SINGAPORE - Swimmers were again the biggest winners as Team Singapore athletes were rewarded for their SEA Games achievements at an award presentation and appreciation dinner held at Orchard Hotel on Wednesday.

As part of the Multi-Million Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), 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).

Team Singapore clinched 84 golds, 73 silvers and 102 bronzes at the Games. Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, the SNOC president, again handed personalised congratulatory cards to each of the medallists at the award presentation ceremony.

Said Mr Tan, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development and guest of honour f the event: "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."

An athlete is rewarded up to a maximum of three individual golds at the SEA Games, with the first gold awarded $10,000, while $5,000 is given for the second and third golds. Every athlete is required to plough back 20 per cent of their earnings to their respective national sport associations for training and development.

The awards are sponsored by the Tote Board and Singapore Pools.