visited various Games venues in Perlis on Monday, stressed the need to ensure the safety of athletes and announced that random breathalyzer tests will be introduced for the first time this year.

"The accommodation for athletes has been separated into five or six different places at colleges (hostels). When it is not centralised, we fear that unsavoury incidents could happen again," said Khairy when met at an appreciation lunch he hosted for media personnel that had covered the recent Myanmar Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"I have asked that we not only depend on the police a hundred per cent (to secure the area). The secretariat and volunteers must also need to be on patrol.

"We will be adding a random breathalyzer test to detect alcohol use in addition to doping tests already conducted by the National Sports Institute.

"Athletes who gather in groups outside their dorms at night and behave suspiciously will be tested (with a breathalyzer).

"We want to send a message that discipline is not only about anti-doping but also their behaviour in the Games village."

The alleged rape incident at the Games in Kuala Lumpur last year had occurred when those involved were under the influence of alcohol.

Khairy added that his only other worry in regard to the preparation of the Games in Perlis was the aquatics complex which is behind schedule.

Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at an appreciation lunch for the media personnel that covered the Myanmar Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Hasan Ismail

Comments

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Search This Blog