POLITICIANS should not take up positions in sports organisations, to prevent political interference that could hamper the growth of sports and athletes, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said.

He said this during the debates on the 11th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in the Dewan Rakyat this evening, after Hasan Baharom (PH-Tampin) said political interference could ruin the quality of sports.

“Politics make it difficult, which is why for the first time, the board members of the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute of Malaysia are former athletes,” he said.

Syed Saddiq said he did not have the power to order politicians to stay out of sports organisations but he “firmly advised” politicians against accepting the presidency or chair they might be offered in such organisations.

“If (you accept), there will be letters sent to the ministry seeking extra funds. In other countries, there is rarely such a practice. It should all be merit- and performance-based.

“But I cannot force. The ministry cannot interfere (in the affairs of) sports associations. The implication can be huge if we interfere.”

Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) said it might be unfair to talented politicians who genuinely want to help improve the quality of a certain sport if the minister gave a “general instruction” like that.

“If there are constraints like that, then some of us will become isolated from mainstream sports.

“Some of the elected reps may be popular in the sports scene, which is why the sports associations want them to take up posts.

“You can put in a condition that says the ministry cannot interfere,” she said.

Syed Saddiq said such appointments became a problem when they were offered to politicians simply because they were in positions of power.

On Noor Amin Ahmad (PH-Kangar) saying that football in Malaysia heavily relied on the government and should move towards the private sector for support, the minister said he agrees.

Syed Saddiq said all football associations (FAs) should play their roles and reach out to the corporate sector for support and sponsors.

“State FAs have financial issues. Sometimes they can’t afford to pay salaries. They take in some players, offer high salaries but when they can’t pay, the bill is sent to the ministry.

“It causes the quality of the sport to fall. I support how Johor does it. Private companies sponsor and support the local football team to grow it. I hope others can do this too,” he said.

He also cited how the CIMB banking group has supported the cycling and tennis sports, grooming young talent. – October 31, 2018.