SABAH ATHLETES, COACHES AND MANAGERS RECEIVE RM2.19 MLN AS INCENTIVES FOR SUCCESS IN SUKMA, PARA SUKMA

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government today presented incentives amounting to RM2.19 million to athletes from the state who achieved success in the XXI Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and the XXI PARA SUKMA in Sarawak recently.

The ceremony also saw national runner Eddy Bernard rewarded RM50,000 for winning a bronze medal in the Paralympics T44 100m event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah government would like to congratulate all the athletes who have represented the state at the two prestigious games. 

He said the commitment of the coaches and team managers was also not forgotten because they had sacrificed time and energy to take care of the welfare of their respective athletes for almost two years before facing the Games. 

"For their contributions, an incentive of RM245,000 was given to SUKMA coaches and team managers and another RM250,500 was given to coaches and managers involved in the PARA SUKMA,” he said in his text speech at the presentation of the incentives ceremony here today.

The Chief Minister’s text speech was read by Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin.

Hajiji also congratulated Para swimmer Shahafiq Abdullah from Sandakan who was picked as the 21st PARA SUKMA’s Best Male Athlete after winning four gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

"What was more applaudable was that all four gold medals were won after setting new National records in the respective events. For that achievement, Shahafiq will receive an additional incentive of RM10,000 for the feat,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hajiji hoped that all the plans of the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry would run smoothly, especially in the development of youth and sports in the state, thus assuring that the Sabah government would continue to allocate large and consistent expenditures so that more sports and youth activities can be carried out.

"We will also continue to provide modern infrastructure and technology from time to time to meet the needs of athletes and youth to train or work more efficiently," he said.

The Chief Minister also urged all parties involved in sports development, including coaches, managers and athletes, to always take advantage of all the facilities provided to improve their achievements in their respective sports fields.

-- BERNAMA