KUALA LUMPUR: Squash player S. Sivasangari, who clinched two gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, and para-swimmer Nur Syaiful Zulkafli emerged as the top beneficiaries under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) today.
Sivasangari received RM100,000, while Syaiful earned RM110,000 for securing one gold and one bronze, including setting a record at the Asian Para Games.
Around RM3.2 million was distributed to Asian Games and Para Asian Games medal winners and coaches during a reception in Subang Jaya.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh presented mock cheques to 66 able-bodied athletes and 37 para-athletes.
"We set medal targets without specifying the colour for both contingents, and although there were reactions, the athletes succeeded. Congratulations to all," said Yeoh.
The Asian Games medal winners and coaches received RM1,473,600 million in total.
The contingent won six gold, eight silver and 18 bronze for a total of 32 medals.
At the Asian Para Games, the Malaysian contingent won seven gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze, amounting to 39 medals and earning them RM1,830,000.