A medal cannot pay the electricity bill: Olympian's plea for former athletes

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian hockey player Maninderjit Singh has urged the government to offer more assistance to former athletes, particularly those battling severe health issues and struggling to access basic care. The Olympian brought attention to the cases of 1975 World Cup champions Datuk Seri N. Sri Shanmuganathan and Brian Sta Maria, both currently hospitalized.

Shanmuganathan is being treated for heart complications, while Brian, who has Parkinson's disease, was initially admitted to the emergency unit at UMMC after falling at home. He was subsequently transferred to a regular ward. Maninderjit hopes that Malaysia's Prime Minister, Youth and Sports Minister, as well as corporate leaders, will address the struggles faced by former athletes, many of whom are encountering difficulties post-retirement.

Despite their medals and accolades, what happens when the pride of the nation's jerseys fades? When the former athlete who bore the nation's colors can no longer compete? When age, injury, illness, unemployment, or financial hardship overtake them? Many ex-national athletes are grappling with insufficient retirement funds, post-career injuries, and the challenge of securing employment in the post-sports world.

These athletes, whose careers are often brief, invest years in training, sacrificing time with family, and foregoing education and job opportunities. Their sacrifices culminate in little more than memories, medals, and injuries upon retirement. A medal cannot cover the electricity bill, nor can an international cap pay for medical expenses.

Representing Malaysia does not guarantee a pension, and national pride does not guarantee sustenance. What is our duty towards them after they've served the nation through sport? Maninderjit contends that Malaysia requires a comprehensive National Sportsmen and Sportswomen Welfare and Retirement Framework, which should encompass a lifelong welfare, retirement, and pension scheme, structured assistance for those in genuine financial distress, long-term medical aid for injuries, training, education, and employment pathways to help athletes transition into their second careers, and additional support for those facing housing insecurity or financial hardship.

A proactive system should be established before the crisis strikes, rather than reacting to athletes who are homeless, critically ill, impoverished, or publicly seeking assistance. A great sporting nation is evaluated not only by its champion's development but also by its treatment of those champions once they can no longer compete.