KUALA LUMPUR: The huge budget to prepare national athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics shows the government's commitment to winning Malaysia's first gold at the Greatest Show on Earth.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, commentng on the RM100 million alloted to sports in Budget 2019, said the financial support will give them the capability to win the nation's first Olympic gold.
"OCM welcome this positive development as the RM100 million is for a specific mission.
"We are confident that with the allocation, we will be able to have a detailed plan especially as the Sports Ministry had announced that the Podium Programme will be placed under Tier One among other sports," said Norza.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had made the announcement yesterday, hoping that Malaysia will finally win the elusive Olympic gold in Tokyo.
The government also announced RM10 million for Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to develop eSports which is popular among youth.
Norza, who is also the BA of Malaysia president, feels that corporate companies could also play a big part in the Olympic mission.
"This commitment, shown by the government, should also be supported by corporate bodies with equivalent sponsorships. Money from the government alone is always not enough," said Norza.
National Sports Council (NSC) Director General Datuk Ahmad Shapawi also welcomed the RM100 million allotment.
"The allocation has fired our spirits at NSC, Ministry of Sports and National Sports Institute to realise our mission at the Tokyo Olympics as well as Para Games 2020,” he said,
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