Govt should also improve athlete's recruitment
Legislators have approved the long-awaited bill on sports that requires the government to provide a pension for national athletes and funds for organizations involved in developing the country's sports. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents here to get their views on the issue.
Sanan, 48, is a resident of a housing complex in Cisauk district, Tangerang regency. He works as a staff member of a junior high school on Jl. Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta. He plays badminton.
Well, I agree if the government gives a pension to outstanding athletes, because it will encourage young talented sportsmen and women to practice seriously.
Currently, we have many badminton players, who have gained great achievements in international competitions. There are also several Indonesian athletes in other sports of international caliber.
But they are few. I believe if the government pays more attention to their welfare, Indonesia may have many good athletes in other sports.
The athlete's welfare is not the only problem in Indonesia. The recruitment is not fair. It is very difficult for a talented badminton player, for example, to become a national athlete if he or she has no relatives or friends in PBSI (the All Indonesian Badminton Association).
Apart from improving athletes' welfare, the government should also improve the recruitment system of national athletes.
Aninditha Maharrani, 23, works as a news provider at Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. She resides with her family in Pamulang, Tangerang.
A pension is the athletes' right. We have to ensure that they receive it. Remember that they have made us proud as a nation.
I think they should receive more, like rewards when they are still active as athletes. It is sad to hear that many former prominent athletes end up living in poverty.
The ill-fated former world boxing champion Ellyas Pical, who was apprehended by police for drug dealing, reminds us how poor our athletes are. We have to appreciate their hard work in the first place.
The Jakarta Post