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Athletes not forced to accept RTG: Hannah on elite programme participation | Scoop
Hannah says athletes will not be forced to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, following lessons learned from past experiences. — MSN pic, April 20, 2025
Sports

Athletes not forced to accept RTG: Hannah on elite programme participation

Hannah Yeoh says athletes will no longer be pressured to join the Road to Gold programme, as lessons from Lee Zii Jia’s case shape a more flexible approach

Main Author Image
Fabian Peter
Updated
5:36 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR — Athletes will not be compelled to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said previous experiences — including Lee Zii Jia’s decision to opt out in 2023 — had informed a more flexible approach.

She added that the RTG secretariat is currently in discussions with athletes to confirm their interest and commitment to the programme ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“You can offer, but if they (athletes) don’t want to take it up, then you can’t force them. We know this because it has happened before (Zii Jia case),” she said after officiating the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress’ (MTBC) new office launch at Sunway Mega Lanes, which also marked the unveiling of its 50th anniversary coffee table book.

“After the last post-mortem, we identified key areas needing improvement, and we’re addressing those now.”

In November 2023, Zii Jia — Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler — turned down the RTG offer, opting instead to chart his own path to the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

His decision sparked public debate over whether top athletes should be obliged to accept national support.

Hannah’s remarks suggest the ministry has taken those lessons on board.

“We mentioned in our first press conference that the secretariat would speak to all the athletes. There will be a contract for them to sign — but only after discussions,” she said.

She also said the RTG programme will remain dynamic, with the list of athletes updated regularly based on performance.

“If today, an athlete is ranked 20th, who’s to say next year they can’t break into the top 10?”

“For now, the KPI is top 10 in the world. Closer to the Games, it’ll be top eight, and by 2027 or 2028, realistically we want them in the top three or four for a shot at gold,” she said.

Hannah also noted that most athletes involved are from badminton, which presents scheduling challenges due to their continuous overseas tournaments.

At the MTBC event, she also announced a RM180,000 matching grant to the bowling body, praising its sustained international success over the past decade.

“This is what we want — not just one or two standout performances, but sustained excellence across the board,” she said. — April 20, 2025

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