PUTRAJAYA: Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias has stressed that it is important for Malaysia to develop its own home-grown athletes rather than depend on the use of foreigners to deliver short-term results.
Suhardi, who was formerly National Sports Council deputy director-general, said extensive use of naturalised athletes to represent the nation or foreign imports in domestic leagues would not lead to sustainable development of local talent.
"As Sports Commissioner I have no say (in the approval process of naturalised athletes). We, however, are not against the intake of naturalised athletes," said Suhardi when met today.
"But we have to look at this from a long-term perspective.
"Singapore, for example, in the past took in naturalised athletes from other countries which led to distress among its people.
"Germany's use of naturalised (import) players in their football league led to them lacking in strikers.
"If you look at the short-term, of course the impact is positive. But it is not effective in the long-term because after some time they will go off-peak (decline) and can no longer represent the country.
"If we want to see a more holistic development of Malaysian sports we have to have a long term programme to develop our own athletes.
"When you develop your own athletes you will get outstanding talent such as (footballer) Faisal Halim.
"We need to produce players such Faisal if we want our sports to be more sustainable."
Malaysia has used naturalised athletes to represent the nation in athletics, diving, rugby and football in recent decades. Naturalised players are commonly used in the latter two sports.
Suhardi was speaking after officiating the launch of the 2024 Asia Triathlon Cup Putrajaya here today.