Selangor Journal
Selangor Youth, Sports Development and Human Resource Development Committee chairman Mohd Khairuddin Othman (middle) launching the Program Ceria Atlet Selangor 2020 at the Selangor State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, Selangor, on September 3, 2020. — Picture by BERNAMA

Selangor launches programme to assist former athletes facing hardships, allocates RM195,350

SHAH ALAM, Sept 4 — Selangor yesterday launched its first “Program Ceria Atlet Selangor 2020” by allocating RM195,350 to help at least 50 former able-bodied and disabled athletes in the state who are facing hardships.

Selangor Youth, Sports Development and Human Resource Development Committee chairman Mohd Khairuddin Othman said the initiative was created to show appreciation to the former athletes for their contributions which had brought glory to the country and the state.

“We are collaborating with the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) to track these former athletes and it is estimated that each former athlete will receive aid amounting to RM5,000, depending on their needs.

“Yakeb has received about 250 applications for the aid and selection will be made based on the appraisals by the State Economic Planning Unit and the foundation,” he told a press conference after launching the programme here yesterday.

He added that among the forms of assistance that would be channelled included a programme to repair damage to former athletes’ houses and the contribution of essential items like home furnishings.

According to Mohd Khairuddin, among the selection criteria to be used would be whether or not they are Selangor-born, have represented the state at the national level, are facing hardships and have fixed income.

He said that so far, 850 current and former athletes who are Selangor-born have joined Yakeb and comprise the biggest number of athletes registered with the foundation.

Therefore, he said, he planned to include the programme in the state’s budget allocation for next year so as to provide assistance to more former able-bodied and disabled athletes who are in need of help.

Meanwhile, commenting on the welfare of Selangor athletes, he said there was no such problem as the state government always paid attention to their welfare.

In fact, he added, the state had recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to provide a special pathway for Selangor athletes to further their studies to ensure a better future for them.

— Bernama

 

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