KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The government will continue to prioritise the welfare of athletes to ensure the country is able to achieve more success at the international level, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said sport is not merely a recreational activity but an important strategy within the MADANI Government framework to elevate the dignity of the people and the nation, as well as to build a more inclusive society that transcends race and background.
He added that while attention is currently focused on the economic transformation agenda and artificial intelligence (AI), sports development remains an important national agenda given its significant role in building a more inclusive and holistic society.
“Just as the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called for reduced spending in sports events or for moderation, I have stated that if there is surplus allocation, it should instead be channelled towards athletes’ welfare.
“We also emphasise that if we want success in sports, the focus must be on athletes’ welfare. That must be the number one factor, apart from providing better and more comfortable training facilities,” he said when speaking at the 2025 National Sports Awards at the National Sports Council (MSN) here today.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol and MSN director-general Jefri Ngadirin.
