Kuala lumpur: The Road to Gold (RTG) programme will explore new sports that have the potential to deliver Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal, said Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari. He stated that this approach will be discussed at the RTG meeting on May 19, emphasizing the need to broaden the country's sporting landscape rather than focusing solely on selected sports.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohammed Taufiq highlighted the importance of expanding the scope of Malaysian sports to achieve the primary goal of the RTG, which is to secure the nation's first Olympic gold medal. He made these remarks after witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for a RM25 million five-year sponsorship deal between the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

The outcomes of the upcoming RTG meeting, including the programme's action plan, will be announced to the media once the meeting concludes. Key topics to be discussed include budget allocation and strategies to align programme implementation with the available budget.

Currently, the RTG programme encompasses four sports: badminton, track cycling, weightlifting, and squash. Badminton boasts the largest pool of athletes with 13 players, followed by track cycling with two athletes, while weightlifting and squash each have one representative.

Meanwhile, MHC president Subahan Kamal expressed realism regarding the chances of hockey being included in the RTG programme. He acknowledged that the decision ultimately lies with the ministry and the government, understanding that RTG's focus is on achieving the country's first Olympic gold medal. Kamal expressed satisfaction with the current level of support, acknowledging the challenges hockey faces in winning Olympic gold.