As part of the foundation's ongoing education and career initiatives, Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (YAKEB) enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two major organisations in the country, Genting Malaysia Berhad (GENM) and DHS Hospitality Academy.

The seven-month program will offer short-term hospitality courses to former athletes registered as YAKEB members and their families to continue their careers with GENM.

YAKEB will lead the three-way collaboration by providing this opportunity to former athletes and their families. DHS Hospitality Academy’s role is to prepare short-term hospitality courses and monitor the participant's progress.

Participants will go through one-month hospitality theoretical courses at DHS Hospitality Academy's smart partner university, Asia e University, before undergoing job placement with GENM for six months. After successfully completing the program, they have an opportunity to pursue permanent employment with GENM.

The MoU signing ceremony which took place at Bukit Kiara Sports Complex was witnessed and officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Hannah Yeoh. The MoU was signed by the Chairman of YAKEB, Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed, Chief Operating Officer of Genting Malaysia Berhad, Mr Lee Thiam Kit and the Founder Group Director of DHS Hospitality Academy, Dr S. Sri Kumar.

According to Datuk Noorul, this collaboration demonstrates that the private sector and corporations are increasingly appreciating the sacrifices and struggles of the nation’s athletes, and he hopes that YAKEB members will seize this opportunity.

“YAKEB plays a significant role in helping former athletes, not just in terms of medical and welfare assistance, but also providing access to certifications, education and other career options.”

“Recently in the presentation of Budget 2023, the Government has also announced an initiative to exempt taxes which will be able to benefit companies that employ former athletes.”

“The announcement will certainly attract private companies as well as corporations to offer job opportunities to retired athletes which will secure their careers post-retirement.”

“In YAKEB, we wish to become a transition and skills development centre for lifelong learning, like what Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT) is doing.”

“We are also preparing our athletes to attend interviews or undergo grooming courses and we hope that more private companies or corporations will emulate what Genting Malaysia has done,” said Datuk Noorul.  

Meanwhile, Mr Lee Thiam Kit of GENM said that they are delighted to be working with YAKEB and DHS Hospitality Academy to help former athletes find new employment when their sports careers have ended.

“We believe that supporting our national athletes goes beyond cheering for their victories. It means providing new career opportunities for them to lead stable and fulfilling lives when they have retired from their athletic pursuits.”

“The program aims to offer long term employment to the former athletes, regardless of age, gender or work experience.”           

“This opportunity is not only provided to YAKEB members but also to their family members and friends. This is a holistic approach that benefits the participants and their entire social circle.”

“Other than offering permanent job opportunities when the participants have successfully completed their placements, we will also ensure their welfare during the placement are well taken care of by providing free accommodation and monthly allowances,” said Mr Lee Thiam Kit.

The Founder Group Director of DHS Hospitality Academy, Dr S. Sri Kumar has expressed his wish to continue the collaboration with YAKEB in creating more opportunities for former athletes and their families to undergo educational and career courses.

“DHS Hospitality Academy has been working with YAKEB since 2018 and has sponsored YAKEB members and their families to undergo similar programs.”

“During 2020 in Singapore, we have sponsored 12 YAKEB members to undertake a diploma program and 8 members from Persatuan Sukan Orang Pekak Malaysia (MSDeaf) to undertake a diploma program through YAKEB.”

“DHS Hospitality Academy has a vision for this collaboration and has been partnering with YAKEB since 2018. The partnership has been fruitful and we hope that more former athletes will join this program and enter the hospitality industry.”

“This collaboration with Genting Malaysia is something new and we foresee there will be more chances like this to work with other private companies or corporations through YAKEB hospitality career program and DHS Hospitality Academy, to assist former athletes, their families and friends to be a part of the industry,” said Dr S. Sri Kumar.