In a firm show of commitment to youth and sports development, Yayasan Menteri Besar Selangor (Yayasan MBI) has disbursed over RM100,000 in financial aid to outstanding athletes and sports associations across Selangor. The contributions were presented at a handover ceremony held on Thursday at the Darul Ehsan Building in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
The initiative recognised 16 recipients, including athletes and youth achievers in sports, education and empowerment. According to Yayasan MBI, this programme reflects the state leadership’s acknowledgement of local talents who have brought pride to Selangor and Malaysia through their dedication and achievements.
Among the beneficiaries is fencing athlete Saif Nordin. The 14-year-old prodigy received funding to support his training and competition expenses. Saif is currently ranked fifth nationally in the senior men’s foil category and third in the under-21 division, a notable feat for someone his age.
“I’m truly grateful to Yayasan MBI for their support,” said Saif. “This funding will go a long way in helping me compete at higher levels, both locally and internationally. It’s an encouragement not just for me, but for every young athlete working hard behind the scenes.”
In addition to Saif, Yayasan MBI awarded RM50,000 to the Selangor Hockey Association to facilitate the implementation of its 2024 development programme. A total of RM41,000 in sports-specific funding was disbursed on the day to athletes from motorsports, golf, fencing, and badminton.
On the education and empowerment front, a further RM15,000 was allocated to programmes supporting youth development beyond the sporting arena.
When speaking to the media at the ceremony, Ahmad Azri bin Zainal Nor, head of Yayasan MBI, said that the beneficiaries of Yayasan MBI’s contributions are all Selangor-based talents “who deserve our support and encouragement so that their abilities are not left untapped. With the backing of the state government and Yayasan MBI, they can further advance in their careers as athletes.”
When asked why some of the sports were chosen, Azri said, “We chose to support the Selangor Hockey Association because they are rebuilding after internal challenges. It’s our responsibility to help associations that are working to return stronger, so that hockey can once again become a feared sport in Selangor.”
“As for fencing, it may not be a widely followed sport, but we see real potential (in our beneficiary); we have an athlete capable of challenging regional competitors and even contributing medals for Malaysia in events like the SEA Games,” continued Azri.
He added that motorsports, too, is gaining momentum with numerous circuits being organised. “Yayasan MBI sees it as our duty to help these young talents thrive and, in doing so, steer them away from unhealthy influences,” said Azri.
He also mentioned, “This is not the first round of contributions; several have been made throughout the year. Among the beneficiaries are the Selangor Rugby team and the Selangor Red Giants e-sports squad, which will be heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this month to represent the country.”
Yayasan MBI hopes that the contributions will catalyse continued excellence, motivating recipients to reach new heights while uplifting the name of Selangor on national and international stages. 