KUALA LUMPUR – The Paralympic Council of Malaysia has expressed its scepticism regarding the government’s commitment to developing para-athletes, as it believes that the allocated budget of RM12 million for 2024 is insufficient.
Although the amount is a 41.6% increase from the previous year’s budget of RM5 million, the council argues that it needs around RM50 million annually for its grassroots development programmes.
Speaking to Scoop, its president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman expressed his disappointment with the funding disparity between mainstream sports and para-athletes.
He said the justification for the higher funding request is evident, given that para-athletes have significantly outperformed able-bodied athletes in various international events, including the Paralympics and Asian Para Games.
“We have more success stories to share compared to able-bodied athletes, and the funds are essential, as managing disabled athletes is more complex than one might think,” said Megat when contacted.
“I doubt the leadership sees everyone at the same level, given our track record with the current allocation.
“Imagine what we could achieve with the funding we require. I can guarantee that we have the potential to become the best in the world.
“Without adequate funds, we won’t be able to establish a robust athlete development pipeline.”
The RM12 million allocation was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling Budget 2024 at the Dewan Rakyat on October 13.
The allocation is set to be channelled into the National Sports Council, primarily intended for the training and development of Malaysia’s para-athletes participating in international sporting events.
Additionally, Megat urged the government to consider providing direct funding to the Paralympic Council, assuring that it would ensure proper procurement checks.
“We want to be the organisation directing funds to all 25 registered sports in our council,” he said.
“With 4.9 million disabled individuals in our country, this funding could help us discover para-athletes who can succeed in life through sports, especially as 90% of them come from the B40 community.
“Perhaps they fear mismanagement of funds. However, we are registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 and have signed an agreement with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
“If the government is scared to give us the money directly and they think that we will misuse the money, we are open to all types of investigations and charges,” Megat added.
The sports administrator also hopes for the government to consider the bigger picture.
He said that the RM50 million allocation would enable the Paralympic Council to host more international para-sports tournaments and Asian competitions in Malaysia, which would boost the country’s tourism revenue in return.
Among Malaysia’s para-athletes most notable achievements include winning a total of 16 medals – six gold, four silver and six bronze – at their Paralympics debut in Heidelberg, Germany in 1972.
The world’s top-ranked para-shuttler, Cheah Liek Hou, became the first Malaysian to win badminton gold at an Olympic-level tournament after emerging triumphant at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
On the other hand, able-bodied athletes have not had any gold medal achievements in the Olympics.
Malaysian para-athletes have also won a total of 167 (41 gold, 54 silver and 72 bronze) medals since making their debut in the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou. – October 23, 2023