29 Podium Programme athletes are top six

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-nine athletes who are absorbed into the Podium Programme currently are already in the top six position in the world, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the achievements of the athletes from eight different sports were to be proud of and also exceeded the preliminary target of 10 athletes.

“The 29 athletes are from squash, cycling, diving, karate, sepak takraw, silat olahraga, para athletics and para badminton.

“We are targeting at least 16 more athletes to be listed in the top six in the world in their respective sports next year,” he said during the question and answer session at Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Khairy was answering to a question from Anuar Abd Manap (BN-Sekijang) on the athlete preparatory programme for the Commonwealth Games next year.

On the upcoming athletic improvement programme for the post-2017 SEA Games to face the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games next year, Khairy said it was implementing a thorough preparation in all aspects.

He said this included sports science and medical support services, collaboration with sports associations and coaches, training exposures locally and abroad, participating in competitive championships at the international level and psychological assistance. - Bernama