Monday 24 June 2013

#Haze: Three sporting events may be postponed

Three upcoming international-level sports events here may be postponed if there are no positive developments on the haze, said the Youth and Sports Ministry.

In a statement Monday, the ministry said it had yet to decide on postponing the Jelajah Malaysia cycling championship, the Hockey World League 3 and Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) as it was still monitoring the current haze condition.

"The National Sports Institute will continue to monitor the situation until tomorrow (Tuesday), and if the situation does not improve, the institute would advise the ministry on the next course of action.

"If there are no positive changes, the ministry will suggest that the cycling championship, the hockey league and also Sukma - which involves outdoor sports like beach football, rugby, softball and cricket - be postponed," the statement said.

The ministry added that indoor or closed-court sports like basketball, indoor volleyball and gymnastics would be allowed to go on.

The five-day cycling championship is slated to begin Tuesday, the hockey league between June 29 and July 7, and Sukma between June 28 and July 7.

Athletes would be more severely affected by the haze as they undergo intensive exercises, thus breathing at a faster and deeper rate, added the ministry.

"An athlete's performance will be affected due to pollution and also inflammation of the respiratory system. Long term effects should also be considered," it said.

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