Para-Athletes Who Win Gold At The Rio Paralympic Games Will Receive RM1 Million
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants to ensure that all athletes receive equal rewards.
By John Lim — 29 Aug 2016, 10:56 AM
Malaysian para-athletes who secure a gold medal at the upcoming Rio Paralympic Games will be awarded RM1 million each, says Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
Malaysian Paralympians bound for Rio can take a shot at the RM1million reward for gold, RM300,000 for silver and RM100,000 for bronze.
"I have already delivered on my promise since 2013 and I will certainly deliver if we get a Paralympic gold. Those who win a gold medal in Rio will get RM1 million," said Khairy.
In addition to that, they will get a lifetime allowance for bringing a medal back home
Paralympic athletes who win medals will receive a lifetime monthly allowance of RM5,000 (gold), RM3,000 (silver) and RM2,000 (bronze).
Khairy hopes that the five medals won at the just-concluded Rio Games will serve as an inspiration and encouragement for the para-athletes
"You have to believe that you can do it and achieve great success in Rio. You must aim to finish at the podium. Don't become tourists in Rio," Khairy said at a press conference.
The previous incentive scheme for the Paralympics was RM300,000 for gold, RM200,000 for silver and RM100,000 for bronze
"I have delivered on my promise and the government will certainly deliver if any of you win a medal in Rio. We should aim to do better than London as some of you are targeted for medals. Hopefully, we will end our gold medal wait," he added.
In a Facebook status posted yesterday, 28 August, Khairy asserted that the para-athletes in the country have always been taken care of, despite the lack of media attention
"Please share this post with your friends. Not so much for me but because people should know that our para athletes have been looked after and celebrated when no one really paid much attention. It's ok that you dislike me and the government I represent but please don't say we don't care about them," he wrote in the post that has since gone viral, with over 10k shares.
The Rio Paralympic Games will be held from 7 to 18 September. Let's show support for our para-athletes who'll be representing the nation!
