Association urges govt to reopen gyms and sports venues

NATIONAL Sports & Fitness Venue Owners And Operators Association (NSFVOOA) is urging the government to consider reopening sports and fitness facilities to fully vaccinated individuals.

While its president Datuk V. Radhakrishnan welcomed the government’s decision to allow sports equipment businesses to reopen on Aug 16, calling it a “great relief to many of us”, he said the prolonged closure of fitness and sports facilities would not benefit sports shops.

“More needs to be done to keep the ecosystem alive.

“About 100 gyms and over 30 sports centres have closed down, leaving many unemployed and more will close down very soon if the sector does not open up,” he said when contacted.

An NSFVOOA survey of estimated average financial losses – from the beginning of the first movement control order until this May – based on 50 responses from members showed that 43% reported losses between RM10,000 and RM50,000; 16.7% suffered losses between RM50,000.00 and RM100,000 while 23% reported losses of RM200,000.

“We have to look at this seriously,” Radhakrishnan said, highlighting that research could identify if the sector had contributed to any clusters.

“From what I know, so far there have been no clusters arising from sports venues or fitness centres. Up until today, we have no records on that happening.”

He said the industry as a whole played a role in the future SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

“We need gyms and sports venues to reopen because those are the catalysts for the entire industry. Not to mention the wellness factor that comes with it, at a time where mental health issues are becoming more prevalent.

“The sports sector is the grassroots which ultimately contributes to building our future national squads,” stressed Radhakrishnan, who is also a member of Youth and Sports Ministry’s “Panel of Experts Committee”.

He said stakeholders want to move forward and were willing to follow the guidelines set by the authorities and strictly adhere to the standard operating procedure.

“I urge the government to allow us to reopen the sector to fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and customers, at a limited operating capacity of 60%.”

He said the association had also done and submitted reports to various government bodies to plead their case to keep gyms open as they helped with the wellness of the community.

“Youth and Sports Ministry has done its part and been supportive but it is not the sole decision-maker as the National Security Council, Health Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office also have to make an informed decision.

“I have also met with Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Noor Azman Taib to see what we can do for operators once the green light has been given,” said Radhakrishnan.

Some of the things being considered are tax rebates once the moratorium ends, as well as to secure “start-back” funds to help businesses cover repair, servicing and maintenance costs when they resume operations.

THE STAR-