Melaka receives RM940k for youth and sports facility upgrades
State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman V.P. Shanmugam said the projects were part of 133 applications submitted by the state government.
'The allocation will be distributed to District and Land Offices as well as local authorities, which own the approved sports facility sites,' he said during the Melaka State Legislative Assembly sitting at Seri Negeri.
Shanmugam urged cooperation between authorities and the Melaka Youth and Sports Department to ensure timely fund disbursement for repairs and upgrades.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Zahari Abd Kalil (BN–Durian Tunggal) on maintenance timelines for public sports facilities like futsal courts and fields.
Additionally, Shanmugam highlighted major projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, including synthetic pitch upgrades at the Melaka Youth and Sports Complex, improvements to the Krubong Community Sports Complex, and hockey field upgrades at Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium.
Other approved projects include the Melaka Sports Council Badminton Hall upgrade, facility improvements at the Sailing Training Centre in Kuala Sungai Baru, and a Mini Sports Complex construction in Bemban, Jasin. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
No coach, no problem: Squash prodigy Jinoreeka Ning aces in court and classroom, with online training, offline spars and global ambitions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Ipoh-born squash prodigy Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan is away from school most of the time, smashing her way to victory in squash courts. Yet, the Form Three student at Ipoh's Methodist Girls' School excels on both fronts — largely thanks to online guidance. Her father Manivannan Ramasamy, 54, spends RM1,000 every month to provide her with online tuition so that she can keep pace with her peers and excel academically. But he spends at least seven to eight times more than that every month to support his daughter's squash dreams. Despite not having a formal coach, Jinoreeka is now a rising force in the junior squash circuit — thanks to a training programme designed by Egypt's squash legend Omar Abdel Aziz. Since 2023, Jinoreeka has trained face-to-face with Omar in Cairo only eight times — with each trip costing around RM30,000. But, Manivannan has been paying US$250 (RM1,054) to Omar every month for Jinoreeka's fitness training sessions, held online four times a week. 'Omar is actually very funny, friendly and is really a good coach,' Jinoreeka told Malay Mail when interviewed recently. Since 2023, Jinoreeka has trained face-to-face with Omar in Cairo only eight times — with each trip costing around RM30,000. — Picture courtesy of Manivannan Ramasamy Omar is widely credited for producing three world-renowned squash champions from Egypt: Karim Abdel Gawad (former World No. 1), Tarek Momen (former World No.3) and Hania El Hammamy (currently World No.3). Jinoreeka became fascinated with Omar's training style after watching him train El Hammamy — her squash idol — as she loved her aggressive and attacking style of play. 'She has everything. I love her footwork, her squash, and she picks up the ball all the time,' Jinoreeka said in awe. Manivannan, a former hockey champion who won the 1992 Razak Cup for Perak, now oversees his daughter's training and accompanies her to training and tournaments abroad. With squash being a costly endeavour, Manivannan stretches every ringgit that he makes from his restaurant in Ipoh Garden to sustain his daughter's dream. 'She loves chicken curry. So, I will take the spices to cook for her when we are abroad,' he said. Meanwhile, his wife Toh Chee Kuan holds the fort at the restaurant, churning out Ipoh's signature dish like Hainanese chicken rice and taugeh (beansprout) chicken. On weekends, the couple drive down to The Lakeview Club in Subang Jaya for their daughter to spar with other local squash talents. Jinoreeka Ning (centre) with her mother Toh Chee Kuan (left) and her father Manivannan Ramasamy at The Lakeview Club, Subang Jaya July 19, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif For the sparring sessions alone, the couple sets aside RM1500 every week to cover travel, accommodation and food costs as well as providing financial tokens for her sparring partners. Yet, Manivannan and his wife have no qualms as they witness their daughter making strides almost every other week now. Just a week after her second victory in the Asian Junior Squash Championships (Under-15) in early July, Jinoreeka won the Penang International Junior Open (Under-17) title. Now, she wants to wrest the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open title next month — this time in the Under-17 category. She was the tournament's Under-15 champion at the 2024 edition. Her next aim is the 2026 British Open Junior and after that, she wants to represent Malaysia in the 2027 World Junior Squash Championships — but the bigger her dreams get, so does the cost for her parents. Omar is moving to the United States next year, but he has promised to continue overseeing Jinoreeka's squash training regimen. 'We are planning to stick with Omar for another three to four years and that means spending another RM40,000 per trip to the US to train under him. 'So, I'm going to start writing for sponsorships,' Manivannan said. Now, she wants to wrest the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open title for the second time — but this time in the Under-17 category. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Jinoreeka was part of the Yayasan Sime Darby programme last year and she was offered RM6,000 for her expenses to compete at the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open, but the sponsorship has since ended. 'The Perak Squash Association and Perak chapter of the National Sports Council (MSN) occasionally provide a small financial token for selected international tournaments. 'Jinoreeka was also offered a placement at the Bukit Jalil Sports School last year, but we were reluctant to take it. 'I was concerned that it might upset her consistent performance as she has adapted to Omar's training regimen. 'The plan is already working well and I don't want to risk changing it. 'Omar has produced three world champions and it is not easy to pull that feat — and I want Jinoreeka to follow him,' he said. As for Jinoreeka, she may have picked up the racquet at the age of eight because 'it was fun hitting the ball around' but now, she is determined to make history with it.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
National women's league gets RM840k boost from KBS for development
THE National Women's League (LWN) has been granted RM840,000 under the Sports Matching Grant (GPS) by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). This marks the highest financial support ever allocated for women's football development in Malaysia. Minister Hannah Yeoh stated that the funding aims to elevate the league's competitiveness, professionalism, and prestige. 'This grant focuses on three key goals: expanding grassroots to professional participation, nurturing emerging talents, and strengthening the national squad to improve FIFA rankings,' she said during the 2025 LWN launch. Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub and women's football committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob were also present. The 2025 season features eight teams, including newcomers Young Tigress, KL Rangers FC, Kuala Lumpur FA, and MBSJ FC. Each squad is limited to two foreign players. The league began on July 12 with a 1-1 draw between Red Eagles FC and defending champions Kelana United FC. - Bernama
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
National Women's League scores big with RM840,000 boost
KUALA LUMPUR: Women's football in Malaysia has long been sidelined, but that era may be ending. Thanks to historic investment, stronger institutional backing and even interest from international scouts, the women's game is finally stepping out of the shadows. At the launch of the National Women's Football League (LWN) on Thursday, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Joehari Ayub sent a clear message — it's time women's football got the recognition it deserves. "This year, for the first time, the Ministry is channeling RM840,000 in matching grants to support the women's league. It's the most we've ever given — and it's just the beginning," said Yeoh. She added that the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will now be open to the women's national team. "If the men's team isn't playing, let the women train and play there. They deserve to be on the same stage," she said. FAM president Joehari, who has been vocal about lifting the women's game, said increased interest from sponsors was a clear sign of progress. "Sponsors are coming in because the performance and growth of women's football are improving. Even FIFA told me they're impressed with how far we've come," he said. This season's LWN will run for six months and feature eight teams — a major upgrade from the stop-start tournaments of the past. The league is jointly organised by FAM and Sports Media Malaysia. Yeoh highlighted how women's football has often borne the brunt of budget cuts. "That's unfair. When you give them support and visibility, they deliver results," she said. On concerns that resources are still skewed towards the men's game, Joehari was quick to push back. "There is no bias. Every level — from youth to senior, men and women — is being supported. That's why I travelled to Australia to ensure the women's team had the same exposure and opportunities as the men," he said. Yeoh also hinted at a possible shake-up of the National Football Development Programme (NFDP), with discussions underway for FAM to take full control of the youth pipeline, including the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD). Whether that handover happens this year or later, one thing is certain: women's football in Malaysia is no longer an afterthought. "This isn't charity. This is investment — real, sustained, meaningful investment," said Yeoh.
