KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is awaiting a full report from the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) regarding the incident that led to the death of Terengganu Silat exponent Wan Muhammad Haikal Wan Hussin during the pre-selection competition for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sikamat, Negeri Sembilan, last Saturday.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the report from Pesaka was crucial to determine whether the organisers complied with standard operating procedures for the competition or otherwise.
“I extend my condolences to the family for the loss of the athlete. We need to respect the feelings of the family and refrain from accusing anyone.
“Sports should be a space that we continue to nurture and ensure safety from all angles,” he told reporters after the Podium Programme Phase 1 athletes’ assembly here today.
Yesterday, the Pesaka secretary-general Bibi Aishah Golbal Shah, said that in the 5pm incident on Saturday, Wan Muhammad Haikal collapsed during the competition held at the Taman Coral Heights Community Hall in Sikamat.
The 20-year-old athlete was then rushed to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital for further treatment before being pronounced dead at 1.20am on Sunday, and the body was laid to rest at the Kampung Alor Selising Muslim Cemetery in Jertih, Terengganu, at around 10pm yesterday.
Following the incident, Pesaka cancelled all championships involving athletes from the 12 states out of respect for the deceased. — Bernama
