KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh downplayed the possibility of Malaysia bidding to host any major international multi-sport games in the foreseeable future.
Malaysia recently turned down an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation to step in as replacement hosts for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, largely due to the substantial funding it would require.
Australian state Victoria, which was scheduled to host the 2026 Games, withdrew last year citing escalating costs - expected to reach up to A$7 billion.
Certain parties have suggested that bidding for the 2038 Asian Games would be a more worthwhile target.
Yeoh said Malaysia should focus more on talent development.
"What we need to do now is to make sure that our talent development is not affected," said Yeoh yesterday, when asked whether Malaysia should bid to host the 2038 Asian Games.
"So whatever extra budget I can get, I want to channel back into the sports ecosystem to ensure that we have more athletes we can send (to international competitions).
"There is no point for us to be host (of a competition) but our athletes don't win anything. That is why many netizens supported the decision to turn down hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"Many in the sports industry also said that it would be better to pump the funds back into talent development. That should be the focus."
Yeoh added that there are two important elements when it comes to talent development.
"The first is at the school level. I will discuss with the education minister about making physical education a priority in school, not just academics," she said.
"The second is that sports associations have to play their part and create more competitions at the grassroots level.
"The talent that comes through the ranks until the elite level should have competed in all levels of competition prior to that. Only then will we get the best."
Yeoh disclosed that the High Level Committee for sports has requested that the Malaysia School Sports Council competitions at district and national levels be opened up to all schools and even children who are not schooling.
This includes international schools, private schools and even tahfiz schools.
