WHETHER the National Sports Convention, which concluded yesterday, is a success is something that only time will tell but Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has assured that the resolutions will be adopted into the National Sports Policy.

Stressing that the government is serious about sports, Ismail Sabri said the resolutions would be implemented even if there is a change in ministers in the future.

He said Datuk Yassin Salleh, the ministry's chief secretary, will head a special committee which has been tasked with reviewing the resolutions and submitting them to the Cabinet Committee for Sports.

"The convention was not only about the 2012 London Olympics but also the future of Malaysian sports. We are talking about the long term as this also involved sports for health," said Ismail Sabri after closing the convention at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"I have appointed Datuk Yassin as the chairman of the committee that will oversee the resolutions. The committee will comprise individuals who attended the convention and they will make their recommendations to the Cabinet Committee for Sports."
Ismail Sabri said the amendments to the National Sports Policy were at the final stage and would be presented to the cabinet committee soon.

"It's been 20 years since the National Sports Policy was drafted and implemented. Sports has changed and we need to address these changes in the policy. "We can see from the convention that there are many areas that need fine tuning and the resolutions will be included in the National Sports Policy. This is my guarantee, even if I am no longer the Sports Minister."

Ismail Sabri was also pleased that delegates, including those from associations, accepted the proposals with an open mind.

He had a point as there was hardly any dissent to the proposal for associations to be rated based on success.

"This is good as we need the rating system to ensure associations work hard. We want to rate them based on success, not the car they drive."

Other key resolutions were the need for an ecosystem in sport, which would ensure all levels of society is covered, programmes at the grassroots -- including for kindergarten children, infrastructure that is easily accessible and the relevant ministries working together.

The convention agreed that sports science should be introduced to athletes at the grassroots, national associations should work closely with their state affiliates, districts and clubs and a new multi-sport Games be introduced for Olympic sports.

The convention also proposed that the Sports Development Act be amended to, when necessary, take action against errant officials rather than an association.

Ismail Sabri said the Act will be amended.