Minister Warns FAM on Responsible Allocation of RM15 Million Budget
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has cautioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) not to spend the RM15 million allocated to them in the 2025 budget arbitrarily or on salary payments. According to Bernama, she stressed that the funds should be used to develop the national senior team, the Under-18 team, and the Under-13 teams.
Monitoring Use of Funds
Yeoh’s ministry and the finance ministry will monitor the use of the funds to ensure they are allocated properly. "We are waiting for FAM to discuss with the National Sports Council how to spend the RM15 million," she said. "It is for FAM to spend on coaches to strengthen the national team and the junior team."
Breakdown of Allocation
The RM15 million allocation is part of a larger sum of RM230 million allocated to support the development of national sports. This includes the elite Podium Programme, athletes’ training, and the Road to Gold initiative, which covers para athletes’ preparations ahead of major events.
Grassroots Development
Yeoh emphasized the importance of grassroots development, stating that the allocation would be spent on programs in sports such as football, hockey, rugby, and netball. "We don’t want to depend on only a few athletes, so we need to expand at the grassroots level," she said. "We already have a sports development committee at the MSN level that has started looking into this," she added.
Conclusion
The RM15 million allocation to FAM is a significant step towards supporting the development of national football. However, it is crucial that the funds are allocated responsibly to ensure the growth and success of the sport. By focusing on grassroots development and high-performance programs, the government hopes to produce a strong national team that can compete at the highest level.
FAQs
- What is the total allocation for sports development in the 2025 budget?
The total allocation is RM230 million, which covers the elite Podium Programme, athletes’ training, and the Road to Gold initiative, including para athletes’ preparations ahead of major events. - What is the breakdown of the RM15 million allocated to FAM?
The RM15 million will be used to develop the national senior team, the Under-18 team, and the Under-13 teams, as well as to secure top coaches, provide high-quality training, and offer players appropriate rewards. - What is the focus of the sports development programs?
The focus is on grassroots development and high-performance sports development programs in sports such as football, hockey, rugby, and netball.