SEPANG: Malaysia’s RM4.3 million investment in wushu delivered a golden return, with the national team securing a historic haul of five gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships in Brazil.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the achievement was a clear indication that targeted government funding, particularly under the Podium Programme, was producing results.
“This year, wushu was included as a core sport, and our investment of RM4.3 million for training, equipment, overseas stints and development programmes has paid off,” she said at a press conference to welcome the national athletes home at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.
“The athletes have shown that with proper backing, they can compete with the world’s best.”
The wushu squad will also share a total of RM480,000 in incentives under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM).
Each gold medallist will receive RM80,000, with silver and bronze winners entitled to RM40,000 and RM20,000 respectively.
Si Shin Peng, who struck gold in the men’s qiangshu and jianshu and also claimed a team bronze in the duilian, received the highest amount with RM166,666.66.
Tan Cheong Min pocketed RM146,666.66 after winning gold in the women’s nangun, a team gold in the duilian and silver in the individual nandao.
Meanwhile, Lee Jia Rong earned RM126,666.66 through her individual women’s daoshu gold, a team gold in the duilian and an individual bronze in the gunshu.
Pang Pui Yee received RM26,666.66 from winning the team duilian gold, while Bryan Ti and Clement Ting took home RM6,666.66 each for winning the bronze medal in the team duilian.
SHAKAM incentives are set at RM80,000 for an individual gold, RM40,000 for silver and RM20,000 for bronze as the World Wushu Championships are held once every two years.
The same rates apply to team events with no more than four athletes.
“This is a well-deserved reward for their hard work. Financial incentives are important because they give our athletes the motivation and security to keep pushing themselves,” Hannah added.
First-time world champions such as Si Shin Peng and Lee Jia Rong exemplified the breakthrough.
Both athletes had previously faced uncertainty over their futures in the national setup but stunned the competition by returning with gold medals.
The team’s success, which came against athletes from more than 70 countries, has raised expectations ahead of December’s SEA Games in Thailand.
Hannah said she hoped the results would inspire more young Malaysians, regardless of background, to take up wushu, noting that athletes from diverse communities were now winning medals for the nation.
“This is just the beginning. With continued investment and strong grassroots development, Malaysia can remain a serious contender in the sport,” she said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
