Following confusion over the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for these sports, he said training activities like passing and skills (juggling and dribbling) are allowed as long as physical distancing is adhered to. No contact is involved and the usage capacity of the field or court is at 30% of capacity.

“Sports like hockey and football are not allowed to hold matches, only training sessions. Doubles events are also not allowed for badminton, tennis and table-tennis because it will be difficult to comply with (physical) distancing and the possibility of contact as well as splashing of droplets, thus raising the risk of infection.

“We want to help commercial field/court operators to resume operations, at least they (athletes) can train and those who have clubs can start face-to-face fitness activities rather than (having) online coaching all the time,” he told reporters at the Sports Arena here today.

Reezal, who had earlier monitored activities at the Glenmarie Golf Club; the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam, which is the training venue for Super League side UiTM FC; and Sports Arena Sentosa; admitted to being satisfied with the compliance of these premises with regard to the rules and SOPs.

Meanwhile, Sports Arena chief executive officer Jack Koh said most sports facility operators are nearly “drowning” or “dying” after being closed since Jan 13 and the reopening came as a relief.

“All our employees are tested every month. We sanitise the arena after every session and have invested in a disinfectant gantry to prevent Covid-19 spread. We have also divided our courts into five zones, whereby teams can play only in one zone,” he said.