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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pekan: Clear eligibility standard needed for proposed non-Olympic sports pension
KUALA LUMPUR: Sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli made it clear he supports recent suggestions to introduce a pension scheme for multiple world champions from non-Olympic sports. Pekan said highly successful athletes from non-Olympic sports deserve to be recognised for their achievements. "I agree that multiple world champions from legitimate competitions deserve to get a pension," said Pekan when contacted today (June 8). "It is a form of recognition for their achievements. It is also a way to encourage more people to take up sports. "Otherwise people might say there is no point to do well in these sports as you don't get any benefits even as a world champion. "Their sport may not be in the Olympics but if they win four world titles, that is already the same duration as an Olympic cycle." Pekan, however, stressed that the scheme must be done the right way and thus there are many factors to be considered before it is rolled out. "I believe the sporting authorities should set a clear standard that can be referred to when determining who is eligible to receive the pension," said Pekan. "There are some sports which are governed by more than one world body and thus, there are more than one world championships for that sport. "We have to identify which world championships to recognise. Some world championships are easier to compete in than others as their field is weaker. "We also have to identify how many world titles an athlete needs to be eligible." Recently, six-time world champion bodybuilder Datuk Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah highlighted the need for there to be a pension scheme for multiple world champions in non-Olympic sports. Syarul suggested that a small amount of RM2,000 a month would suffice and would help athletes greatly in their old age once they are no longer able to work. "I agree (on amount) with Datuk Syarul, I believe we cannot set the pension standards to be the same as the Olympics," said Pekan. "This is because not all countries compete in these non-Olympic sports. "The Olympics remains the pinnacle for sports as almost all countries are trying to qualify for the games." Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallists receive a lifetime pension of RM5,000, RM3,000 and RM2,000 respectively via the National Sports Incentive Scheme. The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has in recent years suggested setting up a trust fund to fund an expanded pension scheme for all Malaysian athletes. The scheme, however, has yet to get off the ground.
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Multiple world champions deserve pension scheme, says Syarul
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah has reiterated the need for there to be a pension scheme for retired multiple world champions in non-Olympic sports. Syarul, a six-time world championship winning bodybuilder, believes that athletes who have won two or more world championship titles in their respective sports should be entitled to receive such a pension. "I hope the Youth and Sports Ministry will consider providing a pension to such athletes from non-Olympic sports," said Syarul when met recently. "If an athlete wins a world title once, people can say he or she was lucky, or say that none of the big guns competed that year. "But if an athlete wins the world title two, three, four or five times, that is not luck. "I think a minimal pension amount of RM2,000 would be sufficient. There are also not that many athletes who have won multiple world titles in non-Olympic sports, we are not talking about a battalion here. "I believe this pension is very important. Athletes (once retired from competition) can coach or open an academy when they are still relatively young but what are they going to do once they reach an old age? They can't go on working forever. "I have spoken about this before but it fell on deaf ears." Besides Syarul himself, eight-time world champion Datuk Nicol David (squash) and four-time world champion Al Jufferi Jamari (pencak silat) are among those who would be eligible for the pension proposed by Syarul. Syarul believes athletes who excel at the highest level in non-Olympic sports deserve to be recognised just like their counterparts from Olympic sports. "I sympathise with athletes from non-Olympic sports," said Syarul. "Athletes from Olympic sports are taken care of like the golden child and have plenty of programmes for them. "But you have to remember that athletes from non-Olympic sports also win medals for the country consistently." Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallists receive a lifetime pension of RM5,000, RM3,000 and RM2,000 respectively via the National Athletes Incentive Scheme. The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has in recent years suggested setting up a trust fund to fund an expanded pension scheme for all Malaysian athletes. The scheme, however, has yet to get off the ground.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
White Earth Nation gets approval to open cannabis shops off tribal land
Tribal nation gets green light to open cannabis dispensaries across Minnesota Tribal nation gets green light to open cannabis dispensaries across Minnesota Tribal nation gets green light to open cannabis dispensaries across Minnesota An agreement between the state of Minnesota and White Earth Nation gives the tribal nation the green light to open cannabis dispensaries across the state. On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz signed the first tribal-state compact authorized under Minnesota's 2023 cannabis law. According to Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the agreement allows the White Earth Nation to open up to eight dispensaries outside of Tribal lands. OCM says sales of cannabis products off tribal lands are subject to all state and local taxes. The 2023 law greenlit recreational marijuana with a gross receipts tax of 10% on sales at licensed businesses. A budget agreement announced May 15 would raise it to 15%. The approved tax hike would be in addition to the state sales tax rate of 6.975% and any local sales taxes. This applies to low-dose, THC edibles derived from hemp, too. White Earth Nation has plans for locations in Moorhead and St. Cloud. OCM says with the compact signed, tribal dispensaries can open their doors to the public.
Fox Sports
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Geoff Ogilvy and Brandt Snedeker are selected as Presidents Cup captains for 2026 at Medinah
Associated Press Geoff Ogilvy of Australia takes over as International captain of the Presidents Cup for 2026 at Medinah with a unique distinction from the previous eight captains. He can claim home-course advantage while trying to lead his team to victory on the road. Ogilvy, the former U.S. Open champion, and Brandt Snedeker were introduced Tuesday as captains for 2026 in the Chicago suburbs, matches that have been so one-sided that the Americans have lost only once since they began in 1994. Ogilvy knows the venerable No. 3 course at Medinah better than anyone because his design company — Australian-based OCM — was in charge of renovating the course that previously hosted three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships and a Ryder Cup. 'It's a humbling thing. It's a great honor,' Ogilvy said on a conference call in Chicago. 'Medinah is a place where we've done a lot of work, my company, the last two, three years. It's clearly an away game, but it's exciting to be on a course that I've come to know really, really well the last few years.' Ogilvy was the clear choice even as the Americans were finishing off another victory at Royal Montreal in 2024. Snedeker, a nine-time PGA Tour winner who captured the FedEx Cup in 2012, was more surprising and didn't get offered the job until about two weeks ago. Snedeker played in only one Presidents Cup, in 2013 at Muirfield Village, and twice in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2016. He was an assistant captain to Jim Furyk in the last Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal. Keegan Bradley also had played in only three cups when he was appointed Ryder Cup captain for this year's event at Bethpage Black. Medinah was the scene of Snedeker's first team competition in 2012 at the Ryder Cup, where the Americans lost a 10-6 lead to Europe. 'It was one of probably the lowest points of my career. But I remember all the good stuff leading up to it -- being part of my first team, being here in Chicago, how crazy the fans were, how awesome they were,' Snedeker said. 'Something we're going to try to recreate here is that team-like atmosphere we had there,' he said. "Obviously, we want a different result, but it was a great experience nonetheless. Medinah is a great venue for these events, and it's a big ballpark, and it's going to show out well. Geoff did a phenomenal job on the redo, so the course is going to show out really, really well. 'Just look forward to the opportunity of putting the best players in the world out there on a stage like Chicago and having the fans behind us.' The Americans have won the last 10 times in the Presidents Cup dating to a tie in South Africa in 2003. The International team — players from countries outside Europe — have been gaining ground since taking over more control of its team from the PGA Tour, which owns the event. Key to that was a 2019 nail-biter at Royal Melbourne, when International captain Ernie Els came up with a new identity — a black and gold shield — for his team. While the Americans keep winning, Ogilvy has noticed a change in spirit and momentum for his side. 'When I first got involved in Presidents Cup ... I think the hunger was there for the week and then it would dissipate quickly and then it would disappear for two years and then come back the week of the tournament,' said Ogilvy, who made his Presidents Cup debut in 2007. He has played for Gary Player and Greg Norman, and he has been an assistant for Nick Price, Els, Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir. Ogilvy said losing so many times only fuels motivation. 'There's a burning determination that's in the group that is very envious,' he said. "Every trophy ceremony when we watch — the U.S. team has the trophy — it looks like a lot of fun. It's equally as disappointing to be on the other side of things. 'Disappointment usually fuels motivation, so the group is very passionate about it and very determined to sort of balance the ledger, if you like, and start winning this tournament a bit more regularly.' As for the home-course advantage? The course will be routed differently to accommodate match play (not every match gets to the 18th hole). Besides, Ogilvy has been around long enough to know the world's best players are quick studies. 'Look, I think it's an advantage when we turn up on Monday,' Ogilvy said. "But by Thursday ... the best skill I think that touring professionals have over most other golfers is they can learn a golf course really quickly. 'By the time we tee off on Thursday, anything that I can help the players out with with what we did and how we were hoping people would play the course, I imagine that the U.S. team will have it pretty worked out by then.' ___ AP golf:
Hamilton Spectator
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Geoff Ogilvy and Brandt Snedeker are selected as Presidents Cup captains for 2026 at Medinah
Geoff Ogilvy of Australia takes over as International captain of the Presidents Cup for 2026 at Medinah with a unique distinction from the previous eight captains. He can claim home-course advantage while trying to lead his team to victory on the road. Ogilvy, the former U.S. Open champion, and Brandt Snedeker were introduced Tuesday as captains for 2026 in the Chicago suburbs, matches that have been so one-sided that the Americans have lost only once since they began in 1994. Ogilvy knows the venerable No. 3 course at Medinah better than anyone because his design company — Australian-based OCM — was in charge of renovating the course that previously hosted three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships and a Ryder Cup. 'It's a humbling thing. It's a great honor,' Ogilvy said on a conference call in Chicago. 'Medinah is a place where we've done a lot of work, my company, the last two, three years. It's clearly an away game, but it's exciting to be on a course that I've come to know really, really well the last few years.' Ogilvy was the clear choice even as the Americans were finishing off another victory at Royal Montreal in 2024. Snedeker, a nine-time PGA Tour winner who captured the FedEx Cup in 2012, was more surprising and didn't get offered the job until about two weeks ago. Snedeker played in only one Presidents Cup, in 2013 at Muirfield Village, and twice in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2016. He was an assistant captain to Jim Furyk in the last Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal. Keegan Bradley also had played in only three cups when he was appointed Ryder Cup captain for this year's event at Bethpage Black. Medinah was the scene of Snedeker's first team competition in 2012 at the Ryder Cup, where the Americans lost a 10-6 lead to Europe. 'It was one of probably the lowest points of my career. But I remember all the good stuff leading up to it — being part of my first team, being here in Chicago, how crazy the fans were, how awesome they were,' Snedeker said. 'Something we're going to try to recreate here is that team-like atmosphere we had there,' he said. 'Obviously, we want a different result, but it was a great experience nonetheless. Medinah is a great venue for these events, and it's a big ballpark, and it's going to show out well. Geoff did a phenomenal job on the redo, so the course is going to show out really, really well. 'Just look forward to the opportunity of putting the best players in the world out there on a stage like Chicago and having the fans behind us.' The Americans have won the last 10 times in the Presidents Cup dating to a tie in South Africa in 2003. The International team — players from countries outside Europe — have been gaining ground since taking over more control of its team from the PGA Tour, which owns the event. Key to that was a 2019 nail-biter at Royal Melbourne, when International captain Ernie Els came up with a new identity — a black and gold shield — for his team. While the Americans keep winning, Ogilvy has noticed a change in spirit and momentum for his side. 'When I first got involved in Presidents Cup ... I think the hunger was there for the week and then it would dissipate quickly and then it would disappear for two years and then come back the week of the tournament,' said Ogilvy, who made his Presidents Cup debut in 2007. He has played for Gary Player and Greg Norman, and he has been an assistant for Nick Price, Els, Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir. Ogilvy said losing so many times only fuels motivation. 'There's a burning determination that's in the group that is very envious,' he said. 'Every trophy ceremony when we watch — the U.S. team has the trophy — it looks like a lot of fun. It's equally as disappointing to be on the other side of things. 'Disappointment usually fuels motivation, so the group is very passionate about it and very determined to sort of balance the ledger, if you like, and start winning this tournament a bit more regularly.' As for the home-course advantage? The course will be routed differently to accommodate match play (not every match gets to the 18th hole). Besides, Ogilvy has been around long enough to know the world's best players are quick studies. 'Look, I think it's an advantage when we turn up on Monday,' Ogilvy said. 'But by Thursday ... the best skill I think that touring professionals have over most other golfers is they can learn a golf course really quickly. 'By the time we tee off on Thursday, anything that I can help the players out with with what we did and how we were hoping people would play the course, I imagine that the U.S. team will have it pretty worked out by then.' ___ AP golf:
