Athletes and sports associations in Selangor received financial aid of RM413,000 under the state’s sports development allocation through MBI Foundation, which is under Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated.
Eight recipients, comprising three sports associations and five individual athletes, were presented with contributions during a handover ceremony at the foundation’s headquarters in Bangunan Darul Ehsan, Shah Alam.
Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the initiative was part of the state’s ongoing effort to nurture sporting talent across all levels.
“We want to continue empowering our athletes and sports bodies as Selangor prepares to host the next Sukma (Malaysia Games).
“This is part of our long-term commitment to make Selangor a sporting powerhouse by supporting those who have shown both promise and perseverance.”
Selangor FC Futsal received RM200,000, Selangor Red Giants football team (RM100,000) and Selangor Archery Association (RM100,000).
Five individual athletes were also given cash, including motorsports juniors Muhammad Raqib Mohd Roman and Muhammad Safiuddin Mohammad Shaharizan who each received RM2,000.
Archers Jamilah Abdul Latif and Muhammad Hifzuddin Zaidi as well as squash player Keerthi Pradhaa Junivar Bala received RM3,000 each.
MBI Foundation head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor said the contribution aimed to fill the gap for athletes and associations that might lack financial backing but have consistently shown results.
“We often see talent emerging from the grassroots, and our role is to ensure they are not overlooked,” he said.
“Our annual RM1mil allocation for sports allows us to provide targeted support – be it through sponsorships, incentives or recognition awards – to help them grow.”
