SHAH ALAM - The Youth and Sports Ministry is taking proactive steps to accelerate approval of sports event organisations to boost national sports activities.
Its minister Hannah Yeoh said on her Facebook page that the Youth and Sports Ministry has decided that all local sports event competitions organised by sports bodies, whether associations at the national, state or district levels, as well as clubs registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576], do not need to obtain approval from the Sports Commissioner.
"However, sports bodies must ensure that all competitions and sporting events that are permitted, conducted or participated in are in accordance with recognised methods and guidelines, including health and safety measures for participants, officials, and spectators at the competition or event, including obtaining insurance coverage."
The Segambut MP further added that all local sports event competitions organised by organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including government agencies, do not require approval from the Sports Commissioner.
"However, organisers are responsible for obtaining sanction or permission from the relevant sports body as well as insurance coverage to ensure the safety of participants."
Next, she added that the government ministries or other government bodies at the federal, state, or local level intend to carry out sports activities so that they consult with and liaise with the Ministry through the National Youth and Sports Department for coordination purposes.
"All organisers are advised to comply with the implementation of the Safe Sports Code," she added.
Based on the provisions of Section 37 of Act 576, the Ministry has amended and updated the list of activities that are counted as sports under the First Schedule through the Sports Development Order (Amendment of the First Schedule) 2023 [P.U. (A) 60/2023], dated March 9, 2023, and this will be effective March 10, 2023.
"This amendment lists 103 sports, compared to the previous 51 types of sports. This list was last updated in 2004.
"The list of sports under this table includes current sports, new sports, and current sports that have been renamed based on the recommendations of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and the Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu (PRPM).
Hannah added that the Youth and Sports Ministry is strongly committed to helping develop the sports industry and supporting the efforts of the sports industry, companies, or event managers in boosting the country's economy based on sports.
"KBS also decided to reduce the application documents from nine documents to three documents, namely the registration certificate, insurance cover, and sanction or permission of the managing sports body until December 31, 2025, when licence fees are waived.
"The licence application period is shortened: for local sports events, from 30 days to 14 working days; and for international sports events, from 90 days to 30 working days."
The Youth and Sports Ministry also opened the licence application for sports events in Sabah and Sarawak.
Hannah hoped that it would enable more sports activities to be held at various levels and be participated in by various levels of society, as well as stimulate the country's sports industry.