We can't fund everything, choose tournaments carefully, Yeoh tells NSAs

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The fate of the Malaysia Cup squash tournament, scheduled for Aug 17-23 this year, remains uncertain as the organisers are struggling to raise funds to host the event.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stressed that the government has limitations when it comes to helping fund the organisation of local tournaments and urged national sports associations (NSAs) to pick and choose their events wisely.
"We always want to try our best to assist, however, we feel that associations also have to play their part," said Yeoh yesterday (June 10).
"The association must clearly plan how many events they want to do each year and determine which one is their priority.
"We have been supporting squash for other tournaments."
Yeoh, however, urged the organisers of the Malaysia Cup to speak to the ministry's secretariat for possible assistance.
"We have matching grants (to support the organisation of events) but it does not cover 100 per cent of the costs involved to organise the event," she added.
"It is a 50-50 split which means both the government and association must play their part.
"With every grant there are papers you have to submit (which takes time to process and approve). I am not sure if there is enough time.
"These are all logistical challenges. If they speak to our secretariat, I know our secretary-general (Dr K. Nagulendran) will try his best to help them."
PSA have given ACE Sports and Management - organisers of the Malaysia Cup - until the end of next month to secure sponsorship. They need roughly RM1.5 million to run the event.
The Ministry's Sports Matching Grant programme offers grants of up to 50 per cent of the costs to organise an event, with a ceiling of RM1 million.
The Malaysia Cup, formerly known as the Malaysia Open, was first held in 1975. It is one of two major tournaments held in Malaysia over the years, alongside the Kuala Lumpur Open.
The Malaysia Cup competition, which has been held at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara since 2007, has played an important role in aiding the development of Malaysian players over the years.
It is seen as an important tournament to help boost Malaysia's preparations for an assault on the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when squash will make its Olympic debut.
Squash legend Datuk Nicol David has won the tournament a total of eight times. Malaysia's current top players Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari have also won the tournament previously.