KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Para swimmer Abdul Halim Mohammad, who emerged as the recipient of the most incentives from the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (Shakam), is determined to use his reward as motivation to chalk more success in the future.
Abdul Halim, who pocketed RM62,250, hopes the reward can also increase the motivation of coaches and junior athletes to pursue success on the international stage, to do the country proud.
“I hope it will be a great motivator, especially for young swimmers in Sabah because para-swimming is still new there. I am grateful because this is the biggest reward I have received so far,” he said after the Shakam presentation at a ceremony yesterday night.
The 25-year-old, who lost his father Mohammad Bondan in 2013, wants to use the financial assistance for his family’s sustenance in Kampung Baru-Baru, Tuaran, Sabah.
“I will use this money to support my mother (Saring Ibhrahim) and younger sister who is still studying at University Malaysia Sabah,” said Abdul Halim, who comes from a family of fishermen.
He received the reward for his outstanding success in winning five gold medals and one bronze (team) and breaking two Games records at the 2023 Asean Para Games (APG) in Cambodia last month.
For APG, medal winners receive RM20,000 for the first gold, and RM10,000 for the second and subsequent gold while RM3,000 and RM1,000 respectively, are given for those winning silver and bronze medals.
Athletes who create a new record receive an incentive of RM1,000 for each record.
Abdul Halim will now continue headstrong in his preparations for the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, England from July 31 to August 6, followed by the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China from October 22 to October 28.
“For the World Championships, I aim to renew my personal best, while no target has been set for the Asian Para Games because this is my first time competing,” he said.
— Bernama
