Future of Athletes involved with indiscipline, vandalism will be affected - KJ

Masa depan atlet terjejas jika terlibat masalah disiplin, vandalisme semasa #SEAGames2015 http://t.co/YTf60HaZcq pic.twitter.com/80To64v6wA

— Man Olimpik (@ManOlimpik) May 24, 2015

PUTRAJAYA, May 24 (Bernama) -- The future of athletes in sports development programmes will be affected if they commit vandalism or are involved in indiscipline when taking part in the 28th SEA Games in Singapore next month.

The stern warning was given by Youth and Sport Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar after the national contingent was fined RM146,118 by the organisers at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, last year.

"We will not only take action against the athletes but they must remember their future in sports development programmes will also be affected," he said when handing over the Malaysian flag to the national contingent to the Singapore SEA Games, in Putrajaya, Sunday.

Later, at a media conference, Khairy said what was worrying was that hosts Singapore did not provide a sports village but placed athletes in hotels around the city depending on the events they would be taking part in.

He said this situation would expose the athletes and they could be more easily involved in indiscipline if they were not good at taking care of themselves and the image of the nation.

"We view this matter seriously as we don't want any damage to the facilities and accommodation. We want the Malaysian athletes to represent the country with full dedication and honour, on and off the field.

"This time the athletes will stay in hotels and the contingent chief (Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria) has also warned the athletes against allowing outsiders into their rooms.

"We know Singapore is near, and athletes must remember they are not on holiday. We must closely monitor as there is a possibility their families or friends are in Singapore. And we don't want them to disturb the athletes involved in the Games," he said.

He also stressed that the athletes should consume any additional food or medicine without referring to experts from the National Sport Institute (ISN) and Malaysian Anti Doping Agency (ADAMAS).

"ISN and ADAMAS have conducted screenings and all athletes are clear as none failed the test this time.I want to make this coming SEA Games a clean Games with zero doping," he said.

--BERNAMA