Team champions deserve their fair share of the rewards

ENDING a 36-year wait for gold at the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya should have been a moment of immense pride for Malaysia’s sepak takraw players.

Beating traditional rivals Thailand in a major Games is no small feat.

“But when the reward under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) amounts to just RM15,000 per person, it is understandable that the players may feel underappreciated.

Syahir Rosdi, the national sepak takraw team’s main tekong (server), recently voiced his disappointment over the significant gap in Shakam incentives between team and individual events following their Asian Games triumph.

The contrast is stark. Individual gold medallists receive RM80,000 each, while athletes in team events receive considerably less.

In a social media post, Syahir admitted he “felt like crying”, arguing that the pressure, commitment and sacrifices required of team athletes are no less demanding than those in individual events.

The disparity becomes even more glaring when compared with Sarawak’s decision to award RM15,000 to each of its athletes who won gold at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and Para Sukma in Selangor earlier this year.

Team competitions are certainly no less demanding. Sepak takraw regu matches can stretch beyond an hour, with players required to maintain intense physical and mental concentration throughout.

Yet incentives for team events in multi-sport Games have remained unchanged for a decade.

It is time for the rates to be reviewed to ensure team athletes are rewarded more fairly.

An increase to between RM30,000 and RM40,000 per team member, with the amount adjusted according to the size of the team, would be a more meaningful recognition of their efforts.

To be fair, the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM), under president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, has taken their own initiative to reward the players.

The association distributed RM160,000 among the 12 players and two coaches, while also presenting them with gold bars and shopping vouchers as tokens of appreciation.

The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad also deserves credit for going the extra mile by promising a Proton e.MAS for every karate exponent who won gold at the Asian Games.

It was not one, but two cars that were handed over to champions Adeola Fay Robert and C. Shahmalarani, who proudly posed with their rewards.

Such gestures are commendable, but they should not have to make up for shortcomings in the national incentive structure.

Team athletes deserve recognition that reflects the effort, sacrifice and achievement behind their success.