Other sports should not be neglected, says Fitri
2019 budget allocation for sports is focused on realising Malaysia’s gold medal target at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, but the Sports Ministry have been warned against neglecting other athletes in the process.
On Friday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced an allocation of RM100 million to prepare athletes for the 2020 Games.
However, only three sports that are listed under Tier 1 of the restructured National Podium Programme — badminton, cycling and diving — are expected to benefit from it.
National hockey player Fitri Saari said both the Sports and Finance Ministries should work closely to make sure no one gets left behind.
“Take hockey for example, the national team are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Olympics through the second qualifying window. We have to do our best and manage the funds well.
“Having said that, I hope other sports and athletes don’t get left behind or neglected because not everyone will go through an Olympic qualifier.
“Sports like bowling and squash are not even competed at the Olympics but they have contributed a lot for the country,” said Fitri.
At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Malaysian contingent was made up of 32 athletes from 10 sports (archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, diving, golf, sailing, shooting, swimming and weightlifting), but only badminton, cycling and diving came home with medals. The three sports remain the country’s best bet for podium finishes at the Tokyo Games two years from now.