Athletes must match higher team-event Shakam incentives with better results

KUALA LUMPUR: Athletes must match the increase in National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) incentives for team events with better results, following the announcement by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Arrifin Ghani urged Malaysian athletes to deliver consistently better results, which is the best return on the government's commitment.

"The higher incentive rate reflects how seriously the government, through NSC, is working to secure the best for our athletes.

"We hope this will boost their motivation to produce the best performances on the international stage," he said.

Arrifin added that NSC will continue to review other Shakam rewards to ensure athletes and coaches receive appropriate support, particularly as Malaysia prepares to host the 2027 SEA Games and Asean Para Games.

On Wednesday, Dr Taufiq announced that Shakam raised gold medallists' rates for team events at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games from RM15,000 to RM40,000 per person.

The increase also covers silver medallists in team events, whose reward rises from RM8,000 to RM20,000 per person, while bronze medallists go from RM4,000 to RM10,000 per person.

This marks the first increase in team-event reward rates in 24 years, since they were set in 2002.

The 2027 SEA Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Johor and Penang from Sept 18 to 29, while the 2027 Asean Para Games will take place in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 17 to 23. -- BERNAMA