FUTSAL court operators are relieved by the government’s announcement to allow indoor sports activities to resume, and are looking forward to restarting operations in the new year.

The operators told The Malaysian Insight that their business was heavily affected in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this was made worse when they were ordered to be closed under the conditional movement-control order (CMCO) in October.

The government imposed the CMCO then due to a sudden spike in the number of positive cases, and this resulted in contact sports being barred.

Previously, futsal courts were forced to shut down during the MCO period from mid-March to June 9.

A futsal operator in Meru, Klang told The Malaysian Insight that he was relieved to be allowed to operate gain. He said he was eager and will impose strict standard operating procedure (SOP) on players.

Johari Ghazali started his business in early 2019, saying that all was going smoothly until the country was hit by the pandemic early this year.

“I rented the warehouse from the owner and turned it into futsal courts. I spent hundreds of thousands of ringgit for this business.

“It was all smooth and great. Young people, (and) middle-aged people, like playing futsal, so business was good.

“My business was badly affected when the MCO was imposed. (Now), Selangor has high Covid-19 cases and my place (is close) to the Top Glove factory. I pray that things will go on as planned.

“During the MCO period, I did not make any income at all and I had to pay for rent and keep the place in good condition,” he said.

He added that he would no longer allow players to hang around the court after their sessions were over, in order to minimise human to human contact.

Timely announcement

In June, The Malaysian Insight reported that futsal court operators were crying foul after the government opened up most sports and recreational activities, but continued the suspension of contact sports, including those held in indoor venues.

Last week, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government will allow the reopening of the sports and recreational sector as early as January 1.

The reopening, however, excluded areas placed under the enhanced movement-control order (EMCO).

Ismail Sabri said local sports tournaments in recovery movement-control order (RMCO) areas were allowed, with an audience capacity of 10% or a maximum of 4,000 people.

Ismail Sabri said for areas placed under the CMCO, individual and team-based sports and recreational activities, for training and tournaments, both indoor or outdoor, are allowed, but without spectators.

Sportizza Home of Sports in Subang, meanwhile, said that they were already operating but only for training purposes.

A spokesperson said that they adhered to strict SOP in each training session.

“We follow the SOP set up by the government. For now, it is all for training purposes. Not for recreational activities,” the spokesperson said.

“So far we have not encountered any trouble with the authorities. We impose very strict SOP on everyone who come to train,” he added.

The spokesperson said that he too was looking forward to the reopening of futsal centres to the public.

“I believe most futsal operators (and) the public are happy with the announcement. But we are living under a new normal, so we cannot stick to the old habits.

“Whatever is stipulated by the government we will follow,” he said.

Another futsal operator in Bukit Mertajam, Penang said he almost quit the business were it not for the government’s announcement that came right on time.

Hasnol Hadi, 34, said he decided to close his two-year-old futsal centre down after recording losses for many months, but was saved by the timely notice.

“If the announcement to allow indoor sports activities was not made, I think I would have closed this business down. I have been thinking for months about (it).

“Unlike other centres, which provide training and make some income, (mine) does not have facilities for training, because you need coaches and experienced people to train players.

“My futsal centre is entirely for recreational purposes. I did not make any income but still I have to pay for the rent.

“I am over the moon with the announcement, and I hope things will go smoothly,” he said. – December 27, 2020.