Podium Programme athletes to be announced next month - Khairy

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said athletes picked for the 'Podium Programme' would be provided food, training, facilities, coaching and sports science.

Khairy said he already has the list of athletes identified for the programme that would be managed by the National Sports Institute (ISN).

"The athletes picked for the programme are not just for the SEA Games but Asian Games and the Olympics," Khairy told reporters after breaking fast and opening a new Al-Faizin Surau at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, here Wednesday.

Khairy said winners of medals at the Singapore SEA Games would also receive cash incentives that would be credited into their bank accounts under Athletes Incentive Scheme (Shakam).

He said under the Shakam scheme the first gold medal will be worth RM20,000 and the subsequent gold medal will be paid (RM10,000) while the first silver is worth RM3,000 and the subsequent silver won will be paid RM1,500.

The first bronze medal won by athletes is worth RM1,000 and followed by RM500.

"The total payout is expected to be about RM2 million which is a big amount since our main focus is the gold medals. However, we feel some form incentive should be given to silver and bronze medal winners as well," said Khairy.