Minister urges sports associations to settle squabbles ahead of SEA Games

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KOTA BARU: Sports associations are urged to immediately resolve any internal issues that may arise before the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from Dec 7 to 19.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said early resolution of the matter is very important so that it would not affect the focus and preparations of the country's athletes who will compete on the international stage.
"Currently, all preparations are underway, so I would like to call on all sports associations if there are any internal issues, to resolve them immediately to ensure the smooth running and spirit of the national team is not affected.
"We know that time is running out before the SEA Games in Thailand later this year. Therefore, we hope that the country's athletes can take full advantage of this opportunity as preparation for the next Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2027 and the Olympic Games expected to be held in 2028," she said.
She told Bernama after officiating the Youth Camp @ Rakan Prihatin 2025, at Pantai Cahaya Bulan, here today, which was also attended by the Ministry of Youth and Sports secretary-general, Datuk Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu and National Youth and Sports Department director-general, Azura Abidin.
Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of Abdul Rashid Yaakub as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Secretariat of the Malaysian SEA Games (MASOC) and the 2027 Asean Para Games Organisers, Hannah said the appointment is very appropriate based on his extensive experience in the world of sports in the country.
"Abdul Rashid has a strong background in the National Sports Council (MSN), including "his role during the organisation of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, and he has also worked with several other states such as Sarawak. So, we are confident that he understands the ins and outs and challenges of managing large-scale sporting events," she said.
Abdul Rashid, 61, who is also the former director-general of MSN, officially assumed the position of CEO of MASOC and Para Asean 2027 on July 1 and will lead the main secretariat responsible for coordinating all aspects of preparations for the regional biennial games. – BERNAMA