Govt vows to pay attention to welfare of retired athletes, artists

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Badminton star Taufik Hidayat is on top of the world right now, but he can still spare a thought for those athletes struggling to make it once their playing days are over.

The first man to hold the Olympic and world crowns concurrently, Taufik was asked about his hopes during a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

"I want the government to think about the welfare of retired athletes," the 24 year old said.

Susilo replied that the government was planning to set up a trust fund for former athletes as well as artists.

"We can't make any promises but we are currently thinking about concrete actions to help athletes, and also artists, who have contributed their achievements to the nation," the President said.

Taufik, visiting as part of the national team that competed in the world badminton championships in Anaheim, California, last week, is entitled to a host of bonuses, from sports organizations and the private sector, for his feats on court.

However, other athletes, many of whom sacrifice their educations for their sports careers in their youth, find it hard to make a living in retirement.

Susilo said the development of sports and the arts was among his priorities since he took office last October.

"The commitment is not an empty promise, but it will be implemented to enliven the sports and arts sectors," he said.

For the trust fund, the government would ask members of the public to make donations.

"The funds shall be managed carefully, transparently and in an accountable way to support former athletes and artists," said Susilo, who added that he was touched by the stories of former athletes struggling to make a living.

The assistance has come too late for Ellyas "Elly" Pical, the first Indonesian boxer to win a world belt in 1985.

With only a fifth grade education, he was unprepared for competing outside the ring when he retired in the early 1990s.

"I wish the government had given me a job," he told The Jakarta Post in June, adding that the government should provide a retirement program for athletes.

Only a month after the interview, Elly was caught allegedly trying to sell three ecstasy pills in a West Jakarta nightclub.