Khoo: Athletes should not get married early

Athletes who wished to pursue a career in sports should not get married early so as to devote more time for training and remain focused on the task ahead.

National sports critic Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim said commitment or the lack of it is among factors that affects the performance of athletes because athletes who tie the knot need to provide a certain level of commitment to their new responsibility (marriage).

"If athletes are determined to excel in sports, my advise is to set aside marriage plans because we have seen athletes setting aside their marriage plans until they retire from sports while some even decide to get married at the age of 40," he told Bernama.

However, married athletes should be wise in allocating time for their family and sports because both are important and it would be a pity to see them lose both.

Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Youth and Sports feels marriage is not the main factor for a drop in the performance of athletes although it does play a part, especially in the early stages of marriage.