Kota Kinabalu: The Youth and Sports Ministry urged State Para Sukma athletes bound for the Sarawak Games next year to behave or face disciplinary actions.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansur Asun warned the athletes that drastic action would be taken if they are found to have breached discipline.
The message was conveyed by his deputy, Adanan Atim at the State contingent’s final phase training camp closing ceremony held at the Federal Youth and Sports Department hall in Putatan on Friday.
He said the aspect of discipline should always be a top priority and it is also the most important element in competitions.
“As good as the athlete is, if he is not disciplined, it will be difficult for us to bring him along.
“Immediate action should be taken to those who are not disciplined and this ministry will not hesitate to take decisive action including dropping the name of the athletes involved from the Para list.
“This is because we don’t want these undisciplined athletes destroying the entire contingent as we are set to embark on a big mission next year,” he said.
He also called on team officials and coaches to keep an eye to help the ministry and make an immediate report if there is an athlete who violates discipline and shows bad attitude that can ruin their plan and preparation for the biennial Games.
A total of 118 Para athletes from 10 sports, including the newly introduced Boccia, took part in the five-day training camp and the other sports involved were badminton, athletics, table tennis, lawn bowling, tenpin bowling, chess, swimming, archery and powerlifting.
Mansur believes that through the programme, the athletes are now mentally and physically ready to try and surpass the 54 gold medals they won in the previous games held in Kuala Lumpur last year.
He also congratulated Sabah Sports Council with the assistance from National Sports Council and the Youth and Sports Department for the success in organising the programme and thanked the athletes, coaches, officials and associations as well as the parents for their support to ensure the programme was run smoothly.
