KUALA LUMPUR – The increase in financial allocation for the sporting fraternity in Budget 2023 is a sign of recognition from the government of the country’s athletes’ ability to achieve success.
Therefore, National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said, athletes should repay the government’s confidence in them.
“The national athletes should show they have what it takes by showing good discipline during training sessions and following their coaches’ instructions and the guidance of staff at the National Sports Institute (NSI).
“This way, we can always be ready and prove that the government’s financial allocation is worth it,” he said at the launch of the 2022 National Sports Day in Putrajaya today.
Shapawi said this is important as the country cannot afford to have any of its athletes injured, which would delay training schedules and further halt preparations for tournaments next year.
He added that the preparations for international games next year, namely the Cambodia SEA Games from May 5 to 17 and Asian Games in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, have already begun and are running smoothly.
“The selection, evaluation, and dropping of athletes will be done during the working committee meeting, which will include the NSC, Olympic Council of Malaysia, Paralympic Council, NSI, and national sports associations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shapawi said that the additional allocation from the government could also see more athletes being added to the national “backup” programmes.
“Currently, we have 196 athletes and 36 coaches in our full-time programme.
“So with the extra allocation, maybe we will reconsider the ‘fifty-fifty’ athletes and add them back into the programme,” he added.
Shapawi said the RM374 million allocated for the Youth and Sports Ministry is appropriate, and the NSC will continue its efforts to produce athletes that will make the country proud.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz tabled Budget 2023 in Parliament, which saw the Youth and Sports Ministry receive an allocation of RM374 million, an increase from RM289 million last year.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the additional RM50 million allocation for the Podium Programme will give the country its best shot at winning its inaugural gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. – The Vibes, October 8, 2022
