KUALA LUMPUR – The Podium Programme is not a second-class high-performance programme compared to the Road to Gold programme (RTG), according to National Sports Council (NSC) athletes division director, Jefri Ngadirin.
Jefri said that both programmes are similar as both offer the same services but the RTG programme has slightly more benefits.
However, he said that the difference between both programmes is that RTG serves athletes who have the potential or are chasing the country’s elusive maiden Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028.
“From the aspect of services, RTG and Podium are just about the same, it is just that athletes in the RTG programme are provided with extra benefits compared to Podium.
“The current Podium Programme provides facilities to athletes that have been identified after discussions with their associations and coaches,” he said.
The RTG programme was launched in March of this year to give “top-up services” for high-performance athletes who have the potential to end Malaysia’s quest for Olympic gold.
The RTG programme also removes any bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder elite athletes from having access to the resources that they need to excel.
On top of that athletes under the RTG programme will receive an extra allowance of RM3,000 per month. – November 21, 2023