Selangor Journal
Para-athlete medallists of the Selangor contingent to the 20th Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) with their incentive mock cheques, during the handover ceremony at Palm Garden Hotel in Putrajaya, on January 13, 2023. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI

Selangor Para Sukma athletes pleased at equal rewards

By Zareef Muzammil

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 — The rewards presented by the state government to the medallists of the 20th edition of the Para Malaysian Sports (Para Sukma) have been to the satisfaction of the Selangor contingent, as it was equally distributed.

Selangor para-athlete Amirul Alif Raof, 28, on January 13, 2023. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI

Para-athlete Amirul Alif Raof, 28, said the RM5,000 incentive for winning two silvers and one bronze has fueled his enthusiasm to strive for more successes in the future.

“I am very satisfied as the incentive this time is on the same level as the Sukma athletes; in fact, the amount is higher than before.

“When the state government together with the Selangor Youth and Sports Department (JBS) supports para-athletes, we are motivated to do more later on,” he told SelangorKini yesterday.

Amirul was one of 50 Selangor para-athletes who were presented with the incentives by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, during the ceremony at the Palm Garden Hotel.

The youngest of five siblings is actively preparing to face the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2023 in Dubai, the UAE, at the end of next month.

Acknowledging his excitement at being to debut in an international tournament, he said he is determined to do his best by at least improving his position.

“So far there is no position yet as it is the first time I am participating in an international tournament. Once there, I will endeavour to do my best to get a position, and qualify for the Asian Games,” he said.

Swimming para-athlete Carmen Lim, 23, also expressed gratitude and thanked the state government, having achieved her wish to receive equal rewards as other ordinary athletes have.

Selangor swimming para-athlete Carmen Lim, 23, on January 13, 2023. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI

“I am quite happy as the state government is finally aware of how important it is to give equal rewards. Certainly, the incentive will spur me to work harder, as I intend to participate in many tournaments.

“Following this, I can fully focus on my training as I have already completed my law studies in the United Kingdom. Before that, when preparing for Para Sukma, I had to divide my time wisely between studying and training,” she said.

For the first time, the state government has provided a reward of RM3,000 to gold medallist para-athletes, RM2,000 for silver, and RM1,000 for bronze.

Previously in the 19th Para Sukma which took place in 2019 at Perak, the incentives were RM1,000 for gold, RM700 for silver, and RM500 for bronze.

For the 18th Para Sukma in 2016 at Sarawak, the incentives were RM700 for gold, RM500 for silver, and RM300 for bronze.

Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) with bowling medallists from the Selangor contingent of the 20th Para Malaysian Sports (Para Sukma), during the incentive handover ceremony at Palm Garden Hotel in Putrajaya, on January 13, 2023. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI

 

 

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