KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for entrusting his ministry with RM1.2 billion for sports development programmes next year, following the announcement of the 2017 Budget today.
RM450 million from the overall sum will be spent on the 29th Sea Games and 9th Para Asean Games in Kuala Lumpur.
“There were many things that were announced today. The ministry’s main agenda next year is definitely the Sea Games and Para Asean Games.
“As host, we want to be the best and also emerge as overall champions.
“I must thank our prime minister for trusting us with this big responsibility,” said Khairy.
Najib, in tabling the budget, also added that RM50 million has been allocated for phase two of the Football Academy in Pahang while RM70 million has been set aside for the Podium Programme to prepare elite athletes for international sports events.
An additional RM122 million was allocated for constructing and upgrading sports facilities and another RM54 million for sportsmen development programmes which includes the Athlete Preparation Programmes and Paralympic Athlete Preparation Programmes.