Zahid Proposes To Increase National Athletes' Incentives By 3 Times To Win More Medals
Currently, the highest incentive is RM1 million for securing a gold medal at the Olympics.
By May Vin Ang — 13 Jul 2023, 11:33 AM
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed that the value of incentives under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM) be tripled for Malaysian athletes
Speaking at the 2023 SHAKAM awards ceremony last night, 12 July, Zahid hopes the rewards would motivate national athletes to bring further glory to the country at international meets.
"We are achieving more success but it is not reflected in the rewards given," he said, according to Bernama.
"If I am invited for the next SHAKAM (awards ceremony), I would like the value of rewards to be tripled. Many from the private sector are willing to sponsor (the awards), and if there are listed companies with huge profits who are willing to sponsor, I believe the government will offer them tax reduction," he explained.
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, also expressed confidence that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would announce additional incentives for the sports sector in Budget 2024 this October.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the 2023 SHAKAM awards ceremony yesterday night, 12 July.
Image via Bernama/MalaysiaNowCurrently, the highest SHAKAM reward is RM1 million for securing a gold medal at the Olympics, which no Malaysian athlete has achieved
According to the National Sports Council, the same RM1 million reward is given to athletes who win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games.
Besides the Olympics and Paralympics, there are also rewards given according to the medal won and the significance of the sporting event, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games.
SHAKAM incentives are also given to athletes who successfully set new records.
At this year's SHAKAM ceremony, SEA Games medalists took home over RM1.2 million in total rewards, while ASEAN Para Games medalists received rewards worth RM1.18 million
The event also celebrated the success of national athletes who competed in the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin last month. They received incentives totalling RM95,500.
Meanwhile, Zahid also praised Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for actively developing and seeking more incentives for the sports sector along with her deputy, Adam Adli.
"I am of the view that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is very fortunate to have Yeoh, who is very proactive. During Cabinet meetings, I see her constantly championing the plight of national athletes," he said.
The Malaysian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May.
Image via Bernama/Selangor JournalYou can view the full incentive scheme on the National Sports Council's website here.
