Kuala lumpur: The decision on whether the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will get the 'green light' from the government to extend its contract to host the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) race next year depends on the detailed data collection throughout its organisation. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the holding of the prestigious race had indeed received quite an encouraging response but the SIC still needed to convince the Ministry of Finance that the return received would provide comprehensive benefits.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yeoh emphasized the necessity of data to assure the Ministry of Finance of a return on investment. "All this requires data to convince the Ministry of Finance that there is a return on investment. When we invest, we are not signing only in terms of tourism. It should help support the economy and job opportunities for Malaysians," she stated. The MotoGP event generates approximately 4,500 temporary jobs annually, but there is a focus on ensuring skills are passed down to the local population. This data collection is crucial in persuading the Ministry of Finance that the investment is justified.
Yeoh made these remarks after officiating the Jalur Gemilang Handover Ceremony for the national contingent to the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Deaf Games. Recently, it was reported that SIC is negotiating with Dorna Sports, the rights holder for organising the MotoGP, to renew the Malaysian GP contract, which is set to expire in 2026.
Additionally, Yeoh expressed optimism about the national badminton athletes' performance at the World Championships in Paris from August 25 to 31. She is confident in the abilities of the players, particularly those under the Road To Gold (RTG) Programme, but also acknowledged the challenges posed by the demanding badminton calendar. "I always pray that there will be no injuries to our athletes because that will make it difficult for many parties," she added.
The Road To Gold Programme includes athletes such as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and others. Meanwhile, a contingent of 80 Malaysian athletes is participating in the SEA Deaf Games in Jakarta, competing in sports including futsal, athletics, badminton, and more. The Malaysian team comprises 53 athletes and 27 officials, showcasing the nation's sporting strength.