Kuala lumpur: The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) hopes that Budget 2026 will continue to prioritise the youth and sports sectors by strengthening existing allocations to implement various development initiatives nationwide. Minister Hannah Yeoh said the ministry has submitted a comprehensive wishlist to the Finance Ministry (MOF) for consideration in the upcoming budget.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the wishlist includes requests to maintain the Sports Matching Grant, Community Sports Fund, and constituency allocations that have proven effective in driving grassroots development, as well as increased funding for the Road to Gold (RTG) programme and para-athlete development. Hannah expressed her hope that all the items in KBS’s wishlist will be considered by the Finance Ministry, acknowledging that many other ministries are also submitting their own requests, while KBS has outlined its priorities.
Hannah made these remarks during a press conference held at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, during the welcoming ceremony for the national para athletics heroes and heroines from the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. She further elaborated that KBS wants more international tournaments to be hosted in Malaysia to give local athletes, especially upcoming talents, greater exposure. With Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, she noted the timeliness of hosting more international sporting events, offering young athletes the chance to compete at a higher level without the need to travel abroad.
For the youth sector, Hannah stated that KBS has also requested additional funding to strengthen the Rakan Muda programme and to produce more young leaders ahead of the new policy taking effect on January 1, 2026, which will revise the age limit for youth association leadership. She emphasized the importance of seeing more leaders under 30, especially from rural areas, take charge of youth movements, highlighting the necessity of budgetary support to ensure a smooth transition.
Budget 2026 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament this Friday by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.