PUTRAJAYA, Nov 11 — The reward under the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (Shakam) for gold medallists in team events at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games has been increased by 166.67 per cent, from RM15,000 to RM40,000 per athlete.

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the increase also covered rewards for silver medallists in team events, which had been raised from RM8,000 to RM20,000 per athlete, while the reward for bronze medallists had increased from RM4,000 to RM10,000 per athlete.

He said the new rates, approved by the National Sports Council (NSC) Board, took effect this year and would continue to apply to future sporting events.

“I am very optimistic that the rewards we are offering will not spoil the athletes but will instead serve as a morale booster, encouraging them to remain committed and strive to give their best for the country.

“More importantly, this is not really aimed at existing athletes. We want to place emphasis on developing athletes so that they see this as a substantial reward they can attain by winning a medal, be it gold, silver or bronze,” he told a special media conference on Shakam at Menara Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) here today.

Also present at the media conference were Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan and members of the national men’s sepak takraw squad.

Mohammed Taufiq said the increase in rewards marked the first revision for team events in 24 years, since the rates were set in 2002.

He said the new rates would benefit 66 athletes from 10 teams across six sports — sepak takraw, squash, hockey, track cycling, karate and e-sports — who won medals this year.

Mohammed Taufiq said the improved rewards involved an additional financial commitment of RM1.152 million, including incentives for coaches under the Coach Incentive Scheme (SGAR).

“With this, the total rewards for the three sporting events in 2026 have increased from RM4.26 million to RM5.41 million, while the overall Shakam allocation for 2026 has risen to RM6.69 million, the second-highest amount since the scheme was introduced in 1986,” he said.

He also gave an assurance that the increase in reward rates would not affect allocations for or preparations by national athletes, including their participation in international championships and sporting events.

Previously, Mohd Sumali had called for the Shakam reward rates for team events, particularly those involving more than five players, to be reviewed to ensure that the incentives received by athletes were more commensurate with their commitment and sacrifices. — Bernama