Organiser to face legal action

PETALING JAYA: The organiser of the Klang City International Marathon 2017 faces action from the authorities after going ahead with the event without getting approval from the Sports Commissioner’s Office.

The run met with disaster when three runners were hit by a car along Jalan Kapar Batu 2 on Sunday.

Sports commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman said all sporting events in the country needed approval from the office, as stated in Section 36 of the Sports Development Act 1997.

“We did not receive any application for a licence from the organiser. They did not approach us at all,” she said.

Confirming that the run was illegal, she said action will be taken against the organiser for contravening the Act.

“Approval is mandatory to ensure that organisers follow the financial, technical and other guidelines and rules set by sports governing bodies,” she said.

“It is also to ensure that an organiser follows all the rules for the safety of those involved,” she added.

Zaiton said her office had earlier rejected an application for the Klang Heritage Marathon in Pandamaran on Dec 17 by a different organiser.

“The organiser sent in an application but we have kept track of its previous races. We decided to reject the application,” she said.

“We’re monitoring all the organisers of marathon races held here. They need to get a licence to hold the races.”

She said that from Thursday, the office will upload all the events it approves to the Youth and Sports Ministry website at kbs.gov.my for the public to check.

National Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the organiser of the Klang City International Marathon should have been responsible for the safety of all participants.

“The safety of all runners must be ensured before a race begins while the safety of the entire route must be monitored at all times.

“At the same time, adequate safety signs must be provided for all marathon races and there must be adequate road marshals and other safety personnel to keep participants safe,” Lee said in a statement yesterday.

He advised runners to be extra careful during such events.

“Among other things, they must always assume that the drivers of oncoming vehicles do not see them and must dress to be noticed (by motorists),” he added.

One of the runners, Evelyn Ang, 44, suffered severe head injuries in the accident.

It was reported that the other two runners sustained head and ankle injuries, though not as severe.