RM4.42 MLN IN SHAKAM CHANNELLED TO MEDAL WINNERS OF 2025 SEA GAMES, ASEAN PARA GAMES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- A total of RM4.42 million has been channeled through the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (SHAKAM) involving RM2.6 million for recipients of the 2025 SEA Games and RM1.475 million for the 2025 ASEAN Para Games held in Thailand.

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the incentives were among the government's efforts to appreciate the contributions of the country's athletes so that they continue to be enthusiastic and perform better in the future.

"This is one way the government appreciates our athletes so that they are more enthusiastic and this is not the end but the beginning for us to fight even harder for the upcoming games, especially in 2026.

"Today I would also like to remind you that in 2027 we will be the host for the SEA Games, so thorough preparations, great preparations need to be done from now on by all parties, not only the organisers but also the coaches, athletes and all the teams that will compete later," he said.

He said this after presenting incentives at the SHAKAM Presentation Ceremony for the 2025 ASEAN SEA Games and Para Games here, today.

Also present were his deputy Mordi Bimol, secretary-general of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) Datuk Dr K Nagulendran and director-general of the National Sports Council Jefri Ngadirin.

Swimmer champion Khiew Hoe Yean and wushu queen Tan Cheong Min became the national male and female athletes who received the highest SHAKAM for the 2025 SEA Games after taking home RM32,000 and RM26,666.67 respectively.

At the same time, hockey, which includes field, indoor and five-a-side disciplines, emerged as the sport that received the highest reward of RM316,800 following its success in bringing home three gold and three silver medals.

Meanwhile, two para swimmers Abdul Halim Mohammad and Carmen Lim emerged as the highest recipients of the 2025 ASEAN Para Games SHAKAM for men and women after taking home RM62,000 and RM39,000 respectively.

Para athletics, who bagged 20 gold, 22 silver and 23 bronze medals and created 10 games records, became the sport that received the highest incentive with RM550,800.

-- BERNAMA