PUTRAJAYA, April 20 — National sports associations (NSA) will not be restricted from sending their elite or senior athletes to the SEA Games as long as there is a balanced participation by junior athletes, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy said although the SEA Games is considered an event for development, experience and exposure, NSA would not be barred from sending their elite or senior athletes if there was a need.

“For instance in the case of Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who is out of action for almost six months, due to an indefinite suspension by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) due to an alleged dope case, what is wrong for him to compete in the games, if his suspension is lifted?

“The same goes to Pandelela Rinong. She can compete in the SEA Games as her preparation for the Olympics,” he told reporters after officiating the 11th National Youths Skill Institute (IKBN) convocation here today.

Chong Wei is waiting for the outcome of a BWF inquiry that he attended recently, while diver Pandelela was among two elite athletes rumoured to be included in the contingent for the SEA Games hosted by Singapore in June.

Asked whether elite athletes were required to bring back medals from their participation in the Games, Khairy said he could only wish for the best.

“I cannot make it compulsory, based on Chong Wei and Pandalela’s performance levels, it would not be a problem for them to strive for gold medals,” he said.

Commenting on calls for certain sports activities, facilities and equipment to be exempted from Goods and Services Tax (GST), he said they had to face the reality that the tax had been implemented and certain goods could not be exempted.

“We already have a large list of items exempted from GST, if other items are added, they could be a chain reaction from others and there will be no end to it,” he said.

Khairy hoped GST would not be an excuse for the people to stay away from being involved in sports activities. — Bernama