NATIONAL CONVENTION CAN MAP DIRECTION OF COUNTRY`S SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports hope
that
the two-day National Sports Convention that started at the Putra World Trade
Centre (PWTC) today would provide a clear mechanism to guide national athletes
in their quest for excellence at the International stage.

Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it was about time
for the Ministry to revamp the system to set the Olympic Games as the benchmark
to measure the success of sports in the country.

"Input from the convention will be studied together with the National
Sports
Policy before a short term and long term program devised to map the direction of
sports development in the country," said Ismail in his opening speech at the
convention here Tuesday.

He said Malaysian athletes have yet to win an Olympic gold medal though two
silver medals and a bronze had been won in badminton.

"To enable the dreams of winning a gold medal become a reality, a
short-term
project called "Road to London 2012" would be initiated from the outcome of the
convention," he said.


Ismail said there would not be disputes if all the relevant authorities
were
united and involved in outlining a plan for athletes to achieve their desired
results.

Feedback and understanding of all involved parties would be needed to
assist
parents or young athletes in determining the right kind of sports that they
should take up or participate.

He urged all relevant bodies, especially Government-Linked Companies (GLC)
to assist in making the dreams of the nation become a reality by making whatever
form of contribution as the financial cost involved would be extremely
large.

The convention, held for the second time since 1996 would see participation
from 200 representatives of national sports associations, media, individuals or
companies involved in sports.

The convention was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister
Najib Razak, who is also the Cabinet Committee for Sports chairman.

Malaysia held a National Sports Convention in 1996 in Langkawi but most of
the resolutions endorsed were not implemented effectively.

--BERNAMA