RM1 Million Grant to Continue Weightlifting Legacy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Weightlifting Association (PABM) hopes to obtain an annual grant of RM1 million to strengthen grassroots development and ensure that the country does not run out of successors capable of continuing the legacy of national weightlifting champions.
Its President, Datuk Ayub Rahmat said that the additional funds are greatly needed to empower development programmes at the state level, besides helping state associations to detect and polish new talents earlier before they are absorbed into the national squad.
He said that although PABM receives existing funding from the National Sports Council (MSN), the special grant could ease management cost burdens while expanding talent scouting efforts nationwide.
“We are grateful to the President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (MOM), Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, who always understands and supports PABM’s aspirations.
“This annual grant not only helps the association’s management but also enables development in the states to be empowered.
“Our key athletes such as Mohamad Aniq Kasdan and several others are getting older.
“That is why we need to find replacements earlier so that the continuity of the country’s performance can be maintained,” he said.
Ayub said that PABM is not chasing athlete quantity alone, but instead prioritising talents who truly have the potential to compete on the international stage.
He said that potential athletes need to be identified from a young age before being exposed to quality training, nutrition programmes, coaching as well as participation in international tournaments to accelerate their development process.
Previously, MOM in a statement issued expressed full support for PABM’s application to obtain an annual allocation of RM1 million from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
It said that the application deserves to be considered because weightlifting has proven its potential as a contributor of gold medals on the international stage.
Utusan Malaysia