Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin has announced that Paralympic medal winners in Rio will receive life-long pension equivalent to their Olympic counterparts.
It’ll be a boost in Malaysia’s hunt for its maiden gold medal, as the winner will receive RM5,000 per month, silver medallists will get RM3,000 per month while bronze winners will receive RM2,000 per month.
The eventual medallists will also receive cash incentive on top of the monthly allowance: RM1 million (gold), RM300,000 (silver), RM100,000 (bronze).
This was an initiative started since August 2013 to enforce equal opportunities for all athletes, whether they achieved podium positions at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
“I have already delivered on my promise since 2013 and I will certainly deliver if we get a Paralympic gold. Those who win a gold medal in Rio will get RM1 million,” said Khairy.
Medal winners from the previous Paralympic Games are also entitled to the monthly pension from October onwards.
“We’re backdating this allowance to all past medalists at the Paralympic Games,” he added.
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