Haze will be monitored until National Sports Day - Saravanan

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said currently, no events for the National Sports Day had been cancelled or postponed due to haze.

"We have planned the National Sport Day since early this year and the haze is something unexpected. More than eight million participants comprising youths and adults are estimated to take part in the programmes.

"The condition is under control today and we hope it will improve. We will issue a guideline on the haze for the National Sport Day in one or two days," he told a media conference here, today.

He also urged all agencies under the ministry and the organisers involved in the implementation of the National Sports Day to be prepared with an alternative plan such as finding indoor venues to protect the health of the participants.

As of noon today, 13 areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings compared to 15 this morning, namely, Alor Setar (139), Bakar Arang, Sungai Petani (135), Langkawi (149), Melaka City (103) and Bukit Rambai (102).

Also experiencing unhealthy APIs were Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (109), Kg Air Putih, Taiping (145), Kebangsaan Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (131), Seri Manjung (129), Kangsar (122), Perai (137), Seberang Jaya 2, Perai (155) and USM (155).

Prior to this, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had said his ministry could not make the decision to cancel the National Sports Day because it would be held nationwide and the API readings differed according to areas.

Meanwhile, Saravanan suggested that those who could not take part in the programmes on National Sports Day to wear sports clothes on Saturday to demonstrate a sporting spirit.