PUTRAJAYA: The Look East Policy will be used as a basis for sports development in the country, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
He said the ministry was committed to continue and improve on youth exchange programmes and sports development in line with the policy especially for football, badminton and sports science.
Following this, he said the Japanese Ambassador Dr Makio Miyagawa had offered Japanese training grounds to Malaysian athletes.
“Dr Miyagawa has invited Malaysian athletes to be trained in Japan for the preparation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“We have also agreed to share our knowledge and expertise to develop certain areas in sports,” he added.
Syed Saddiq and Dr Miyagawa were at the ministry’s headquarters to attend the 45th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) Contingent and Sponsorship Introduction Ceremony.
Syed Saddiq said Malaysia also hoped to share Japan’s knowledge and technology in the development of sports science.
“We hope there will be transfer in knowledge and technology. We want our staff to learn from them and bring the knowledge back to Malaysia,” he added.
On the SSEAYP, he hoped the youths would learn and emulate Japanese’s working culture and improve on their leadership skills.
“Its not about what they can learn, but also what they can offer,” he added.
Twenty-nine Malaysian youths were selected for SSEAYP 2018 programme. They will board the Nippon Maru ship that will set sail from Oct 23 to Dec 13.
The cruise involves 319 youths from ASEAN. It will set sail in Japan with stopovers in Muara, Brunei; Manila, Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh City; before returning to Tokyo, Japan.
On a separate matter, Syed Saddiq said ministry would work towards providing equal benefits and incentives for paralympians.
“Our main priority is to take care of athletes’ welfare including providing equal press coverage, financial incentives and sponsorship,” he added.