Olympic champ urges welfare for pro athletes

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Indonesia's Olympic gold medalist shuttler Taufik Hidayat appealed to the government to guarantee welfare for high- achieving athletes when they retired.

"I believe the government should pay more attention to the welfare of former athletes. Many of them have been overlooked and have no clear future," Taufik told reporters after meeting President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace on Thursday.

He said the absence of such assurance from the government had discouraged people from pursuing professional sports, and in general, hampered the development of national sports.

"Most parents are disinclined to let their children become athletes, saying it is a profession without any future," remarked the 23-year-old shuttler, whose victory earned Indonesia the only gold from Athens Olympics.

When asked kind of government assistance retired professional athletes might require, he replied: "I do not know ... but we have sacrificed our youth and education to become national athletes. One form may be to guarantee a job when we retire (from professional sports). That would be an incentive."

Taufik said he was unable to relay the request directly to Megawati during his meeting, as "I did not have a chance to say anything to the President".

Stories about the gloomy future faced by former athletes have come to media attention recently, with most ending up in straitened circumstances without any welfare provided as a reward for their achievements.

Taufik was invited along with other Olympic medalists to the Palace, where Megawati conveyed a statement of gratitude and appreciation for their achievements.

Silver medalist weightlifter Raema Lisa Rumbewas and bronze medalist shuttlers Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Eng Hian and Flandy Limpele were also recognized at the meeting, accompanied by National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Agum Gumelar and Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Sutiyoso.

"The president said she was highly satisfied with the athletes' achievement. She also congratulated the Olympic winners ... and hoped that the Olympic medals won by our athletes would inspire the improvement of national sports," Agum said.

He also expressed a hope that the next president would focus on national sports development.

KONI has promised a Rp 1 billion (US$108,000) cash bonus for singles gold medalists and Rp 1.5 billion for each doubles team that wins a gold.

Singles silver medalists are entitled to Rp 500 million and doubles team silver medalists Rp 750 million, while singles bronze medalists will receive Rp 250 million and doubles team bronze medalists Rp 350 million.

Indonesia has fielded 39 athletes competing in 13 sports, the majority of whom have already returned from Athens. The cycling, sailing, canoeing, track and field, tae kwon do and boxing athletes will complete their events and start their journey home as of Saturday.