Big budget is a boon but spend wisely, not wildly

IT felt like a golden downpour for Malaysian sports when the government announced a doubled budget for next year.

It was RM580mil for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a huge jump from RM230mil last year.

It’s a massive shot in the arm, but the question remains: will it be money well spent, or just another round of mismanaged promises?

The injection of funds should not just be about medals and milestones.

How the money is channelled and how transparently it is managed will determine whether Malaysian sport truly reaps the rewards or continues to chase shadows.

A portion of this budget must go toward addressing mental health, especially among the younger generation of athletes, coaches, and officials.

The disturbing rise in youth issues — from suicide, murder, rape and bullying to abuse — shows that emotional well-being can no longer be ignored.

And it should be a cause for concern in sports too.

Even top athletes are struggling. Former national No. 1 Lee Zii Jia has spoken openly about his mental battles while coping with injury and online criticism.

For every athlete like Zii Jia who speaks up, there are many more suffering in silence.

We need more sports psychologists – not just at the National Sports Institute (NSI) but in every state, where most athletes are moulded from young.

State sports bodies often overlook this area, and sports schools, in particular, need closer monitoring.

Do they have enough chaperones? Are environments safe and nurturing, or toxic and punitive?

Words of encouragement can go a long way compared to a harsh, fear-driven training culture that crushes confidence.

With this expanded budget, Malaysia finally has the chance to tackle the rot at the grassroots –not just build stadiums, but build stronger, healthier athletes.

Of course, development programmes at the state level should still take the lion’s share. When was the last time we unearthed a truly new star?

The talent production line seems to be slowing, and competitions for younger athletes are few and far between.

Basic facilities also need urgent upgrading. The Velodrome Rakyat in Ipoh is one glaring example.

Even as FAM recently received the AFC President’s Recognition Award (silver category) for grassroots football, we still struggle to find the next Arif Aiman Hanapi, let alone a Lamine Yamal.

A big slice of this RM580mil will understandably go toward the Road to Gold programme and preparations for hosting the 2027 SEA Games, both of which have been justified by recent successes.

Malaysia’s shuttlers and para-athletes have been sensational — from Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, to Cheah Liek Hou, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, and Mohd Latif Romly.

Their brilliance helped convince the government that sport is worth investing in.

Now it is up to those in charge to ensure the investment does not go to waste.

We do not just want medals. We want a sporting ecosystem that nurtures integrity, unity, and humanity.

Pouring millions without direction will only lead to headlines of shame instead of pride.

It is time to make this golden rain count.