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KUALA LUMPUR − The Malaysia Canoe Association (Masca) has issued a challenge to its six athletes, who will be competing in the Hanoi SEA Games from May 12-23, to bring home gold medals.
Its president Datuk Michael Wong Meng San said he would award their athletes a ‘gift’ of RM20,000 for each gold medal brought home by them − matching the incentive given by the government under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam).
“I am ready to spend my own pocket money (for the reward) to fire up the spirit of our canoeists to ensure that our medal drought of more than ten years can be ended in Hanoi.
“Our best achievement at the SEA Games was the bronze medal in the Palembang 2011 edition in the men’s K2 200m event, which was won by Hamdan Muhammad and Mohd Noh Parmin,” he told Bernama.
Under Shakam, athletes who manage to bring home a SEA Games gold medal will be rewarded RM20,000.
As for silver and bronze medallists, who are not offered any incentives under Shakam, Michael said he would determine their reward later.
He said Khairul Naim Zainal was Masca’s best bet to win a medal in the men’s K1 100m event.
Khairul will also be competing in the K2 1000m event with Nik Afiq Nik Mazli.
Masca have also listed Aimi Ayuni Azwan and Aisyah Harhanah Azwan for the women’s K2 500m and 1000m events as well as Syaful Epandy Hamdan and Ahmad Azfaruddin Lukman in the men’s category for the same events.
Prior to this, Malaysia’s chef de mission Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad had also promised every gold medallist in Hanoi an incentive from his own personal funds but did not disclose the amount. – Bernama, April 27, 2022