KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) requires at least RM12 million to RM18 million annually from the government to conduct its development programs.
The governing body’s response came after it recently received a RM1 million special allocation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as part of Budget 2025, which was announced in October last year.
Speaking to the media today, MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim said the governing body aims to successfully host this year’s Women’s Under-19 World Cup and use it as a platform to convince Putrajaya to provide more funding after this event.
“We have experience hosting the 2008 Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, and half of the people in that committee are still part of the current one. We can guarantee that we will be a good host.
“By being a good host and with our team potentially performing well in the upcoming tournament, we hope it will serve as an eye-opener for the government to invest more in the sport.
“We are grateful for the allocation given to us, but with an annual budget of RM 12-18 million, we can do more for development and send our national team players to more matches and competitions abroad.
Meanwhile, the Under-19 World Cup will be held at four venues – Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Klang, Selangor (Group A), Johor Cricket Academy Oval, officially known as the Datuk Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy and Oval in Johor Bahru (Group B), Sarawak Sports Complex in Kuching (Group C), and the UKM Oval, within the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia campus in Bangi, Selangor (Group D) – from 18 January to 2 February.
Realistically, Malaysia will find it nearly impossible to qualify for the Super 6, as it is in the ‘Group of Death’ – Group A – with defending champions and top seed India, eighth seed West Indies, and ninth seed Sri Lanka.
“Of course, it won’t be easy for the girls, as they will be up against giants in their group games. However, what matters most is the level of experience they will gain by rubbing shoulders with some of the best talents in the world. I have full trust in them, and I believe they will give their 100%,” said Iqbal during a press conference.
At the same time, England heads Group B, which also includes Pakistan, Ireland, and the United States. New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and Samoa are in Group C, while Group D consists of Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Scotland. – January 14, 2025