PARTICIPANTS IN SPORTS EVENTS MUST PRESERVE INTEGRITY - EXCO

JOHOR BAHRU, July 10 (Bernama) -- The Johor state government reminded participants involved in sports events, especially those organised by the state, to preserve their integrity, especially when there is a temptation to cheat, just to win.

State Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the reminder was following a video clip that has gone viral on social media since yesterday, which questioned the podium finish by former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman at a triathlon event.

On July 7, Syed Saddiq who is also the Muar Member of Parliament’s podium finish at the 113 Trathlon Desaru 2024, came under scrutiny from members of the public and participants who raised doubts about his success while the person in question had claimed it to be a technical issue.

“Following questions raised, I had referred the matter with the organiser and Syed Saddiq did not make a U turn according to the route set up for the race and his participation has been classified as ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF).

“The Muar MP had uploaded two video clips to provide clarification. The first to defend his action by showing pictures and data from the organiser’s technical team. He later made another video clip of the U turn, claiming there was a mistake,” he said in his Facebook, today.

He said since Syed Saddiq’s participation has been classified as DNF, his initial third placing has been cancelled.

Mohd Hairi added that the state government viewed matters related to integrity in sports seriously and urged organisers or sports events, especially major sporting events or international sporting events to blacklist any participant found cheating in competitions.

He added that it was to ensure the credibility of the organiser is not affected by such incidents since the Johor state government will continue to support such events.

“It is hoped that all sports promoters, organisers and community sports organisers can pledge that such incidents will not recur, so as to sustain the spirit and harmony among the sports fraternity and community continues to remain vibrant,” he said.

-- BERNAMA