S’wak awards RM2.256 mln in cash incentives to state Para Sukma medallists

KUCHING (Oct 7): Sarawak awarded a total of RM2.256 million in cash incentives to state medallists from the recently-concluded 21st Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma).

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the mock cheque to the Sarawak teams during an appreciation dinner at a local hotel here on Monday evening.

He said the incentives, alongside the sum allocated for Sukma medallists, totalled over RM4 million.

“For Para Sukma, since you have won many medals, the total incentives prepared by the state government amounts to RM2.256 million. This is the total, because many of the athletes here were involved in group sports.

“For Sukma XXI, we allocated RM1.84 million (for medallists). This means all the incentives totalled more than RM4 million,” he said in his speech.

Abang Johari reaffirmed the state government’s readiness in supporting the development of sports in Sarawak — which was proven when the athletes were sent overseas to train in their respective sports.

As such, he said he was proud to see the performance displayed by the athletes during both Sukma and Para Sukma.

“We’ve set our benchmark very high. As such, Selangor (as the next host for Sukma and Para Sukma in 2026) will have to work hard so they will be on par with the benchmark we’ve showed.

“Of course, our athletes not only train for Sukma, we are also preparing for the SEA Games in 2027 because the event also has the Para SEA Games too, so we need to showcase this,” he said.

During the event, Abang Johari presented a RM500,000 cash incentive to Paralympics champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who successfully defend his gold medal and broke the world record during the recent Paris Paralympics.

Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

Sarawak garnered a total of 209 medals in the recently-concluded Para Sukma XXI, of which 82 were gold medals, 53 silver and 74 bronze.