Abdul Latif, Muhammad Ziyad receive highest SHAKAM incentives

Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games gold medalists Abdul Latif Romly and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli were today awarded record incentives under the Athletes Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM).

Both received RM1.05 million each from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a presentation ceremony here on Saturday.

Apart from winning the gold medal, Abdul Latif and Muhammad Ziyad were given additional incentives for setting new games and world records in their respective events, the T20 long jump and the F20 shot put.

The National Sports Council's SHAKAM was established in 1986 to spur athletes, coaches and national sports associations to raise their performance at international level especially in the Olympic, Commonwealth, Asian and SEA Games as well as individual championships at world, Commonwealth and Asian levels.

Meanwhile, another Paralympic gold medalist in the T36 100 metre race, Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, received RM1.02 million (RM1,020,000) for creating a new Paralympic Games record.

World number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei who delivered a silver medal in the Olympic Games was awarded RM500,000 while men's doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong; Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu

Ying (mixed doubles) as well as synchronished 10 metre platform diving pair Pandelela Rinong/Cheong Jun Hoong each received RM350,000 for their silver medal effort.

Rio Olympic Games keirin bronze medalist Azizulhasni Awang and Paralympic bronze medalist in the T20 long jump Siti Noor Radiah Ismail each received RM300,000 with additional incentives from the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Meanwhile, under the Coaching Incentive Scheme (SGAR), coaches who assisted athletes to win medals would also receive 30 per cent of SHAKAM incentive.

The amount of SHAKAM rewards on Saturday received included an additional 10 per cent special one-off gift announced by the Prime Minister recently.