SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 — The age limit for athletes participating in the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) should be 18, not the current 21, said sports analyst Dato’ Pekan Ramli.
He explained that 21 is too late an age for an athlete to pursue achievements on the world stage, as developed nations are training their sportspeople from an earlier age.
He suggested that the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) review its athlete age limits if the biennial event is restructured.
“Now (the age limit) is 21, maybe that could be lowered to 18. This is because, to become international athletes, they must start as early as possible.
“This is what’s done in developed nations like China. They start sports training (for athletes) from childhood, and age 21 is too late,” he told Media Selangor.
Current SUKMA athletes are 21 and below, except for events like gymnastics where the age limit is 15.
Pekan also suggested that athletes who don’t perform too well after SUKMA be given opportunities like furthering their studies, public sector job placements, and spots in special skills courses.
The expert, who is Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sports and Recreational Science Faculty senior lecturer, said such assistance could help athletes build an academic career.
“The state (governments) must also play a role; provide career platforms or short-term special skills courses so (athletes’) contributions are not sidelined.
“Give them training. They could also switch paths to become coaches by joining courses to obtain coaching licences,” Pekan added.
Currently, the Federal Sports Scholarship (BSP) and Higher Education Ministry Scholarship are available for athletes who want to further their studies.
Between 1987 and 2023, 1,191 athletes received the BSP, which was launched in 1986. The Higher Education Ministry Scholarship, launched in 2024, is meant for top-performing athletes to pursue tertiary study.
