KUALA LUMPUR – The captains of the sports industry laud the government’s targeted budget for stakeholders in sports.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal was delighted by the commitment shown by the government in today’s budget.
Subahan was pleased with the fact that hockey was mentioned for the first time in a budget tabling as he believes that the RM55 million for the development of prestige sports such as hockey, rugby, cycling, e-sports, badminton and for women athletes will be put to good use.
“It’s a blessing for us as to get an allocation for hockey development. We will use it for our National Hockey Development Program (NHDP). “Our development for hockey needs funds so that we can find more young talent out there and groom them.
“I am also grateful that the government has allocated RM103 million to upgrade our sports facilities and I hope, some of that allocation can be used to build more hockey pitches in the country as it will be a way to build hockey,” Subahan told The Vibes when contacted today.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said that today’s budget has considered various stakeholders of the sports industry. “Even during difficult times, the government’s attentiveness to the sports industry is amazing. Particularly, the RM20 million for sports facility operators shows that the government is sensitive to the difficulties and challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The allocation under TEKUN Sports scheme and the RM103 million to upgrade our sports facilities will definitely go a long way in securing our future in sports.
“This will ensure that the public will continue to have access to sports facilities once the SOPs allows it,” he said in a statement.
Norza welcomed the RM55 million specifically targeted for the development of elite sports and women’s participation in sports. The inclusion of more high performances sports in this list will strengthen the grassroots development and continue the supply of talent in these sports, in addition to ensuring continuity in our current athletes’ training and competition programs.
Norza who is also the president for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) added that the development and training programs will follow the new norms, but it will safeguard the competitiveness once the pandemic subsides.
“Similarly, the continuation of grassroots programs such as MyFit and the National Sports Day that reach the masses is even more critical as we attempt to return to some form of normalcy. Sports have always been a key health indicator whether physically or mentally,” Norza said.
The “Healthy Malaysia National Agenda” and the income tax relief increase of RM500 to RM3,000 for purchases of sports equipment including competition participation fees will encourage more Malaysians to be involved in sports.
“We acknowledge times are difficult. Having said that, we welcome the government’s commitment to the entire sports industry with a budget that considers not just elite sports but also grassroots sports and sport facility operators,” Norza concluded. – The Vibes, November 6, 2020.
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