KUALA LUMPUR: National sports associations welcomed the RM50 million allocation to prepare athletes for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2013 Budget yesterday.
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad said the ‘big’ allocation from the government would help inspire athletes in their search for the country’s first ever Olympic gold.
“The allocation of RM50 million for a four-year period under the ‘Road to Rio’ programme will ensure that all programmes carried out towards that goal will be fulfilled.
“The announcement to build a new velodrome in Seremban will certainly give added inspiration to the sport of track cycling,” he told Bernama yesterday.
He added that MNCF would be meeting the National Sports Council (NSC) on Oct 2, to discuss programmes for the ‘Road to Rio’. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh in welcoming the announcement by Najib to set up the badminton academy in Bukit Kiara, expressed confidence that the availability of the academy would further support the growth of badminton in the country.
“The academy will help churn out a bigger pool of potential badminton players and ensure a continuous supply of players to the country,” he said adding that BAM also had plans to set up a Research and Development centre, specifically for badminton.
Meanwhile, Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) President Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he was grateful to the Prime Minister for giving priority to the development of sports in the country, especially to prepare a formidable team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“At the association level, we will give our input to ensure the success of the ‘Road to Rio’ programme. We will work closely with the NSC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” he said.
Shahidan said a bigger allocation would enable swimmers and divers in the country to undergo a more comprehensive programme to prepare for Rio.
“Apart from giving additional focus on London Olympics bronze medal winner Pandelela Rinong, we will also implement programmes that can uplift the performances of junior swimmers and divers,” he said.—Bernama