ISKANDAR PUTERI: Enforcement against unauthorised sports competitions will be stepped up after an 11-year-old boy died during a football tournament allegedly held without the required approval.
State youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said all sports competitions must obtain approval from the state or district sports associations.
“We cannot allow any sports competition to be organised without first obtaining approval from the highest governing body for that sport at the national or state level.”
He was speaking to reporters after clocking in at the Johor Sports Council in Kota Iskandar yesterday, following his reappointment to the portfolio.
On July 18, a primary school pupil died after collapsing while taking part in an Under-12 football tournament.
Mohd Hairi said the event had not received approval from the Johor Baru Football Association or the Johor Football Association.
He called for a thorough investigation, including summoning the organisers to provide explanations.
He said the incident showed the need for stricter action against the increasing number of unauthorised leagues being organised in the state.
The matter will also be discussed at an upcoming meeting with all sports associations in Johor, he added.
Mohd Hairi advised parents to check whether competitions had been approved by the relevant sports bodies before allowing their children to take part.
Meanwhile, Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Azrul Hisham Mohd Shaffei said a post-mortem found no suspicious injuries or bruising on the victim.
He said the case was currently classified as sudden death and remains under probe.
“We are also looking into the victim’s medical history as part of the investigation.”
