Former Malaysia Olympic hockey star R Yogeswaran’s request for a RM1,050 monthly pension should be seriously considered by the government and approved quickly.
The amount Yogeswsaran is requesting is a small sum considering his contributions to the country.
The hockey legend is not only thinking of himself but also of his wife, June Manohara Shanta, for when he is no longer around.
Yogeswaran represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and in Mexico City in 1968 After retiring as a player, he coached and managed national teams at major international tournaments for many years, always answering the call of national service.
Given his age and considering that he will soon be turning 86, the government should expedite his request immediately.
Age and urgency
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Yogeswaran submitted the details of his request some time ago, highlighting his career, which included 23 years as a government officer – 11 years as an educator after training at the Malayan Teachers College, followed by 12 years with the then culture, youth and sports ministry.
The correspondence he submitted with details of his application has already been acknowledged by the authorities.
Now that Yogeswaran’s case has been publicised, hopefully Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari will take a personal interest in the case. Perhaps the former hockey star will soon receive a positive reply from the government.
After all, Yogeswaran was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s Hall of Fame in 2014. His distinguished contributions to hockey and nation were recognised when he was bestowed a Datukship. This in itself should speak volumes about his contributions.
Yogeswaran is not the only sporting hero in a predicament.
Lisa’s journey
Lisa Kwan was once Malaysia’s bowling queen, but reality set in when glory faded and she had to face hard times.
But she did not dwell in self-pity. Living alone in a small rented room, she worked at a lottery outlet, earning just RM80 a day writing numbers for customers.
Candidly, she admitted to living two different lives. One, when she was bestowed with medals, with cameras clicking away and cheers from bowling enthusiasts. And the other, after the glory days faded, when stark reality set in, as she tried to get through each day while thinking of the next one.
Now, she has rebuilt her life as a mentor at an archery centre in Damansara.
Besides Yogeswaran and Kwan who have faced hard times, others who once represented the country in sports have been in a similar predicament due to the absence of any post-retirement safety nets.
It is sad indeed that the sporting heroes of the past are so swiftly erased from memory. The nation seems to have forgotten their immense contributions to the country.
Now is the opportune time for the government to consider a monthly pension for all the nation’s past sporting heroes who gave their all for the nation. The youth and sports minister should initiate this move.
Once the green light is given by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his cabinet, the minister, the Olympic Council of Malaysia and sports associations must provide the necessary input for such a monthly pension. The minister can then present a paper to the cabinet, outlining the modus operandi of the pension scheme.
Any nation that forgets and neglects its past national sporting heroes once their national service is over is a nation that has a scar on its history.
These heroes once carried the national flag with pride, at a time when resources were scant, amenities were basic and funding was virtually non-existent. But they were not deterred and still gave their best, bringing glory to the nation, against the odds.
This is what love for the nation is all about. The people of my generation were proud of these heroes who made us walk tall.
Witnessing them facing tough times now should prick our collective conscience. Is giving them a monthly pension asking too much? Along with this pension, they should also enjoy the same medical perks as all other pensioners.
Prime Minister Anwar will leave behind an indelible legacy on the sports fraternity and the nation if his administration devises a monthly pension scheme for all those who once excelled in sports for the nation.
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