KUALA LUMPUR – Although Malaysia’s lawn bowls athletes are among the world’s best, there is no assurance that the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) will be readmitted to the National Podium Programme.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh told the press yesterday that she recently met with MLBF president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz to discuss the issue, but it remains under review.
According to Hannah, while the National Sports Council (NSC) has continued to support the MLBF, athletes and coaches are seeking inclusion in the Podium Programme, which provides permanent allowances and salaries.
“Datuk Awalan has asked me to reintegrate lawn bowls into the Podium Programme. Understandably, our men’s team is among the best in the world,” said Hannah.
“However, the matter is still under discussion at the NSC, as we are finalising our list of core sports and reviewing our budget. Budget discussions are ongoing in Parliament.
“Some sports have received increased funding, while others have not. Over the next two months, the NSC board members will be ironing out these details.
“If it were up to me, I’d support every sport because every athlete has potential, but my budget from the Finance Ministry is limited. It’s not that I don’t want to support them; we just need to manage within our means.
“Sometimes, the support we can provide isn’t enough,” she explained, following a courtesy visit from the new Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) office bearers.
Hannah also called on National Sports Associations (NSAs) to uphold good governance and include more female officials and former athletes to enhance their appeal to the public and corporate sponsors.
“As part of our reforms, we’ll introduce a rating system for NSAs to promote good governance.
“We also want to encourage more women in leadership and greater involvement of former athletes. When an ecosystem like this exists, it’s more appealing to the public.
“With more avenues for corporate investment in sport, NSAs may not need to rely so heavily on government funding.
“Currently, the costs to send athletes for training or exposure, especially in team sports, can reach hundreds of thousands—it’s not cheap. So as for lawn bowls, it remains under consideration.
“The Ministry and NSC have always supported the sport, but what they’re asking for is to be back in the Podium Programme, which provides monthly salaries and allowances for athletes and coaches,” Hannah added.
Recently, Scoop reported that the exclusion of lawn bowls from the upcoming Bangkok SEA Games is a major setback for MLBF athletes, potentially affecting their eligibility for the Podium Programme.
National head coach Zuraidi Puteh noted that success at the SEA Games is vital for athletes hoping to progress from the current phase of the Podium Programme to the full-time programme.
Under the current phase, the NSC decides which tournaments athletes can enter, with each event requiring council approval or recognition.
The exclusion of lawn bowlers from the Podium Programme was previously attributed to their performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. – November 7, 2024
