Day: June 11, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, The Ministry of Youth and Sports has reintroduced the disbursement of allocations through the empowerment method to 19 National Sports Associations (PSK), covering 23 types of sports disciplines for the Podium and National Backup programmes.

Minister Hannah Yeoh said the selected PSK need to comply with several conditions set by the ministry, such as establishing a special account for receiving funds from the National Sports Council (NSC) and allowing the account to be audited by auditors appointed by NSC.

Hannah said the method, implemented through the MADANI Government budget, is based on the concept of accountability and responsibility of the PSK.

‘This empowerment method began in June this year, where financial allocations will be disbursed based on training plans agreed upon by the NSC and PSK,’ she told reporters after attending the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between NSC and PSK in Bukit Jalil today.

She said for this year, disbursements will be made in two phases – from Jun
e to August and September to December.

Hannah said the allocation for each PSK varies according to their needs, which will be determined by the NSC committee based on the competitions agreed upon.

She also expressed hope that the PSK would comply with the financial regulations set by NSC and spend based on the approvals of the Sports Working Committee meetings.

‘Before this method was implemented, it was in the form of claims, which sometimes led to late submissions and reimbursements, and it couldn’t roll over. The new method helps with savings as it allows for earlier planning.

‘For other PSK, we will implement this in the next phase,’ she said.

Hannah hopes this effort will have a positive impact on the development of national sports and produce more high-performing athletes to represent Malaysia on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the governing body would work with NSC to provide education on the use of special accounts to e
nhance the governance of PSK.

‘This method is important for governance. Previously, in the association’s accounts, it was mixed. For example, in BAM, maybe NSC’s assistance was 10-15 per cent of the total amount.

‘But there are other sponsorships, and in terms of jurisdiction, NSC needs to know its authority. Whether its funds are being used properly or not,’ he said.

Among the selected PSK are the Malaysian Athletics Union, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Malaysian Swimming Federation and Malaysian Hockey Confederation.

It is understood that such a disbursement method was previously implemented by NSC for PSK in 2017 but was discontinued in 2019 due to financial issues faced by NSC.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, With less than 50 days left to the Paris Olympic Games 2024, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) needs to hold a discussion with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh first before setting medal targets ahead of the four-yearly games which will open on July 26 to August 11.

Its president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the discussion also needs to be attended by the National Sports Council (NSC) to ensure that it is in line with the ‘Road to Gold’ programme and to thoroughly studied whether the Paris Olympics will use the ‘target without medal colour’ formula that was introduced at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Hannah about this matter. We will discuss what is the best move (because) most of the athletes have a dream to go to the Olympics (besides) not wanting athletes to be in a stressful situation.

“They (athletes) have been trying for four years to get to that level so the last step is for us to give them our strongest support,” he said after attend
ing the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony between NSC and the National Sports Association at Casa 4, NSC in Bukit Jalil, today.

But before this, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) made a bold decision when aiming for a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in line with the dream of the national track cycling champion, Datuk Azizulhasni Awang.

Meanwhile, he expects the Malaysian contingent to be strengthened with 24 or 25 athletes compared to the current 18 national athletes who have qualified to take on the challenge at the Paris Olympics in addition to hoping that the line-up of athletes can avoid any injuries.

Asked if there was already a name for the flag bearer at the four-year games, he said there had been no discussion on the matter yet.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA NERUS, Terengganu Football Club Sdn Bhd (TFCSB) and XFOX Market Holdings Sdn Bhd have mutually reached an agreement to terminate the RM1.5 million private sector sponsorship for the Terengganu FC (TFC) football team.

This follows speculation that went viral on social media after the sponsorship agreement was signed by both parties on June 9, that the sponsoring company was on the list released by Bank Negara that stated that the company was not authorised to conduct financial-related services.

TFC chief executive officer Mohd Sabri Abas said the decision to back out of the done deal was taken to maintain the harmony of the club and respect the views of the supporters who are the backbone of the team.

He said the agreement was dissolved without any claim between the two parties concerned nor with the national football industry.

‘For the sake of club harmony and taking into account the supporter’s vocal opposition, TFC has held discussions to see the best solution to this issue.

‘(Hence) TFCSB and X
FOX Market Holdings Sdn Bhd are ready to dissolve the sponsorship without any claim. TFC will return the sponsorship fee of RM1.5 million that has been paid,’ he said in a statement today.

Mohd Sabri also explained that TFC’s decision to collaborate with XFOX Marketing Sdn Bhd was initially made after witnessing the company’s travel operations, particularly the XFOX Arena in Subang Bestari, which provides a synthetic football field.

According to him, the matter was seen to be compatible with TFC’s operation as a football club.

‘However, this collaboration received different views from various parties. There was an acrimonious atmosphere and various accusations levelled against TFC due to this agreement which affected the harmony of the club,’ he said.

Following the mutual settlement of the contract dissolved, Mohd Sabri said TFC will try to secure other sponsors to face the Asean Football Federation (AFF) 2024 Shopee Cup which will kick off on July 17.

(Shopee being the title partner of the inaugural Sho
pee Cup which is an ASEAN Club Championship, will be played in a league format by 14 of ASEAN’s leading football clubs).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SHAH ALAM, The 2nd Selangor International Bicycle Race (SIR) 2024 organised by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) on June 23, is expected to attract 1,000 local and international participants.

PKNS Group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas said the SIR 2024 is expected to feature riders from nine countries, namely Great Britain, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Germany and the Philippines.

Mahmud said riders competing in the SIR 2024 will cover a distance of 145 kilometres (km) with the race starting from the PKNS headquarters and heading towards Denai Alam, Elmina, Kuang, Kundang, Ijok as well as locations where there are PKNS projects, especially Kota Puteri, a place reknown for coal mining.

‘So far, 10 Malaysian teams have confirmed their participation, namely Team Aquatwo Cyclomotion, Malaysia Pro Cycling Team, TSG Academy, MSN Terengganu, Polis Diraja Malaysia, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, Selangor State Cycling Team, Perak State Cycling Team, Putrajaya
State Cycling Team and Gruppetto Propain,’ he said.

Speaking to reporters after launching the SIR 2024 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) here today, Mahmud said the race had also received the support from strategic partners, the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

Earlier, five SIR 2024 ambassadors were introdcued at the launching ceremony, comprising prominent former National cyclists, especially former National rider Adiq Husainie Othman who had competed in the Olympics; National Sprint ace Anuar Manan; rising amateur rider Zanika Zailan; Australian Criterium Championship winner Izat Roslan and former professional cycling 2024 Powerman 2024 champion Hafiz Hamid.

Meanwhile, the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah is expected to flag off the race on June 23.

Mahmud said the race which offers attractive prizes will be divided into two main competitive categories – professional and amateur – featuring various age group categories.

He added that the SIR
2024 not only provides a platform for local riders to showcase their talent, but also provides the established riders an opportunity to compete against international riders.

‘Apart from being a competitive race, the SIR 2024 will also boost the local economy, especially for the business community in aspects of accomodation, food, transport services, tourism, etc,’ he said.

Mahmud said the race would be streamed live for viewers who come to the PKNS Headquarters while more information are the race can be obtained bu surfing the website adress at https://selangorrace.com.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency