KUALA LUMPUR – Despite viral social media messages in the past about former athletes struggling in life without government help, the Youth and Sports Ministry has always ensured that they are taken care of, its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu insisted today.
“I just want to say how much the ministry, together with the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) and National Sports Council, does not want to see any of our heroes who have made the country proud go through hardship,” he said.
Faizal said that even though the ministry has offered a helping hand, sometimes such former athletes choose to find their own paths.
“We want to help them, but what are we to do if they choose not to accept it?” he said at the launch of National Sports Day here today.
“This is why I am worried because people see a former athlete who has chosen a noble way of making an income, such as selling things at a kiosk or stall, and they viral the issue as if the government is not doing anything,” he added.
He said former athletes may sometimes use their medals and their Harimau Malaya gear for their own personal gain by getting sympathy from others.
“I’m not pointing fingers, but the government has always offered assistance through courses that help former athletes set up their own businesses so that they can continue their lives in comfort,” he said.
Previously, The Vibes reported that former national Paralympics swimmer Koh Lee Peng chose to work as a street peddler rather than accept government assistance.
Yakeb chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed had said the public outrage towards the lack of assistance for Lee Peng was misled, as she wanted to support herself through her own business endeavours.
Meanwhile, Faizal said he was happy that Yakeb was allocated RM5 million under Budget 2023 to continue its efforts to help ex-athletes in need.
This is after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced RM3 million for Yakeb for 2021 and 2022, with more financial assistance for 2023. – The Vibes, October 8, 2022
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