RM72mil allocated to help bag first Olympic gold

PETALING JAYA: A total of RM72mil has been allocated to boost the ecosystem of athletes under the Podium Programme, including RM20mil under the Road to Gold (RTG) initiative, in preparation for winning the country’s first gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the allocations during Budget 2024 yesterday.

He also said RM12mil would be provided to the National Sports Council for athlete training programmes as well as for preparing them for international sports competitions.

A total of RM50mil will also be provided to maintain and upgrade youth and sports facilities nationwide.

Anwar also touched on the performance of the Malaysian contingent in the just concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, when announcing the allocations for sports.

Malaysia had sent a smaller contingent to the Asian Games this time, comprising 289 athletes, and only set a target of winning 27 medals.

But the athletes managed to bring home a total of 32 medals, including six golds.

“Following this year’s performance (at the Asian Games), which was very encouraging, the government will continue to provide matching grants of RM50mil to encourage the organisation of high performance sports events by sports bodies and the private sector.

“In order to produce a knowledgeable, skilled and talented future generation in sports, the government agreed to provide a tax deduction of up to 10% of the aggregate income for individuals or companies that contribute to institutions, organisations or funds approved under subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967, which implement education programmes, including sports education,” added Anwar.

A sum of RM30mil will also be allocated to encourage international video game companies or studios to invest in Malaysia in the development of their digital products together with local talent to promote Malaysia as a hub for the development of the sports industry.

The government has also proposed a special tax relief for the purchase of sports equipment limited to RM1,000.

“This exemption will also be extended to cover the expenses of sports training fees,” added Anwar.

Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin welcomed the RM12mil allocation but felt more could have been done to enhance the para athlete ecosystem.

“The RM12mil allocated for para athletes covers the elite athletes but there is no allocation for the grassroots programme under MPC and its 25-member associations.

“It’s not exactly happy news for our organisation.

“The grassroots have not received funding in the last few years, so we face difficulties in developing new athletes.

“We now have athletes who are ageing, retiring or injured. Grassroots funding is important to develop new athletes.

“It’s the para athletes who have always made the country proud. It’s not appropriate for the government to take para sports lightly,” he said.