01 Jul “Green light should be given to football entrepreneurs”

Since the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) has been enforced since June 10, various social sectors have begun to open gradually, including preschools, schools, government and private sectors.

In regards to this, more business such as theaters, theme parks and spas sectors will be allowed to operate based on one-time body temperature screening.

In terms of the sports industry, it’s unfortunate that commercial and recreational football activities were not given the green light to re-operate as usual.

According to Malaysian sports analyst Christopher Raj, this situation will put them in a stage to continue facing the risk of having to drop the mat if this situation persists.

“As what we read on social media, many (entrepreneurs) have expressed their concern over not having the government’s permission to operate again,” said Christopher, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Shekhinah PR, Malaysia’s leading sports public relations firm.

Furthermore, he added that these commercial sports center doesn’t only invest a lot of money in terms of infrastructure development but also hire more workers, thus facing greater risk of loss.

“This is a huge expense for them to bear. If they are not given permission to reopen their businesses, I think that possibilities are high for commercial fields to be closed.

“I am certain that our Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican will work together with KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports) and MOH (Ministry of Health Malaysia) to come up with a decision that will favour the commercial field operators in order for recreational football to resume business as soon as possible.