SHAH ALAM, Sept 8 - No athletes competing at the Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) 2026 have so far reported health problems linked to haze, despite unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings in several areas.
Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari said his ministry is constantly monitoring the health of athletes to ensure they are not affected by air pollution.
“Thank God no athletes were injured or faced health problems involving haze. The only (injuries) were due to games (sports events) and this is normal.
“There were none specifically caused by haze as of today. We will constantly monitor this situation from time to time to ensure the health of the athletes,” he told reporters today.
Taufiq said the head of each contingent must immediately report to the Para SUKMA secretariat if athletes face health problems, especially related to respiratory issues.
“Each athlete must also fill out a form and undergo periodic check-ups so that their health is always under control. Most importantly, the health of all athletes is maintained,” he said, adding that the API readings will be constantly monitored.
Earlier, Taufiq, together with state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi, monitored the boccia and badminton events around the city and interacted with athletes and team management.
Meanwhile, the Para SUKMA 2026 Organising Committee has taken several preventive measures following the current haze conditions.
Among them, all athletes and officials are required to wear N95 face masks when outside buildings or vehicles.
Each contingent has also been instructed to undergo health screening to ensure that athletes who are vulnerable to the effects of the haze are not allowed to compete.
In addition, the duration of each para athletics session has been shortened to a maximum of two hours to reduce athletes’ exposure to the haze conditions.
