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KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that RM240 million has been channelled through the 12th Malaysia Plan to improve the nation’s sporting prowess.
He said the funds to support the Podium Programme would help realise the country’s golden Olympic dreams.
“Therefore, athletes do not need to worry, they should be fully focusing on making the country proud.
“The government also supports the efforts and initiatives to organise more high-level sports tournaments and competitions, not just to further encourage the sports industry but to give the athletes a more competitive platform,” he said at the 20th Malaysian Games (Sukma) opening ceremony held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi.
Ismail Sabri also said the government’s commitment to sports should be welcomed by all parties, starting from young athletes so they can take advantage of every opportunity for the advancement of national sports.
On top of the support from all state governments and sports associations, the prime minister also highlighted that political differences should be put aside in order to bring greater success to the nation.
He urged young athletes who began their journey at the Sukma stage to stand up and prove their prowess at the national games, and later lead the country’s challenge at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, the 2023 Asian Games, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ismail Sabri also wants this year’s achievements by national athletes – having surpassed the 39 gold, 45 silver, and 90 bronze medals target at the Hanoi SEA Games; and 7 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals target at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games – to continue.
He also quoted badminton men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s historic win at the BWF World Championships.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the goal of organising Sukma has never strayed from its original path but the national games also aims to produce athletes that understand the sports industry in detail.
In addition to Sukma being a platform to produce young athletes to represent the country on the international stage, Faizal said athletes should also be the main driving force in reviving and invigorating the Malaysian sports industry.
“Sports should be seen as a sector that has great potential to contribute to the nation’s income.
“The industry is an economic resource that needs to be explored more widely by all parties, especially the athletes,” he said.
Based on Statistics Department records in 2017, the value of the sports industry had reached more than RM18.8 billion and involved over 36,500 staff.
“The ministry expects the growth rate of industrial companies to increase by 30%, including from household spending on the sports sector and sales of sports goods,” he added. – The Vibes, September 17, 2022