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While the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in Paris last week didn’t hand out a single dime in prize money, Malaysia’s badminton heroes are still walking away with serious cash – courtesy of their own government.
Mixed doubles champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei just scored RM20,000 under Malaysia’s National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam), with each player pocketing RM10,000 for their historic gold medal performance.
“For Shakam, the amount is fixed. For a gold medal, it is RM20,000, so each of them will receive RM10,000,” Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Tuesday (2 September), where the champions received a hero’s welcome.
The silver medalists aren’t going home empty-handed either.
Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah – who made history as the first Malaysian women’s duo to reach a World Championships final – will split RM10,000, taking home RM5,000 each.
But wait, there’s more. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is cooking up additional rewards for both pairs.
“I have spoken to BAM president Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul, and we will wait for the additional incentives that will be announced by him soon,” Yeoh revealed.
Government Doubles Down on Badminton Investment
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Yeoh made it clear that badminton remains a priority sport for Malaysia, calling it “a unifying sport for Malaysians.”
She assured that under the Madani government, it will continue to provide substantial investment for it.
Under the Road to Gold programme, we have extended support not only to the athletes but also to coaches and the support team, including rehab and physiotherapy.
The Road to Gold (RTG) programme was initiated to support Malaysian athletes in winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
“Can’t Even Buy Half a Myvi” – Malaysians Slam Reward Amount
The irony isn’t lost on anyone – Tang Jie and Ee Wei became Malaysia’s first-ever mixed doubles world champions by defeating China’s Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin, while Pearly-Thinaah fell just short against world No. 1 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning in their final.
All this glory came at a tournament that offered zero prize money, focusing purely on prestige and ranking points.
But in Malaysia’s case, sometimes the best rewards come from your own backyard – and RM20,000 speaks louder than any trophy.
But the announcement has sparked outrage among Malaysians who think RM20,000 is insulting for world champions.
“Lousy footballers got hundreds over thousands. Here, the champion beat a population of 1.4 billion, got only RM20k, and can’t even pay a shop’s 1-month rental. Can’t even buy a Myvi half car,” fumed Facebook user Castello SF Chong.
Others pointed out the massive gap between Olympic and World Championship rewards.
“Olympic gold is a million Ringgit? BWF World Champion should get at least RM500k,” questioned Auron Lynx.
LIST OF PARISM 2024 Paralympic Sports Shakam Recipient:
1. Cheah Liek Hou (Badminton – SU5 men’s singles) – RM 1,000,000
2. Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (Powerlifting – 72kg) – RM 1,020,000 (additional RM20,000 for new records)– KBSMalaysia (@kbsmalaysia) October 26, 2024
READ MORE: From Separation To World Champions: Malaysia’s Tang Jie-Ee Wei Prove Second Chances Work
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Badminton Champions’ Rewards: A Closer Look
The spotlight shines brightly on Malaysia’s badminton stars, not just for their amazing on-court achievements, but also for the rewards they receive. While the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships doesn’t offer prize money, the Malaysian government and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) provide important incentives. Let’s break down the details:
Reward Breakdown: A Comparative Analysis
To provide a clearer picture, we’ve compiled a table comparing the incentives received by the athletes:
| Achievement | Recipient(s) | Incentive (RM) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWF World Champions (Mixed Doubles) | Chen Tang Jie & Toh Ee Wei | RM20,000 (RM10,000 each) | |
| BWF World Championship Silver Medalists (Women’s Doubles) | Pearly Tan & M. Thinaah | RM10,000 (RM5,000 each) | |
| Additional Incentives (Announced by BAM) | Both Pairs | To be Announced | |
| 2024 Paralympics (Badminton – SU5 men’s singles) | Cheah Liek hou | RM 1,000,000 | [[twitter-tweet]] |
| 2024 Paralympics (Powerlifting – 72kg) | Bonnie Bunyau Gustin | RM 1,020,000 | [[twitter-tweet]] (additional 20k for new records) |
This table clearly illustrates the disparity in rewards, sparking public debate about the value placed on badminton achievements compared to other sports, particularly the larger incentives given at the Paralympics. It highlights the importance of governmental and organizational support in recognizing and rewarding athletic excellence.
SEO-Pleasant FAQ Section
Addressing common questions from readers enhances the article’s visibility and provides valuable information. Here are the frequently asked questions:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Malaysian Badminton Rewards
Q: What is the “National Sports Incentive Scheme” (Shakam)?
A: Shakam is a program by the Malaysian government that provides financial rewards to athletes who achieve success in international competitions. The scheme offers fixed amounts based on the medal won.
Q: How much did Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei receive for winning the mixed doubles title?
A: They each received RM10,000 from the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam), totaling RM20,000.
Q: What other incentives are the badminton players receiving?
A: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will announce additional incentives for the players, though the details have yet to be released.
Q: How do the rewards for badminton compare to other sports in Malaysia?
A: public opinion shows a contrast in the amount received by badminton players compared to some others,wiht comparisons made to the rewards for Paralympic athletes as well.
Q: Is the Malaysian government committed to supporting badminton?
A: Yes, the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has affirmed that badminton remains a priority sport and the government will continue to invest in it thru programs like “Road to Gold (RTG)” for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Q: Where can I find more information about badminton courts?
A: Information on where to play badminton in New Providence/Summit, NJ can be found on BadmintonCentral [[1]].
This complete FAQ section is designed to directly address common queries, thereby improving the article’s SEO through targeted keyword use and providing a more informative experience for the readers. This builds trust and also makes the content more shareable.
