Jakarta, July 2 -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports is preparing a pension scheme for athletes as part of efforts to provide long-term financial security and social protection after their competitive careers end.

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said athletes typically retire at a much younger age than workers in most other professions, making retirement protection an important government priority.

"Many athletes may continue competing until they are around 40 years old, but compared with many other professions where people retire between the ages of 50 and 60, athletes retire much earlier. That is why they need a pension fund," Erick told a press conference on the government's Quick Win Program at the Government Communications Ag...