YPPK seek 4,000 former Selangor sporting heroes

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 13, 2026

The Education and Skills Empowerment Foundation (YPPK) has launched a project to identify and register up to 4,000 former Selangor athletes by visiting all nine districts in the state. This effort aims to preserve the state’s sporting heritage while ensuring these former athletes can access welfare, housing, and healthcare support from the government.

The Education and Skills Empowerment Foundation (YPPK) has launched an initiative to reconnect with up to 4,000 former athletes from Selangor who have represented the state in various sports. The foundation aims to identify and register these former sportspeople by visiting all nine districts within Selangor.

Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed, chairman of YPPK, outlined the foundation’s efforts during the Selangor Athletes Legacy Programme, held in conjunction with the 63rd Malaysia Day celebrations. He emphasized that the initiative seeks not only to acknowledge the contributions of these athletes but also to ensure they remain eligible for support provided by the state government.

YPPK plans to assist former athletes by facilitating access to welfare benefits, housing, and healthcare services available within Selangor. Noorul stressed that while the foundation is not making grand promises, it intends to help former athletes to the best of its ability.

The programme, organized in collaboration with the Malaysia Classic Motoring Association (MCMA) and EasyHome Mall, also serves to raise public awareness about Selangor’s sporting heritage. Noorul noted that many young people, particularly from Generation Z, are unfamiliar with the achievements of athletes who once represented the state and the country.

Estimates suggest that between 800 and 900 former Selangor athletes have represented Malaysia on the international stage. However, Noorul believes the total number could reach several thousand once those who have competed at national levels and in events such as the Malaysian Games (Sukma) are included.

This year’s Selangor Athletes Legacy Programme brought together 18 former athletes and sporting icons, a significant increase compared to five participants in the previous year’s event. Among those attending were notable figures including athletics stars Zaki Sadri, G. Shanti, Datuk M. Rajamani, Datuk Zaiton Othman, badminton legend Datuk Foo Kok Keong, football coach Datuk R. Rajagobal, and former squash player Kelvin Hoo.

By reconnecting these former athletes with the community and state resources, YPPK aims to preserve Selangor’s sporting legacy while addressing the needs of its past sporting representatives.

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