By Sheeda Fathil
KAJANG, Oct 2 — The state government has channeled an estimated RM195,450 in assistance to 50 former athletes and para athletes in Selangor via the Ceria Atlet Para Selangor 2021 programme.
State exco for sports Mohd Khairuddin Othman said those who represented the state and nation up to the international level received furniture aid and repairs to their homes.
“The programme is now in its second year, and to date RM400,000 have been spent to aid all athletes who have brought glory to the state and the nation.
“This year we continue our efforts in helping them, with the theme ‘Remember the Athletes’ Deeds’ which focuses more on their welfare. God willing, assistance will be given in stages until this December,” he said during the programme’s launch at a para athlete’s home in Sungai Sekamat earlier today.
Khairuddin said he hopes the programme will become a benchmark in bringing about greater concern for the welfare of para athletes and former athletes in Selangor.
“Their contributions and sacrifices in bringing glory to Selangor and Malaysia in the sporting arena will always be appreciated by the state government,” he said.
Meanwhile the National Athletes’s Welfare Foundation chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed said Selangor is the first state to assist athletes, including para athletes.
“YB Mohd Khairuddin and the Selangor government have been very concerned, helping 50 athletes last year and another 50 this year. This is a great boon, and may it continue in the future,” he said