The subject of sports attire in Malaysia once again hogs the spotlight, this time concerning athletes who will be participating in the 2028 Malaysia Games (Sukma), hosted by Pas-led Kelantan.
While the list of sports for the 2028 edition of the national Games has yet to be finalised, the need to introduce a syariah-compliant sports attire guideline was raised at the state assembly sitting earlier today.
In replying to Mohd Rodzi Ja’afar (Pas-Gaal), Kelantan Youth, Sports and NGO Committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad said: “There are a few games that need to have syariah-compliant attire, like aquatics and gymnastics. Therefore, the state government will discuss this with the (Youth and Sports) ministry.”
“Certain games involve female athletes, so l believe the Kota Lama assemblywoman (Barisan Nasional’s Dr Hafidzah Mustakim) can help us,” he added.
The Sukma Supreme Committee, which includes representatives from the National Sports Council (NSC), oversees the hosting of the Games, including finalising the list of events. The next Sukma will be hosted by Sarawak, next year.
NSC director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub confirmed that there have not been any discussions, to date, about the attire guideline, adding that “all focus is on the 2024 Sukma”.
Some see this as an infringement on an athlete’s right to choose his or her attire, to perform. Supporters maintain that such a guideline was required, due to local sensitivities. Others wondered how the sports, namely gymnastics and aquatics, would be impacted by the ruling.
It remains to be seen if the Youth and Sports Ministry will comply with such an unprecedented request.
This will be the first time Kelantan will host the Games, since its inception in 1986. It will be the second East Coast state to host the Games, after Terengganu.
Terengganu, then under Barisan Nasional, hosted the 2008 edition. No specific guidelines on attire was introduced then. Pas took over the state in 2018 and enjoyed a clean sweep in the state elections in August.
In 2020, the Kelantan government launched a guideline for entertainment, cultural performances, tourism, and sports activities in the state. The guideline listed the ethics and standards for Muslim athletes and coaches. This resulted in organisers of sporting events shying away from the state.
State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Development committee chairman Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, acknowledged the challenges in fully enforcing the guidelines for syariah-compliant sports attire among Muslim athletes, during the State assembly meeting on Oct 3.
He also said the state government maintained its decision not to allow women athletes to take part in gymnastics, due to the “body-revealing nature of their attire”, and hoped that “everyone respects our stand”.
“We are not against the sport itself, but to allow female athletes to participate under such conditions, is inappropriate,” he was quoted as saying.
Several of the state’s female gymnasts will compete in wushu instead, at next year’s Sukma.
On Oct 28, the Youth and Sports Ministry said it would meet Hishamuddin to discuss the matter. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, also held a meeting with Terengganu Gymnastics Association, and the parents of the gymnasts. Yeoh was quoted as saying then, that “we will hold further discussions with the Terengganu State Sports Exco to reach an understanding and find the best solution to protect the welfare of female gymnasts in Terengganu”.
