KUALA LUMPUR: Young and aspiring athletes drafted into the National Sports Council’s (NSC) Back-up Programme must make it to the Elite squad within four years or face the chop.

NSC’s director of the back-up unit Jeffri Ngadirin said whilst under the Back-up Programme, athletes would be given four years to achieve their target, which is to match or better the third placed performance of the previous SEA Games, especially for measurable sports.

“If they fail to achieve at least the performance of a third placed finish in the SEA Games during their tenure under the programme, they will be given the boot,” Jeffri told Bernama here yesterday.

He said every year about 100 athletes, aged between 13 and 18, come under the programme, hoping to make the grade as national athletes and they would be provided guidance by the NSC.

“They will be drafted into their respective sports based on the number of slots available for back-up athletes and paid an allowance of RM300 a month,” he said.

He added that these athletes are identified through various talent identification programmes throughout the country while some are recommended by their respective sports associations.

“If they (back-up athletes) gain promotion to the Elite squad, they receive RM500 a month but come under the guidance of the same coaches and given a chance to compete in the same identified competitions,” he said.

Jeffri claims that from the 250 odd total number of back up athletes under the Back-up Programme, only 20 per cent have the potential to make the Elite squad and thereafter earn an opportunity to represent the country.

— Bernama