|
FEELING SECURE: Bodybuilder Simon Chua is able to focus on his sport as he has won a tidy sum from the MAP for his two Asian Games and three SEA Games golds.
|
SINCE its introduction in 1991, the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) has given out $15.14 million to Singapore's winning athletes.
That was the figure disclosed by the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, in Parliament on Monday.
In all, 622 MAP awards were given out during a 17-year period.
And it is a programme that stakeholders in the local sports fraternity approve.
Li Yan, mother of 2006 Asian Games gold medallist Tao Li, said: 'I'm happy with the scheme. It is a good recognition for the sportsmen who sometimes have to balance studies and training.
'The money is a recognition of the sacrifices made in the name of bringing glory to Singapore.''
Top bodybuilder Simon Chua, who has two Asian Games and three SEA Games golds under his belt, agreed: 'I'm in full support of the scheme.
'As athletes, we need to feel secure, and the MAP has given us the security.''
Dr Balakrishnan also recognised the impact the MAP has had on Singapore's athletes.
He said: 'The MAP award and other athlete-centric programmes and services have been successful in steadily motivating and improving our athletes' performances in the major Games.
'For example, in 2006, Team Singapore secured our best ever performances at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
'In 2007, we secured our best medal haul at an away SEA Games.''
But, according to two national sports association chiefs, the scheme could be fine-tuned.
SingaporeSailing president Low Teo Ping, whose sailors delivered five golds at the 2006 Asiad in Doha, suggested: 'Perhaps, incentives for the SEA Games could be cut back and the money channelled to where it matters most - at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
'The SEA Games is a tremendous exposure, and to represent Singapore is itself a great incentive.''
Singapore Bowling Federation president Jessie Phua said: 'It's a good scheme but we have to factor in the rising inflation.
'Is $1 million really that much these days? Even the Indonesians were offering $80,000 for a SEA Games gold.
'In South Korea, the elite athletes are taken care of for life. They are provided housing and a pension when they retire.
'The MAP awards should be attractive enough to make athletes sit up and say that the years of sweat will be worth their while.''
The MAP provides a cash payout to athletes who win medals at the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and SEA Games. For the SEA Games, which is the lowest level, only champions are rewarded.
The incentives vary from $1 million for an individual gold at the Olympics to $10,000 for an individual SEA Games title.
The Singapore Totalisator Board is MAP's primary sponsor, with Asia Pacific Breweries contributing towards the awards for the Asian Games individual and team winners.
|
