PUTRAJAYA JUNE 9: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has received confirmation from the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Oka Hiroshi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denying that Malaysia is one of the 10 countries barred from participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 in July 2021.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Meerican Naina Merican said, the information on the issue was also received from the Organizing Chief Executive of Tokyo Olympic Games, Toshiro Muto and Malaysian Olympic Council (MOC) President, Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to thank and appreciate the efforts of Oka Hiroshi, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia that is consistently giving the latest development and confirms that Malaysia is welcomed to participate in the Olympics and Paralympic Tokyo 2020 that will start soon.
“The national athletes are now undergoing training and preparing for the Olympics and Paralympic Tokyo 2020. In this regards, I am grateful that all athletes are in their best condition to face the challenges and keep the “Jalur Gamilang” flying at the Tokyo Olympics starting 23rd July 2021,” Reezal Meerican said in a statement here today.
In another development, the Embassy of Japan in its statement said, the Government of Japan has never requested the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to deny entry of athletes from countries including Malaysia where new variants cases were found, unlike a media report.
The statement added, necessary preparations are underway including putting in place full measures to prevent infection to ensure that Tokyo Olympics approaching next month will be held in a safe and secured manner.
“Japan sincerely hopes that the athletes from Malaysia a long time friend country of Japan will achieve great results in the Tokyo Games,” the statement said. –Malaysia World News
