Kota Kinabalu: A total of three million, one hundred and six ringgit has been allocated to 51 sports associations in the State this year.
In addition, RM237,600 were given out to ‘able’ athletes from 15 sports bodies and RM265,350 to para athletes from 13 associations who achieved success in the national and international stage in 2024.
The grants and incentives were presented to the recipients at a ceremony organised by Sabah Sports Council at the Sabah International Conference Centre here on Thursday.
Weightlifting and archery were the largest recipients in grants with RM125,000 each followed by athletics (RM124,000), aquatic (RM123,000) and rugby (RM122,000), while the rest of the associations each received from RM10,000 to RM105,000.
In the incentive scheme for able athletes, the highest recipient was Sabah Bodybuilding Association with RM50,750. Sabah Arm Wrestling Association and Sabah Masters Association in joint second with RM50,000 each. The rest were silat (RM30,000), football (RM14,500), karate (RM8,700), muaythai (RM8,500), E-sports (RM7,500), archery (RM5,250), shooting (RM4,150), boxing (RM3,000), tenpin bowling (RM2,250), cycling (RM1,750), aquatic (RM750) and lawn bowls (RM500).
Meanwhile, athletics topped the para incentive list with RM100,000 followed by swimming (RM64,750), deaf association (RM56,750), table tennis (RM22,000), lawn bowls (RM6,600), chess (RM5,500), badminton (RM3,500), archery (RM2,500), weightlifting (RM2,250), tenpin bowling (RM1,000) and boccia (RM500).
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin in his speech delivered by his assistant Datuk Fairuz Renddan said the amount of annual grants is the same as last year based on their application according to the programmes organised through the annual grant disbursement procedures approved by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure that the allocated allocation is used with integrity.
“As the Minister, I urge all sports associations to use the financial assistance from the State Government to implement athlete development programmes efficiently and responsibly.
“All associations must plan, research and implement their respective programmes with full commitment. I want the expenses that have been made to be returned to this ministry in the form of an authentic report and data that can be used to further develop the quality of sports in this State.
“In this modern era, data has become a crucial medium for us to amalgamate all expertise to elevate the status of sports in Sabah and Malaysia.
“Accurate data enables us to measure the capabilities of our athletes with precision so that we can also outline our goals or targets for our competing athletes,” he said.
He also congratulated the incentive winners who have done the State proud.
He said the large amount was worth spending by the State Government in their efforts to attract the interest and participation of youth to produce `world-class athletes’.
“At the same time, the government hopes that the participation of young people in sports can also build their quality and healthy lifestyle,” he added.
Also present were Youth and Sports Ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Mansur Asun and Sabah Sports Council director Asneh Mohd Noor.
