KUALA LUMPUR – Local sports supplies company Universal Fitness and Leisure Sdn Bhd (UFL) was delighted by the government’s decision to provide tax exemptions to employers hiring former national athletes.
The new initiative was announced during the revised Budget 2023 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday at the Dewan Rakyat.
UFL managing director Datuk V Radhakrishnan said he was especially grateful for the consideration as he has been advocating the practice to various parties for a long time.
He revealed that UFL has been employing former athletes, from clubs to the national level, for the past 35 years, and they have proven to be valuable assets to his company.
“I have brought this up to various parties for a long time and I am very glad that the Youth and Sports Ministry has finally decided to accept my suggestions at the town hall meeting conducted by the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh recently.
“We understand how athletes worked hard for years aiming to win medals and bring glory to the country. But the minute their career is over, many of them are quickly forgotten,” he told The Vibes.
Radhakrishnan also noted that former national athletes should be given the opportunity to excel in other careers besides sports.
He cited national bodybuilder legend Datuk Malek Noor as an example, who is also the chairman of the company.
“My chairman Datuk Malek Noor is also an ex-sportsman.
“Give them (ex-athletes) the opportunity to grow. The ones I have hired have shown tremendous commitment to the company.
“They have good discipline, time management, as well as dedicated employees thanks to their strict regime through their sport training days.
“I am looking forward to more information from Hannah on how to implement this,” Radhakrishnan added.
Currently, Radhakrishnan said that four out of five general managers are former athletes in divisions such as brands and project management.
There are also ex-athletes holding the positions of archery manager, lawn bowl consultant, and squash coach.
Going into their 37th anniversary, he said that about half of the employees hired have been ex-athletes ranging from a bodybuilder champion, a lawn bowl champion, gymnasts, squash players, footballers, and archers as well as athletes from club and district levels.
Treat funds with transparency, says Pandelela
Meanwhile, diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg was also happy with the government’s decision to increase the allocation to RM399 million in the revised budget up from RM289 million allocated last year.
More than 80% of the total allocation, which is RM324 million, is set aside for training programmes and sports facilities for all athletes and para-athletes.
With such a significant increase, the two-time Olympic medallist hoped the funds will be managed fairly and with complete transparency.
“I am happy to hear that the government decided to increase the budget.
“I feel hopeful. Whoever managed the fund will have to manage it well accompanied by transparency and accountability.
“I wish all the best to athletes who will benefit from the fund, and I hope they will benefit (from) it fairly,” said Pandelela, who is also the seven-time world championships medallist. – The Vibes, February 28, 2023
