Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Weightlifting Association (PABM) has hailed the RM1 million development incentive announced by the government as a crucial measure to enhance weightlifting development in the nation, with a particular focus on talent identification.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Ayub Rahmat, the president of PABM, expressed gratitude for the Youth and Sports Ministry's (KBS) commitment to the sport and the government's dedication to ensuring the sustained progress of national weightlifting. "We are thankful that our aspirations have been fulfilled by the Honourable Minister. We extend our gratitude for the concern shown and for understanding the sport of weightlifting," he stated during an interaction at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC).
The government, through KBS, announced more than RM1 million in additional assistance to PABM to bolster the sport's development, especially at the grassroots level. This decision follows the remarkable success of the national weightlifting squad, which secured seven medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the country's top medal contributor.
Datuk Ayub Rahmat clarified that the allocation would not be given in cash but would be directed towards developmental programs aimed at enhancing the quality of coaches, providing appropriate equipment, and fortifying the coaching team's capabilities. The National Sports Council (MSN) will oversee these programs, and PABM has already outlined a list of initiatives for implementation.
Ayub also highlighted the association's efforts over the past two to three years to incorporate weightlifting into the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), although approval is still pending. He emphasized the importance of this move, as a significant portion of new talent in weightlifting comes from school students, providing an opportunity for PABM and the Education Ministry (MOE) to expand talent identification at the grassroots level.
PABM plans to use a special championship as a pilot initiative for closer cooperation with MOE, aiming to introduce weightlifting as one of the sports options at the school level. At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the national weightlifting team clinched five gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, with gold medals won by athletes Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (60kg), Muhamad Aznil Bidin (65kg), Muhammad Erry Hidayat (79kg), Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin (88kg), and Mohamad Syahmi Nor Ghazali (94kg).