World · Malaysia Bureau
Consult athletes before making sports body decisions, MP urges
A Malaysian lawmaker has called for government ministers to seek input from elite athletes when making decisions that affect national sports bodies. The move would leverage the expertise and insights of accomplished sportspeople in policy decisions.
LSN Malaysia ·
Kuala Lumpur — A member of Parliament has urged the government to consult with top athletes before implementing decisions affecting sports organisations, arguing that accomplished sportspeople can provide valuable perspectives on governance matters.
Jimmy Puah said that elite athletes such as badminton champion Lee Chong Wei and squash legend Nicol David possess critical insights that could inform ministerial decisions concerning sports bodies. Their experience and standing in the athletic community makes them well-positioned to advise on policy changes, he suggested.
The call reflects growing emphasis on stakeholder engagement in Malaysian sports governance. Athletes who have achieved international success bring practical understanding of the systems and support structures that enable competitive performance, potentially offering constructive feedback on proposed reforms.
Puah's remarks underscore broader discussions about improving transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes affecting Malaysian sports institutions. Incorporating athlete perspectives could help ensure that policy decisions take into account the needs and concerns of those directly impacted by governance changes.
The comments come as Malaysian sports bodies continue navigating various administrative and structural challenges, with calls from multiple quarters for more collaborative approaches to reform.