The vast possibilities in sports are calling for more Malaysian talents. In an effort to boost the sports industry in Malaysia, the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is aiming to create more opportunities for Malaysians to earn a living from sports. 

In a press conference after the launch of the National Sports Day 2021 on Saturday (9^th October), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hilighted plans to increase women’s participation in sports, discover new talents, and generate economic growth through the sports sector. 

Raising awareness on the possibilities to earn an income from the sports industry

According to the minister of KBS, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, many Malaysians are still unaware of what the sports industry in Malaysia can offer. He hopes to show people that it is possible to generate substantial income from the industry.

To broaden the perspectives on sports, Faizal said better support and awareness would be needed.

We will be able to focus on the welfare of athletes if we can generate a big income from the sports industry.

He mentioned how Malaysia’s current top athletes can monetize their popularity and bring profits for themselves as well as the sport they represent.

Not leaving out the former athletes, Faizal said the ministry would also often encourage and guide them to be involved in businesses within the sports industry.

Moreover, he encourages unemployed youths to venture into the industry too.

It is a huge industry but not many people are aware of.

Launching new Talent Identification and Development Programme (MyTID)

The MyTID programme is an application developed with the National Sports Institute and a few universities.

According to Faizal, the system will allow teachers to enter the details of students with potential into the database. It will serve as a platform to source young talents in sports, from as young as seven years old.

For example, if the ministry wants to find a student, aged below 12, who can clock 12 seconds in the 100m event, we would be able to find information on the student with just a single click.

Developing sports industry as the priority of the ministry

Faizal said discussions with the Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz were made to find ways to assist sports-related businesses. 

He hopes to help a total of 1,968 business operators that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the industry to restart their business. 

The goal is to include more measures to help these groups in Budget 2022, which will be tabled on 29 October 2021.

(Source: New Straits Times)