It is fortunate for Karamjit that the Youth and Sports Minister and National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) intervened in his situation. However, Yakeb’s primary objective is to provide medical treatment, insurance and special aid, among others, to present and former athletes. This is inadequate because Yakeb depends on the Sports Ministry for funds and on some government-linked companies for sponsorship. It is necessary to provide counselling and career development courses to all of our national athletes prior to their retirement. Furthermore, the pension scheme for athletes, “Pension scheme plan for athletes who qualify for Olympics” (The Star, Dec 11), should also be extended to all national sports persons who have served the country.

Source: The Star December 12, 2020 00:45 UTC