Kota Kinabalu: Sabah became the first State in the country to implement the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Contribution programme for the State’s Malaysia Games (Sukma) and Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) athletes.
A mock cheque of RM400,000 was presented to Sabah EPF’s director Mohd Fadil Sarehan by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin at a brief ceremony held here on Monday.
The amount was the contribution provided by the State government through the Youth and Sports Ministry to 72 athletes who were selected in February this year.
Ellron said these athletes will receive contributions on condition that they must follow the Sabah Sports Council training programme and with good reports from the coach.
“We hope that this contribution can encourage more young people to take up sports seriously and seize the opportunity to represent Sabah, especially in Sukma and Para Sukma.
“Many in the past may have thought that being active in sports had no future, but this contribution will open everyone’s eyes that sports is indeed a lucrative career,” he said.
He added that the Ministry is currently studying the implementation of phase two contributions where post-Sukma and Para athletes will continue to enjoy the benefits from the government if they are included in the National Sports Council (NSC) programme.
Meanwhile, Fadil in his speech praised the Ministry’s initiative in protecting the welfare of athletes through the contribution.
“This is very important to ensure that these athletes have at least some savings after retirement.
“And the good thing is that this contribution can be continued by the recipients once they enter the world of work later,” he said.
Also at the ceremony were Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan, the Ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Mansur Asun, Sabah Sports Council director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor and Sabah Sports Board deputy chairman Janih Bangud.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
