Country has high hopes on Olympic, Paralympic contingents - DPM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has high hopes for the national contingents to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to do well and see the Jalur Gemilang raised and the national anthem played in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government and the people were longing to see the country bring home its first gold medal at the event.

"I hope the prayers of all Malaysians accompany our contingent so that they may achieve success.

"We in the government are trying to provide the best space for them to continue training, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have allowed them to conduct training under quarantine with strict standard operating procedures (SOP) in place," he said at a press conference today.

Earlier, he represented Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the Prime Minister's Address to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic contingents held virtually.

Ismail Sabri also handed over the Jalur Gemilang to the two contingents, received by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria and Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin.

The Olympics will be held from July 23 to Aug 8, while the Paralympics will take place from Aug 24 to Sept 5.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the quarantine period for athletes returning from the Games would be set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and discussed at the National Security Council (MKN) special and technical meetings.

"For the celebrations, I think as of today, we still can't gather. In fact, if it was possible we would have gathered today (for the ceremony) as it's better if done face-to-face. We have a few more weeks (till the Games end), maybe the situation will change," he said.

He said efforts were also in place to ensure that national athletes were not infected with COVID-19, besides having contingency measures in case anyone did get infected.

Ismail Sabri, who has previously helmed the ministry of youth and sports and headed the 2008 Olympic Steering Committee, said that sports always united the people, transcending the boundaries of religion, race and political ideologies.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the medal target for the national contingent would be announced on Friday (July 16).

Today's ceremony witnessed the taking of the oath by the national contingents led by diving queen Pandelela Rinong.

A total of 30 national athletes will compete in the Olympics, while 31 are expected to qualify for the Paralympics.

-- BERNAMA