Sending elite athletes to train overseas is vital since it provides exposure, said National Sports Institute (ISN) director-general Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz.

According to Ramlan, the issue of wasteful spending does not arise because sending athletes for overseas training was indeed an investment and would offer good returns to the country.

"Success at the international stage is worth more than the money spent for sending athletes to train overseas," he told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ramlan was commenting on Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) deputy president Karim Ibrahim's claim that the National Sports Council (NSC) was just wasting money on hurdler Noraseela Mohd Khalid's training in Germany since the athlete has been injured for months and not training or competing.

Contrary to Karim's bone of contention, Ramlan cited the success of Nicol Ann David who trains in Amsterdam, Holland.

He also claimed that the decision by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to send the Harimau Muda squad to Slovakia last June should not be considered a waste of funds.

"It is not a waste because we can see the result of such programmes.

"Recently, the Harimau Muda squad beat South Korea in a friendly match played here," he said.

He added that the initiative by FAM was a brave step forward and that such efforts must continue.

Sending the Harimau Muda squad to Slovakia had raised questions by many parties, including FAM deputy president Annuar Musa who had questioned the relevance.

"Efforts to send athletes for training overseas must be increased and

expanded to all sports. But such efforts must not be the sole responsibility of the government," he said.

- Bernama