OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (second from right) at a press conference yesterday to announce the Sea Games date. Also present are OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib (second from left), OCM chief operations officer Michelle Chai (left) and Vietnam Sea Games contingent head Datuk Hamidin Amin (right). - BERNAMA PIC
OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (second from right) at a press conference yesterday to announce the Sea Games date. Also present are OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib (second from left), OCM chief operations officer Michelle Chai (left) and Vietnam Sea Games contingent head Datuk Hamidin Amin (right). - BERNAMA PIC

After much uncertainty in the past few months, Southeast Asian athletes can now breathe a sigh of relief — the postponed Vietnam Sea Games are confirmed for May next year.

OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said the new date was made known during a Sea Games Federation (SEAGAF) meeting held virtually yesterday.

Vietnam, had in July, announced the postponement of the games, which were originally scheduled for Nov 21-Dec 2 this year.

Many, within the sporting community, had feared that it would eventually be cancelled.

"The Vietnam Sea Games will be held in mid-May next year.

"The specific dates will only be confirmed later this month as the (local) organising committee are still awaiting confirmation on the dates from the Vietnam government," said Norza in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"I have to thank Vietnam for coming back to us with certainty in terms of dates, we now know that it will be held in mid-May."

Norza said he is confident the games will be held successfully as a number of other major sporting events have already been run relatively smoothly amid Covid-19.

He, however, expects some changes in terms of venues.

"Some of the construction for their (Vietnam's) infrastructure may have been adversely affected by Covid-19, and they have mentioned to us that they could look to use some of their existing infrastructure in the provinces," added Norza.

"We will continue to get updates from them on this once they have confirmed their opening ceremony dates.

"Previously, a lot of people have been skeptical on whether it is possible to run a major sporting event during Covid-19, but many have done so successfully.

"I am confident Vietnam will be able to do well if we follow the model used by the Tokyo Olympics and have a similar playbook (standard operating procedure) to the one issued by the International Olympic Committee."

Norza added that the Sea Games athletes selection committee - headed by OCM and the National Sports Council - will soon discuss the selection criteria for the contingent.

"Previously, we were in a dilemma as we did not know when the games will be held, but we can now focus on preparing for the games."