Adeola, Shamalarani to receive highest rewards for Asiad success

NAGOYA: National karate champions Adeola Fay Robert and C Shamalarani have emerged as the Malaysian athletes set to receive the highest rewards following their gold medal victories at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Both athletes will receive a total reward package worth RM140,000, comprising RM80,000 from the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) and a Proton e.MAS electric vehicle—estimated to be worth RM60,000, as pledged by the Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf).

Adeola, 20, who won the women's kumite under-55kg event, said the reward holds great significance for her as she plans to take the vehicle back to Sabah for her family's use.

"I feel incredibly grateful and happy. I would like to express my thanks to Makaf.

"My plan is to take the car back to Sabah; I want my family to use it," she said.

Meanwhile, Shamalarani won gold in the women's kumite under-50kg event, qualifying for a reward of RM140,000.

In addition to those two karate champions, national squash players Ng Eain Yow and S Sivasangari are set to receive RM100,000 each following their success in defending their men's and women's individual gold medals, as well as helping the national men's and women's teams emerge as champions.

National track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang also received RM100,000 after winning gold in the keirin event and bronze in the individual sprint.

For Azizulhasni, RM80,000 was the gold medal reward under Shakam, while the individual sprint bronze contributed an additional RM20,000 in accordance with the scheme's rates.

Esports athlete Taj Izrin Aiman ​​Taj Madira is set to receive RM100,000 after contributing a gold medal in the Gran Turismo 7 event—comprising RM80,000 from Shakam and an additional RM20,000 pledged by the Malaysia Electronic Sports Federation (MESF).

Meanwhile, the national sepak takraw squad—which ended a 36-year wait to win gold in the team regu event—will receive RM15,000 each through Shakam, plus an additional RM10,000 each promised by the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia, bringing the total reward to RM25,000 per athlete.

Based on the Asian Games Shakam rates, individual event gold medalists receive RM80,000, while teams of four members or fewer share RM80,000 while teams of five or more members receive RM15,000 each.

For silver medals, individual event winners receive RM40,000, teams of four or fewer share RM40,000, and teams of five or more receive RM8,000 each.

Bronze medalists receive RM20,000 for individual events, RM20,000 to be shared among teams of four or fewer, and RM4,000 each for teams of five or more.

In addition to the Shakam reward, athletes who reach the podium in Aichi-Nagoya also stand to receive extra incentives from their respective sports associations, subject to the offers announced.