ATHLETES should take their place in the Covid-19 vaccine queue in Malaysia to create a safe environment at local and international sporting events.
With the M-League, the pre-World Cup/Asian Cup and the Tokyo Olympics starting soon, priority should be given to these athletes when the vaccines arrive in the country.
The M-League starts on Feb 28 with the Charity Shield match between defending Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim and Kedah while the national team will play two pre-World Cup/Asian Cup matches in March.
So far, 12 athletes have qualified for the Olympics, scheduled on July 23-Aug 8. They are Khairul Anuar Mohamad (archery), Azizulhasni Awang, Shah Firdaus Sahrom (cycling), Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Wendy Ng, Pandelela Rinong, Leong Mun Yee (diving), Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (gymnastics), Khairulnizam Afendy, Nur Shazrin Latif, Nuraisyah Jamil and Juni Noor Jamali.
However, several other athletes from diving, swimming, badminton, athletics, karate, golf and shooting are expected to make the cut through qualifying events before the start of the Games.
The Sports Ministry together with other relevant bodies, including the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), the National Sports Council, the National Sports Institute and the FA of Malaysia, should discuss and propose the idea (of vaccinating these athletes) to the Health Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI).
Under the National Vaccination Plan, the first stage of the immunisation campaign starts next month, aimed at inoculation about a million Malaysians first — mainly frontline workers and high-risk groups like people with non-communicable diseases.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will make the much-awaited announcement on the possibility of reintroducing the Movement Control Order (MCO) tomorrow.
If the MCO is enforced, football will be the biggest hit as the M-League's Feb 28 start may not materialise.
It will depend on the duration of the lockdown.
For the M-League, at least 2,000 individuals, including players, coaches, officials and referees, will have to be vaccinated ahead of the new season.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and Burnley football manager Sean Dyche are among those who have urged respective countries to allow their athletes to jump the queue of the Covid-19 vaccine line.