Higher cash incentive for Sukma gold
KOTA KINABALU: State athletes have been urged to do their best to strike gold at the 17th Malaysia Games in Kuching, Sarawak this July.
In making the call yesterday, Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan reminded athletes that cash incentives have been raised to inspire them to go for gold.
“Once again I would like to stress that the incentive has been raised from RM3,000 to RM5,000 for individual gold medals and RM1,000 for each squad member for a team gold.
“This increase is aimed at inspiring you to train harder and be fully committed in your preparation so that you may contribute gold medals for the state,” Tawfiq said when officiating at the Motivation Camp for Sukma Athletes at the Civics Bureau at Dewan Sri Kundasang in Ranau.
The Youth and Sports Minister said the government places high importance on the state contingent’s gold medal tally and overall placing at the biennial games.
There are 126 days to go before the country’s top under-21 athletes converge to vie for 384 gold medals on offer in Sarawak and Tawfiq wants everyone involved to strive hard to help achieve Sabah’s target.
“As you know, we are going for 40 gold medals and a top five finish in the overall standings. The government is serious about these targets set for Sukma and I want everyone including athletes, coaches and officials to do their best to help achieve it.
“I call on all of you to strive hard and show your highest commitment to help us achieve this target,” Tawfiq said.