Ensuring Athletes’ Welfare Key To National Sporting Success – Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to prioritise the welfare of athletes to ensure the country is able to achieve more success at the international level, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said sport is not merely a recreational activity but an important strategy within the MADANI Government framework to elevate the dignity of the people and the nation, as well as to build a more inclusive society that transcends race and background.

He added that while attention is currently focused on the economic transformation agenda and artificial intelligence (AI), sports development remains an important national agenda given its significant role in building a more inclusive and holistic society.

“Just as the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called for reduced spending in sports events or for moderation, I have stated that if there is surplus allocation, it should instead be channelled towards athletes’ welfare.

“We also emphasise that if we want success in sports, the focus must be on athletes’ welfare. That must be the number one factor, apart from providing better and more comfortable training facilities,” he said when speaking at the 2025 National Sports Awards at the National Sports Council (MSN) here today.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol and MSN director-general Jefri Ngadirin.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that despite current economic challenges, various sports events and programmes will continue through the implementation of appropriate cost-saving measures.

He also gave an assurance in the Cabinet meeting that sports activities would not be affected, while ensuring that athletes’ welfare is always safeguarded.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my highest appreciation to the Youth and Sports Ministry, MSN and sports associations for understanding that we are not exempt from the impact of the economic slowdown, by organising programmes on a more modest scale and with prudent spending.

“Even though there are financial constraints, I have assured Taufiq and the Cabinet that sports activities and athletes’ welfare will continue to be fully safeguarded… that is my assurance,” he said.

The Prime Minister also shared Malaysia’s economic performance last year and in the first quarter of this year, which recorded better-than-initially-forecast growth despite global economic uncertainties, including rising world oil prices.

He said the development proved that the country’s economy is on a commendable trajectory as a result of continuous efforts by all parties to ensure stability and sustainable growth.

The Prime Minister explained that economic forecasts are usually made conservatively and that there are sometimes differences between initial projections and actual performance.

“I look at the forecasts made in sports events, which have achieved better-than-expected performance because these forecasts usually contain a bit of exaggeration.

“In our country, there are two things we can be proud of when it comes to forecasts, namely sports and economic growth,” said Anwar.

The Prime Minister said the rise in global oil prices had also impacted the current economic situation, with prices that were previously around USD70 per barrel now increasing to nearly USD100 per barrel.

“Coming back to the country’s economic resilience, we must continue to work hard and learn how to achieve better performance, just as we focus on achievements in sports,” he said.

-- BERNAMA