{
  "id": 13672106,
  "title": "PCM to expand talent scouting after government funding pledge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pcm-to-expand-talent-scouting-after-government-funding-pledge",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T07:44:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/10/1553095/pcm-expand-talent-scouting-after-government-funding-pledge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) plans to broaden its grassroots talent scouting efforts after receiving government support for disability sports. This expansion is part of a RM460 million national sports development allocation, which is included in the RM510 billion 2027 Budget. The funding will be used to sustain high-performance talent, upgrade training facilities, and target the development of para-athletes and deaf sports. In addition to the major allocation, the government has allocated RM30 million in Sports Matching Grants to support high-performance competitions and increased funding for primary and secondary schools' sports programs to RM27 million. The PCM president, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, expressed gratitude to the government and the public for their belief in the athletes. The additional resources will be utilized to establish scouting clinics in non-traditional areas, identify young athletes with disabilities who have previously lacked access to qualified coaches, sports science support, and assistive equipment. The PCM aims to increase the number of athletes in the program and grant national para associations the necessary resources to operate effectively, discover new talent, and create opportunities for underrepresented athletes. Malaysia's para-athletes have already shown their potential, finishing third at the Asean Para Games in Thailand and placing 10th at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The next target is the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in October, with 73 athletes set to compete in 10 sports.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) will mobilise its national affiliates to expand grassroots talent scouting after the government reaffirmed its financial backing for disability sports under a RM460 million national sports development allocation.",
  "key_points": [
    "PCM to expand talent scouting with RM460 million sports funding",
    "Government allocates RM30 million for high-performance competitions",
    "Scouting clinics to reach non-traditional areas for disabled athletes"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}