KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Youth and Sports hopes the private sector will be more involved in efforts to empower extreme sports, like skateboarding, in the country at a time it is getting more attention at international-level multi-sports Games.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said this was in line with the ministry’s policy to invigorate sports activities, besides creating job opportunities in the sector.
He added that the ministry’s goal was not just to see the country’s extreme sports athletes compete in the Olympics but also to mobilise efforts to make that dream come true.
“I feel that there’s a lot of excitement and buzz among the private sector to activate this extreme sport. This sport is challenging and attracts the attention of the public. I think there is a big market out there.
“Looking at the youths who are involved in extreme sports, they are very talented. So, we need to hone their skills and identify those with potential,” he said after officiating the Kiara Skatepark reopening ceremony at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Kiara earlier today.
Ti hoped that the reopening of the Kiara Skatepark after its two-year closure following the Covid-19 pandemic and upgrading works would enliven extreme sports activities through the hosting of various programmes and competitions.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Skate Federation (MYSKATE) president Idroose Tambarin admitted to counting on the support from the private sector and the government in their efforts to empower extreme sports, especially during the challenging period after the COVID-19 pandemic.
He estimated that MYSKATE would need at least RM500,000 to develop skateboarding, besides covering the cost of preparing national athletes for the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“Overall, a minimum of RM500,000 is needed for the training and development programmes ahead of the 2022 Asiad. So, looking at the current situation, there is a need for the private sector to be more involved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Idroose said the reopening of the Kiara Skatepark was highly anticipated by the local extreme sports community, adding that it would also allow MYSKATE to unearth new talents at the grassroots level.
“This is what the skaters and BMX fans, especially those in the Klang Valley and nationwide, have been waiting for. There are many programmes we can implement here in terms of development, especially when skateboarding is already included in the Asiad and Olympics,” he said.
For the record, Malaysia sent five athletes for skateboarding and speed skating to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang while skateboarding was only introduced at the Olympics at the 2020 edition in Tokyo recently. – Bernama, November 13, 2021
