KUCHING: The Youth and Sports Ministry is looking to use football as a model to help states upgrade their facilities in other sports.
Currently, states can apply for an RM500,000 grant from the ministry to upgrade their football stadiums. This is to ensure that the condition of their facilities does not disrupt the M-League.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is looking to offer states the same amount for other sports.
The government is currently placing an emphasis on a number of sports - athletics, aquatics and combat sports.
"Our budget to upgrade the facilities is the same and we hope that the state governments will move in sync with us. This is because sports (development) falls under both the federal and state governments," said Yeoh today.
"I'm also in the process of visiting facilities, especially for swimming and diving. I would like to also highlight that having facilities is not enough, you also need coaches otherwise you will not have progress.
"During the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) opening ceremony many Menteri Besars and Chief Ministers were present because they determine the budget for each state.
"It is not too late for them to look at their respective state's achievements here (Sukma) and take that into consideration when deciding on next year's budget (for sports).
"For smaller states, I feel for them as their budget is limited. This is why I want to use the same model we have used in football (to help them).
"We can give each state an RM500,000 grant but they need to play their part. I think this is only fair."
Yeoh said that states should look at both medal potential as well as interest from the public before deciding on which sports to invest in.
Yeoh was speaking after watching the men's 3 metre springboard final at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya today.