KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 ― Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants the image of national sports to be better and cleaner in the future without being bogged down by issues of corruption, especially in match fixing which could hamper the growth of the athletes.
“We see our sports now often tainted by various issues which ruin the image of the whole community, including in football matches where the bookies play a major role, not the talent, skills and perseverance (of the athletes).
“This is unfair to the sportsmen and people of Malaysia who are supporters and fans of sports in the country,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking at the presentation of awards to winners of the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) ― 100PLUS 2017 award here tonight.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, assured that the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission would lead the fight against corruption among national athletes.
Also present was Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar.
Ahmad Zahid said the government, apart from national sports associations and bodies, had given deep commitment in putting a good landmark on the image of sports so that issues such as corruption should be dealt with together.
“Let only those who are clean and talented based on their training be on the championship platform,” he said.
In a similar vein, the deputy prime minister said in realising the country’s goal of producing more sporting champions, the Youth and Sports Ministry would be given bigger allocations.
“Sports champions are not born because of origins, the sports ability and personality of a person is nurtured because of continuous trainings and diligence.
“So in my opinion, it should be implemented in a structured and sustainable way, it must be consistent and of course KBS, God willing, will be given more allocation,” he said.
In spearheading the sports sector forward, Ahmad Zahid also expressed hope that KBS and sorts bodies would continue to play a role.
“What’s more by 2050, we will place our country as the top 20 nation in the world. So it is hoped that the remaining 32 years will be fully utilised to put a more glorious landmark,” he said.
The annual event witnessed the national track cycling champion Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and world para athletics champion Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli named as the winner of the Best Athlete and Best Paralympic Athlete Awards.
Water ski sports athlete Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah was selected as the recipient of the Young Athlete Award while the women’s elite bowling team and national professional golfer Gavin Kyle Green were named the recipients of the Special Award.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was selected as the recipient of the Dynamic Association Award.
At the event, SAM paid tribute to OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar in recognition of his contribution to the development of spirts in the country.
Recognition was also accorded to sports media practitioners which saw, among others, Bernama News Channel journalist Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan and cameraman Muhammad Salim being named as the winners in the Best Electronic Media News Report category.
In addition, several media practitioners were named winners in the Best News Reporting (Print Media), Best News Review (Print Media), Best News Review (Electronic Media), Best Special Report (Open) and Best Sports Photography. ― Bernama
