BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 15 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has agreed to increase the allocation of the Community Sports Fund (DSK) for Penang after the state became one of the earliest and fastest to fully utilise the RM800,000 fund channelled this year.

Its minister, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, said the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) will submit an application to secure the additional allocation.

“Penang is among the earliest and fastest to exhaust the Community Sports Fund. JBSN will submit an application, and I have agreed for Penang to receive additional funding.

“I urge youth organisations to use the funds as best as possible, move down to the grassroots level, and ensure that programmes continue to be implemented,” he said when officiating the state-level National Youth Day 2026 celebrations tonight.

He added that the DSK does not merely support sports activities and efforts to produce more athletes, but also serves as a platform to connect young people with the local community.

Mohammed Taufiq added that KBS has also channelled the Sports Matching Grant for Window 1 and Window 2 totalling RM500,000, as well as Assistance to Youth Organisations for the Year 2026 amounting to RM106,000 to Penang.

According to him, the allocation represents a government investment to expand access to community sports activities, empower youth organisations, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and increase youth participation in youth and sports development programmes.

He also urged youth organisations in Penang to actively apply for Sejati Madani funds after the Prime Minister approved an allocation of RM250 million for the benefit of youth organisations across the country.

He said youth development programmes need to be implemented continuously rather than as one-off events so that they can deliver a high impact and direct benefits to the target group.

Also present was the state youth, sports, and health committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen. — Bernama