'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