KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has urged the government to allocate RM20 million for the sport in the Budget 2021 that will be tabled today.
Its president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said this is only fair as reflected by the nation’s status as the number two team in the Asian rankings, just behind India.
“We would like to have RM10 million a year for our operations, which include arranging tours, salary for players and coaches, arranging tournaments and other international friendly matches for our national teams, which include the senior men’s team, the women’s team and the junior men’s team.
“Currently, we receive RM2 million to RM3 million a year from the government, which is not enough because we have to find the rest of the funds on our own. For example, the hockey association in India is given RM50 million a year and all that comes from the government,” Subahan told The Vibes.
At the same time, Subahan is hoping the government will give importance to the development of the sport and allocate another RM10 million a year for the National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP).
According to him, in March, the government decided to allocate about RM2 million a year for NHDP but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was put on hold.
“We need a lot of funds to develop the sport. People always say that there is no development, but they fail to understand that development programmes need a lot of funding. I hope the government will consider our request.”
Subahan also hopes that the government will consider waiving income tax for all national team players and coaches because they do not earn much, and it is only for a short-term period. An athlete’s career is a relatively short one when compared to others, he added.
“The government can even consider a pension scheme for national players.
“I hope the government will prioritise sports in its budget allocation because every time, there is a budget cut, sports will be among the first affected.”.
Meanwhile, former Olympic Council Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi hopes that the government will allocate the budget according to the economic situation the country is in now.
“If the country needs to tighten its belt like all the rest of them, so be it. Covid-19 is affecting the whole world and we must be responsible for each other.
“If the budget for the Olympic Games needs to be reduced, it is the duty of the government to do so.”
He said the livelihoods of the people are more important and hopes sports as a whole will reduce wastage until the pandemic is over.
“I hope there will be something good in the budget for Malaysians who are jobless now, so they can look after their families during this challenging period.” – The Vibes, November 6, 2020
