KUALA LUMPUR – The recently announced Budget 2022 angered many high-ranked officials from the sports industry after the government slashed 70% of the RM940 million allocated in 2021 to a paltry RM289 million – yet the industry could suffer another equally devastating blow.
According to a source in the industry, rumours are circulating that the RM5 million allocation for the development of the Drone Sports Centre of Excellence will be taken over by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry (MoSTI).
“There has been talk (within the Youth and Sports Ministry) that MoSTI has expressed interest in taking over the RM5 million allocated for the Drone Sports Centre of Excellence from us and parking it under their Drone Development Programme, although it is not official yet,” the source told The Vibes.
“I believe that it could be related to MoSTI’s recent ‘Area 57’ launch at Technology Park Malaysia. However, we are still waiting for confirmation on this matter.
“It is already bad enough that the government discontinued the Podium Programme and now we have this issue to worry about,” the source told The Vibes.
The Podium Programme, which was initiated in 2016, had an allocation of RM380 million for sports development over five years.
The programme enabled the Youth and Sports Ministry, Olympic Council of Malaysia, and the National Sports Council to develop the performance of national athletes competing in international sporting events, such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, on September 16, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba launched a drone development zone dubbed “Area 57”at Technology Park Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Described as the country’s one-stop centre for drone innovation, it was reported that Area 57 will be equipped with a 100m runway, 300sq m netted flying area, mock-up test site, hangar, design and simulation labs, prototype development manufacturing equipment, training facilities, operations office as well as a service and maintenance workshop for operators. – The Vibes, November 24, 2021
