KUALA LUMPUR— Budget 2025 includes funding for the development of para-athletes, aiming to nurture new talent for future competitions.
However, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh clarified that the allocation will not be distributed directly to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM).
Instead, the funds will be channelled through organisations like the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN).
“While there is funding (for para-athlete development) under Budget 2025, it won’t go directly to the PCM. The government will allocate it through the JBSN and NSC,” Hannah said during the flagging-off ceremony for the Walk for Health 2km Programme and the Fight Against Cancer Campaign.
She emphasised that if the PCM wishes to pursue its development initiatives, it must seek its own funding rather than relying solely on government support.
“The government also does not provide funds to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for athlete development,” she added.
Earlier, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin expressed hope for an allocation of RM15 million from the ministry.
He indicated that this funding would be distributed among 25 national para-sports associations to develop athletes outside the NSC’s programmes, particularly at the grassroots level.
In addition to these discussions, the Walk for Health programme held today attracted 200 participants and aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer while promoting healthy living. — October 20, 2024