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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.
Sinar Daily
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Mohamad Norza elected as BWF council member
BAM also wished the Olympic Council of Malaysia president continued success as he embarks on his new role to serve the global badminton fraternity. 26 Apr 2025 06:16pm Norza Zakaria - Photo by Bernama KUALA LUMPUR - Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) honorary life president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria has been elected as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) council member for the 2025-2029 term, today. In a statement today, BAM extended its heartfelt congratulations to Mohamad Norza, describing his election as a reflection of the global badminton community's recognition of his leadership, vision, and longstanding commitment to the sport's growth both in Malaysia and internationally. "BAM, represented at the BWF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Xiamen, China, is proud to see Malaysian representation continue at the highest level of world badminton governance,' the statement said. BAM also wished the Olympic Council of Malaysia president continued success as he embarks on his new role to serve the global badminton fraternity. Last November, the 58-year-old corporate figure was made as the BAM honorary life president after he stepped down from the presidency post last August. In another development, Thailand's Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul has been confirmed as the new BWF president. According to a statement in BWF official website, Leeswadtrakul is the second woman president of BWF. She won unopposed and succeeded Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen, whose 12-year tenure as BWF president ended today. Hoyer was then awarded as the BWF honorary life vice president at the AGM. - BERNAMA More Like This
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Time for swimmers to shine at Malaysia Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Much will be at stake for Malaysian swimmers at the Malaysia Open which begins in Bukit Jalil tomorrow (April 24). Malaysia Aquatics (MAS) will begin selecting swimmers to represent the nation at the Thailand Sea Games (Dec) based on their performances at the national meet. Those who achieve the required 'A' or 'B' standards will be added to a long list. The 'A' cut will be based on the bronze medal times from the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games while top-six times have been set for the 'B' standard. The qualifying standards have been provisionally approved by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). MAS assistant secretary-general Nurul Huda Abdullah stressed the importance of the Malaysia Open in the national swimming calendar. "I cannot stress enough the importance of the Malaysia Open as it serves as a qualifying meet for major competitions this year — the World Championships in Singapore, the World Junior Championships in Romania, and the Bangkok Sea Games," said Nurul Huda today (April 23). "This meet is a crucial checkpoint for our swimmers. MAS will be drafting the long list of swimmers for the Thailand Sea Games based on their results at the Malaysia Open. "Since last year's Malaysia Games in Sarawak, we've seen the emergence of several promising young swimmers who could earn spots on the long list for the Sea Games. "We expect to see many new faces. I urge our National Programme swimmers not to be complacent — it's time to post some fast times." Nurul Huda co-chairs the MAS swimming committee alongside vice president Marilyn Chua. The World Championships will take place in Singapore from July 11-Aug 3, followed by the World Junior Championships in Otopeni, Romania, from Aug 19-24. The Sea Games is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla on Dec 9-20.
