Kuala Lumpur, 11 September 2025 – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is calling for greater investment in Malaysia’s sports sector in the upcoming 2026 budget, arguing that enhanced funding is crucial to boost athlete development, promote community wellbeing, and help the country compete more effectively on the international stage.
Speaking in recent remarks, Yeoh emphasized that while existing support has laid much groundwork—facilities, grassroots programs, and national competitions—the sports ecosystem still faces funding gaps that hinder long-term growth. She has urged that the 2026 budget include allocations for upgraded infrastructure, expanded training opportunities across states, and better financial backing for both elite and amateur athletes, especially in lesser-known or underfunded disciplines.
Among the priorities she highlighted is the need to increase support for youth sports programs, which she views as essential not just for talent identification but also for fostering healthy lifestyles among young Malaysians. Yeoh also emphasized improving access to quality sporting facilities outside of major urban centres, ensuring equitable development for rural communities.
She argued that enhanced funding for coaching, equipment, sports science, and recovery provisions is vital if Malaysia is to strengthen its performance in regional events like the SEA Games and Asia-level competitions. Yeoh stressed that sport is more than competitive success—it also plays a key role in social cohesion, mental health, and national identity.
In addition to increased outright funding, Yeoh proposed exploring public-private partnerships to unlock new resources, leveraging tourism and sponsorships, and streamlining bureaucratic hurdles that often delay facility construction and maintenance.
The Minister hopes that when the Finance Ministry tables the national budget in November, these recommendations will be seriously considered, reflecting sports’ growing importance not just in medals but in wider Malaysian societal and developmental goals.
