KUALA LUMPUR — The National Sports Council (NSC) has removed the clause that previously required pregnant athletes to be dropped from training programmes, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She added that pregnant athletes can now continue training, with sessions tailored to their individual capabilities.
“Previously, under the contract, pregnant athletes had to stop training. But we have now amended it, removing the clause that stated those confirmed pregnant could not train. Instead, training will be adjusted according to the athlete’s condition and capability.
“For example, a pregnant athlete who competes in archery will have different training requirements compared to an athlete in another sport.
“The NSC will assess each case individually to ensure the policy is more inclusive for women,” she told reporters at the launch of Taska Team MAS at the National Sports Institute (NSI) today.
Hannah also announced improvements to female athletes’ contracts, including the introduction of seven days of annual leave, seven days of emergency leave, and seven days of paternity leave for their spouses.
She emphasised that these changes aim to create a more supportive sports ecosystem for women athletes, allowing them to pursue long-term careers in national sports while balancing family life. — March 27, 2025