THE National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) has planned to hold a get-together session with former national athletes in Penang, Kedah and Perlis, in February next year.
Its chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed estimated about 500 of them would be invited to join in the session, which is expected to take place in Penang.
“This gathering is important for us to build a close relationship among the former national athletes with Yakeb.
“We want to get to know their current situation, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s part of our programme to build camaraderie with them,” Noorul Ariffin briefed Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a courtesy call session in Komtar today.
After the get-together programme in Penang, Noorul Ariffin said that Yakeb would organise a similar event in the southern region, east coast, Sabah and Sarawak, before concluding it in Putrajaya.
“It’s important to create awareness among the public that Yakeb is platform to assist and to look into the plight of former national athletes.
“I believe that we can do more to reach out them,” he said.
On top of that, Noorul Ariffin pointed out that he has been working closely with the Yakeb’s representatives in each state.
“We will provide the necessary assistance to those former athletes, who are in need of help,” he said.
In Penang alone, Noorul Ariffin said there are a total of 132 former national athletes, comprising 108 men and 24 women.
“When some of them were in need of medical assistance, we contributed aid to help them,” he added.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who was also present, told Noorul Ariffin on the state’s ongoing effort to assist the current state’s athletes.
“In Penang, we have the Penang Athletes Career and Education (PACE) programme, which is meant to ensure the welfare of state’s athletes, including student-athletes, are protected.
“The contribution that we rendered to them comes from the state and corporate corporations.
“We also assist them in their study path, should they need any help,” he said.
Chow said he was pleased with Yakeb’s ongoing effort.
“We will work alongside with Yakeb and support their various initiatives to help former national athletes,” he said, praising Yakeb’s effort to care for the former national heroes and heroines.
Also present were Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) director Harry Chai, Yakeb’s board members Johari Marina, Yakeb’s general manager Zuhairi Abd Manaf, Yakeb’s operation manager Aminuddin Mohd Nasir, former national footballer Datuk Abdul Shukor Salleh and former national athlete PLBS Peyadesa.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis