Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said she did not want any dispute to affect preparations of the country’s athletes competing on the international stage.

She said preparations were under way and wanted sports bodies to ensure the smooth running and spirit of the national team are not affected, Bernama reported her as saying.

“We hope the country’s athletes can take full advantage of this opportunity as preparation for the next Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2027 and the Olympic Games expected to be held in 2028,” she said.

She was speaking after officiating the Youth Camp @ Rakan Prihatin 2025 at Pantai Cahaya Bulan in Kota Bharu today.

On the appointment of Abdul Rashid Yaakub as CEO of the secretariat of the Malaysian SEA Games and the 2027 Asean Para Games Organisers, Yeoh said the appointment was very appropriate.

She said Rashid had extensive experience in the world of sports.

“Rashid has a strong background in the National Sports Council, including his role during the organisation of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“So, we are confident that he understands the challenges in managing large-scale sporting events,” she said.