Abang Johari (centre) presents the Cup to Liew, while Abdul Karim (third right) and others look on.
KUCHING: If the haze persists, there may be a need to cancel or shorten certain events that are held outdoors, including the 34th Sarawak Chief Minister (II) Cup ITF World Tennis Tour (J3 Sarawak).
According to Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the decision to do so would be determined by an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of above 200.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister also pointed out that even though the annual tennis event would be good for tourism, as well as projecting Sarawak as a sport destination, the current haze situation was worrying.
“There are so many programmes in September and October but if the haze persists, the events may be cancelled. Some tennis players may also cancel (their participation).
“Many big-scale events will be held outdoors, among them the Spartan Race, Jazz Festival, What About Kuching, so many of them (are going to be held) along the Waterfront.
“If this haze continues, we have to make some kind of decision whether to stop it, as we cannot be taking chances,” he told reporters after Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the Cup to the organising team led by Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) president Dato Patrick Liew today.
Meanwhile, Liew revealed that efforts have been made to communicate with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in London to seek advice on the haze situation.
“They replied that if situation does not improve by Thursday, we either cut short the match or cancel it.
“We have to wait for ITF’s decision, as this is an international event and we cannot make the decision ourselves.
“At the same time, we don’t want to be held responsible if anything happens to the players,” he said.
Liew added that the 34th edition of the Sarawak Chief Minister (II) Cup ITF World Tennis Tour has been successfully held since the early 1990s.
“Tennis put Sarawak on the world map. We have no issue in getting players from various countries. Every year, a minimum of 25 countries will come,” he said.
The event is scheduled to take place from Sept 24 to 29. A total of 73 boys and 43 girls from 25 countries are expected to participate.