A gold medal is worth RM3,000 for Johor athletes in the 17th Malaysian Games (SUKMA) to be held in Perlis from May 24-June 4.
The Southern state is targeting 20 gold medals in Perlis, which Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said is a 10 per cent increase from the 18-gold medal haul at the last Games held in Pahang in 2012.
Johor are banking on their athletes to strike gold in badminton, swimming, shooting, lawn bowls, athletics, canoeing, pencak silat, sailing, archery, cycling, boxing, petanque, tenpin bowling and taekwondo.
“I have been told that the Johor athletes have shown commitment, discipline, dedication during training. Johor have been in active training for this year’s Sukma for the last six months,” said Khaled during the flag handing ceremony.
While a gold medal is worth RM3,000, a silver medal is worth RM2,000 and bronze medal RM1,000.
“I am sure it is not just the incentives that will spur the Johor athletes. They have pride and passion in wearing Johor colours in their quest for glory in the true spirit of sportsmanship.”
Khaled also revealed that the Johor government is taking steps to further develop sports in the state.
“We want more people in Johor to take up sports actively with the hope of producing national athletes,” said Khaled, adding that the cash incentives is in appreciation of athletes for their sacrifices to proper Johor to the forefront of sports in the country.
Johor are sending a 373-strong contingent to the biennial games and this is the first time the tiny state in the north.
