Hannah Yeoh says Terengganu’s ban on female athletes in certain sports is concerning.
The statement, which was shared on her Facebook page came after the Terengganu exco, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim voiced out against the 2 Muslim female divers who represented the state at SUKMA 2024 in Sarawak. The exco stated that no Muslim female athletes can be involved in diving due to the attire that is not Shariah-compliant.
The minister of Youth & Sports, however, sees this as a blockage for the athletes to strive.
“The Ministry fears that the ban will limit the talented, young athletes’ potential, and have a negative impact on our sports development in general.”
Hannah also hopes the Terengganu government will fairly reward the female divers who recently won medals at SUKMA with rightful incentives.
In her post, Hannah revealed that the Federal government has taken the medallist divers under its wing, where both divers will continue their daily training at the Malaysian Sports School, which is under government supervision.
“I believe their talents can be further developed before they participate in national programmes in the future,” Hannah added.
National diving technical director, Bryan Nickson Lomas might allow both divers to join the national backup programs next year.
“They can participate if they continuosly show progress in the future,” Hannah said.
The Terengganu Amateur Swimming Association has since apologised to the Terengganu state government for sending Muslim female divers to Sukma without the exco’s permission.
What do you think of Hannah’s take on this matter?
Also read: “My next goal is to make Malaysia’s Olympics gold medal dream come true” Lee Zii Jia Tells M’sians
