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Sports ministry commits RM4.1 million to weightlifting

Published August 5, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

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Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports announced on Monday a fresh allocation of RM4.1 million to the national weightlifting programme, a move aimed at sharpening the country's chances at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games. The funding will be channelled through the National Sports Council and the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation to upgrade training facilities, support talent‑identification camps and cover overseas competition exposure for elite athletes. Weightlifting has produced occasional podium finishes for Malaysia, but limited resources have constrained broader development and depth of the talent pool. The new budget is part of the ministry's broader 2024‑2025 sports plan, which seeks to raise the overall medal tally across multiple disciplines while encouraging grassroots participation. Officials said the money will be disbursed in quarterly tranches, with performance reviews after each major regional meet. If the investment translates into stronger showings, the sport could attract further private sponsorship and inspire a new generation of lifters across the country.