RM20 Million for 2026: Malaysian Paralympic Council Calls for Strategic Investment to Drive Para Sports Growth After Dubai Triumph
KUALA LUMPUR: Following one of its most impressive competitive years, the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) has called for a RM20 million allocation for 2026 from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to reinforce Malaysia’s para sports structure and maintain competitive excellence on the world stage.
Council president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the proposed figure is not merely a request but a strategic necessity, reflecting both current success and future ambitions of the national para sports programme.
“Looking at the development pipeline and the quality of athletes we are nurturing, RM20 million is a fair and necessary investment. These athletes have proven their merit through performance, commitment and results. Now it is our responsibility to ensure their journey does not stall,” he said.
He warned that inadequate funding risks slowing athlete progress, particularly among rising talents who are beginning to show international calibre.
“This is not just about sustaining achievements, but ensuring sustainable growth,” he added at the incentive presentation ceremony hosted by Chery Malaysia at the National Sports Council.
Malaysia’s campaign at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai marked a milestone with 39 medals – including 14 golds – representing the nation’s best-ever performance at the competition.
Teen swimmer Elysha Cheong Hui Yin emerged as one of Malaysia’s brightest hopes after claiming four gold medals while smashing her personal records in every race. A bronze medal in the 200m individual medley added to her outstanding tally.
Elysha admitted she did not anticipate achieving such a strong performance at her debut international competition but said the experience has inspired her to continue striving for higher excellence.
“I know I can train harder and produce better results. This is just the beginning,” she said, setting her long-term ambition of qualifying as an elite swimmer ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
Beyond medal celebrations, MPM’s RM20 million proposal underscores a bigger conversation: the importance of sustained investment in para sports to ensure Malaysia remains competitive, inclusive and visionary in its sporting policies.
It highlights the need for improved training infrastructure, greater athlete welfare support, stronger coaching systems and enhanced competition exposure — elements considered vital if Malaysia aims to consistently stand among the best in the region and beyond.
With momentum, talent and ambition aligned, the proposed allocation is seen as a defining step in shaping the future of Malaysian para sports.