JEDDAH, 15 June 2007 — Saudi athletes will do what it takes to win for club or country. To them nothing feels better than having a gold medal dangle on their chest.

Such dream of glory always comes with a price to pay. Some might get injured during the competition, which is normal in all sports. In other countries, athletes are covered by health insurance from their local clubs to take care of them when injured. This is not the case here in most sports. Many young athletes left schools or neglected studies to pursue a career in sports or football and become famous. A knee or other serious injury, however, soon shatters the dream.

Not all athletes have jobs that provide them with health insurance coverage. Many say its high time a special type of health insurance covers athletes. Most Saudi local clubs do not have health insurance for amateur players although they do have for professionals with contracts. But the majority of players at clubs are amateurs that play in the name of the clubs in local and international competitions.

Arab News interviewed a number of athletes from different sports for their opinion on this issue. They all agreed there should be a health insurance coverage plan for the athletes. The risk of injury let alone the treatment of it discourages many a parent from supporting children in joining sport clubs. Health insurance is also an issue among the budding sport talents in their decision to try for a spot on club or national teams.

Health insurance would boost the athlete’s spirits knowing that when they get injured they will be taken care of.

“Sports injuries know no age. It is essential for all sportsmen to get the therapy they need,” said Bandar Al-Harbi, 31, handball athlete of Ahli.

Bisha club hurdler Hamdan Al-Bishi, 27, said health insurance is going to be an incentive for all athletes despite their age and club status. “Even families would feel more comfortable knowing that their children’s health is secured and would not fear indulging them in any sport.”

Many athletes thought of quitting after suffering multiple injuries and they fear these will affect them for life specially when clubs leave them on their own.

They also feel that the competition schedule is very tight and that does not leave them enough time for their injury to heal or recover from it

“I’ve been injured many times and those were serious injuries during combats or training, but I don’t have time to fly to Riyadh to visit the Sports Medicine Hospital and I do not have insurance from the club. It would be very convenient and helpful to have another branch here in Jeddah or in the Western Province,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Hazmi, a 21-year old judoka of the Makkah based club Al-Wehda.

The athletes interviewed emphasized most of the athletes are abandoned after career-threatening injuries. These players cannot afford the treatment and their clubs are not supporting them.

“I know many players who devoted their lives for their club are now considered useless and neglected because of their sport injuries,” said gymnast and national team captain Maki Al-Mubiareek. These clubs are soon to abandon the players once they are injured because they do not want to spend money on them for treatment. “It is a shame this is how their club or federation paid them back,” he added.

Al-Mubiareek urged authorities to have health insurance for all athletes. He said that it should not be limited to visiting the Sport Medicine Hospital. “We need more doctors in all clubs. We need someone who can offer his therapy and take into consideration our training sessions so we do not miss it especially when the time is short and a competition is few days to kick off.”

Yassir Al-Makawni, 27, of Hilal volleyball team, said that health insurance for athletes should be included in all athletes’ contracts. By this he said, they will commit to it and will try to stay fit and perform well. He said that health insurance would guarantee their health when things go wrong.

“What we have been seeing is when athletes in small clubs are injured, they do not receive treatment or rehabilitation treatment from injuries because of the financial problems,” said Khalid Al-Harbi, 25 and water polo athlete of Ahli club. Athletes’ achievements play a role in getting the support they need. But eventually it depends on the club it self if it can offers generosity to cover health expenses for its athletes or not, said Bandar Al-Harbi. “It all depends on the club and the athlete’s fame.”

Dr. Khalid Al-Bahouth, general manager at the Department of Investment and Club Privatization of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, agreed that health insurance is a necessity. Whether professionals or amateurs they all receive the support needed from the Youth Welfare especially through the Sport Medicine Hospital, which is built for them regardless of their contracts, he said.

Dr. Rashid Al-Tounsi, general director of medical services and general supervisor at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports Medicine Hospital in Riyadh, said sportsmen are more prone to get injured and providing them with health insurance is a very crucial task.

He said that normal people might be satisfied if 80 percent of their fitness returned after injuries. But he added the case with athletes is different. “They have to get back in shape and to 100 percent of their fitness to continue in sports.”

Al-Tounsi assured that including health insurance in the professional contracts is necessary. Regarding amateurs, he added, the clubs that has the ability to cover such expenses should follow that too. He pointed out clubs privatization would help them in doing that what it started.

“They can also use the facilities the Sports Medicine Hospital offers to all athletes freely in Riyadh in addition to the new branch that would open soon in the Easter Province,” he said.

The hospital in Riyadh annually receives from 25,000 to 30,000 athletes. “The number is also expected to grow,” he added.

Of surgeries in private hospitals, he said besides the Sports Medicine Hospital the government hospitals offer medication for these athletes free of charge. However, these hospitals may not have the facilities for certain surgeries forcing the athletes to visit private hospitals. “The prices for sure would be expensive, and only few can afford.”

Al-Tounsi also said there is an agreement with the Red Cross to cover athletes in all sport events and help them when needed all over the Kingdom.

Al-Tounsi said most of the athletes especially the professional ones are very concerned about their health. They show great interest in following up with their doctors. “They know their professional lives depend on it and cooperate very well to complete their therapy,” he said.