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Formulate Proper Long-Term Planning For National Athletes - Tiki Lafe

KUCHING, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Fans of Sarawak diving queen Pandelela Rinong may still be in a celebratory mood over her impressive Olympic bronze medal feat but there are numerous calls for the government to formulate proper long-term planning for national athletes through a collaboration with corporate bodies.

National Service Council chairman Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe said on Wednesday the Youth and Sports Ministry should take into account, not only the need to provide coaches and training venues, but also financial resources as most of these athletes have to support their families.

"Right now, the government should not only give incentives but also provide them full employment. Then, they can concentrate on training, otherwise, we can never expect good athletes who can excel as the world stage," Dr Tiki who is also Mas Gading Member of Parliament told reporters when announcing a luncheon in honour of Pandelela at her village, Kampung Jugan in Bau, about 40km from here, on Aug 27.

Citing the fate of two former athletes from Sarawak - national boxer Sapok Biki, winner of a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and national sprinter Watson Nyambek, then dubbed as the "Flying Dayak" - he said, they had faded from sports scene due to financial constrains.

He said rural areas in Sarawak were not short of athletes with potential but the sports ministry should work with corporate bodies, especially those related to sports, to adopt these athletes who had made their mark in the sports arena by providing sponsorship or signing them up as sports ambassadors.

-- BERNAMA

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