PUTRAJAYA: State directors for the National Sports Council (NSC) should not be appointed from any political parties to avoid clashes between sports and politics.
In saying this, Youth and Sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said such appointments could result in personal interests and conflicts.
"We will set the guidelines and requirements that a state council director shouldn't come from a political party's top leadership.
"Under the administration of the previous government, state NSC directors were appointed among political leaders.
"We want to make sure this time around, we want the person filling the position to be free from any political involvement," he said.
Syed Saddiq said there were those experienced in sports related matters among corporate figures, Administrative and Diplomatic Officers (PTD) and others who should be appointed to these posts.
He was met after chairing the State Youth and Sports Exco Meeting, here, today.
The ministry has previously terminated the duties of 11 individuals with political background.
They held high positions in the Subang Golf Course Corporation, Malaysian Institute of Youth Research and Development (IYRES), Malaysia Stadium Corporation and the NSC.
Meanwhile, he said top posts in youth associations and groups should also not be given to political leaders.
"We will set the prerequisites that only those below the age of 35 will be appointed, in line with the ministry's objective to place those who are between 30 and 40 years old.
"This is because we don't want anymore leadership from political parties to dominate youth groups," he added.
In another development, Syed Saddiq said he will be inspecting sports facilities, youth complexes and stadiums in a few states namely Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to see the facilities offered.
"I will start my visit to the states from next month. We want to see how cooperation can be established with the states, especially in the development of youth sports and sports facilities offered," he added.
On the meeting, he said it was decided that NSC Board Members will be appointed at the central level, after it was left dormant for 10 years.
"After more than 10 years, the NSC Board Members positions will be reactivated to ensure there are no centralised power and sports programmes in every state can be developed without any political interference.
"In sports, there must be an effort to unite everybody, therefore we have decided during the meeting that a minister can't appoint his friends," he added.