SHAH ALAM, Aug 1 — The Selangor government is increasing the payment of incentives to its triumphant Malaysia Games (Sukma) athletes from RM958,000 to RM1.1 million. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali announced the matter at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

He said the state government agreed to raise the amount after the state contingent emerged champions of the biennial games in Sarawak, which concluded yesterday.

"There will be additional incentive for gold medallists, that is RM5,000 each for individual events and for team event, each player will receive between RM2,000 to RM3,000.

"The success is also the result of strategic planning, integrated training, skills of trainers as well as the cooperation of sport associations and officers,” he said.

At the 11-day Sukma, the Selangor contingent emerged as the overall champions after raking in 59 gold, 73 silver and 63 bronze medals while hosts Sarawak were in second place with 57 gold, 43 silver and 59 bronze medals. Terengganu took the third place with 47 gold, 42 silver and 44 bronze medals.

Selangor were Sukma champions in 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2013.

Mohamed Azmin also conveyed a congratulatory message from the Sultan of Selangor to the state contingent for bringing honours to the state. He said in this regard, the state government would be upgrading sport facilities in the state to ease athletes’ training in the state. — Bernama