Cash reward for Sarawakian Sukma XXI medalists: RM15,000 gold, RM5,000 silver, RM3,000 bronze

KUCHING (Aug 16): Sarawakian athletes who win gold in the ongoing 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) will be rewarded with RM15,000 cash incentive per medal, announced Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.

He also said Sarawakian athletes who won silver will be rewarded with RM5,000 cash incentive per medal, while RM3,000 awaits the bronze medalists.

The same amount would also be rewarded to Sarawakian athletes at the coming Para-Sukma, he added.

He explained that the decision was made following a recent Cabinet meeting.

“Hopefully, this will motivate them to win as many medals as possible. This is to show our support and inject them with the spirit to win and consider sports as a career.

“If they can perform and excel up to the international level, this also brings honours to Sarawak just like Dato Pandelela Rinong and Bonnie Bunyau.

“Actually they can be celebrities and ensure a better life for themselves and their family,” he told a press conference after witnessing and presenting medals for the Sukma XXI taekwondo event at the Indoor Stadium here today.

He also hoped that with the incentive, it would also drive the Sarawak Sukma XXI contingent to achieve its target of 70 gold medals.

“As of today, we (Sarawak) are at the top of the table. We hope we can maintain this position,” he said.

To a question, Abang Johari explained that the cash incentive would be given per medal.

He cited wushu tripe gold medallist Stephanie Ngu as an example, who will pocket RM45,000 for all three gold medals she won.

He also assured there is a budget set aside for the cash incentives based on the medal estimation by Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Since we have increased in (state) revenue, why not share it with the people… Our priority for our young people, apart from education, is sports.

“This is to encourage our youths to utilise their free time to be involved in sports,” he said.