KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) and the Malaysia Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assist former national athletes, who have represented the country in the deaf sports championships.
Through the initiative, Yakeb will assist MSDeaf by offering the Yakeb-DHS Hospitality Career Programme involving various fields related to the hospitality industry through the involvement of its strategic partner, DHS Hospitality Academy.
The programme offers a one-year Global Hospitality Pathway Diploma programme covering four months of theoretical studies and eight months practical in Malaysia or Singapore complete with allowances, accommodation and insurance coverage.
Yakeb chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed said the programme was open to 10 MSDeaf members and 10 former athletes registered with Yakeb, with a sponsorship value of up to RM360,000.
“This programme is to create new norms to physically challenged individuals in the hospitality industry and enable them to work or become successful entrepreneurs,” he said at a press conference at the foundation’s office here yesterday.
“Former athletes have great values where they have a positive mind as well as discipline, determination and courage in facing challenges. Those values can take them further ahead,” he added.
One of MSDeaf advisers, Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh said this was one of the efforts to help former athletes create job opportunities during the uncertain economic situation following the impact of Covid-19.
“The diploma is recognised by the Malaysian government, so after they complete the programme it will be easier for them to get a job either in the government or private sector,” said Jamil, who is also Perbadanan Sumber Manusia Berhad chairman.
He said the collaboration between Yakeb and MSDeaf also involved the implementation of fundraising activities to collect funds for the two organisations, including the charity run programme, which now depends on the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Previously, through the same programme, 10 former athletes registered with Yakeb were offered full sponsorship while 100 members were offered partial sponsorship.
— Bernama
