KBS, NSC To Consider MNCF's Requests - Hannah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the National Sports Council (NSC) are ready to consider the three requests from the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF).

Its Minister, Hannah Yeoh said the requests involved upgrading the Velodrome Rakyat in Ipoh, Perak; providing special allocations for the national road racing squad; and channelling financial allocations to the association to organise competitions.

"These are their (MNCF) requests, and we will decide. If there is a request, we will study it first. As for the Velodrome Rakyat, I will visit the site with MNCF after the Parliamentary session ends. 

"Their request for allocation for the road racing squad is long-term... they are asking for permanent funding. There was a time (the allocation was there), but it was stopped in 2013,” Hannah told reporters after today's meeting between MNCF and KBS at the NSC.

In another development, she said discussions with the NSC to reinstate lawn bowls into the Podium Programme are in the final stages.

Hannah added that she had met with the Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz regarding Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple being ranked the world number one male lawn bowler.

"And this matter (reinstating lawn bowls into the Podium Programme) is in the final stages of discussion at the NSC level," she said.

Meanwhile, Hannah reminded sports associations not to host tournaments, especially at the international level, without the ministry's permission.

She emphasised that every association needs to ensure they have sufficient funds so that every competition can be organised regularly without problems.

"The Cabinet has requested that every association bidding to organise international tournaments to get the minister’s permission first because there have been many cases where the associations lacked funds but proceeded anyway, leading to poorly organised events.

"So, there were cases of participants suffering from food poisoning and so on, thus tarnishing Malaysia's image. As such, the government has asked that we send a warning letter. KBS has also sent (out letters) to all associations (reminding them) that they must financial ability and get the permission of the government," she said.

-- BERNAMA