Penang proposes more incentives for athletes who excel

GEORGE TOWN: Buoyed by the historic win of Penang — born teenage badminton star Goh Jin Wei, the state government has now proposed revising incentives for athletes who excel when representing the state.
Goh, who became the first Malaysian female to win a gold medal under the Youth Olympics' women badminton singles finals, was feted by state Youth and Sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee here.
Soon said that it was only fair to raise the stake as the incentives can inspire the local athletes to strive for more glory at the national and international levels.
Soon said that for starters, his committee will propose to the state government to revise the cash incentives for those who performed exceptionally well for the Malaysian Games (Sukma) series.
Under the Sukma category, those who win gold medals are entitled to RM3,000 in cash incentives; Soon has now proposed that it be raised to RM4,000.
Similarly, for silver medals, it will be raised to RM2,500 from RM2,000 and RM1,500 for bronze, from RM1,000.
Besides the incentives, Soon said the state plans to upgrade the recreational and sporting facilities in Penang.
Soon also promised to help Goh achieve her dreams of becoming a top shuttler.
Goh was born in Bukit Mertajam, the same home town of national badminton legend Lee Chong Wei, who grew up in the nearby Berapit locality.
The Jit Sin High School lass now plans to study sports management at Universiti Malaya after winning the gold medal at the Youth Olympics.
In another matter, Soon also handed out RM50,000 each to families of two athletes, who passed away recently from tragic road accidents.