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Para Swim Championship: Sarawak accepts decision

Jan 28, 2019

Sarawak says it regrets the move to strip the state as host of the World Para Swimming Championships.

The Sarawak Tourism Minister says while it's a sad development, it accepts the move as it is a matter of national foreign policy.

The International Paralympic Committee, or IPC announced the decision yesterday, after the federal govt said it will ban Israeli athletes from competing. 

The IPC says when it initially signed the hosting deal with Malaysia back in 2017, it was given assurances that all eligible athletes and countries would be allowed to participate.

The championships here were set to feature 600 swimmers from 60 nations including Israel. 

Earlier, the Youth and Sports Minister defended the ban, saying hosting international sporting events should not be more important than standing up for the Palestinians.