Shapawi to brief OCM on new Podium funding

Sports Council (NSC) director general, Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail reiterated yesterday that any concerns in relation to funding will be sorted out once the National Sports Associations have finalised their programmes for the new year.

This came after the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) requested for the NSC to give a detailed explanation on how to make the best out of the RM100 million allocation ahead of the 2019 Sea Games in the Philippines.

After day one of a two-day workshop, Shapawi disclosed priority will be given to sports that are listed under the revamped Podium Programme, namely sports that could deliver medals at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth and Asian Games as well as the Sea Games.

However, Shapawi stressed sports which are not listed under the four tier revamped programme, will not be neglected.

"The first day of the workshop went well. Basically right now, we want the NSAs to present their programmes next year to us, before we discuss more about funding.

"There should be no issue. Of course, priority is for the main sports first but we will not neglect the other sports under the revamped Podium Programme," said Shapawi.

On OCM's invitation to their council meeting this Saturday, Shapawi added: "I will most likely attend the meeting to explain in detail."

Following OCM's executive board meeting on Monday, it is understood that host Philippines are offering a total of 56 sports for next year's biennial Games.

Malaysia, are expected to compete in at least 41 of them.

At the previous Games here last year, Malaysia emerged overall champions on 145 gold medals, 92 silver and 86 bronze.