KUALA LUMPUR – The Terengganu Amateur Swimming Association (PRAT) has issued an apology after sending a Muslim female diver to the recently-concluded Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak without the knowledge of the State Executive Council.
PRAT President, Datuk Toh Chin Yaw, took full responsibility for the matter, acknowledging the concerns raised within the community.
“We had numerous discussions with the Terengganu State Sports Council regarding the conditions set by the state government,” he stated, as reported by the Terengganu State Government official media, TRDI News.
“During these meetings, we sought approval to send these athletes to Sukma as they had been training and competing internationally through the association.”
However, he admitted that the athletes were sent to Sukma under PRAT’s own initiative, funded by the association and the athletes’ parents.
“For this Sukma, the athletes were sent under PRAT’s initiative with our own resources,” he added.
Chin Yaw made these remarks after meeting with the chairman of the Youth, Sports, and NGO Committee, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, and Terengganu State Sports Council director, Ahmad Shahrizal Yahaya, at the council’s office today.
He further explained that the state government consistently emphasised the importance of appropriate attire for Muslim athletes in the sport.
“We misunderstood the issue of dress code, believing it was standardised at the international level. It only became an issue after the fact, and we now recognise our mistake.”
Foo Wai Choo, the diving sports manager, acknowledged that the chairman of the Youth, Sports, and NGO committee had already prohibited them from sending Muslim female athletes to Sukma due to the violation of the dress code.
“Moving forward, we will seek talent from among non-Muslim athletes as permitted by the state government,” Wai Choo stated.
Hishamuddin, meanwhile, clarified that the state has no objections to non-Muslim athletes participating in the sport.
“These athletes will also be included in Terengganu’s sports development programme, with full support from the government.”
He urged the public not to entirely blame the association for the incident, noting that it highlighted the community’s strong support for the state’s sports guidelines.
“Unlike Sukma 2022, where the government faced criticism for barring Muslim female athletes from gymnastics, this time, the backlash is due to sending a Muslim female diver.”
He concluded by stating that the state would learn from its mistakes and continue with the policies that work well. – August 26, 2024
