Kelantan: The Kelantan State Sports Council will expand welfare support for athletes in the state through various forms of assistance covering education, training, participation in competitions, as well as support in cases involving accidents and disasters. State Youth, Sports, NGOs and Community Unity Committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad said the approach was important to ensure the welfare of athletes representing Kelantan remained protected, while helping them excel in both sports and academics.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the facilities provided included monthly allowances for Imtiyaz athletes, funding for participation in domestic and international competitions, as well as sports equipment and nutritional supplements for athletes under the Special Programme. Assistance also includes contributions for natural disasters, accidents, marriages, and death benefits.

Besides sports development, education is also given emphasis. Promising athletes are assisted in obtaining opportunities to pursue higher education at public institutions of higher learning, while receiving academic excellence incentives for those who achieve outstanding results in the SPM and STPM examinations. Zamakhshari stated that the Kelantan State Sports Council was also coordinating loan facilities and scholarships with Yayasan Kelantan Darulnaim to assist state athletes in pursuing studies at public institutions of higher learning according to their academic qualifications.

The initiative will prioritize Malaysia Games (SUKMA) athletes, particularly those who win medals at the ongoing SUKMA Selangor. "We hope this effort will provide athletes with an opportunity to continue building their future after their sporting careers come to an end," he said. The Kelantan State Sports Council also provided one-off contributions of between RM300 and RM500 to athletes who achieved outstanding results in the SPM and STPM.

To date, more than 100 athletes have received this contribution from 2025 to 2026. The council remains committed to efforts to safeguard the welfare of athletes representing Kelantan. The implementation of the various initiatives had received support from strategic partners, including the National Sports Council, Kelantan Education Department, Kelantan Youth and Sports Department, Yayasan Islam Kelantan, as well as public and private institutions of higher learning. These facilities are expected to motivate Kelantan athletes to continue striving for excellence in sports, academics, and personal character development.