DPM: Allocation for sports development will be increased

The government will increase the allocation for sports development in the country once the economy is back on track, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.

She said the government was aware of the ‘unhappiness’ among most of the sports associations when it had to cancel or review the allocations due to the country’s financial constraints.

“The federal government, through the Youth and Sports Ministry, will study the matter and encourage the involvement of the private sector and government-linked companies to support efforts towards sports development.

“The corporate or private sector can contribute towards the sponsorship of sports development programmes or the organising of sports events as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“Once the country's economy has recovered and is back on track, Insya Allah the allocations for the ministries, including the Youth and Sports, will be increased,” Wan Azizah said at the 25th Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Also present were OCM president Norza Zakaria, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and his deputy, Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Wan Azizah said the government, in a move to promote private sector sponsorship, had approved OCM’s request for tax relief since 1965 under the 1947 Tax Ordinance.

Sports important to national development

“I am sure the tax relief status has contributed to OCM’s strong financial standing today,” she said.

She said the government viewed sports as an important element in the process of national development as it had the power to unite Malaysia’s pluralistic society, comprising different races and religions.

Wan Azizah also urged all Malaysians to pray that the national football team would come out triumphant when they take on Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup final, second-leg clash at the MyDinh Stadium in Hanoi on Saturday.

In the first leg, the Harimau Malaya fought back from going 0-2 down to draw 2-2 with Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night.

Wan Azizah later presented the Olympian of the Year awards to national cycling ace Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and rhythmic gymnast Amy Kwan Dict Weng.

Mohd Azizulhasni did not attend the ceremony as he is in London for the UCI Track Cycling World Cup.

- Bernama