KUCHING: Sarawak will provide an incentive of RM15,000 to its athletes who win gold in this year's Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and Para SUKMA.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also announced that the silver medallist will receive RM5,000 and bronze medallist RM3,000.
"The incentives given are to spur and support them so that the athletes will make sports a career… when they reach international level, they will carry the name of Sarawak, just like diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg, powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau (Gustin) and others.
"I hope the athletes can achieve the state contingent's target of 70 gold medals. So far, Sarawak is ahead in the medal tally (seven golds, four silvers and five bronzes). I hope they can maintain this momentum," he told reporters after presenting medals to the winners of the taekwondo event at the Petra Jaya Unity Stadium here.
Abang Johari said the state government had prepared sufficient funds for the incentives based on the stipulated medal target.
Meanwhile, he also expressed gratitude for the appreciation and praises showered by the other state contingents satisfied with the organisation of the biennial Games this time and he also hoped that the public would flock to the Sarawak Stadium for the official opening ceremony tomorrow. – BERNAMA