Selangor Hands Out RM191,600 As Rewards For Athletes

By Y.P. SIVAM
metrospt@thestar.com.my
Photos by RICKY LAI

SELANGOR paid out a total RM191,600 as incentive for their athletes for winning medals and representing Malaysia in the 2010 Commonwealth and Asian Games.

The Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) also rewarded RM5,000 each to the Selangor players in the victorious Malaysian team for winning the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Elaine Koon, who won one gold, one silver and three bronze in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, was the biggest winner and received RM32,800.

Happy lot: The Selangor athletes, who represented Malaysia in the Commonwealth Games, in a joyous mood.

In New Delhi, Elaine won the individual gold in the hoop; silver in the ball and bronze in the individual all round, rope and ribbon events.

Cyclist Mohd Rizal Tisin took home RM9,800 for winning silver in the individual keirin and bronze in the team in the Commonwealth Games.

Bowler Alex Liew was presented with RM18,800 for winning two gold and one silver medals in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Alex won golds in the All-Events and men’s doubles and the silver came in the team event.

Team work: National bowler Shalin Zulkifl receiving the mock cheque on behalf of the Asian Games athletes from Khalid.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said they were proud of the Selangor athletes’ contribution to Malaysia in the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

“Seventeen athletes from Selangor were involved in the Commonwealth Games while 59 had represented Malaysia in the Asian Games. We would like to encourage youngsters in Selangor to be active in sports.

“The incentive scheme should motivate more youngsters to get involved in sporting activities,” said Abdul Khalid.

The incentive scheme, launched this year, offered RM10,000 for an individual gold medal in the Asian or Commonwealth Games; RM7,000 for a silver and RM5,000 for a bronze. For team events with five and less members, the incentive is RM6,000 for a gold medal while it is RM4,000 and RM2,000 for silver and bronze respectively.

Under the scheme, a member of a team with six and more players will receive RM3,000 for a gold medal, RM2,000 for a silver and RM1,000 for a bronze.

The MSNS executive director Norzamri Ishak said the 76 athletes, who had represented Malaysia in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, were given RM800 each.

“The scheme also includes the SEA Games and Olympics. We would like to encourage our sportsmen and sportswomen to excel in the SEA, Commonwealth and Asian Games as well as the Olympics,” said Norzamri.