Sponsors of associations and sports should be given a tax cut, said Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Companies that sponsor sports associations and events should be given a tax cut for their contribution to the development of national sports, said Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi.

Bernama reported, Zahid who is also the chairman of the Sports Development Cabinet Committee said therefore, he will ask the Ministry of Finance to consider the matter in drafting the 2025 Budget that will be presented this October.

“This is to attract continuous sponsorship and indirectly it will also reduce the dependency and burden of government funds.

“Malaysia as a ‘sporting nation’ should establish good relations so that we will be able to realize the government’s goal so that the country is at the forefront in the field of sports. The excellence of national sports is our shared responsibility,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the Sports Writers Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100 PLUS 2023 Awards ceremony here, yesterday.

Zahid also suggested that SAM recognize and award sports writers and commentators who actively comment on sports events through social media platforms.

He said this is because there are now many individuals who are successful in commenting on sports events involving national athletes in a professional and unassuming manner.

“I take an example, when the Sepak Takraw World Cup Championship that took place in Kuala Lumpur recently, I followed directly when I was abroad and I was very interested in the comments made.

“In my opinion, SAM that will hold its awards next year should also take their contributions into account,” he said.

In the meantime, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh who was also present said she hoped local sports media practitioners would continue to advocate and educate the people positively about sports.

He also wants sports media practitioners to more often write and publish works that can inspire the country’s athletes to perform enthusiastically at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.