Para Athlete Development Fund Allocation in Budget 2025
Kuala Lumpur, October 20 (Bernama) – There is an allocation under Budget 2025 for the development of para athletes, aimed at ensuring a steady supply of new talents for future Games. However, the fund will not be dispersed directly to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), but instead, will be channeled through the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN).
Indirect Allocation
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh explained that the fund will be allocated to the parties involved in para athlete development, rather than directly to the PCM. "Under Budget 2025, there is (para athlete development)… just that the money is not channelled to the PCM. However, it is channelled by the government through the JBSN and NSC," she said.
"Government’s Stance
"The government does not give any money to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia for athlete development, nor the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). If the PCM want to carry out para athlete development, they must find their own fund and not rely on the government to give them money," the minister emphasized.
PCM’s Proposal
Earlier, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin had expressed hope that the ministry would consider providing an allocation of RM15 million. The allocation, to be distributed to the 25 national para sports associations, would be used for the development of athletes not under the NSC’s programme, especially for the grassroots level.
Walk for Health Programme
In a separate event, the Walk for Health programme, which involved 200 participants, was held to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote healthy living. The programme aimed to encourage individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Conclusion
The allocation for para athlete development in Budget 2025 is a step in the right direction, as it will enable the development of new talents for future Games. However, the indirect allocation through the JBSN and NSC may not be what the PCM had hoped for. It remains to be seen how this allocation will be implemented and what impact it will have on para athlete development in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will the para athlete development fund be allocated?
A: The fund will be allocated to the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN), rather than directly to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM).
Q: What is the purpose of the allocation?
A: The allocation is for the development of para athletes, aimed at ensuring a steady supply of new talents for future Games.
Q: Will the Paralympic Council of Malaysia receive funding for para athlete development?
A: No, the government does not provide funding for para athlete development to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM).