Latest news with #sportsdevelopment
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
OCM to launch long-term investment platform for national sports development
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will establish a National Sports Endowment Fund as a sustainable financial mechanism to support the development of sports in the country and reduce reliance on government funding. OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the proposal of the establishment of the fund was unanimously approved during the 213th OCM Executive Council Meeting here, today. Mohamad Norza said the dedicated fund is envisioned to serve as a long-term investment platform, drawing contribution from the private sector including corporation, foundation, and individual philanthropists to provide financial assistance to national sports association (NSA), athletes, and coaches in their pursuit of sporting excellence. 'We realise that the time has come for all of us, the days of being completely dependent on the government to help national sports is over. We need support from the private sector to come in. 'This effort is complementary to what the government has done so far through the National Sports Council with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. We want to present this and we will take it to the highest level of KBS through Minister Hannah Yeoh,' he told a press conference after the meeting, here. He said the fund would be free from any political interference and governed by an independent body representing the OCM as well as individuals from industry, with potential participation from the government to be discussed further. Mohamad Norza said government representation is important to oversee the fund's operations, including the consideration of potential tax incentives for contributors. Asked about the timeframe for the establishment of the fund, he said it would realistically be in place by the end of the year, or at the latest, by the first quarter of next year. Meanwhile, Mohamad Norza said they had also established the Olympic House Project Steering Committee (Jawatankuasa Pemandu Projek Rumah Olimpik) which will be chaired by OCM secretary general Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali and Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Gerard Monteiro as deputy chairman. He said other committee members include namely Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz and Malaysian Chess Federation Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi. Mohamad Norza said the committee will monitor and ensure that the RM93 million building project, which will be the new OCM headquarters scheduled to be completed by 2028, is transparently and objectively evaluated. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul to unveil long-term plan for Malaysian badminton by end-August
PETALING JAYA, July 17 — Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz is set to unveil his strategic vision to elevate Malaysian badminton by the end of next month. Tengku Zafrul, who was elected unopposed to the post in May, has since embarked on a series of engagement sessions with key stakeholders including former players, to gather input and conduct a full stocktake of the current badminton ecosystem. Describing the engagement sessions as quite productive, the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the positive response from various quarters shows a shared desire to improve the sport. 'They (stakeholders) have different views but the fact that they want to share means they want to see improvement in the sport. 'I think it (plan) cannot be overnight, but at least we have targets for the next three years, the next five years and the next 10 years,' he said during a session with media here, today. In May, Tengku Zafrul requested a 100-day period to gather input from stakeholders, players, the coaching team, and sponsors before formulating a strategic and effective plan for the development of badminton in the country. Asked whether he had met all stakeholders, Tengku Zafrul said discussions are ongoing and will include official calls on the Youth and Sports Ministry including its minister Hannah Yeoh, National Sports Council, and national coaches by end of the month. When asked about the key area he aims to address in steering BAM forward, he said it is important to understand the current landscape before mapping out long-term goals. 'To understand where you want to go, you must understand where you are today. To know where you are today means you have to do a stock-take from finance to the governance structure, to the players, to the coaches,' he said. Tengku Zafrul said that each segment of the national badminton ecosystem including sponsorship, grassroots development, infrastructure and coaching must be assessed and improved cohesively, as progress in one area cannot compensate for weaknesses in others. He added that expectations for Malaysian badminton remain high among the public and stakeholders, and meeting those expectations would need a unified approach, structured planning and a clear understanding of current capabilities. — Bernama
CBC
13-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
These 4 non-traditional hockey nations showed off their mettle in Montreal tournament
Jamaica, Lebanon, Greece and Puerto Rico can't compete in world championships since they don't have proper ice hockey infrastructure. But they are eager to grow the sport in their respective regions and are using the Challenger Series tournament to do so.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Planning proposal for 3G pitch fails
Plans to build an artificial 3G sports pitch in West Sussex have been rejected. The application for The Ghyll leisure centre in Southwater, which included fencing and floodlighting, was turned down by Horsham District Council's planning committee on Tuesday. Planning officers had recommended that the application be approved, but committee members disagreed, with one saying: "It would have a harmful impact on residents through noise and disturbance, as well as the loss of an informal sports area." Councillor Alex Jeffery told the meeting that the village would benefit from a 3G pitch but not at the expense of removing the only area Southwater could refer to as "a de facto village green". The council received more than 500 letters of objection citing fears over over-development, drainage, parking, the loss of space for dog walkers and community use, and the impact floodlighting would have on homes and wildlife. Southwater Football Club said: "There remains a desperate need for additional football pitches in Southwater and there appears to be a consensus that at least one should be an artificial pitch." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Horsham Council The Ghyll
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Southwater artificial pitch plans rejected
Plans to build an artificial 3G sports pitch in West Sussex have been application for The Ghyll leisure centre in Southwater, which included fencing and floodlighting, was turned down by Horsham District Council's planning committee on officers had recommended that the application be approved, but committee members disagreed, with one saying: "It would have a harmful impact on residents through noise and disturbance, as well as the loss of an informal sports area."Councillor Alex Jeffery told the meeting that the village would benefit from a 3G pitch but not at the expense of removing the only area Southwater could refer to as "a de facto village green". The council received more than 500 letters of objection citing fears over over-development, drainage, parking, the loss of space for dog walkers and community use, and the impact floodlighting would have on homes and Football Club said: "There remains a desperate need for additional football pitches in Southwater and there appears to be a consensus that at least one should be an artificial pitch."
