BAM Hopes Sports Matching Grant Will Boost Badminton - Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) hopes that the Sports Matching Grant (GPS) announced in Budget 2027 will continue to assist the sport's governing body as well as other sports associations.

BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said BAM had previously relied heavily on private sector partnerships to execute various programmes; therefore, the RM30 million GPS initiative announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to provide additional support to the governing body.

"I hope that grants like this will assist sports associations, including BAM, given the rising costs involved.

"For instance, managing BAM today requires approximately RM55 million annually," he said when interviewed as a guest on Bernama TV programme *The Nation* today.

However, Tengku Zafrul noted that BAM has not yet determined in detail how it can leverage the GPS, as the implementation mechanism and eligibility criteria for the grant have not yet been finalised.

He said BAM needs to examine the details further before deciding on the benefits it can derive from the initiative.

Commenting on the RM460 million allocation for sports development, he described it as a positive development and expressed hope that sports would receive attention not only regarding athlete achievements but also as an industry capable of contributing to national economic growth.

Tengku Zafrul said sports generate economic spillover effects and possess potential that should be harnessed, much like other sectors such as entertainment.

"The sports sector needs to be viewed as an industry in its own right, rather than solely from the perspective of the sport itself," he said.

He added that this approach is crucial for fostering a more sustainable sports industry, including through private sector involvement and by strengthening the commercial value of the nation's sports.

-- BERNAMA