Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has been slammed for the denial of visas for two Israeli windsurfers originally scheduled to compete at a tournament in Langkawi that begins tomorrow.

"It is highly unacceptable that Khairy allowed politics and personal sentiment to meddle into an international sports event.

"Sports should be above politics and should remain politically neutral," Perak DAP economic development bureau chief Chong Zhemin said in a statement.

Chong was responding to reports today that Malaysian authorities had denied entry to Israeli windsurfers Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan to participate in the ISAF world youth championships.

Khairy was reported to have attributed the denial of visas to Putrajaya's diplomatic policy on Israel.

However, Chong said, Malaysia had made exceptions in the past in the spirit of sports.

"To deny visas for any athletes based on their nationality, religion, or personal belief is an unsporting conduct.

"Moreover both athletes are the defending champions, and to deny visas for their entry is to deny their right to defend their championship.

"This is unacceptable in any sporting event," said Chong ( photo ).

He also asked if Malaysia would boycott the Olympics if it were to be hosted by Israel.

Besides being denied visas, The Malay Mail Online reported that Malaysia has imposed several restrictions on the Israeli atheletes.

Among them is a restriction on the use of the Israeli flag or symbols, and that the the Israeli national anthem would not be played if their team won a gold.

Fifty countries are taking part in the ISAF championship, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Germany and France.