RM1 million for champs
> Paralympic gold medallists will also receive RM5,000 pension per month
SEPANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced an incentive of RM1 million each for the three paraathletes who won gold medals at the recently concluded Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli and Abdul Latif Romly will also receive a pension of RM5,000 per month.
“We will also reward the bronze medallist with RM200,000,” he added, referring to Siti Noor Radiah Ismail.
In his speech to welcome the returning national Paralympic contingent at Bunga Raya Complex yesterday, Najib said the medal winners will be regarded as the “icons for all Malaysians”.
He said their success should serve as an inspiration for Malaysians to believe in their own strength and capabilities.
“The Paralympians have proven to all of us that despite the challenges we are facing, we can still achieve success so long as we have the will,” he said.
“They have their disadvantages but we are all ablebodied.
“We can be extraordinary if we give our greater efforts.
“Make them our examples and role models. They are all extraordinary!” Najib said.
The quartet gave Malaysia its best ever medal count at the sports event – three golds and one bronze – placing it on 36th ranking among 163 competing nations.
The three golds came courtesy of Mohamad Ridzuan, Muhammad Ziyad and Abdul Latif through the men’s 100m T36 (cerebral palsy category), men’s shot put F20 (intellectual disability) and men’s long jump T20 (intellectual disability) respectively, while Siti Noor Radiah won the bronze in the women’s long jump T20 (learning disability).
Earlier, more than 500 people thronged Bunga Raya Complex to greet the Paralympians.