Govt should also improve athlete's recruitment
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