KUCHING: Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Mordi Bimol, joined a welfare visit to former national para swimmer, Koh Lee Peng, as part of continued efforts to support retired athletes.
The visit, held under the ‘Ziarah Kasih’ programme organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) together with the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (YAKEB), reflected the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of former national athletes.
The programme was not only aimed at assessing the former athlete’s current condition, but also served as an important platform to ensure that all forms of aid and support provided by the government continue to meet the needs of retired athletes.
Koh Lee Peng is among the country’s para athletes who brought glory to Malaysia after winning three gold medals at the 2021 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games, and she continues to receive welfare support and monitoring from YAKEB.
According to Mordi, who is also the Mas Gading Member of Parliament, the welfare of athletes, including after retirement, remains a priority for KBS in line with efforts to ensure their contributions and sacrifices continue to be appreciated.
“KBS will continue to strengthen cooperation with YAKEB to ensure assistance can be coordinated more efficiently, systematically and comprehensively, covering welfare, healthcare and the livelihood of former athletes.
“This is not merely welfare assistance, but also a sign of the nation’s appreciation for their contributions and sacrifices in bringing Malaysia’s name to the world stage,” he said.
He stressed that YAKEB plays an important role as the main welfare institution in coordinating assistance for former athletes facing health, financial and post-retirement challenges.
Among the assistance previously extended to Koh were the replacement of an electric wheelchair, follow-up treatment support with a neurologist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, as well as monthly financial aid subject to current eligibility requirements.
The proactive approach undertaken by KBS and YAKEB is in line with the government’s aspiration to strengthen the social protection network for national athletes so that no former athlete is left behind or neglected after serving the country.
The initiative also reflects the government’s continued commitment to building a more inclusive, caring and sustainable sports ecosystem for the wellbeing of the nation’s sporting community as a whole.
