AN allocation of RM20 million to every state for the purpose of building a drag race circuit, as proposed by former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, would not be sufficient since the cost of maintenance would be high, and safety must also be given priority.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the allocation tabled in the previous Budget 2023 was never debated and approved in parliament, and in fact there was also no input from the Youth and Sports Ministry for the proposed project.

“It’s not just about funds. A large plot of land is needed and approved by the respective state governments. In the current political situation, we have state governments that are headed by different parties.

“Therefore how can such an announcement be made and there be expectations for a rollout? It is not possible. The drivers’ safety is also very important to our ministry.

“If we just build a drag race circuit without considering safety aspects and maintenance costs, it will not be conducive for our young motorsports drivers,” Yeoh told reporters after attending a sports development cabinet committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Putrajaya today.

Yeoh added that despite the predicaments surrounding the proposal, the ministry will ensure motorsports continues to be given attention.

This year, there is a budget for motorsport programmes implemented by the Youth and Sports Department while the Sepang International Circuit also receiving an allocation to carry out programmes and upgrading purposes.

Speaking on the Road to Gold (RTG) programme for badminton, geared towards winning the country’s first ever gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yeoh said there would be no changes in the list of players even though the world ranking of some players may drop, including national players exited early in the Malaysia Masters.

The qualifying terms for the RTG programme remains clear, covering former Olympic medallists and players who are in the world’s top 10 in their respective sports. 

“There are no badminton players in and out of the RTG programme because the qualifying terms are clear. To make it into the RTG programme, the athlete must be ranked among the top 10 in the world,” she said.

Yeoh added that dropping an athlete from the RTG programme is not easy because it requires discussions and advice from the technical advisers like Dr Ramlan Aziz, Josiah Ng and Lee Chong Wei.

Currently, national men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia is ranked world no. 10, men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik at no. 3 and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi at no. 7.

National women’s champions Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are currently world no. 11 but their ranking is expected to improve after finishing runners-up in the Malaysia Masters.

Currently badminton players dominate the RTG programme with Lee, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yii, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (mixed doubles).

Other athletes in the programme are former Olympics silver medallist Azizulhasni Awang, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom (track cycling), Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving). – Bernama, May 30, 2023.