BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, RTG ATHLETES MUST DELIVER GOLD - OCM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Athletes under Road To Gold (RTG) project have no choice but to deliver the elusive gold for Malaysia in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib asserted that this was to justify the government's significant investment in preparing these athletes to make history at the world’s largest multi-sports event.

“We have to reach towards this (deliver gold), to be fair the programme (RTG) is not just Paris 2024 but also aims towards Los Angeles 2028 (LA 2028), with preparations already underway.

“Whether we can achieve or not it really depend on our athletes on the day of competition,” he told a press conference after sponsorship presentation from nutritious chocolate drinks, Milo to OCM, here, today.

The RTG project, introduced by the Youth and Sports Ministry last year, is a national initiative aimed at coordinating the country’s efforts in its quest to bag Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal, with a focus on Paris 2024 or LA 2028 editions.

So far, RM25 million had been injected for the RTG project which include extra monthly allowance of RM3,000, along with sports science support, competition exposure, and coaching.

Among the RTG athletes that will compete in Paris 2024 include national track cycling ace, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, 2022 men’s doubles champions, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and weightlifter  Mohamad Aniq Kasdan.

Mohd Nazifuddin also cautioned the national contingent, including athletes, against public engagement during the Games due to safety concerns, particularly amidst political tensions in France.

On the other hand, Mohd Nazifuddin expressed delight at the number of sponsorship received surpassing Tokyo 2020, attributing the increase to heightened interest in sports post-COVID-19.

“I can’t give you the exact figure but all I can say is more (than Tokyo 2020) because we have new sponsors on board. During COVID-19 there were not a lot of companies keen to sponsor but now I think interest of sports had increased,” he said.

He also took opportunity to thank Milo for its effort to continue supporting athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence since Malaysia’s first foray into Olympic Games as Malaya in Melbourne 1956.

Meanwhile, Nestle Products Sports Marketing Manager Lim Kerwin said the collaboration with OCM will last until 2028, with Milo providing financial support and in-kind contributions for the national contingent to compete at various multi-sports events.

-- BERNAMA