SYED SADDIQ PROMISES NOT TO SIDELINE NON-OLYMPIC SPORT TS

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s much clearer now.

This was the general response from all the National Sports Associations (NSA) after being briefed on a new four-tier sports programme and a RM100mil budget allocated for its execution.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman gave assurances that the budget would be fully utilised and the non-Olympic sports would not be sidelined during a two-day workshop, which ended yesterday.

It was attended by leaders from 26 NSAs.

“Non-Olympic sports will not be sidelined. The tier system has its own work structure and we acknowledge the contribution of athletes from non-Olympic sports,” said Syed Saddiq.

He wants the NSAs to be accountable and transparent with their expenses.

“There has been lots of misconceptions over the budget announcement. It is not only for the Olympics. This budget is doable but we want to make sure there is no mismanagement of funds.”

Sports leaders were relieved that some hope and direction had been given on the RM100mil allocation for the newly-revamped sports programme set to start in 2019.

Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU) president Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya said there was no direction after the Jakarta Asian Games.

“We were in the dark and there was no direction for many sports in the country after the Asiad. But after this workshop, it is much clearer now,” he said.

“There are some specifics that we have to discuss but I’m sure it will be ironed out in the future.”

Shahrul said the funding received from the ministry was not enough but admitted that the days of NSAs relying on funds from the government were over.

“We have to be creative to source our own funds. MRU are looking at corporate companies to fund teams and programs,” he added.

Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Nik Razeen Daud said the session with the minister was a positive one and it was time to move forward.

“It is good to see Syed Saddiq’s concern and we have to move forward. He is taking the initiative to meet sports associations but the process is not over yet,” he said.

Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) president Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan lamented that the new structure did not recognise a world champion from a non-Olympic sports.

“Malaysia has many world champions but because they are not participating in the Olympics, they are not included in tier one or two. We should recognise world champions,” said Dr Nathan.

“There are only 27 sports in the the Olympics but in Malaysia, we have 55 sports. Disparity can be seen through this tier system. I hope the ministry will look into this,” he added.