Swimmer Joseph Schooling was the biggest winner of the night on Tuesday, when national athletes were awarded cash prizes for their medal feats at this year's Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

The 19-year-old received $370,000 for his achievements, after winning the Republic's first men's swimming gold in 32 years at the Incheon Asian Games, on top of a silver and bronze. He also took home a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Medallists were rewarded by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) at the Pan Pacific Singapore, receiving $3.44 million in all for the medals won at both Games. The cash prizes are under the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP), sponsored by the Tote Board and Singapore Pools.

Said Joseph, now a freshman at the University of Texas in the United States: "I'm very honoured and thankful to receive the support of the MAP awards... I promise I will continue to keep my head down and work hard to bring both pride and joy to Singapore, my family and myself."

As part of the scheme, he - and all other athletes who received cash awards - will plough back 20 per cent of the MAP awards for the Asian Games, and half of what they get for the Commonwealth Games to their various national sports associations for future training and development purposes.

Team Singapore won eight golds, five silvers and four bronze medals at the Glasgow Games. At the Asian Games, the contingent delivered five golds, six silvers and 13 bronzes.

Said Minister of Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin, who is also SNOC's president: "You have all been an inspiration - give yourselves a pat on your backs for the hard work you have put in. Congratulations on prevailing the adversities and soldiering on for Singapore."