ROSMAH Mansor today said although many organisations sought to have her as their patron, believing she can deliver the big bucks, her ability to draw funds has been overstated.

“Usually, people approach me and ask me to be the patron or president (of their organisations) not because of the work, but (my role is) more towards looking for funds,” said the prime minister’s wife at the launch of the Yakeb-Siri Continuous Education Programme on Sports Science Coaching course at the National Sports Institute.

She stressed that she did not have the budget to fund big programmes.

“You can ask (Youth and Sports Minister) Khairy (Jamaluddin). I do not have the budget.

“If I did, the opposition would be asking, how did Rosmah have a budget? They do not know various people have requested for a lot of things.

“I try to help whenever I can, but if I do not have the means, I will direct it to (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak).”

The Continuous Education Progamme on Sports Science Coaching is aimed at providing training for former athletes to become professional coaches.

Eighty people signed up for the four-day course, which began today.

“As Yakeb’s patron, I am delighted they (Yakeb) have taken an initiative for the benefit of former athletes,” said Rosmah.

“I was told some of the former athletes and Yakeb’s members have become coaches, but they could not go further because they do not have a coaching licence from the National Sports Institute.

“Therefore, I am delighted that Yakeb, with the cooperation of the institute, has provided the opportunity for them to take this course.”

Participants will go through a few sessions, such as sports philosophy, biomechanics, and sports anatomy and physiology, during the course.

Among the facilitators involved in the course include legendary athlete Marina Chin.

Rosmah also said RM3 million had been allocated to the National Athlete Welfare Foundation.

Yakeb’s acting chairman, Mohd Azlan Islandar, said the bulk of the funds would be used to pay for former athletes’ hospital bills, as most of them needed medical help after their career.

“After their career, they (former athletes) need medical help and they come to us for help.

“We have been making sure that they get the right treatment.” – November 2, 2017.