Kuala lumpur: The attention given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the deaf sports community during the presentation of Budget 2026 has brought new hope to the special-needs group.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) president Ong Shin Ruenn said they were overjoyed by Anwar’s announcement, with parents and coaches of deaf athletes reaching out to share their excitement.

‘We were really surprised because the Prime Minister specifically mentioned deaf sports in the Budget 2026 announcement. Parents with deaf children are happy, and this gives them great hope in sports; it also shows equal treatment like in other sports,’ he told a press conference here today.

Shin Ruenn said the allocation will be used to help athletes prepare for several major championships next year.

Yesterday, during the presentation of Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar announced that the development of national sports would be further enhanced with a larger allocation of over RM580 million, which includes the empowerment of para-athletes and deaf sports.