KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The Malaysian contingent will take part in the first Asian Youth Games in Singapore starting tomorrow, defying a ban by the Education Ministry.

On Thursday, the ministry cancelled the participation of Malaysian students in international sporting events over influenza A (H1N1) fears.

The announcement has left the National Sports Council (NSC) in a dilemma because 42 of the 79 athletes going to the games are Bukit Jalil Sports School students, who come under the purview of the ministry.

However, according to NSC acting director-general Ab Jalil Abdullah, the 109-strong contingent will be taking part in Singapore.

"We will go ahead with our plan to participate in the games because there is no written directive from the ministry for us to pull out.

"However, if such a directive is issued, we will abide by it," he said yesterday.

Ab Jalil said all the athletes and coaches would take the compulsory flu vaccine before leaving.

"We have also briefed everyone on measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the virus during the games," he said.