Beijing will decide future course of Malaysian sport

COULD sport, as far as Government funding is concerned, come to a grinding halt should Malaysia return empty-handed from the Beijing Olympics? That would mean a third consecutive Games without a medal and with the world battling rising prices on a daily basis, corners have to be cut with sport expected to do its part.

Indications have already been forthcoming from the corridors of the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council, which have been sugar daddies to national associations since Malaysia won the bid in 1993 to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Development took another meaning altogether after that as NSC began to play a pivotal role in almost all associations.

But with the economic scenario so uncertain today, the 33 Beijing-bound national athletes must realise that the future of sport is in their hands.
Should Malaysia fail, government funding may well be reduced and should this happen, the programmes of many associations will come to a grinding halt.

While the government will remain committed to sports, it won't be a surprise if funding is prioritised -- the deserving getting their dues and the non-achievers placed in cold storage.

Come to think of it, that wouldn't be so bad if it gets the non-achievers, and Malaysian sport has far too many, to start working.

Hockey and football, despite the millions spent, remain in the doldrums and the NSC must be finding it increasingly hard to justify the spending.

The funds, critics scream, would be better used elsewhere and given the problems in both, it is hard to argue in their favour.

But the disease is spreading as more and more associations are plunging into mediocrity without a care in the world.

While one can sympathise that running an association -- especially in the Malaysian context where positions are considered personal to holder -- is not easy, Malaysia should be approaching the Beijing Olympics assured of challenging for honours in several sports.

Instead, we are still dependent on the inconsistent shuttlers with archery, cycling and taekwondo considered outsiders for medals.

And if they fail, wouldn't it be better to divert what many consider is wasted money on sports to essential items like cheaper rice and petrol?

Beijing is where this will be decided.

NST