Athletes cash in on SEA Games success
A total of $1 million from the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and the Tote Board was awarded to Team Singapore's 183 gold medallists at the 28th SEA Games at the SNOC 28th SEA Games Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) Awards Presentation at the Orchard Hotel on Wednesday (Aug 26) night.
Team Singapore clinched a record high medal haul of 84 Gold, 73 Silver and 102 Bronze medals at June's SEA Games, which Singapore hosted for the first time in 22 years.
The contingent of 747 athletes led by Chefs de Mission, Dr Tan Eng Liang and Mr Nicholas Fang, competed in all 36 sports and managed 25 Games records, 29 national records and 74 personal bests.
The MAP rewards medallists of the SEA, Commonwealth, Asian and Olympic Games. Sponsored by the Tote Board family, recipients receive cash in amounts based on the major Games event and medal won.
Individual gold medallists at the SEA Games will be rewarded up to a maximum of three gold medals won at the SEA Games, each gold medallist will receive $10,000 for the first gold medal, and $5,000 each for the second and third medals. Gold medallists will receive $15,000 in team events and $30,000 in team sports.
Schooling and Quah big winners
Swimmers Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen were each given $31,250 for their feats at the biennial Games held in Singapore in June.
Schooling, who was also the top earner when the MAP awards were given out for the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, won six individual golds and three relay golds, while Quah had four individual golds and also took part in three triumphant relays.
Other top earners include swimmers Tao Li ($23,750), Quah Ting Wen and Amanda Lim ($21,250 each), as well as table tennis player Gao Ning ($20,500).
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development and president of the Singapore National Olympic Council, graced the event as the Guest of Honour and presented personalised congratulatory cards to the medallists while Mr Fong Yong Kian, chief executive of Tote Board, presented the awards.
Mr Tan said: “The 28th SEA Games was indeed extraordinary for Singapore. The 29th edition is not too far away on the horizon, and I wish athletes who aspire to compete all the best in their preparations. We have seen new milestones set by our athletes such as Joseph Schooling and Quah Zheng Wen since the SEA Games. Well done, and I hope it inspires more athletes to aspire to greater things.”
Read the full report in our print edition on Aug 26.
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