MOA want safer and healthier environment for athletes

Spirit of Olympism: Current and former Olympians celebrating the Oly Day.

PETALING JAYA: Better to be safe than sorry.

Malaysia Olympians Association (MOA) announced that they would give more importance to Safe Sport Act in an effort to ensure that all sports will be played in a safe, healthy and secure environment.

“Sport is for all. Not only does it play a huge role in uniting people but also leads them to a healthier and meaningful lifestyle,” said MOA president Noraseela Mohd Khalid after successfully organising the inaugural Oly Day on Friday.

“We call on the public and the government to address the importance of the safety of athletes, so that the sport can be played in a safer mode and environment.

“This is especially close to the heart of MOA and the athletes who are always competing on the battlefield for the nation.”

The Safe Sport Act was presented in the Dewan Rakyat recently by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu. The founder of Safe Sport Malaysia is former national rhythmic gymnast Sarina Sundara Rajah.

Noraseela is also happy that the Oly Day was attended by the current and former greats, which included Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan, Datuk Razif Sidek, Datuk Leong Mun Yee, Cheah Soon Kit, Ong Ewe Hock and many more.

“Oly Day brings the Olympics home, celebrates Olympians, connects them to National Olympians Association (NOA) and Olympian community and aims to inspire young people to take up sport and live the Olympic values,” said Noraseela.

The event was highlighted with the presentation of Oly pin and certificate to the new and existing Malaysian Olympians.

“The pins and certificates are more than just an award, it is a public recognition of the years of hard work, dedication and promotion of the Olympic values by the Olympians,” she added.

The event was graced by MOA patron Tengku Datuk Hishammuddin Zaizi Tengku Azman Shah.

Meanwhile, MOA also announced their new partnership programme with Key Risk Consulting Asia as their data security sponsor and Sports Law Association Malaysia (SLAM) as the legal advisory partner.