The 2024 Malaysian Games (SUKMA) is expected to be held next year in Sarawak, but not everyone will be joining the event. The Terengganu state government recently announced that women gymnasts will not compete in the games.
This is due to the tight sportswear that reveals the athlete’s figures, which is not in compliance with the Sharia laws.
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According to Terengganu Youth, Sports, and NGO Development Executive Councilor Hishammuddin Abdul Karim, they’re sitting the women’s gymnastics event out because they will not compromise on this issue and expect all parties to respect their decision.
“This does not mean we’re against the game or hate it. We just don’t want to put the athletes in Terengganu in this situation,” Hishammuddin said, as reported by Oriental Daily.
He mentioned that due to the constraints of international sports regulations, the Terengganu state government’s sportswear guidelines for athletes that comply with Sharia law cannot be fully implemented and added that education plays a large role in this process, which is raising athletes’ awareness in this aspect, which requires some time to explore and adapt.
“For example, cycling. you need to abide by the laws set by the International Cycling Union (UCI), it is not so simple to apply (Islamic teachings), so we adjust the rules from time to time according to the situation.”
Hishammuddin stressed that these regulations only apply to Muslim athletes.
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Also read: 21yo Terengganu Cyclist Becomes The 1st Southeast Asian Woman To Join World Cycling Team In Spain
