MSN to take over Podium Programme from January

PUTRAJAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has confirmed the Podium Programme which will undergo a holistic restructuring will be fully managed by the National Sports Council (MSN) effective early next year.

Syed Saddiq said the new programme would be using the tiering system to allow flexibility in selecting athletes as well as implementing the programme more efficiently and setting targets easier to implement.

He said the programme would be offering new contracts to athletes and coaches and those chosen are required to achieve +Key Performance Indicators (KPI).

“The programme will continue beyond 2020. MSN will be meeting all sport associations in the middle of next month to finalise contracts.

“ISN will continue to play its roles especially in sport science. The programme will be tightened and MSN will be responsible,” he told reporters after chairing a High Performance Command and Control Committee Meeting at Menara KBS.

According to an MSN statement, the first level will focus on sports with participation in 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympics.

The second level will focus on winning medals at Commonwealth Games and Asian Games as well as the 2018 Para Asian Games. The third level will be for competition at SEA Games as well Para ASEAN Games 2019/2021.

The fourth level will place sports not competed in any games but these sports will be given assistance such as grants depending on the performance at international level.