"I hope that the acting governors and local governments can accommodate outstanding athletes at the regional level," Norman stated at a press conference titled "North Sumatra Proud to Host the 21st National Sports Week (PON) 2024" held here on Thursday.
The KONI chairman remarked that the government's effort to ensure the future livelihood of athletes by providing them with decent jobs is regulated in Sports Ministerial Regulation Number 11 of 2018.
The regulation stipulates the requirements and mechanisms for the selection and appointment of outstanding athletes to become civil servant candidates.
"Through this regulation, athletes who win gold medals at the SEA Games and other games are automatically set to become civil servants. They will be placed according to their education level (background)," Norman said.
With this, he expects that local governments can issue the same regulation to accommodate outstanding athletes, especially gold medalists, in the 21st Aceh-North Sumatra PON 2024.
"We have to think about the future of excellent athletes because they do not have a long career. At the age of 30-34, athletes usually are past their prime, and their achievements decline," the KONI chairman pointed out.
He emphasized that ensuring the welfare of outstanding athletes is a shared responsibility.
"The future of athletes is our responsibility. Do not extort them when they accomplish something. Once they are no longer athletes, we must respect what they have given to the nation and region they represent," he stressed.
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Translator: Tri A, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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