By Khairul Azran Hussin
SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 — The Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had today presented a RM180,000 incentive to Selangor athletes and coaches who represented the country and won medals at the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in the Philippines last year.
Out of the 56 athletes, those who bagged the gold prize at the Games received RM5,000, while silver and bronze winners received RM3,000 and RM1,500 respectively, and 14 coaches received RM2,000.
National gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi received the highest cash reward of RM15,000 for bringing home three gold medals at the biennial regional multi-sport event.
The 25-year-old athlete from Subang Jaya had thanked the state government for rewarding the incentive as an acknowledgement for the achievements of the athletes.
“This incentive would motivate me further to achieve more especially in the Tokyo Olympics,” she said, in reference to the international multi-sport event, to be held from July 24 to August 9.
Malaysia fielded a total of 773 athletes in 52 out of 56 sports at the Philippines SEA Games and had won 56 gold, 58 silver, and 71 bronze medals.
Out of the total medals won, Selangor athletes have contributed 26 gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze medals.
