BINTULU: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has expressed her disappointment with state governments for their lack of willingness to sponsor Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL).
Yeoh said many states want the cycling tour – which brings substantial economic impact to areas it passes through – to be held in their respective states but are not willing to chip in to the organising costs by becoming sponsors.
The National Sports Council (NSC) today disclosed that roughly RM8.1 million cash sponsorship was raised for this year’s event, which comes to an end today, though none of it came from the states.
The sponsors for this year’s LTdL include Petronas (title sponsors), Tourism Malaysia, Bubbles O2, Bintulu Port and Motoshoot.
The Youth and Sports Ministry allocated RM12 million to the event.
“Most states are keen for the race to come to their states but they are not keen to give money, that is the challenge that we face,” said Yeoh during a press conference in Bintulu today.
“It is all about costing, even last year I had to explain in parliament why the race was not going to Langkawi (for 2023 edition).
“We always try our best to cover places that we feel are interesting for both tourism as well as the cycling (racing) aspect.
“The challenge for us is always funding. As we have constantly said, all the chief ministers really need to pay more attention to their sports development funds.
“When we write to the states (seeking sponsorship) we don’t get much feedback. We (federal government) have to go out and find sponsors ourselves.
“States need to allocate funds to sports but not just to make sure they win in the Malaysia Games (Sukma). It should also be considered an investment to bring in tourists to their states.
“There are so many platforms for states to promote themselves but if they do not set aside funds (it will not happen). By now all chief ministers should know that LTdL is an annual event.”
LTdL was not held at its namesake island last year due to budget constraints. Bringing the race to Langkawi incurs substantial costs due to the logistics involved.
NSC disclosed that the organising costs as well as the economic impact generated from this year’s LTdL has yet to be calculated.
It is believed that this year’s tour costs just over RM20 million to organise.
– NST
