'This country needs to respect its athletes'

'This country needs to respect its athletes'

Legislators have approved the long-awaited bill on sports which,
among other items, requires the government to provide pensions
for national athletes and organizations involved in developing
sports here. The Jakarta Post talked to some people
to get their views on the issue.

Astari Dyah Sutjiningtyas, 23, a graduate from the London
School of Public Relations in Central Jakarta. She is also a
semi-professional basketball player. She lives in Roxy, Central
Jakarta.

It is very sad that in Indonesia, athletes can only survive
while they are still active, with a standard of living that
varies, but mostly is just average.

However, once they retire from competition, most cannot afford
a decent quality of life. From what I hear, there was a gold
medal winner who ended up working as a parking attendant.

Some people involved in the more popular sports like
basketball, soccer, badminton and volleyball can still earn a
decent living by becoming coaches. But, those from less popular
sports often find themselves with nothing to do after their
competition days are over.

This country has to respect its athletes more. This new bill
will hopefully help, but we will have to wait for its full
implementation.

Mudjito Haryono, 52, a coach at a private high school in
Jakarta. He lives in Cinere, Depok.

People often look down on people who work professionally in
sports. It is because of the image that athletes cannot make a
decent living. And it is indeed true for the majority of them.

They have sort of become second-class citizens, although in
the past they were praised like heroes.

I think in addition to paying more attention to their welfare,
the government should also try to familiarize the public about
the importance of sports.

The Jakarta Post