Confessions of a former athlete: I struggled, cried for days worrying about life after sports
Former national table tennis star Chiu Soo Jiin shares how she was emotionally drained after leaving the scene. — Facebook Following my earlier posting ' Life after sports for Malaysian athletes ', I've received numerous phone calls and messages by former athletes. The national heroes said the masses are unaware of the predicament they face once they leave the sporting arena and try to lead a normal life. One of them who reached out was former international table tennis player Chiu Soo Jiin, 32. In a rather moving message which she agreed to make public, here is what she said: "I read your article. Let me share this with you. Table tennis was my life - since I studied at Bukit Jalil Sports School when I was 15 until I retired when I was 28. We were given an allowance of RM1,500 only and a sports scholarship. Our sporting life is shot. One must have a degree to get a job easily. But not many athletes are degree holders. All they think about is competi...