Comment on RM40-mln World Cup 2018 telecast misinterpreted — Snowdan

KUCHING: Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan has no issue with the live telecast of World Cup 2018 matches on RTM, as long as the RM40-million cost is not covered by money that could be better spent elsewhere.

“If they have already secured the sponsorship of RM30 million from private companies for the World Cup 2018 live telecast, I think it is good as long as the money is not from the government or public funds that could be used for something else for the benefit of the people,” he said in a statement released yesterday.

In stating his point, Snowdan believed that his recent views and opinions on the matter had been misconstrued by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.

“The key issue that I had highlighted was merely on the RM40 million, expected to be spent on this, coming from the government or from public funds. Therefore, I believe such move is unwise because the money could have been channelled elsewhere, or used for other useful means for the benefits of the people.”

Calling himself a “true- blue football fan”, Snowdan pointed out that one of the possible places to spend that money would be on developing a good football programme that would improve the Malaysian football team so that they could at least qualify for major tournaments in the near future – just like Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.

“The money can also be used for the development of our national athletes who can take over champions like Dato Lee Chong Wei, Pandelela Rinong and many others, who need a good pool of back-up squad to carry on Malaysia’s challenge.”

Snowdan also “categorically denied” the allegations made by the Bandar Kuching MP whom he viewed as having politicised the matter.

“It is unprofessional for him (Dr Yii) to drag everyone else in when the key issue is merely on the exorbitant amount of government or public money to be spent in bringing the World Cup 2018 live matches to every household in the country.”

Snowdan also said it saddened him that Dr Yii had failed to see the country’s need for funds to boost the development of sports and games in Malaysia, including football.

“RM40 million can go a long way towards achieving such goals and objectives.” Snowdan also highlighted the recent news on Malaysia having to reduce contingent for the 2018 Asian Games, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from Aug 2 to Sept 2, due to financial constraints.

“We could have used the RM40 million or part of it to send more of our young budding athletes to compete with the best from across the Asian region.”

Snowdan also noted that Yii could have missed the fact that many Malaysians are now ITsavvy in that many football fans can live-stream the World Cup 2018 matches, in addition to heading to the nearest food establishments catering to football fans.

“I personally do not see any local football fan being left out from the excitement of World Cup 2018 simply because we are now living in a digital world where everyone is well-connected to one another; where almost everything can go viral on the Internet.”