Khairy wants stern action against smokers

PUTRAJAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants stern action to be taken against athletes caught smoking.

“I’m unhappy with the athletes’ behaviour. It’s not right and I agree with the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) views on getting the athletes to pay the fines,” said Khairy, referring to the damage caused by the athletes due to smoking at last year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Incheon Asian Games.

Malaysia were fined RM3,640 in Glasgow. It was a whopping RM142,478 in Incheon, bringing the total to RM146,118.

“We’ve always told the athletes not to smoke ... but I think the message has to be loud and clear. I think we should impose fines and be more selective of the athletes competing in future Games.”

Sepaktakraw was the biggest culprit in Incheon as they were fined a total of RM86,756. Bowling, sailing and rugby were the other sports fined in the Asiad.


by K. Rajan - The Star