Malaysian gold medalists at last year’s 8th Asean Para Games were today rewarded under the National Sports Council’s Athletes Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM), with Para athletes from nine sports receiving their windfall in a ceremony held at Kampung Pandan Paralympic Centre here today. Athletics took home the biggest share followed by Tenpin Bowling, Swimming, Powerlifting, Football 5-a-side, badminton, table tennis, sailing and archery.
National Sports Council (NSC) today paid out a total of RM977,000 to athletes who won gold medals at last year’s Singapore Games, first ever Para Games to be hosted by the Republic. Malaysia emerged third overall in the Games after raking in a total of 52 gold medals.
Triple gold medallists, Krishna Kumar Hari Das and Felicia Mikat each took home RM41,000 following their feat in the Games.
Krishna were tops in the 100m T38, 200m T38 and 400m T38 while Felicia, who made waves by being among the youngest gold medal winners in the Games, stamped her mark in the 100m T13, 200m T13 and 400m T13.
“I’m simply elated with my achievement. This is probably the best gift for me, as I just celebrated my 17th birthday two days ago. Words cannot describe my feeling now,” said the Sabah-born Felicia.
Following her feat, Felicia has now set her sights on winning honours at the Asian level, apart from training harder to improve on her timing on the track in preparation for the next year’s Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The cash incentives were presented to the athletes by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy paid tribute to the athletes and expressed confidence of a bigger and higher achievement. “It was indeed a memorable feat as our athletes displayed their superiority by setting 2 new Asian records, as well as 9 Games records in Athletics. Our Para swimmers did well with 3 new Games records.
The amazing performance by our young Para Games debutants such as Felicia Mikat and Carmen Lim (swimming) proved that we are not short of great talents in the Paralympic sporting scene,” said Khairy.
Apart from the incentives for the Asean Para Games winners, Khairy also presented incentives for athletes who excelled in major tournament last year including the IPC World Athletics Championships, World Wushu Tournament and Asian Junior World Squash Championship.
Athletes Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM)
*recipients for 8th Asean Para Games Singapore 2015 (by sports)
Athletics – RM 478,000
Tenpin Bowling – RM 160,000
Swimming – RM 113,000
Powerlifting – RM61,000
Football 5-a-side – RM 45,000
Badminton – RM 40,000
Table Tennis – RM40,000
Archery – RM 20,000
Sailing – RM 20,000
Tenpin Bowling – RM 160,000
