PBA netting less income

A court is disinfected at the Penang Badminton Association hall in Bukit Dumbar. The facility is still open but there has been a drop in the number of players since the CMCO was imposed. — Filepic

INCOME from renting out badminton courts has decreased by 50% due to the conditional movement control order (MCO).

Penang Badminton Association (PBA) president Kah Kau Kiak said that the badminton courts in Bukit Dumbar were not closed but players were required to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP).

“Since the conditional MCO was imposed, we have received many enquiries from our customers who are confused about the latest SOP.

“They usually book the courts after working hours or on weekends.

“Since inter-district travel is not allowed, several bookings were cancelled. This has caused us to lose our income, ” he said in a phone interview on Thursday.

Kah added that all the players were required to use the MySejahtera app and have their temperature taken.

“Spectators and children who are not playing badminton are not allowed to enter.

“Visitors have to be in proper sports attire.

“Those who wear slippers will not be allowed to enter the badminton hall as we wish to prevent people from loitering around, ” he said.

Selected fitness activities that do not feature body contact such as yoga, zumba, line dance, taichi, qigong and xiangong are allowed at fitness studios plus indoor and outdoor stadiums.

State youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said these activities could be carried out with a maximum number of 10 people.

“However, the National Sports Council has clarified that dance classes which come under the restricted sports category during the conditional MCO are still not allowed, ” said Soon in a statement on Wednesday.

“Individuals are still allowed to exercise in the City Park although there is limited space due to ongoing upgrading work on the jogging tracks and walkway.”

However, no group sessions are allowed at the park.

He also said that badminton training at indoor stadiums was allowed with a maximum of 10 people at any one time with no physical contact and full SOP compliance.

This is also applicable to table tennis.

Soon said bowling and snooker centres were allowed to operate with adherence to social distancing and a maximum of 10 people at any one time.