BANGI: The Podium Programme, which is under the purview of the National Sports Council (NSC), will be continued next year but the number of athletes involved will be reduced, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
He said the number of athletes had to be reduced as the Youth and Sports Ministry had received a smaller allocation compared to previous years for the implementation of full-time training programmes for the athletes.
"With what we have, we will try to work within our means... we will not be able to provide training to over 400 athletes who are housed at the NSC.
"The total (number of athletes) has to be reduced and we must pick those who really have the potential to win championships and return home with medals," he told the media after handing over the Anugerah Remaja Perdana Rakan Muda (ARPRM) 2021 awards here today.
He said that although certain athletes would not be training under the NSC anymore, the ministry would continue to monitor their condition from time to time and ensure their training would continue under their respective associations.
"From time to time, we will hold centralised training programmes for like a month, but not for the long-term," he said.
He added that NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail had already started negotiations with the athletes who will be "released".
Ahmad Faizal said the ministry would continue to think of ways to source for funds needed to ensure no athlete is left out from getting high-quality training.
"We will work with private partners. I hope these private firms will come forward and join us. The Ministry and NSC always welcome any sponsorships from the private sector for the benefit of our athletes," he said, before adding that another RM40 million was needed to continue with the training under the Podium Programme.
The Podium Programme was introduced in 2015 with the main aim being to win the nation's first gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, secure a top-10 medal finish at the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as well as have 10 athletes ranked among the top six in the world.
The Malaysian contingent returned from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with one silver and one bronze; finished 12th at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games; and 14th at the Indonesia Asiad.
Yesterday, the media reported that achievements in major championships would be the key performance indicators (KPI) set by the NSC to enable athletes to continue in training programmes starting next year.
Ahmad Faizal had also said in the statement that 288 athletes, who are in the group of potential medal winners, would be retained in their full-time training programmes.
In another development, he said that in the meeting between the ministry and over 40 youth associations on Tuesday, both parties had agreed by consensus to set a new date for the implementation of the Youth Societies and Youth Development Act (Amendment) 2019 (Act 668) on lowering the age limit of youths to 30 years old.
"In that meeting, I listened to their views. Generally, most of the associations urged for the implementation of Act 668 to be postponed.
"So, due to time constraints for us to continue to have engagement, I have decided to postpone its implementation," he said.
He said the ministry would also hold further discussions with youth associations to set a new date for the implementation of the act to ensure it is a win-win situation for all parties.
On Nov 17, Ahmad Faizal announced in Parliament that the law on the age limit to hold positions in youth associations from 40 to 30 years old will be implemented on Jan 1, 2022.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Dec 16 2021
The Podium Programme, which is under the purview of the National Sports Council (NSC), will be continued next year but the number of athletes involved will be reduced, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu. - BERNAMA file photo
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Khamis, 28 Mac 2024.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Lebih 70,000 peserta FELCRA sudah terima dividen bernilai RM74 juta
FELCRA Berhad sudah mengagihkan bayaran dividen kepada lebih 70,000 peserta di seluruh negara bernilai RM74 juta bagi musim ketiga tahun lalu.
KPDN Sabah terima 67 serahan kes dengan nilai rampasan lebih RM2 juta
Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN) Sabah menerima 67 serahan kes daripada agensi penguat kuasa lain dengan nilai rampasan RM2.01 juta sejak Januari lalu hingga hari ini.
Lapan pendatang tanpa izin dihukum penjara enam bulan di Kelantan
Lapan individu dihukum penjara enam bulan selepas mengaku bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Khas bagi Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin di Tanah Merah semalam.
Lebih banyak kolaborasi bidang TVET antara Malaysia dan China - Ahmad Zahid
Malaysia dan China akan mengadakan lebih banyak kolaborasi dalam Pendidikan dan Latihan Teknikal dan Vokasional (TVET) bagi memperkasa bidang itu.
KPDN Kelantan sita 34,871 liter minyak diesel di Kuala Krai
Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN) Kelantan menyita kira-kira 34,871 liter minyak diesel bernilai lebih RM74,900 di sebuah premis perniagaan di Kuala Krai, semalam.
Baki stok simpanan air di empat empangan pada paras kritikal - NADMA
Empat empangan air di Johor, Pulau Pinang dan Kedah menunjukkan penurunan paras simpanan sumber air mentah pada paras kritikal setakat semalam susulan cuaca panas.
Pesawat Maritim Malaysia bantu padam kebakaran di Miri
Maritim Malaysia telah mengatur gerak pesawat Bombardier CL-415 miliknya, bagi membantu dalam operasi memadamkan kebakaran hutan tanah gambut secara bersepadu.
Polis tahan lelaki bakar mercun di tengah jalan raya
Polis menahan seorang pembantu bengkel yang disyaki membakar mercun di tengah jalan raya, ketika perarakan pengebumian berdekatan sebuah pasar raya di Banting, Selangor, semalam.
Sukan Komanwel: Beban terlalu berat buat negara - Faizal Azumu
Katanya, kajian menyeluruh wajar dilakukan khususnya melibatkan implikasi kewangan sebelum kerajaan membuat keputusan.
Ahmad Faizal mengaku silap pilih calon Bersatu
Ahmad Faizal berkata, beliau ada suara untuk menentukan calon parti bagi mewakili PN di Perak, termasuk Iskandar yang juga bekas setiausaha politiknya.
Slogan gelombang hijau, Taliban hanya taktik musuh PN - Faizal Azumu
Dakwaan yang mengaitkan PN dengan elemen gelombang hijau dan Taliban merupakan strategi musuh gabungan politik itu bertujuan untuk menakut-nakutkan pengundi bukan Melayu.
Kesetiaan saya kepada Muhyiddin masih utuh - Peja
Beliau menjelaskan tidak pernah bersekongkol dengan mana-mana pihak lawan atau menyokong kepimpinan Kerajaan Persekutuan sedia ada.
Jawatan Pengerusi PN Negeri Sembilan boleh dipikul anak tempatan - Peja
Beliau bercadang untuk memaklumkan kepada Pengerusi dan Majlis Tertinggi PN agar dibuat pertukaran jawatan tersebut.
Pengerusi PN Negeri Sembilan: 'Peja seolah-olah tidak lagi berminat' - Rafie
Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu disaran meletakkan jawatan sebagai Pengerusi Perikatan Nasional (PN) Negeri Sembilan sekiranya tidak lagi berminat untuk menjalankan tugasnya.
'Lepas PRN pun tiada kerja lain, asyik provokasi orang', kata Aminuddin kepada Peja
Cadangan daripada Pengerusi Perikatan Nasional (PN) itu hanya untuk tujuan provokasi terutamanya untuk akar umbi parti.
PRN: PH perlu berlapang dada, serah kerusi MB kepada Jalaluddin - Peja
UMNO yang menang banyak kerusi di Negeri Sembilan seharusnya diberi jawatan Menteri Besar, cadang Peja.
Dakwaan gangguan seksual: Peja lantik peguam lindungi daripada laporan palsu
Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu menggunakan khidmat peguam bagi mendapatkan nasihat untuk melindunginya daripada laporan palsu.
Kenyataan kerajaan Pusat akan bertukar jika PN menang PRN tidak betul - Ramkarpal
Ramkarpal berkata sekiranya gabungan pembangkang itu menang di enam negeri pada PRN ini, ia tiada kaitan dengan kedudukan kerajaan Pusat.