Podium Programme athletes to be announced next month - Khairy

The list of athletes to be drafted into the 'Podium ' after their impressive performances at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore will be announced next month or the latest by September.

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

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

"The athletes picked for the 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 the Singapore SEA Games would also receive cash incentives that would be credited into their bank accounts under (Shakam).

He said under the Shakam scheme the first gold medal will be worth RM20000 and the subsequent gold medal will be paid (RM10000) while the first silver is worth RM3000 and the subsequent silver will be paid RM1500.

The first bronze medal won by athletes is worth RM1000 and followed by RM500.

"The total payout is expected to be about RM2 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.

Meanwhile, the new built at a cost of RM2.3 million can accommodate 500 at any one time.