Ministry of Youth and Sports to Draft Dress Code for Athletes on National Flag Use
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is set to draft a dress code of ethics for athletes regarding the use of the Jalur Gemilang, the national flag of Malaysia, on their competition attire. This move follows a recent controversy involving national badminton men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, who wore a jersey with the flag stitched upside down during the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals.
Youth and Sports Minister Urges Athletes to be Discerning
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh emphasized the importance of athletes being mindful of their attire, stating that issues involving the use of the Jalur Gemilang should not happen. She urged every athlete and their team managers to always check their jerseys before competing to ensure that all is in order.
Ministry to Strengthen Safe Sport Code
In related news, the ministry is set to strengthen the Safe Sport Code next year. According to Hannah, the ministry will ensure that more legal officers are available to advise sports committees to safeguard procedures accordingly.
Background on the Controversy
Lee Zii Jia’s jersey sponsor, Victor, issued a statement of apology and promised to investigate the embarrassing error to avoid a recurrence. The incident sparked concerns over the lack of guidelines on the use of the Jalur Gemilang on athlete attire.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Youth and Sports’ decision to draft a dress code of ethics for athletes regarding the use of the Jalur Gemilang is a necessary step to ensure that athletes and their team managers are aware of the importance of upholding the country’s image. The ministry’s efforts to strengthen the Safe Sport Code will also help to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What prompted the Ministry of Youth and Sports to draft a dress code for athletes?
A: The recent controversy involving national badminton men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, who wore a jersey with the Jalur Gemilang stitched upside down, prompted the ministry to take action.
Q: What is the purpose of the dress code?
A: The dress code aims to ensure that athletes and their team managers are aware of the importance of upholding the country’s image and avoiding any incidents that may compromise the national flag’s dignity.
Q: What is the ministry doing to strengthen the Safe Sport Code?
A: The ministry is set to ensure that more legal officers are available to advise sports committees to safeguard procedures accordingly.
Q: Who is responsible for checking athlete attire before competitions?
A: According to the Youth and Sports Minister, athletes and their team managers are responsible for checking their jerseys before competing to ensure that all is in order.