Sports, personnel and labor authorities in Guangzhou are working
together to draft an employment law to provide jobs for local
retired athletes.
The move comes after a deputy of the local people's congress
proposed the government give preferential policies, in terms of
education and employment, to athletes in retirement.
"The city has an increasing number of retired athletes who have
found it hard to find a job. As a result, the government should
draw up policies to ensure either education or employment
opportunities for them," Li Xiaofeng, a deputy of the Guangzhou
People's Congress, said.
Li also called for the establishment of a special employment
foundation for athletes who have finished their sports
careers.
"It is tough for athletes to transfer from a sports career to a new
life after retirement. They began training in their chosen sport
when they were very young and were not able to obtain the education
available to their peers attending normal schools. It is almost
impossible for them to get a normal job," Li told China
Daily.
He said a sound social security system and access to education
were essential in helping retired athletes start a new life.
"The government should provide lifelong subsidies for athletes
who have lost the ability to work because of a sporting injury," Li
said.
In addition, Li called for "a fair chance" for all athletes to
go back to school after they retire.
Currently, only a small group of outstanding athletes are
guaranteed access to further education.
"We should encourage them to participate in the national college
entrance examinations, and the education department should draw up
some preferential policies for them on enrollment," Li said.
In response, the Guangzhou sports authority said the draft law
would soon be submitted to the local congress for approval after it
is amended by the personnel, labor and social security
departments.
"Besides arranging work in governmental organizations, we will
also try to attract private firms to provide jobs for retired
athletes," Chen Jianzu, a media official with the sports bureau,
said.
In addition, a local human resource center for athletes will be
set up, he said.
Under the draft law, more preferential employment policies for
retired athletes will be issued, in a bid to treat them in the same
way as demobilized soldiers, Chen said.
The country currently has about 50,000 registered athletes,
one-fifth of whom are expected to retire after next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
(China Daily August 25, 2007)