KUALA LUMPUR: It is often said that there are many undiscovered talented athletes in the kampungs, villages and rural areas.
In the latest move, the Youth and Sports Ministry will channel its RM30 million Sports Matching Grant and community sports funds primarily towards rural areas, pivoting national sports development towards cultivating next-generation athletes from the school level.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari said while the country remains committed to advancing elite and podium-tier athletes, the strategic priority is replenishing the national talent pipeline.
Under the 2027 Budget, the government has allocated RM460 million for national sports development, including RM30 million specifically for the Sports Matching Grant alongside community sports initiatives.
Taufiq said future distribution of these grants should not be confined to urban centres, but also towards underserved rural communities to uncover untapped sporting talent from a young age.
"We want to ensure that every allocation from the Sports Matching Grant, community sports funds, and related programmes is channelled not just into urban areas, but with our core priority focused on rural areas," Taufiq said.
"While we certainly want to advance sports at the podium and elite levels, what is far more critical is the pelapis (next generation athletes) — the talent pipeline rising through the ranks.
"That is why we are working to polish grassroots talent right from their school days."
The policy shift addresses long-standing concerns over the transition gap between retiring national stars and upcoming talent, ensuring community-level clubs and grassroots programmes outside major cities receive institutional funding to run grassroots development and competitive leagues.
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