KUANTAN: Up to 76 sports, including lion and dragon dances, are in the final stages of approval to be included to the list of recognised sports under the Sports Development Act.

       Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the list has not been amended since 2004 and needs to be updated to reflect the changes in sports development.

       "In 2000, seven types of sports were added and in 2004, five more were included to bring the total to 51 types of official sports today. Now, 76 more sports are proposed to be added, including lion and dragon dances.

       "This will make the number of sports in the proposed amendment to be carried out this year to 127 types of sports," he said during a lunch meeting with the Malaysia Lion Dance Federation (MLDF) here on Sunday (June 19).

       Ti said this was not done casually and was being carried out on the basis that these sports had structure such as a governing body and sporting value.

       "This amendment is to streamline activities that are considered sports. Seeing that there has been no amendment since 2004, this will update the list of recognised sports suitable with activities and organisations that are registered.

       "This is also in line with the existence of international committees and organisations of these sports," he said.

       Ti said the sports of dancing such as ballroom dancing, cha-cha, mambo, tango and others must be competitive.

       "Similarly, the lion and dragon dances are Chinese traditional dances that are competitive. Both activities have different governing bodies," he said.

       Ti also said additional rules and regulations had been proposed to ensure the sports industry was up to date.

       "This includes compulsory anti-doping tests before a competition. Other than that, we are making it compulsory for organisations to give the required information for them to qualify to apply for funds and participation before a competition.

       "This is because there are a lot of organisations that are not functioning. This is a means of pushing organisations to keep themselves updated and discharge their responsibilities in the interest of the athletes," said Ti.

       During the meeting, MLDF president Leong Lik Thong announced that a national acrobatic lion dance championship would be held here on July 17.

       He said teams from all over Malaysia would be taking part in the invitational championship to be held at the Berjaya Megamall.

       "All the participating teams have trained extremely hard to ensure that their performances are the best in skills and standards. I am sure all wish to witness these spectacular and excellent performances of world-class lion dance.

       "They will be sure to draw a very large audience. The main objective is to promote the lion dance sport to a multiracial society," said Leong.