KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) yesterday announced a seven-pronged Youth and Sports Prihatin Initiative (IPBS) to assist the national sports and recreational industries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the KBS would also set up a Ministry of Youth and Sports Prihatin Secretariat (SPIKE) to help those who have not been able to operate for the past 16 months, including operators of gymnasiums, fitness centres, commercial football fields, badminton courts, bowling centres, shooting range and golf courses.
This is in line with the National People’s Well-being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih) and the Strategic Programme to Empower People and the Economy programme (Pemerkasa) as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin previously.
Reezal Merican said the first initiative was the Sport Industry Prihatin Grant (GPIS), involving a fund of RM18 million, through a one-off aid of RM3,000 which would benefit 6,000 registered companies or businesses related to the sports industry.
He said in a statement that industry players could submit their applications through the special GPIS website via the link gpis.kbs.gov.my from yesterday.
The KBS also announced that the Sports Industry Financing Scheme (SPIS), involving RM20 million, would be improved upon together with two financing institutions, namely Bank Rakyat and Tekun National, to enable a lower percentage rate to be considered sports industry players.
In a bid to boost skills and knowledge, the KBS is offering sports-related courses, including Coaching Foundation Programme, Communication Towards Professionalism in Sports, Bootcamp Golf Services Programme and Sports Massage, for free.
In addition, the KBS also announced a moratorium for the sports industry players; incentives for rentals and KBS sports facility business operators; MyVAC (Malaysia Vaccine Support Volunteers) quota specifically for sports industry workers through the MyVac@Sportsindustry programme; and Sports Industry Vaccination Programme (Sportivac).
Reezal Merican said the only way to emerge from the difficulties faced was through the full opening of the sports and recreational sector but that, he admitted, would depend on the success of the nation to implement the recovery plan as planned.
“KBS truly understands all the difficulties faced by the sports industry entrepreneurs and many other industries which are badly affected by the pandemic. We appreciate and scrutinise every report, feedback, statement of appeal and anxiety from parties in the sports industry.
“The KBS will continue to endeavour to explore avenues and opportunities to help and give support to all. I hope that sports and recreational operators and entrepreneurs, as well as sports industry employees, can receive direct benefits from the various initiatives of the government and KBS,” he said.
For more details on the initiatives, go to the official KBS website www.kbs.gov.my/ipbs or contact Spike at 03-88713784 from Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm.
— Bernama
