Recently the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the reward for winning a medal in the Olympics has been increased to RM 1 million, RM 300,000 for silver and 100,000 for bronze. The increase according to GERAK (Gerakan Rakyat Anti Korupsi) is 600%.
The announcement has created debate on Radio Channels and Television network. Even print media carry comments from readers and blogs too gave the announcement attention. Is RM 1 million for a gold medal too much? General public see it that way and the announcement made is a bad timing. Why do the government has to announce the incentives at the time when the people are angry with the fuel price increase and also most daily essentials.
As a sports lover and being a coach I do agree with the incentives since to bag a Gold in the Olympics takes lots of hard work in preparing and dedication in training. Not everybody has the capability to achieve it when to get a place in the Olympics itself is very challenging. He or she is the best athlete in the country and being able to get first placing means he is the best in the world at that particular moment.
A blogger wrote in his blog that the implication of that large amount of incentives will create a short term athlete when he or she will work for the million and settle down after that, since he or she will be able to survive with the money.I once heard a philosophy that says Performance is temporary but coaching is forever. One can perform today but will lag on another. So a short term athlete seems to be true in this case. You achieve your millionaire status and what more are you asking for? Better resign and take care of your money.
Why shouldn't sports not be given RM 1 million when he or she is an Olympic Champion when a singer in an interactive television program too can get a million. Who brings more glamour and fame to the country. An Olympic gold medalist or a singer who depend on public votes which is not very fair.
On second thought the 1 million incentives might not be justified. As Gerak Secretary, Faridah Samad said, "rakyat sudah pasti tertanya-tanya apakah asas utama dan rasional kenaikan melampau insentif tersebut kerana difahamkan segala kos latihan dan sara diri atlet sepanjang kejohanan berlangsung ditanggung sepenuhnya kerajaan". It is true that athletes preparing for international competitions are sponsored totally by the government. Millions has been given in preparing them for the games. To these athletes, they just come with their underwear to the training centre. All else is given by the government. So why reward them again? It is only befitting if the atlete who win an Olympic medal prepares himself without any single cent from the taxpayer's money. Then only he or she deserves the incentives.
However whatever it is, there are pro and cons. The government made the announcement at the wrong time.
The announcement has created debate on Radio Channels and Television network. Even print media carry comments from readers and blogs too gave the announcement attention. Is RM 1 million for a gold medal too much? General public see it that way and the announcement made is a bad timing. Why do the government has to announce the incentives at the time when the people are angry with the fuel price increase and also most daily essentials.
As a sports lover and being a coach I do agree with the incentives since to bag a Gold in the Olympics takes lots of hard work in preparing and dedication in training. Not everybody has the capability to achieve it when to get a place in the Olympics itself is very challenging. He or she is the best athlete in the country and being able to get first placing means he is the best in the world at that particular moment.
A blogger wrote in his blog that the implication of that large amount of incentives will create a short term athlete when he or she will work for the million and settle down after that, since he or she will be able to survive with the money.I once heard a philosophy that says Performance is temporary but coaching is forever. One can perform today but will lag on another. So a short term athlete seems to be true in this case. You achieve your millionaire status and what more are you asking for? Better resign and take care of your money.
Why shouldn't sports not be given RM 1 million when he or she is an Olympic Champion when a singer in an interactive television program too can get a million. Who brings more glamour and fame to the country. An Olympic gold medalist or a singer who depend on public votes which is not very fair.
On second thought the 1 million incentives might not be justified. As Gerak Secretary, Faridah Samad said, "rakyat sudah pasti tertanya-tanya apakah asas utama dan rasional kenaikan melampau insentif tersebut kerana difahamkan segala kos latihan dan sara diri atlet sepanjang kejohanan berlangsung ditanggung sepenuhnya kerajaan". It is true that athletes preparing for international competitions are sponsored totally by the government. Millions has been given in preparing them for the games. To these athletes, they just come with their underwear to the training centre. All else is given by the government. So why reward them again? It is only befitting if the atlete who win an Olympic medal prepares himself without any single cent from the taxpayer's money. Then only he or she deserves the incentives.
However whatever it is, there are pro and cons. The government made the announcement at the wrong time.
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