Sheraton Move hamstrung Malaysian athletes, says Hannah Yeoh

KUALA LUMPUR: Political instability following the infamous Sheraton Move in 2020 was among the factors affecting athletes' performance in recent games, says the Youth and Sports Minister.

Hannah Yeoh said that around 220 athletes were affected over the past four years due to the political impasses that disrupted their training ahead of tournaments.

“Each time we change prime ministers and ministers, there would be changes to the board members, budget and focus.

“In 2022, there was no allocation for the Podium Programme forcing the Malaysian Sports Council (MSC) to rearrange its training programmes for several games,” she told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (May 25).

She also said MSC had to use its own internal budget to pay training allowances and coaches’ salaries to avoid disruptions.

“I had a discussion with athletes and associations, and they admitted that in these four years, our country has been busy with politics while neighbouring countries have moved forward.

"We must admit that after the Sheraton Move, there were indeed many efforts that the government made at the time to help the economy, and education, all of which were disrupted due to political instability,” she added.

Yeoh was responding to a question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who asked about the relationship between political instability and athletic performance and ways to overcome it.

She said the ministry had requested the Cabinet for allocations intended for training programmes under 12th Malaysia Plan by allocating RM240mil from 2022-2025.

The ministry has also established the Road To Gold committee involving former athletes, the National Sports Association and experienced sports administrators as a step to ensure stability despite political impasse that may repeat.

She said that the committee will also cooperate with the Malaysian Olympic Council.

"With the existence of the Malaysian Olympic Council, even if there is no minister, the committee still runs and there is no more interference with our athletes," Yeoh said.