THE Youth and Sports Ministry plan to revolutionise the sports industry in Malaysia. The ministry's goal is to create opportunities for Malaysians to earn a comfortable living from sports.
Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said many are still unaware of the possibilities offered by the sports industry.
He hopes to change this through better support and awareness, which could indirectly help generate self income and boost the country's economic growth.
"We hope to show people that it is possible to generate substantial income from sports," said Faizal during the National Sports Day (HSN) celebration, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in Putrajaya yesterday.
"We will be able to focus on the welfare of athletes if we can generate a big income from the sports industry.
"I always remind our current (batch of) top athletes that now is the time to monetize their popularity.
"Their (personal) brand can bring profits not only for themselves but the sport they represent.
"Of course, we also care greatly about the welfare of our former athletes, and we often encourage and also guide them to be involved in businesses within the sports industry.
"I would also like to encourage unemployed youths to venture into the sports industry. It is a huge industry but not many people are aware of it.
"This (developing sports industry) will be a priority for the ministry from now on."
Faizal said he had discussed with Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to find ways to help 1,968 sports-related business operators, affected by Covid-19, restart their business.
He hopes that Budget 2022, which would be tabled on Oct 29, would include measures to help the group.
On the newly-launched Talent Identification and Development Programme (MyTID), Faizal said the technology used by teachers could help the ministry identify students with talent in the country.
"Through this programme, teachers will be able to key in information about students with potential into the database.
"For example, if the ministry want to find a student, aged below 12, who can clock 12 seconds in the 100m event, we would be able to find information on the student with just a single click," he added.
MyTID is an initiative between the Education Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry.
The programme will involve 500 trained and experienced coaches known as Talent Eagles.
It is an initiative to identify talents as young as seven years old with potential to go far in sports.
