KUALA LUMPUR – Each year, when the national sports budget is unveiled, calls for increased funding echo across the Malaysian sports landscape.
Despite higher allocations than previous budgets, stakeholders, including national associations, argue that the funding still falls short of meeting the sector’s growing needs.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal appealed for a more substantial government budget, emphasising that increased funding would enable sports organisations to compete at higher levels.
In the Budget 2025 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 18, the national sports sector received RM230 million.
This funding is earmarked for podium programmes, athlete training, the Road to Gold (RTG) initiative, and preparations for Para athletes ahead of the World Para Games, including the Deaflympics in Tokyo 2025.
Additional allocations will support the maintenance and repair of youth and sports facilities nationwide, as well as matching grants for sports initiatives.
Only football, cricket, and e-sports received specific allocations, with RM15 million, RM1 million, and RM20 million granted to each, respectively.
“I have never made negative comments about the National Sports Council (NSC) because I understand the limitations of funding, and the same goes for the Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh. I am frequently in contact with her, and she is doing her best to help us.
“However, I believe the federal government might need to consider allocating a larger budget and finding the best mechanisms to provide us, as sports stakeholders, with more resources.
“This would allow us to utilise the funds more effectively to strengthen our national teams,” said Subahan.
November is expected to be busy for each national sports association as they present their plans for the upcoming year to the NSC and apply for funding through the working committee meeting (JKK).
Earlier this year, Subahan revealed that the MHC requires at least RM12 million to cover expenses and ensure smooth management.
For this year’s sports sector budget, the government allocated RM72 million to enhance and strengthen the athlete ecosystem under the Podium Programme, with RM20 million dedicated to the Road to Gold (RTG) initiative and RM12 million specifically for Para athletes.
An additional RM30 million was set aside to attract international video game companies or studios to invest in Malaysia by developing digital products in collaboration with local talent, aimed at promoting Malaysia as a hub for the e-sports industry.
Moreover, RM50 million was allocated for maintaining and upgrading youth and sports facilities across the country, particularly to improve deteriorating infrastructure, along with a matching grant fund of RM50 million. — October 28, 2024