Kota Kinabalu: All sports associations in the State under Sabah Sports Council are urged to give their support to the EPF Collaboration Programme, a strategic partnership between the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Sabah Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to cater for the welfare of State athletes.
Youth and Sports Minister Datul Ellron Angin made the call after a briefing session on the programme by EPF officials led by the Kota Kinabalu Branch Chief Sabarudin @ Sabree Hassan with representatives from all the associations at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
“It is our responsibility in the Ministry as well as the State sports associations to protect and look after the State athletes’ welfare.
“I hope this EPF Collaboration Programme gets strong support from all the sports associations and the athletes because my Ministry through MSN Sabah (Sabah Sports Council) will do our best for the future of our athletes.
“We have seen many of our athletes struggle to make a living after their retirement from involvement in sports and the situation tends to get worse in their later life.
“Therefore, I am very grateful to the EPF because this programme is helping the athletes to ensure that their sacrifices including the financial support from their parents are not wasted.
“This will also indirectly strengthen the confidence of the youth as well as the parents in accepting sports as a worthy career for their children,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry also hosted the Iftar dinner after the briefing session attended by Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, Sabarudin and other officials as well as all the sports associations’ representatives.
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