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)