PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is looking to emulate Japan's sports development system in the hope of capturing the nation's first ever gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh recently visited the Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) in Japan with the Road to Gold (RTG) committee to gain a better understanding of what it takes to win gold medals.
The RTG programme is intended to give cream-of-the-crop athletes the support they need to challenge for gold at the Paris Olympics next year as well as Los Angeles 2028.
"We had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NSSU in February, this visit was to take a closer look at their sports development structure. We are looking to tap their expertise," said Yeoh today.
"Why Japan? They are an Asian country who have won many gold medals at the Olympics.
"Their university (NSSU) alone have produced more than 40 gold medalists. We on the other hand have yet to win one (Olympic) gold as a nation.
"We have been in discussion with their president and NSSU have assured us they are committed to helping us. They are the experts."
NSSU have produced 137 medallists for Japan at the Olympics and Paralympics.
Yeoh added that the Sports Ministry was looking to develop a strategy to reduce Malaysia's dependence on sports such as badminton, cycling and diving to produce medals at the Olympics.
"We actually have many more athletes with potential, they can be developed with the right strategy. This is why we are working together with NSSU," said Yeoh.
"Based on our observation, the biggest difference between us (Malaysia and Japan) is that they start talent development at a very early stage when the athletes are in school."
Yeoh was speaking after officiating the Safe Sport Code pledge of support signing ceremony with the Education Ministry as well as the Higher Education Ministry in Putrajaya today.