MELAKA – The Melaka contingent needs RM5 million to ensure initial preparations can be made for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) which will take place in Johor in 2024, the Melaka State Assembly was told today.
State youth development, sports and non-governmental organisations committee chairman V.P. Shanmugam said the allocation involved allowances for coaches, athletes, purchase of equipment, training venue rental, transport and various other expenses.
“Actually the amount requested is quite high but for the information of the State Sports Council , we work within our means or whatever resources we have.
“So this provision is to ensure that the achievements expected from every athlete participating are achieved and continue to excel as before,” he said..
He was replying to a question from Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer (Ayer Limau-Barisan Nasional) who wanted to know whether the state government has special provisions to face Sukma 2024.
He said the Melaka contingent displayed a proud performance when they obtained 17 gold, 11 silver and 23 bronze with an overall ranking of 11th place at the recent 20th SUKMA in Kuala Lumpur through 31 events contested.
“For the Johor Sukma, we are targeting 20 gold through several events including wushu, badminton and swimming,” he said.
Meanwhile, when met outside the assembly, Shanmugam said the state government will create a long list of athletes under the age of 21 through all sports associations in the state to ensure that the available talents are not lost to other states.
“We don’t want to be like before where athletes who are not included in the list, are poached by other states. We have many good athletes who can win gold medals, even athletes who are on loan (to other states) are able to win medals,” he said.
He added that programmes would also be intensified to unearth new talents at all levels to increase the talent pool for the state. – Bernama, December 15, 2022
