NSC to host Mini-Olympics for back-up, elite athletes

KUALA LUMPUR: Back-up and elite athletes would have to compete among themselves in a Mini-Olympics to earn their tickets to the Olympic Games once the National Sports Council (NSC) introduces the system in August.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said unlike SUKMA (held every two years), the Mini-Olympics would become an annual sporting event featuring only Olympic sports.

“The focus will be on Olympic sports that Malaysia can win medals, like archery, shooting and weightlifting,” said Ismail Sabri after handing out special incentives to junior athletes yesterday.

In the long term, foreign contingents may be invited to participate so that the event will become more competitive as the SUKMA cannot be used for such purposes because many of the sports featured like silat, netball or sepak takraw are not Olympic sports, he said. — Bernama

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