BADMINTON TOPS COMMUNITY SPORTS FUND GRANTS, ACCOUNTING 40 PCT OF EVENTS - HANNAH

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Badminton continues to show the strongest grassroots momentum in Malaysia, accounting for 40 per cent of all applications under the government’s Community Sports Fund (Dana Sukan Komuniti) grant this year.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that out of 2,402 events applied by states across Malaysia this year, 905 were badminton events. 

“That is 40 per cent of all applications and the total cost to the government was only RM903,000, in contrast football only had 362 events but cost RM3.6 million.

“This Community Sports Fund is open for any clubs, youth clubs, and sports clubs to apply to the Youth and Sports Ministry for them to organise local tournaments and programs,” she said at the Penang Badminton Association (PBA) 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Setia Spice Convention Centre, Bayan Lepas here tonight.

Also present were Human Resource Minister Steven Sim, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.

Hannah also gave assurances that the government will continue supporting the growth of badminton in Malaysia, noting that the sport has never failed to deliver medals at the Olympics.

Meanwhile, she also praised Penang’s century-long contribution to the sport, including the development of legends such as Chong Wei while commended PBA’s plan to establish a Northern Region Badminton Academy Malaysia to complement the academy in Kuala Lumpur.

“We can work towards that project, this is a great initiative,” she said.

Recognising PBA’s achievements, which sustained largely through private sponsorships, Hannah announced a RM38,000 allocation as ‘seed money’ for the association.

PBA’s legacy spans generations, from Thomas Cup legends such as Datuk Eddy Choong and Datuk Tan Aik Huang to modern icon Chong Wei, all of whom helped cement the state’s reputation on the international stage.

-- BERNAMA