Higher Education Ministry’s new sports scholarship programme : Boost for student athletes

BANGI, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Higher Education Ministry today gave out its first 57 sports scholarships to athletes-cum-undergraduates under a programme to encourage such individuals to excel in both fields.

Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed handed over the scholarships to the athletes at a ceremony here. The government has allocated RM3 million annually for the programme, mooted by the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development.

The scholarship comprises:

* Study fees,

* Living allowance of RM500 per month for diploma and first degree students and RM600 per month for advanced degree students,

* Sports achievement incentive allowance, for international senior category (RM1,000 a month), national/state category (RM500 a month) and junior athlete category (RM250 a month),

* Sports equipment allowance of RM1,000 per year, and

* Allowances for books, stationery, practical, thesis and project papers.

The international senior category means athletes must represent the country at the Sea Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics, the national/state category means athletes must represent the state or country at international competitions hosted by the country or national level sports meets.

The junior athletes category is for those under 21 years who represent the state or country.

Priority is given to athletes involved in the eight core sports of football, tenpin bowling, badminton, swimming, squash, gymnastics, hockey, and track and field.

They must also obtain a CGPA of at least 2.0 for the international senior category and 2.50 for the other categories.

Mustapa said 100 athletes/undergraduates are expected to benefit from the programme this year, and the number would increase gradually to 300 athletes/undergraduates per year by 2010.

National hockey player Jivan Mohan, approached at the function, expressed fear that injury may cause him to lose the scholarship.

"It states in the scholarship contract that the recipient's scholarship can be suspended, withdrawn or terminated if he or she is injured," he told Bernama after receiving the scholarship.

"This really worries me as we never know when injury will come," said Jivan, who is a member of the hockey team that won a bronze for the country at the Commonwealth Games last year.

He had also helped the national team to the ninth spot at the 2006 World Cup Qualifying Round, 4th placing at the Asian Youth Cup in 2004 and 12th placing at the Youth World Cup in 2001.

Jivan, 24, a second year social science student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said the government should reconsider the matter as it could demoralise the undergraduate athletes.

Otherwise, Jivan welcomed the programme, saying it would ease the financial burden of the athletes.

"This programme can really motivate the people to study and take part in sports at the same time," he said.

Questioned by reporters, both Mustapa and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said the athletes would continue to enjoy their scholarship despite injury.

Answering other question, Azalina said some of the country's top athletes cum undergraduates were not included in the programme because they were considered "elite" athletes and have been put under other scholarship programmes, including those handled by her ministry.

It was reported that Asian Games medallist Chai Fong Ying (wushu), Roslinda Samsu (pole vault) and Sea Games gold medallist Mohd Robani Hassan (hurdles) are among these top athletes.

"You can't compare dollar to dollar. Each programme has its own characteristics," said Azalina, when asked why her ministry's scholarship package was not as attractive as that offered by the Higher Education Ministry.

Source: Bernama