KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry has pledged RM100,000 to the Terengganu Gymnastics Association (PGNT) through the National Sports Council (NSC) to facilitate upgrades to the existing training equipment in the state.
This initiative aims to promote and develop the sport in Terengganu.
Minister Hannah Yeoh met with PGNT president Abdul Razak Mat Amin, committee members, and parents of gymnasts on Thursday to address concerns regarding the athletes' attire, which had been a hindrance to their training in the state.
"Currently, female gymnasts in Terengganu are training in full-body 'unitards'. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) permits gymnasts to wear attire that covers the entire body except for the palms and feet," said Yeoh in a statement today.
"This 'unitard' outfit is worn by many gymnasts worldwide, including the German women's gymnastics team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
"Former national gymnast Izzah Amzan also used this attire during the 2021 Hanoi Sea Games and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games."
"In our meeting, we discussed measures to address the attire issue. We will engage in further discussions with Terengganu's sports exco to reach a mutual understanding and find a solution that best serves female gymnasts in Terengganu."
Yeoh also announced and allocation of RM100,000 to PGNT through NSC for the purpose of upgrading existing equipment and expanding sports development.
"I will instruct NSC to assign a gymnastics coach for female athletes at the Bukit Payung Gymnastics Hall in Terengganu to identify more talents and provide them with daily systematic training," she added.
The state government led by PAS introduced the entertainment, cultural performances, tourism and sports guideline in March 2020 that suggested what Muslim and non-Muslim athletes and performers should and should not wear.
The guideline asked the athletes to dress based on the Shariah guidelines for Muslims, while non-Muslims should not wear outfits that are tight, short or revealing.
On Oct 12, Yeoh said sports attires that are the accepted norm, should not be used to stop athletes from pursuing their dreams.
She said this following news of Muslim women's gymnasts quitting their sport due to Terengganu's dress code, with some taking up the offer to switch from gymnastics to wushu.