KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The guardians of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) have lambasted Selangor for its #KitaLawan! motto.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the move was political and was an issue.

“Everyone knows the tagline is that of a political campaign by the opposition,” said Ahmad Shapawi.

“The Selangor Sports Council should be sensitive as political elements are prohibited in sports. Even the Olympic charter opposes elements of politics, religion, among others, in sports.”

Ahmad Shapawi was responding to Sunday Mail’s front page report “#KitaLawan creeps into sports”. The state sports council, had during a meeting in Ampang last Friday, unveiled the motto for its 2016 Sukma campaign. Selangor executive councillor for sports Amirudin Shari claimed the motto was a “non-issue”, adding it was a battle cry to instil fighting spirit among athletes. He insisted the logo was merely a proposal.

The same motto is associated with protests demanding the release of jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar was sentenced to five years in prison last month over charges of sodomy. His supporters even took it to the streets on Saturday, as they carried display boards bearing the words #KitaLawan.

Ahmad Shapawi hopes Selangor would abide by the national sports policy where unity and national integration are its key objectives.

“The tagline goes against the national sports policy. There are many other taglines that can be used to motivate athletes. Using #KitaLawan will only create animosity among the participating athletes and states.”

“Let’s improve sports together with a pure sporting spirit,” he said.

Former hockey international Mirnawan Nawawi hoped the tagline does not discourage parents from sending their children to the Games, that brings together athletes aged 21 and below.

“Parents may think this is a form of brainwashing and keep them away from the Games. We don’t need this. We need more children in sports,” he said.

“This is not healthy. People will associate this battle cry with the protests taking place.”

Selangor-born hurdler Noraseela Khalid, who recently announced her retirement from athletics, described it as a “sensitive issue”.

“Sports is about providing opportunities for athletes to compete in an environment free of negative connotations. If the intentions are to promote excellence, then by all means.

“But if the intention is for self-interest, it must be avoided. This is a bit vague. Whatever done must be in the interest of sports,” she said.

Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) president Ahmad Khawari Isa called the Selangor administration to keep politics out of sports.

“The intentions may be good to instil a fighting spirit but it would be associated with politics, which should be kept away from sports,” said Khawari.

“I’m not here to judge, but I am a firm believer that politics has no place in sports. Athletes place their trust in officials when pursuing excellence. This trust must not be breached.”

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin could not be reached for comment.