KUALA LUMPUR: The Sports Ministry is looking to work out an incentive scheme for private sector venue owners who work together with the ministry to provide affordable access to National Sports Associations (NSA).
Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that her ministry was currently discussing this with the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
"This (incentive) is something that we can discuss (with the private sector)," said Yeoh today.
"In fact, we are currently engaging with MoF to prepare next year's budget.
"There are a number of initiatives (including venues) we are looking to champion. I will make an announcement once the discussions have been concluded."
She said this during a press conference for the One Sport One Facility initiative at the National Sports Institute in Bukit Jalil today.
Yeoh announced that a number of requests for training venues from NSAs have already been fulfilled via the initiative.
The NSAs are: Malaysia Obstacle Racing Sports Association, who have been given access to the Rakan Muda Sports Complex, Bukit Kiara; Malaysia Korfball Association (Panasonic National Sports Complex, Shah Alam); Malaysia Teqball Association (UPM, Serdang); Malaysia Softball Association (UKM, Bangi); Finswimming Association of Malaysia (UPM); Malaysia Sports Aviation Federation (MRANTI Park, Bukit Jalil) and Malaysia Ice Hockey Federation (IOI Icespace Ice Rink, Putrajaya).
"If NSAs don't have a place to train their athletes, how are we supposed to help them win medals?" added Yeoh.
"We are still trying to help a number of other NSAs secure venues where they can train. We urge those with venues and who are interested in helping out to contact the NSAs or the Sports Ministry."
She added that among the sports still in need of a training venue are table tennis and wrestling, both of which require large indoor areas to set up their equipment.