Message from the President

Dear Pacesetters

I am communicating with you at this really difficult period for our country and for the world, as we struggle with the Covid19 pandemic. I have chosen this time to message you all as I wanted the situation to stabilize somewhat, so that we all know where we are and what we can and cannot do.

What is clear is that we have to live with the “new normal”. However, we still do not know, at this point of time, when we can go back and do what we did before the pandemic, if at all possible.

As a club, the first thing we had to do was to make a difficult decision on the Allianz Pacesetters 4x3km 2020 scheduled for November 2020. In early April there was a joint decision by both parties to cancel this year’s event. The launching of the registration portal was for 1^st May. The main reason for cancelling the event was the timing for the launch. It would have been a publicity nightmare for both parties if we had launched during the Movement Control Order (even though at the time the decision was made there was no MCO). The public would have labelled us as “insensitive” or worse. We are fortunate that we have not made any physical preparations for the event, and no costs has been incurred. In hindsight, we made the right decision, though at that time some thought the pandemic would be over by November. For me, it was the portal launch date and how the public will view us that were the crucial factors that made me push for the cancellation (I did not propose postponement at that time).

As for the Annual General Meeting 2020 scheduled for April, this was postponed because of the MCO. To date, there are no plans for this as we have to wait for a decision from the Sports Commissioner. I believe they, too, have not made a firm decision for all sports organisations regarding this matter, as it would depend on the situation in the country.

Even though one of the conditions for the latest MCO with conditions, stipulate that joggers can run alone on 4^th May onwards, it is not possible for us to organize the Sunday runs. It is difficult for us to control the group of runners, and all it takes is one telephone call from a resident nearby and the runners and the club will be in trouble with the authorities (note : wrong kind of publicity). So, even this is not possible for the club to continue with for the time being.

We are in limbo right now and we have to be patient and wait for more guidelines from the authorities on sports and exercising before the club can start organizing any type of events for members.

I believe that from a scientific/health viewpoint, the world must have a vaccine and a cure before we can even consider going back to the lifestyle we had before Covid19. This one is different from the others (MERS, SARS, flu, etc) in that it is much more dangerous for the senior citizens. We all have parents and/or children to consider.

Stay safe and healthy, and I hope to see you all in our breakfast runs or Sunday runs once this whole episode is behind us.

Let Us Pace it Together.

Munning Jamaludin

President

Pacesetters Athletic Club

9th May 2020