KUALA LUMPUR – Extend the social safety net to athletes who have yet to win medals in Olympic events, Akmal Nasir (Johor Baru-PH) said in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said currently, the only athletes who are subject to a pension scheme are those which have won medals in Olympic events.
“If there is a world champion of a non-Olympic sport, they get nothing. Will the Youth and Sports Ministry consider extending the social safety net to include them?” Akmal asked.
He pointed to International Automobile Federation (FIA) Production Car Rally champion Karamjit Singh, who resorted to selling his car and working as an e-hailing driver to make ends meet.
Akmal said athletes who participated in the Olympics many times without winning medals are also not subject to pension schemes.
“These are athletes who represented the country up to four times in the Olympics, 16 years. It is time to include them in the safety net too.” – The Vibes, December 11, 2020
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