KUALA LUMPUR – The sports industry was largely disappointed with its allocated RM289 million from Budget 2022, which was close to a 70% reduction from the previous year.
This year’s annual budget, which is the highest-ever compared to previous years, totalled RM332.1 billion.
Speaking to The Vibes, Malaysian Olympic Council (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said the announcement left him speechless.
“I don’t have much to comment (on Budget 2022). I’m waiting for clarification from the National Sports Council (NSC), Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) and Finance Ministry.
“As far as I know, the RM159 million is for the development of sports facilities throughout the country, including the construction of a multi-sports stadium in Kelantan for the Sukma Games, leaving very little for maintenance.”
Meanwhile, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal declined to comment at length other than he is grateful for the inclusion of a hockey pitch in Kelantan as part of a proposed multi-sports stadium in Bukit Merbau.
“We always wanted a hockey pitch in Kelantan, and now we are finally getting one.”
Meanwhile, NSC Director-General Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail told The Vibes that he understood the government’s intention to allocate more funds to other sectors, which are in dire need of assistance as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and welcomed the allocation received for para athletes and e-sports.
“I’m happy that the government recognises the achievements of our para athletes in the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics by allocating RM10 million towards their development as it would help further improve their performance.
“And it’s great that the government is allocating RM20 million to enable e-sports to become a major force within the sports industry so it can help to further boost the economy,” he added.
However, safe sport advocate Sarina Sundara Rajah said she was rather disappointed that the government missed the big picture when it came to addressing issues of sexual harassment in the sports industry.
“I’m not just talking about safe sport, but sports in general. I just hope that more efforts will be made towards the creation of a sexual harassment bill,” she said following the announcement by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, to set up Skuad Waja – a community awareness programme on violence against women nationwide – under Budget 2022.
“I don’t understand why the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry would want to set up another squad (Skuad Waja) when we don’t have enough laws to protect women and girls, not to mention, men and boys as well.”
She added that the time, money and efforts invested by the government in other areas of sporting development will not amount to much if it is unable to safeguard athletes from sexual harassment and abuse. – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
