Kuala lumpur: A total of 18 national athletes who are set to participate in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination after the games conclude. The sports event is scheduled from December 9 to 20, with the SPM exams starting from November 3 to December 23.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that 17 of these athletes are government school candidates, while one is a private candidate. Arrangements have been made in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure these athletes can balance their sporting commitments with academic responsibilities. The 17 government school candidates will take their exams at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil after the SEA Games.

For the private candidate, the Ministry of Education requires a direct application to the Examination Board, with coordination provided by the ministry. This announcement was made during a press conference involving the AEON Credit SIC Racing MSI team and national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish, who is set to debut in Moto3 at the 2025 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang.

Minister Yeoh emphasized her ministry's commitment to supporting all 18 athletes in their dual challenge of excelling academically while representing Malaysia at the SEA Games. The NSC will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to facilitate the athletes' participation in the SPM.

Previously, Nurul Huda Abdullah, the chief de mission of the 2025 Thailand SEA Games contingent, had raised concerns about the clash between the SEA Games schedule and the SPM exams. The 2025 SEA Games will take place across three regions: Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.