PETALING JAYA, April 27 –
The welfare of national athletes and coaches continues to be an issue that demands serious attention, particularly in ensuring that those who have made significant sacrifices for the country are given the support they deserve, especially after retiring from the sports arena. Dato’ G Kumaar Aamaann, Chief Editor of Ottrangknews and an activist, expressed his concern about the growing gap between the athletes and coaches of the nation and the elite, including politicians who continue to accumulate wealth even after retirement.
“It is true that some individuals in the political world continue to accumulate wealth even after retirement, even to the point of owning high-value assets such as large bungalows, vast lands, and abundant wealth. Meanwhile, we hear of many cases involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), but what about our athletes and coaches? What do they get after retirement?” said Dato’ G.
Wealth Imbalance in the Country
Dato’ G emphasized that allocations for the welfare of athletes and coaches are severely lacking compared to the significant investments made in sports facilities and infrastructure projects such as stadiums. “Large funds are often used to build stadiums and sports buildings, but we see how the welfare of athletes and coaches is not given the proper attention. They have fought to bring honor to the country on the international stage, but when they face health issues or needs after retirement, they are often left without the necessary support,” he added.
What Is the Future of Our Athletes and Coaches?
This concern has grown after several well-known athletes, such as Muhamad Habibullah Mohd Saleh (Gabit), who is battling cancer for the second time, revealed that support for them is still lacking. Gabit, who was cancer-free in 2023, is now facing the same challenge again in 2024. Furthermore, coaches who have dedicated their efforts to training the nation’s athletes also do not receive the recognition and support they deserve. “We see how athletes and coaches who have given everything to the nation are now fighting alone. There is no clear guarantee of a future for them,” said Dato’ G.
Call for Serious Action from the Prime Minister
As a concrete step, Dato’ G urged the Prime Minister of Malaysia to pay more attention to the welfare of athletes and coaches. “The government must seriously address this issue. We need to ensure that athletes and coaches receive the support they deserve, particularly in terms of health insurance and financial assistance after their retirement. We need to think about their future and ensure that they are appreciated as the national heroes who have contributed greatly,” he added.
A Call for a Fair and Transparent System
Dato’ G also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the country’s system operates fairly and transparently, with national wealth being shared more equitably for the well-being of the people, including athletes and coaches. “National wealth should be shared fairly, not just for the benefit of certain individuals. Our athletes and coaches, who have brought Malaysia’s name to the world, should be given the recognition they deserve. It’s time for us to give back to them,” stressed Dato’ G.
With the government’s commitment and the support of the entire community, Dato’ G hopes that the future of athletes and coaches can be guaranteed with better planning and the recognition they deserve. This is a step to appreciate their sacrifices and ensure they are not left in hardship after serving the nation.
“Don’t let them fight alone. We need to give more support to our national heroes,” Dato’ G emphasized.