Kuala lumpur: The government will always provide strong support for the development of national sports to ensure that the field is in line with economic, intellectual, and cultural progress. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh would continue to strive to meet the needs of the field while appreciating all parties who contributed to Malaysia's success in the sports arena.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar emphasized his commitment to aiding the development of sports in Malaysia, stating, "I, of course, along with Hannah Yeoh, will look to help in whatever way we can, from the smallest to the largest, whatever is possible because this country wants to progress economically, culturally, intellectually, and also in terms of sports." The statement was made during the official opening of the National Sports Day 2025 (HSN2025) at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah.
Also in attendance at the event were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. For the first time, the event is being held outside the Klang Valley and is celebrated simultaneously across the country.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of using sports as a platform to foster unity among Malaysians. "Yesterday, I announced the budget focusing on athletics, appreciating the contributions of young people in athletics, because this will inject discipline and a spirit of unity," he noted.
When presenting the 2026 Budget, Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, stated that the government is committed to enhancing national sports development with an allocation exceeding RM580 million. The budget includes funding for high-prestige sports programs like the Road to Gold initiative and preparations for the 2027 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia.
In line with HSN2025 celebrations, Anwar also flagged off participants of the MADANI Ria Run and presented the Sports for All Award.