KUALA LUMPUR – Ahead of the 2025 National Budget announcement this Friday, it might not be a bad idea for National Sports Associations (NSAs) to take inspiration from the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) in managing funds and operational costs.
Instead of constantly relying on government support, it is time for NSAs to become more proactive and resourceful. This is not only crucial for long-term sustainability but also for winning the confidence of Malaysian taxpayers.
Under Budget 2024, RM72 million was allocated to sports, which included RM40 million for the National Podium Programme, RM20 million for the Road to Gold (RTG) top-up initiative, and RM12 million for para-athlete development.
Despite not being an Olympic sport, Malaysian bowling consistently produces world champions and world-class athletes.
Most recently, the Malaysian bowling squad emerged as overall champions at the Asian Bowling Championships in Bangkok with a haul of eight gold medals, five silvers, and four bronze, the best by any team in the history of the competition.
So, how did bowling achieve such success in Malaysia?
The key lies in its accessibility. Unlike many other sports in the country, bowling is available to Malaysians from all walks of life.
There are around 60 bowling alleys across the country, all of which are privately owned and operated.
Schools have bowling clubs, corporate companies book alleys for staff events, and families often bring children or host gatherings. Beyond being affordable, bowling alleys are a major draw in shopping malls.
Speaking to Scoop recently, MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok shared that they do not have an extravagant wishlist for the upcoming 2025 National Budget.
Instead, they would be content if there were no budget cuts and if national bowlers could still compete in five or six overseas tournaments.
“We don’t expect an increased budget in these tough times, but we hope to maintain the ability to send our bowlers to five or six international tournaments. We also want to keep the team numbers stable for continuity,” said Maradona.
It is understood that MTBC’s funding from the National Sports Council (NSC) varies each year, while the overall cost to keep the MTBC running is about RM4 million annually.
This covers office operations, coaches’ and players’ salaries, as well as the expenses of sending bowlers to competitions. In addition, MTBC has long-term sponsorship from logistics firm CJ Century, and the organisation makes a modest profit from hosting tournaments.
“Going forward, we are working towards becoming a more self-sustaining organisation,” Maradona added.
The hope is that when Budget 2025 is tabled this week, more corporate companies will be encouraged to invest in sports in Malaysia, particularly if there is an increase in tax exemptions.
Under Budget 2024, companies receive a 10% tax exemption for investment in sports activities. – October 16, 2024