COUNTERPOINT: Include coaches in pension scheme

New Straits Times » Sport
Lazarus Rokk Feb 16:
FINALLY, after what seemed like a lifetime, it will now be easier to convince averse parents of aspiring national athletes, that excellence in sport can endow an athlete with just as much security — after his or her shelf life is over — as a sound education would.

And it’s all thanks largely to the lifelong pension from the Government for Olympic medallists that was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after he had chaired the second meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Sports two days ago.The plan, it’s understood, will be RM2,000 for gold, RM1,500 for silver, and RM1,000 for bronze medallists per month for the rest of their lives after they have retired from competition.The committee, according to Najib, will also be reviewing other needs like insurance, and medical coverage in Government hospitals.And this is as good a start as any in a nation’s pursuit — fronted by Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said — to resuscitate a dying sports culture.But while Najib and Co are working out the fine details, they would do well to extend these privileges to achievers in the non-Olympic sports as well. But having said that, the achievements should be solely confined to the highest level in the sport.A panel comprising officials from the National Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Malaysia, and independent members could ascertain what that pinnacle would be for each sport.For football, a place in the World Cup Finals, will be the pinnacle for Malaysian football.But everyone seems to have forgotten one important component here. What about the local coaches, or trainers who have produced these champions, shouldn’t they benefit from this scheme as well?Apart from the yearly awards that are accorded on them, coaches have otherwise not been beneficiaries of attractive incentive schemes.But now that exciting changes are in the offing, we should include coaches in this equation as well, as they are an integral element in the success of an athlete, especially in the Malaysian environment.Another piece of news that many of us were excited about was that after 20 years of pursuing this subject, the Cabinet Committee also decided that it was time to apply the scientific approach in preparation of athletes, beginning with the Gemilang 2006 programme for the Doha Asian Games.The 138 athletes preparing for Doha will have, for the first time, a team comprising psychologists, nutritionists, masseurs, fitness and weight trainers, and other support staff.But what appears to be missing from this team of experts, is a team of scientists to bring in the research and development (R & D) element into preparation of athletes.If we are talking about achieving success at the highest levels, we won’t be able to do it without this factor. This R & D element, which is a crucial component in the developed nations, is virtually unheard of in this part of the world.If Malaysian sport is to reach that pinnacle, it will have to evolve scientifically as well.But all in all, the signs have been very encouraging. Now what it takes would be to put decisions into gear, and the grand plan on the road to world sporting excellence.