A HIGH-level committee (HLC) has been established to focus on talent development models for combat sports, athletics and swimming, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who will chair the HLC meeting on June 7, said the committee was formed on cooperation between the Youth and Sports Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and Education Ministry.

“The HLC serves to ensure the country does not fall behind and keeps pace with countries with advanced sports development,” he said after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development meeting in Putrajaya today.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and her deputy, Adam Adli Abdul Halim.

Zahid said the HLC will look at discovering new talent among security force and enforcement agency personnel so they can be included in national sports development.

He said the cabinet committee decided to invite government-linked companies to finance sports programmes to spur development.

It also proposed increasing tax exemptions for sponsors to encourage their involvement in the sports sector, he said.

The cabinet committee discussed Malaysia’s performance at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games and athlete preparation programmes for the next two editions of the biennial event.

Yeoh said the establishment of the HLC will prepare the country’s athletes for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand and the Olympics. – Bernama, May 30, 2023.