M'SIA KEEN TO RENEW MOTOGP CONTRACT, FINAL CALL WITH MOF - HANNAH 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is awaiting the final decision from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) regarding the extension of the contract to host the Malaysian Grand Prix (GP), which is set to end next year, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

She said the government, in general, welcomes the extension of the contract, but further detailed information on the organisation of the race must be submitted to the Finance Ministry.

“I have met with Dorna Sports (the commercial rights holder of the race) and conveyed the government’s intention to renew the contract. However, the Finance Ministry usually requires data to reassure them that the expenditure (to host MotoGP) will not be wasteful and will generate economic returns for Malaysia.

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“As we know, the organisation of MotoGP usually creates job opportunities. Last year, around 4,000 people gained employment through it. This year too, ticket sales have exceeded 90 per cent and the number of tourists purchasing tickets has also increased,” she said.

She told reporters this after making a working visit to the upgrading project of the Raja Muda Sports Complex for the development of the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Academy in Kampung Baru, here today.

Earlier, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Chief Executive Officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the company is in the final stages of discussions with Dorna Sports regarding the duration of the new contract.

According to Azhan Shafriman, further details on the duration of the new contract, whether it will be for a continuous five-year period or based on a 3+2 structure, will only be announced once approval has been obtained.

The organisation of the 2025 Malaysian GP, which concluded last Sunday, successfully attracted more than 190,977 spectators over the three-day event.

-- BERNAMA