KUALA LUMPUR – Former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu denies political instability was the reason for the cancellation of the Podium Programme.
This is after his successor Hannah Yeoh reiterated in Parliament today that having three ministers heading the portfolio within a span of four years has affected Malaysian sports.
Giving an example to explain her point, Yeoh said that there was no funding allocated for the Podium Programme under Budget 2022.
However, Faizal said that a total of RM240 million was approved for the Podium Programme for the period from 2022 to 2025.
He admitted that during the tabling of the 2022 budget, there were no funds allocated for the Podium Programme. However, he added that the ministry presented to the cabinet for funds to be allocated immediately for the programme.
“A total of RM240 million was approved for the period of 2022-2025,” Faizal said in a Facebook post.
At the same time, Faizal called for his successor to stop giving the same excuses to justify the failures of Malaysian sports.
“We will always support any initiative that will help improve athletes’ performances, while developing the sports industry in Malaysia,” he said. – The Vibes, May 25, 2023
