This article is sponsored by Ministry of Youth and Sports
Images via Canva
We're less than a year away from the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the excitement is building for that coveted first gold medal. To help us achieve the dream is a special team with a plan—the Road to Gold (RTG) project by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
This is what you should know about the RTG committee
#1 Two Olympic cycles, one goal
Co-chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, and Malaysian Olympic Council president Tan Sri Dr. Norza Zakaria, the RTG committee was set up with one clear mission—to bring home the nation’s first Olympic gold.
Taking into consideration the structure and implementation methods of previous Olympic projects, this committee will provide a long-term framework. Paris 2024 is just the beginning; they're eyeing gold medals in Los Angeles 2028 too!
#2 They're giving our athletes all the prep help they need
The RTG committee has teamed up with the Podium Program, which focuses on the preparation of elite athletes. These include:
- Daily training
- International training
- Exposure to domestic and international competitions
- Coaching services
- Staff support
- Sports science
- Medical services
- Personal development programmes.
The committee aims to break down barriers, conquer limitations, and provide additional support for potential national medal winners.
As for the Paralympic Games, the gold programme for para-athletes will continue under the Podium Program at the National Sports Council (MSN) level.
#3 The lineup includes sporting legends!
This committee is made up of a dynamic mix of administrators and former national athletes. Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, a member of FIFA Council, has been appointed as Paris 2024 Olympics Chef-de-Mission (CDM) while former squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David has been named Deputy CDM.
The committee also features badminton and hockey legends Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi. They’ve been selected for their vast experiences, and they’re all in to share their knowledge, provide guidance and bring their A-game to support the selected athletes.
Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, who is the CEO of the Malaysian Football League and a member of the Management Board of the National Sports Council (NSC), will serve as the RTG Project Coordinator.
Other notable members include National Sports Institute CEO Ahmad Faedzal Mohd Ramli, the Ministry’s Secretary-General Dr K. Nagulendran and Malaysian Hockey Confederation VC Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak.
#4 All volunteering for gold!
Believe it or not, all appointments are on a voluntary basis. It's a collective effort to build our nation's future. Plus, the committee will engage with corporate partners to give them a chance to be a part of this historic journey.
The quest for gold has already begun…
Image via Battleground Malaysia
Besides the committee, the ministry has also kickstarted the road to gold by teaming up with Astro's Battleground Malaysia: Road to Gold, which is the country’s biggest street dance competition.
The collaboration aims to unlock the hidden talents of young street dancers, with a potential path to becoming national athletes and propelling them to global success, since breaking is the latest sport to be introduced at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
You can catch the show on Astro RIA (CH104), Vinmeen (CH202), and SHOWCASE (CH413) every Friday at 10pm or stream it on the Astro GO app with episodes available on demand. For reruns, tune in to Astro AEC (CH306) every Saturday at 11pm.
To get more updates about the ministry's programmes or to be part of its initiatives, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.