THE Klang City International Marathon 2017 held yesterday is illegal, said the Malaysian Sports Commissioner’s Office.

Commissioner Zaiton Othman said no application from the organisers to host the event was received.

“The Sports Commissioner’s Office would like to emphasise that we did not receive any application for the Klang marathon.

“The event was carried out without the permission of the commission, which monitors all sports events in the country,” she said in a statement.

During the marathon, a runner suffered bleeding in the brain and a skull fracture after being hit by car.

On its official Facebook page yesterday, the marathon’s organisers said pacer Evelyn Ang was hit from behind during the run.

“This incident happen at Km14, and the case is currently under police investigation. Latest update from hospital, from our race director, (is that) Evelyn Ang has bleeding in (the) brain with (a) skull fracture, (and) she will be transferred to Sungai Buloh Hospital for (surgery).”

The commission said sports events must have its permission to be carried out, as stated under Section 36 of the Sports Development Act 1997, in addition to the sports governing body involved, police, local authorities and the relevant parties.

Zaiton said this was compulsory to ensure that the organisers of sports events were in compliance with the guidelines set by national sports governing bodies.

“We will take legal action against the (Klang marathon) organisers for the offence they committed.

“I would like to remind once again that any party seeking to organise a sports event must apply for and get our permission before the event commences.

“Organisers are also reminded to comply with the guidelines given based on the application made.”

Zaiton said organisers must also implement and follow the rules to ensure participants’ safety.

“We will take legal action if organisers violate these instructions.”

On Thursday, the Sports Commissioner’s Office will upload on its website a list of events that have been granted permission to proceed.

The commission conveyed its sympathies to three runners who were injured in the Klang marathon accident, and said it hoped they would recover soon. – December 11, 2017.