Road to Gold (RTG) programme committee have made it clear they expect more from their athletes by making selection criteria progressively tougher as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics moves closer.
The committee today (April 15) announced a total of 16 athletes that have been selected for the RTG programme this year (refer list below) as they have fulfilled the current criteria of being ranked in the top-10 in the world in their respective events or have previously won an Olympic medal.
To remain in the RTG programme next year, however, athletes must maintain a top-eight world ranking, finish in the top-eight at the world championships or win a medal at next year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games or Nagoya Asian Games.
To remain in the programme for the 2027-2028 period, athletes must be ranked within the top-four in the world, finish in the top-four at the world championships or have secured qualification on merit for LA2028.
The athletes’ performances will be reviewed after six months this year, though the review period could be shortened closer towards LA2028.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who is also the RTG committee chairperson, said there must be accountability as RTG is funded by the government.
A total of RM10 million has been allocated to the programme by the government this year. RTG is intended to give cream-of-the-crop athletes the additional support they need to challenge for gold at LA2028 and other major international events.
“We have decided to change the selection criteria because it would be unreasonable to expect someone who is ranked top-10 to suddenly win a gold medal at the Olympics. Top-four in the final two years is more realistic,” said Yeoh in a press conference in Putrajaya today (April 15).
“This year RM10 million has been allocated to RTG, however, it could change over the next few years according to how many athletes are in the programme. If there are less athletes it could be less (than RM10 million).
“We also want to see strong commitment from the athletes who have signed contracts with us. The government has invested in these athletes and we expect them to show results for the country.
“We cannot have athletes who are in RTG this year but suddenly next year or the year after decide that they don’t want to play anymore.
“We also cannot afford to have cases where doubles players suddenly decide that they don’t want to partner the same players anymore. We need discipline from our athletes to ensure there is accountability.
“From this list (of selected athletes), the country has invested a lot in Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (who recently contemplated splitting) and they have bloomed. I want to make sure the BA of Malaysia and these players are committed, they cannot simply make decisions.”
Yeoh added that RTG coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam and the RTG secretariat will meet with athletes to discuss contract requirements with athletes and their respective national sports associations.
It is no surprise that from the 16 athletes selected for RTG, 13 of them are from badminton. This includes professional players such as Lee Zii Jia who previously turned down a spot in the programme during the Paris 2024 cycle.
The three other athletes selected are track cyclists Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Izzah Izzati Asri as well as weightlifter Aniq Kasdan.
Whether they all accept to be in the programme remains to be seen as they have until next month to decide.
The omission of track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who is now semi-retired, and divers Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri, who were not in the best of form last year, comes as no surprise.
Five athletes have also been accepted in the RTG Fast Track programme which is aimed at younger athletes who are under the age of 25, have a top-20 world ranking or have won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Athletes selected for the Road to Gold programme:
Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan, M. Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie, Toh Ee Wei, Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izuddin Rumsani, Goh Soon Huat, Chevon Lai, Man Wei Chong, Tee Kai Woon,Lee Zii Jia (all badminton), Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Izzah Izzati Asri (both track cycling), Aniq Kasdan (weightlifting).
Athletes selected for fast track programme:
Ng Eain Yow, S. Sivasangari (both squash), Ariana Nur Dania, Syaqiera Mashayikh, Nurul Azreena Mohamad Fazil (all archery)
