Athlete Welfare after Retirement: Legal Responsibility for Social Security, Insurance, and Long-Term Protection of Indonesian Professional Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65815/ehmas816Keywords:
Athlete welfare, retirement, social security, sports employment, athlete rightsAbstract
Professional athletes may experience significant economic and social vulnerability after retirement from competitive sport. Short career durations, sports-related injuries, limited financial planning, and dependence on performance-based income can create long-term welfare challenges. Despite their contribution to the sports industry and national sporting achievements, retired athletes may lack adequate institutional mechanisms for social security, health insurance, rehabilitation, and career transition. This article examines the legal responsibility of sports organizations, clubs, and the state to protect Indonesian professional athletes after retirement. Using normative juridical research, the study analyzes social security, employment protection, sports governance, insurance, and state responsibility for athlete welfare. The research identifies a potential protection gap between the period of active competition and post-retirement life, particularly for athletes who suffer permanent injuries or lack alternative employment skills. The article proposes a comprehensive athlete transition framework involving mandatory insurance, retirement planning, vocational training, injury-related benefits, and institutional support for career transition. Responsibility should be distributed among athletes, clubs, federations, and the state according to their respective roles and capacities. Strengthening post-career protection would recognize professional athletes not merely as temporary sporting assets but as rights-bearing workers whose welfare should remain protected beyond their competitive careers.
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