SUBANG JAYA: National swimmer Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkafli received the highest reward through the Sports Incentives Scheme (SHAKAM), following his outstanding performance at the 2022 Asian Para Games in October.
He won one gold and one bronze medal to take home the highest incentive of RM110,000 which was presented by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at the presentation of SHAKAM incentives held here last night.
Women’s squash player S. Sivasangari received the second highest reward of RM100,000 for two gold medals clinched at the 2022 Asian Games while incentives were also awarded to other athletes who competed in Hangzhou.
Among para-athletes, track and field athlete Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi who won the gold medal in addition to breaking the 400m T20 Games record and powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who won gold in the 72 kilogramme powerlifting, each received incentives of RM90,000.
Men’s squash player Ng Eain Yow earned RM85,000 while men’s karate exponent Muhammad Ariff Arifuddin took home RM80,000.
Meanwhile, Hannah also announced that each coach who helped an athlete win a medal will also receive incentives from the pool of RM550,000 under the Coaches’ Encouragement Scheme (SGAR).
A total of RM1,530,000 was allocated to national athletes who won medals at the Asian Games in addition to an allocation totalling RM1,473,600 for medal winners at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
Malaysia finished the Asian Games with six gold, eight silver and 18 bronze while it ended the Para Asian Games with seven gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals.
SHAKAM, which was introduced in 1986, was created to appreciate the achievements of athletes who make the country proud in games such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, SEA Games and Asean Para Games, in addition to individual championships at World, Commonwealth or Asian continent level. – BERNAMA
