KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry is expected to launch the Sports Industry Master Plan by this year, its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.

The plan has been completed by the sports industry secretariat and the ministry was now at looking for a suitable time to launch the plan, he said.

"At the same time, we are also organising the Sports Industry Expo to create awareness among the public about the opportunities in the sports industry.

"The ministry's goal is to boost awareness about the sports industry's capability to generate huge returns not only for athletes and players, but also the public who are involved in the industry," he said after appearing as a guest on the Ruang Bicara programme by Bernama TV here yesterday.

Earlier on the programme, he had said that the ministry knew of the disappointment of several sports associations after several sports disciplines were dropped from the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma).

"I would like to apologise on behalf of my ministry and the National Sports Council for our inability to promote Sukma heavily. I believe, however, that from now there will be more publicity and I believe the public will tune in to the events being held," he said.

On the issue of deferred salaries that is currently plaguing the national football league, Ahmad Faizal urged all teams to be realistic when preparing their teams.

-- BERNAMA