Despite their many differences, this is one issue on which both the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) are in agreement - the Malaysia Games are not producing sufficient national athletes.

About RM20 million has been spent on the 11th edition currently being hosted by Kedah, not counting the money pumped in for infrastructure like venues for the various events.

The sports minister even went to the extent of saying that entry requirements or standards were so low that it does not justify the money spent.

Except for the rare impressive performance, the results and timings have been mediocre, to say the least. However, this is not something new. Year in and year out, it is the same and yet no attempt is made to stop the rot.

On the contrary, overzealous States and officials, have gone out of the way to win medals - nothing else. While rewarding outstanding performances is understandable, money is being given for medals of any colour, even if they were won with mediocre performances.

States try to outdo each other, and many have upped the ante by offering up to RM2,000 for a gold medal - double the rewards of the SEA Games at national level.

It is a frightening scenario.When mediocrity is rewarded and rewarded well, performance can only go one way - down.

While record-breaking feats should be rewarded - not necessarily financially - it borders on absurdity when money is paid for school sports level achievements.

Although the National Sports Council is the owner of the Malaysia Games, it is the OCM, through national sports associations and their state affiliates which provide the participants.

Next month, the OCM meets and it will be useful for all involved in sports to ask themselves if the Malaysia Games remain relevant.

With the ministry embarking on its own efforts to unearth fresh talent via its Cari Champion campaign, has the Games lost its usefulness?

These are points to ponder, and hopefully, taxpayers' money will be used wisely in our quest for sporting excellence.