SportCheck: Funding to NSAs must be performance-based

FUNDING to national sports associations (NSAs) must be based on performance and not personality driven.

This is the view of Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who also believes the national rating system, likely to be implemented next year, will impose tighter control in terms of distribution of funds to NSAs.

"A rating system will obviously affect personalities in NSAs as they would be evaluated based on achievements and conduct," said Azalina yesterday.

"Personalities are elected into NSAs democratically, and the ministry cannot intervene in the matter. The NSAs are independent but that does not mean they can abuse the system. The rating system will help eradicate this problem."

The blueprint of the rating system, prepared by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
Azalina also stressed that the rating system will also streamline the appointment of quality coaches into the country's sports system.

"I have noticed that some coaches were hired year in and year out despite not producing the desired results or having the right credentials.

"I hope in the future coaches would be hired or re-hired based on their success rate with athletes, recommendations and sports officials expectations."

New Straits Times