Sports Ministry Commits RM4.1mil to Weightlifting

KUALA LUMPUR: The sports ministry has committed RM4.1 million to weightlifting for 2026, its minister Dr Taufiq Johari said.

The allocation would cover athlete and coaching development, as well as the Road to Gold (RTG), Podium, Pelapis and grassroots talent development programmes.

On a request for an additional RM1 million, Taufiq said he had spoken to Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (PABM) president Ayub Rahmat and several weightlifting associations to discuss the matter further.

"I understand that part of the request relates to coaching costs and salaries. We will hold detailed discussions before making a decision because, ultimately, we want to invest in sports with the potential to deliver Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal," he said.

"And, Insya-Allah, weightlifting will remain one of the sports we prioritise for development. We will continue discussions to determine the details of the additional funding required," he told reporters after welcoming home Malaysia's Commonwealth Games contingent at KLIA last night.

He said two weightlifters are currently part of the RTG programme, while eight athletes are under the Podium programme and another two are in the Pelapis programme.

Taufiq also pledged to look into the welfare of state-level coaches under the supervision of the National Sports Council to ensure the continued progress and performance of the sport.

"This is one of the measures that we need to implement immediately to find a solution. We see this sport as one with the potential to deliver major victories for Malaysia in the future, so the welfare of coaches must also be given due attention by the ministry and the associations," he said.

Weightlifting emerged as Malaysia's standout sport at the Commonwealth Games, contributing five gold medals, one silver and one bronze. The national contingent surpassed its initial target with an overall haul of eight gold, three silver and five bronze.