Bernama reported youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh as saying she had discussed with Olympic Council of Malaysia president Norza Zakaria on developing more organised administration with the involvement of former athletes.
“We are currently discussing how to involve former athletes and the administrative skills they need.
“We have to make sure our athletes are ready. This means they don’t just play sports, but need to get degrees so that they know how to administer if they want to play a role in sports associations after they retire,” she said.
She told reporters this after the Tenaga Malaysia Energy Literacy Programme session with sports industry activists at the National Sports Council today.
Yesterday, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet had decided not to allow ministers or deputy ministers to contest or hold the presidency in any sports association.
As such, Fahmi and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced their withdrawal from the contest for the presidency of the Kuala Lumpur Football Association.
Separately, Yeoh said associations that failed to follow the guidelines of drag and motocross sports would face blacklisting and would not be eligible to receive grants from the youth and sports ministry.
Speaking at another press conference, she said associations that wanted to organise motorsports must be able to comply with the more comprehensive guidelines provided by the Motorsports Association of Malaysia.
“We (the ministry) will file a police report if it (violation of guidelines) occurs. The sports commissioner can blacklist any association or club that is stubborn and they will not get allocations.
“We will find a way to ensure only those in the sports industry who are responsible can be active in motorsports,” she said after launching the book on guidelines today.
The updated guidelines cover identification, legislation, enforcement, safety and organisational management for motorsports disciplines.
MAM president Mokhzani Mahathir said any drag and motocross-related races that did not receive approval from the ministry would be categorised as illegal races.
“MAM places these guidelines as a priority for every race organisation, especially drag and motocross.
“This focus on safety and professionalism will foster a more sustainable and inclusive motorsport community that can thrive for years to come,” he said.