KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said in her response to politicians’ involvement in sports associations that ideally sports should be kept away from politics.

However, Hannah Yeo did not exclude the importance of influential people in obtaining sufficient funds and solving the financial shortcomings of sports federations.

“However, to ensure that a ‘reset’ of sport in this country occurs, associations must have sufficient funds to develop the sport,” she said.

“That is also why when they want to raise funds, they look for influential people who can help them raise funds,” she said after the opening of the 2023 National Martial Arts Championships at Titiwangsa Stadium here today. he told reporters.

She said the ministry would first work with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to “reset” the country’s sport with the presence of young talent in schools and universities.

“If we want to make sure we have the biggest platform for these new talents, we can’t just rely on MSN (National Sports Council), Putrajaya or the national level.

“We need to do more and with the RM40 million subsidy from the Ministry of Finance this year, we can hold more tournaments where young kids like today can come together and develop a new interest in the sport. I believe it can be done,” she said.

The issue of a “reset” for Malaysian sports became a hot topic after the Malaysian national team’s poor performance, falling short of its goal of 40 gold medals and finishing seventh at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. — Bernama