KUCHING: The Sarawak government has awarded incentives totalling RM800,000 to two Sarawakian Paralympic athletes, namely, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and Jong Yee Khie, who won the gold and silver medal respectively in powerlifting at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020.
Bonnie received an incentive of RM500,000 while Jong received RM300,000, which were presented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in a ceremony at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Tuesday (Nov 2).
He hoped that the incentives would also encourage other athletes to achieve even greater success in the future.
“Congratulations to both our athletes for their success in the international championship. I believe that this is a reflection of the spirit of Sarawakians who continue to strive to achieve success in sports.
“It also shows that if young Sarawakian athletes work hard, they can achieve success at the international level,” he said, pointing out that Sarawak had now become a world champion in terms of sports.
He said the state government provided support in the development of sports including the upgrading of facilities.
Apart from that, he said efforts were also made to identify new athletes or para-athletes.
In this regard, Abang Johari said the state government had a two-pronged strategy via the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development.
“Both these ministries work together to identify our athletes and ensure they are nurtured and guided. This is our strategy to take into account the potential that exists among us in Sarawak,” he said.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.
