By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — Selangor athletes who win gold medals at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak, which takes place from August 17-24, will be given incentives up to RM10,000.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said RM10,000 will be given to athletes in individual sports, RM5,000 per person for team events with fewer than five people, and RM3,000 per person for team events with more than five people.
“The reward for athletes has seen a threefold increase compared to the same event in 2022, in line with changing times.
"We previously offered a reward of RM5,000 when we became the overall champions at the 2016 Sukma. In 2022, we provided a reward of RM3,500. Given the changes over nearly 10 years, it is time for us to reassess," he said, here, today.
Amirudin said this in a press conference after the Selangor contingent flag handover ceremony for the 2024 Sukma at Dewan Raja Muda Musa, Section 7.
[caption id="attachment_366751" align="aligncenter" width="939"]
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (back, four from right) poses for a photo with Selangor athletes during the flag handover ceremony for the Selangor contingent to the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 in Sarawak, held at the Dewan Raja Muda Musa, Section 7, Shah Alam, on August 3, 2024. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
The ceremony to celebrate the 704 Selangor athletes was also attended by state executive councillor for sports Mohd Najwan Halimi and Selangor State Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi.
Amirudin said the incentives for silver and bronze medalists will be announced later, as he wants the state contingent to replicate Selangor's achievement as overall champions at the 2016 Sukma in Sarawak.
He added that the 61 gold medal target set is relevant, based on assessments of the athletes.
“In fact, Selangor has the potential to win in all events. However, there are specific events we are targeting, such as swimming, cycling, athletics and archery, which are among the key focuses.
"Other events like judo, karate, taekwondo and silat also have potential. Many sports are subjective, but unpredictable. We hope to win," he said.
Selangor aims to collect 61 gold medals and secure a top-three position in this edition.
The state won the Sukma championship nine times previously. In the 2022 edition, the state contingent finished fourth with a tally of 32 gold, 54 silver and 45 bronze medals.
