MSNPP Addresses Welfare Concerns Involving Penang Women’s Sepak Takraw Team

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) has clarified that it took immediate corrective measures following claims that the welfare of the state’s women’s sepak takraw players was neglected during the recent Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor.

The MSNPP said this included informing the Penang Sepak Takraw Association (PSTPP) so that the weaknesses identified during the Games were swiftly addressed.

It added that the MSNPP had channelled team management allocations to PSTPP, including expenses for accommodation, transportation and meals for the players, with the team manager responsible for these arrangements throughout the Games.

“Each athlete also received a daily allowance of RM40 for every day they were in Selangor, with the allowance credited directly into the athletes’ bank accounts before they left for Selangor,” it said in a statement today.

The MSNPP said that it had also conducted briefings for all team managers on their duties and responsibilities before the Games began, with emphasis on the management and welfare of athletes, and they were entrusted with ensuring that the athletes’ needs were properly taken care of.

As such, the MSNPP said it contacted the PSTPP president directly to ensure immediate corrective and improvement measures were implemented, as well as to assess any weaknesses in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to the association.

“We will continue to strengthen monitoring and coordination mechanisms for team management to ensure that every allocation and facility provided is fully utilised for the welfare and needs of the athletes,” it added.

Previousluy, several Penang women sepak takraw players shared their experiences on social media, including claiming that their meals, training requirements, supplements and injury treatment were not properly managed, including allegedly having to ask for food and, on some nights, had only fried rice for dinner.

-- BERNAMA