KUALA LUMPUR – The allocation for sepak takraw under the National Sports Council’s (NSC) Podium Programme has increased to RM2.9 million from RM2.3 million last year, said the Youth and Sports Ministry.
The ministry said it had also provided the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia with RM1 million in funds through a matching grant to support the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) World Cup event, which was held in the city centre here from May 18 to 26.
“The channelling of the (RM1 million) funds through the matching grant has contributed to the national team’s success in winning two championship titles (inter-regu and doubles),” the ministry said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
It said this in response to Bersatu MP Zakri Hassan’s (Kangar-PN) query on sepak takraw grassroots programmes in light of Malaysia’s first-choice team regu losing to Thailand at the World Cup.
Noting that the national team now consists of 18 male and 12 female athletes, as well as 15 players for the men’s under-21 team, the ministry said all athletes have received various forms of assistance and support.
This, the ministry said, includes self-development programmes, help in managing athletes, coaches and training centres, as well as local and international exposure for competitions and training.
Previously, after Malaysia’s historic win in the doubles and inter-regu categories at the World Cup held at Titiwangsa Stadium, the NSC had announced a special incentive of RM170,000 for the winners as a token of recognition for their success.
The incentives include RM120,000 for the inter-regu and doubles winners, while RM50,000 was awarded to the team regu for finishing as runners-up behind heavyweights Thailand.
Prior to the monumental win, Malaysia had fallen short of beating Thailand in any doubles competition and had not defeated the neighbouring nation since the 2015 ISTAF Super Series leg in Melaka.
Meanwhile, in a separate parliamentary written response, the ministry confirmed that it does not specifically provide health packages to students active in sports, nor does it guarantee protection for sports-related injuries.
“The ministry, through the National Youth and Sports Department, provides group insurance to all participants, including school students, who participate in youth programmes.”
However, it said it would extend the proposal put forth by PAS lawmaker Siti Mastura Muhammad (Kepala Batas-PN) to the Education Ministry for further analysis. – July 18, 2024