BETTER FUTURE FOR NATIONAL ATHLETES

Two Sports Ministry initiatives to help provide retirement security

THE Sports Ministry will introduce two new initiatives to ensure national athletes have a more secure future. Deputy Sports Minister Steven Sim said the programmes will be implemented by the National Sports Council (NSC).

This will widen the scope of medical coverage and also include a pilot project, which will see athletes working with private sector and public companies from next year.

“Malaysian athletes are often worried about what will happen to them once they retire, they worry about (career) security.

“This is the dilemma they often face,” said Steven, during a visit to the Malaysia Badminton Academy yesterday.

“These two initiatives are to give them a secure future. We want athletes to give their full focus when they are competing.”

Steven added that the ministry had held discussions with several companies to make the initiative a success.

“Athletes do not train all day long, maybe three to six hours a day is needed for their training. They can spend the rest of the day furthering their studies or working at a private company.

“We have met with a few companies in banking, information technology and also the automotive industry.

“They have given a positive response to this initiative.

“Details such as working hours, salary or allowances and the selection process will be decided later.

“For a start, we will be working with 10 companies first and hope to send the first batch (of athletes) starting from next year.”