Allegations that several accommodations provided for athletes of the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak are dirty and unkempt, resulting in the athletes feeling uncomfortable are not true and unfounded.

State executive councillor in charge of Youth and Sports, Howard Lee Chuan How, said he and the accommodation committee had met with the athletes and officials of the Sukma contingents and they did not have any problem with the accommodation provided.

"In fact, when we had a meeting with all the 14 state contingent heads yesterday morning, no issues on accommodation as reported in several local newspapers had been raised.

"The photographs viralled (in the social media) and the mattresses purportedly provided for the athletes were old and that no beds were provided for them were also not true because the athletes themselves placed the mattresses on the floor for them to relax,” he said.

Lee disclosed this to reporters after representing Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu in officiating the 2018 Perak Sukma Games Village at the Politeknik Ungku Omar in Ipoh today.

Lee (photo) was commenting on reports that appeared in several local newspapers claiming that the accommodation at the Perak Sukma 2018 Games Village at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) were uncomfortable and dilapidated.

The reports also claimed that the mattresses provided were old, the lockers were broken, the bathrooms could not be used and had become mosquito-breeding grounds, resulting in some contingents choosing for budget hotels or homestay units.

Lee also said it was up to the respective state contingents or athletes to opt to stay at the hotel or otherwise.

"If there are contingents which feel that their athletes are considered elite athletes or exceptional, it is up to them (to choose to stay at the hotels).

“I only ask them (the contingents and athletes) not to attack us (by hurling various accusations) on issues concerning the accommodation,” Lee added.

- Bernama