PUTRAJAYA: Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced on Tuesday that the Podium Programme will not be abolished but instead restructured by January next year.
This includes the Kita Juara programme which will now come under one roof for better management by the National Sports Council (NSC).
Speaking to the press after chairing the High Performance Command and Control Committee (C&C) meeting at his office here, Syed Saddiq said the new programme would comprise four tiers and will also be more flexible.
"After our C&C meeting today, we have decided on three main things. Firstly is the restructuring of the existing Podium Programme. It will now be assessed based on performance and there will be four tiers.
"Tier one will comprise sports that have the potential to deliver gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
"Secondly, we also want to look beyond 2020, therefore we have Tier two which will focus on potential sports at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games.
"Tier three is for the 2019 Sea Games and Para Asean Games, while Tier four will focus on sports that are not included in the main sporting events but still have their respective world championships," said Syed Saddiq.
Adding on, Syed Saddiq said the revolving open door policy will allow National Sports Associations to improve and be considered for promotion to the higher tier.
"Take karate for example, they are currently not listed under Tier one and this is because of their recent performance. Now if they show improvement, and by improvement I mean delivering the medals, then they can move up into Tier one because of this revolving open door policy.
"Thirdly, we will look at all existing contracts (athletes and coaches) and tailor them towards a performance and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) based contract.
"These contracts will vary to make sure our funds are also well managed."
Syed Saddiq confirmed that his ministry together with the NSC and National Sports Institute (NSI) will meet all National Sports Associations next month to finalise details of the new restructured programme.
It will be managed by the NSC and assisted by NSI in terms of sports science.
On who will head the new programme, Syed Saddiq added, "As you all know Tim Newenham (former Podium Programme director) has resigned and his term has also ended. I will leave this to the NSC to decide on the next course of action."
The Podium Programme was initiated two years ago by then Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in an effort to help Malaysia win the elusive Olympic gold medal.
Sports based on Tiers
Focus sports based on four tiers for graphics
Tier One
Olympics 2020 — Badminton, Diving and Cycling
Tier Two
2022 Asian Games — Bowling, Skuash, Sepak Takraw, Cycling, Sailing, Equestrian, Diving, Hockey, Taekwondo, Karate, Archery
2022 Commonwealth Games — Diving, Weightlifting, Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Squash, Table Tennis
Tier Three
2019 Sea Games — Swimming, Diving, Badminton, Cycling, Basketball, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Karate, Archery, Shooting, Muay Thai, Athletics, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Skuash, Taekwondo, Bowling, Boxing and Wushu
Tier Four
Other sports not listed in main sporting events but have their respective world championships
Para Athletes
Tier One
2020 Paralympics — Athletics, Swimming, Cycling, Badminton and Powerlifting
Tier Two
2022 Asian Para Games 2022 — Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Cycling, Lawn Bowls, Swimming, Table Tennis, Powerlifting, Sailing and Bowling
2020 Commonwealth Games — Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting and Shooting
Tier Three
2019 Asean Para Games — Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Cycling, Boccia, Football (VI), Football (CP), Goalball, Table Tennis, Powerlifting, Swimming, Shooting, Bowling, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Basketball and Chess
Tier Four
Other sports not listed in main sporting events but have their respective world championships