KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM3.53 million was spent last year on athletes in preparation for the Paris Olympics.
The figures given by Road to Gold (RTG) Coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam are: badminton players (RM1,182,645.93),
professional shuttlers (RM1,068,085.24), cyclists (RM465,239.66), divers (RM458,177.45), hockey team (RM342,903.62) and weightlifters (RM20,025.44).
Stuart said the money used was only as a top up for the athletes, and did not include the money spent from the Podium Programme.
"The money spent for 2024 is not included and we will know after the end of the Paris Olympics in August," said Stuart.
Sport Minister Hannah Yeoh said they hope to have more private companies coming forward to support the national athletes.
"At the moment we have a foreign GLC which is willing to give cars to our athletes who win medals - gold, silver or bronze at the Paris Olympics.
"We hope local companies will also do their part in supporting our athletes," said Yeoh.
Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria said they just cannot always rely on the government to fund the national athletes.
"We hope the private sector will do their part in helping the national athletes. We also hope that all Malaysians will rally behind our national athletes to show their support for the Paris Olympics.
Norza, who is also BAM president, said badminton player Ng Tze Yong has successfully undergone a back surgery.
"Tze Yong will undergo rehabilitation and we hope he will recover soon."
