We have heard numerous stories of employees exposing their companies for delayed salaries or unfair treatment. Sometimes, after significant public backlash, these issues have been peacefully resolved, while in other cases, employees had no choice but to contact a higher authority for intervention.
Apparently, this sort of thing could also happen to our national athletes as well. Who knew that after a successful career as a footballer since 2012, Muhammad Gopi Rizqi would resort to selling drinks outside his home during this month of Ramadan. Here’s what happened:
According to several local reports, Muhammad Gopi had not received his salary for the past eight months. Due to the delay, he and his wife Nor Hidayah Roslan decided to open up a small business. “We made the move to sell drinks, like air mata kucing, air jagung and some food like kuih-muih and popiah carbonara,” he told reporters who spotted him selling drinks outside his house in Johor.
The athlete, who has played for several Malaysian football clubs, including Sri Pahang FC, Selangor FC, Johor Darul Takzim, and Melaka United, has fans to thank for making him go viral, which helped him in his new endeavour. Sinar Harian reported that fans took photos with the football star after recognising him while he was serving them. The photos then gained traction, with more fans coming to support him and his family.
Gopi didn’t disclose much about his eight-month delayed salary or when he would be back on the field. However, he did mention that he would love to teach children football if given the opportunity, as he holds a D coaching licence. For now, he plans to expand the drink business and hopes to make it his main source of income to support his family.
Netizens were shocked to learn the foot player’s current predicament, given his achievements in his career. While some offered their best wishes, others expressed concerns about his lack of financial support as a national athlete. A few tagged the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) to look into the situation. There were also those who suggested Gopi should apply for a government job to have a fixed income.
News reports also pointed out that Gopi is not the only athlete facing this struggle. In a report by Sinar Harian, Mohd Amer Saidin, who once played for KL Rovers, revealed in December that he and his teammates would file an official complaint after seven months of delayed salary. There is currently no update on the case.
