According to a Sports Illustrated report published in 2009:
1. 78% of former NFL Players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of
joblessness or divorce, by the time they have been retired 2 years.
2. Withing 5 years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke.
Now these are million dollar athletes, with multi million dollar endorsement deals, earning the big bucks from anything like 3 to 15 years. Yet, they're broke, or a large percentage of them at least.
So what of our athletes and sportsman? A case in point is Karamjit Singh. In 2002 he became the 1st Malaysian and Asian to become the Production World Rally Champion for Proton Pert. On top of that he has won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship twice and many other titles. In my time following the sport, I followed him to Medan where he finished 6th in the World Rally Championship round in a Proton, All cars ahead and behind him was factory manufactured WRC cars at least 10 times more technologically advanced than his car.
Thousands of people flock to see him drive in India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and even Malaysia when he competes. He is very recognisable and friendly and amongst the competitors has been known to give advice freely and share resources.
He has had 2 former Prime Ministers assure him that his exploits will not go unrewarded by his country.
He now owns a small specialized workshop, preparing cars for racing. Occasionally, he organises special advanced driving classes. He still rallies, although most rallies have been cut back and the season now short since there is very little or no money in the sport. How a sport that used to have Top Professionals from the World compete in Malaysia just 12 years ago has dwindled to just a field of 10 or so drivers is a matter for another day. Suffice to say for now, mismanagement and selfish officials and organisers have "killed" it.
Whilst Karamjit is not broke or bankrupt, I find it appalling that a bona fide World Champion that we have, and not many of that as well, has not been aptly rewarded for bringing the nations name to the forefront of motorsport.
It's worrying when ex-footballers and badminton players have a Proton dealership, but the man who brought Proton its' biggest Award doesn't. Is it a wonder the car manufacturer seems lost at times?
A Thomas Cup win and the Sidek brothers were greatly rewarded. What they did with that is their business.
Alex Yoong went on to F1 and now is a commentator for Star Sports. I know he wishes he was in a F1 car, but its' possibility the next best thing for him. That and he's involved in producing the next F1 superstar from Malaysia.
My worry is this. What is the message we are sending to our youth who are athletically gifted? Do your best, sacrifice it all, take the Malaysian name to the Top Step of the podium and maybe we'll do something for you.
What are our ex- hockey players, football greats and even our ex-runners? In light of the recent success at the CW Games in India, I implore the Sports Minister NOT to forget those coaches who trained those athletes when they were young. These are the people who set motion these champions.
And what of these Champions? Let's get them to share their experiences and knowledge with the next generation. Mentorship programmes, lectures, training clinics should be held to reach as many budding athletes as possible.
Many athletes are in in as they are passionate for the sport. Use that and propel them into training and sharing their knowledge. The best football managers weren't great players, but it's their passion for the game that made them study it in depth and excel, just because they loved the sport.
When are we going to start using this passion to get better and win medals and awards. Not getting a piece of land or house only. We should use this passion to build champions and champions to spearhead projects to reach rural areas and give the kids a chance to dream.
This has worked all over the world, why not here. I fervently believe that we have a World Champion in waiting somewhere in some Felda settlement, small kampung, shack in an estate in this country. He/She can't reach us, but its' our responsibility to find him/her.
Let's use the tools/experts we have at our disposal, people who love the sports and know it intimately to reach these kids. This is the correct use of our resources. So sports administrators, it's time to wake up.
Our champions await!
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