KBS to strengthen athlete support coordination ahead of LA28

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is strengthening the management and coordination of support for high-performance athletes to prevent a recurrence of issues such as those involving national cycling ace Datuk Azizulhasni Awang.

The ministry, through the National Sports Council (NSC), will develop the Guidelines for the Management and Coordination of Support for High-Performance Athletes as a reference for athletes, National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the NSC.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is strengthening the management and coordination of support for high-performance athletes to prevent a recurrence of issues such as those involving national cycling ace Datuk Azizulhasni Awang.

This was stated in a written parliamentary reply published on Parliament’s website today (Nov 12), in response to a question from Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam), who sought clarification on the government’s measures to ensure that support-related issues previously experienced by Azizulhasni would not affect other athletes preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28).

Among the improvements is a clearer support framework for athletes under the “Olympic Pathway”, through the Road to Gold (RTG) or Podium programmes, including requiring athletes to submit written training plans, performance targets and estimated expenditure.

“The NSC has appointed sports managers to serve as the primary points of contact between athletes, their respective NSAs and the NSC for those under the Olympic Pathway.

“Additionally, the NSC ensures that all decisions made by its Board or committees concerning elite athletes are communicated in writing to the athletes and their respective NSAs, with records maintained of both the dates the decisions are made and communicated,” the Ministry said.

The ministry has also stipulated that decisions on athletes’ applications must be made within seven working days of receiving complete documentation, with the outcomes communicated in writing within three working days of the decisions being finalised.

For Olympic qualifying tournaments, the NSC and the respective NSAs will establish a decision-making schedule at the beginning of each season to ensure that funding and participation are confirmed well ahead of tournament registration deadlines. – BERNAMA