Ahmad Faizal: Private companies keen to sponsor high-performance programmes

KUALA LUMPUR: Several private companies have expressed interest in collaborating with the Youth and Sports Ministry in providing sponsorship to ensure the continuity of high-performance sports programmes next year.

Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, however, admitted that the offers received were still insufficient and invited private companies and other corporate bodies to work with the ministry to help athletes undergo training through the programmes so that they can continue to compete at the highest level.

The Budget 2022 did not touch on allocations for high-performance sports programmes, leaving the ministry to source for their own funds.

Ahmad Faizal said the sponsorships were important as the national athletes would be competing in three major competitions next year – the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

“There is no allocation for the Podium Programme but the ministry will find ways to do collaboration programmes with private companies to obtain sponsorship,” said Faizal.

“In fact, I have started to get offers from private companies to cooperate in this matter.”

Asked why no such provision was provided in Budget 2022, he explained that the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in the government prioritising the people’s economy rather than provide funds in other directions. — Bernama