Instant Millionares!

NEW STRAITS TIMES Wednesday, June 25, 2008 SPORT page 69

RM1 MILLION! for Malaysia's Beijing Olympics gold medallist to receive from government. "what!"that was first word came from my mouth. I believe everyone was shock with that announced by our Deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the new incentive amount after chairing the Cabinet Committee meeting in Parliament on June 24, 2008. My first tought was if there is one to stand as Malaysia's Olympian?. To win a gold medal is not easy because the competition is getting tougher from one Olympics to another and the standard is increasing.

Therefore, from my opinion by providing a more attractive incentive came with advantages and disadvantages. Datuk Seri Najib said, he believes the amount is justified due consideration to just what Olympics are, insisted that the Government should dangle a lucrative incentive to motivate the athletes. Moreover, it should not be considered lavish as it befitted what the Olympics stand for, said Datuk Seri Najib.

I am obviously agreed and this is a great news for athletes for them to work harder to meet this target. RM1 million is a massive boost compared to the previous incentive and this shows how much the Government has regconised the athletes' contribution to the country. We haven't won an Olympic gold and the balls is now at the athletes' feet. They should take this as an added boost to go for gold in Beijing.

Nevertheless, the Olympics is all about glory and it should be the ultimate objective for athletes. The RM1 Million incentive is definitnely good encouragement for atheletes who have been preparing all their lives for this healthy investment for all the sacrifices that they have made. But, im hoping athletes don't think about the money as what matters is the result. Once they start winning the rewards will come. The pension scheme is an excellent gift. An athlete's career is short but with the pension scheme in place they will have sufficient when they retire. It is a generous offer from the Government which concerned about athletes' welfare, but athlete should win a medal in the Olympics. This decision by Government is also great news for all inspiring athletes.

However, the disadvantages that might occur is when the athletes turns down after being the Malaysia's Olympian. In Malaysia, we have the ability and strength to produce excellent athletes. Everything is possible in this world and we can produce Olympian. But the question is, do athletes have enough mental strength to maintain the excellent?And how we evaluate the sports scenario in Malaysia?are we work harder enough to achieve the standard?and is it worth for giving 1 million for athletes and after then they drop and not perform well?We do have a very familiar example such as Badminton player, Hafiz Hashim. Where is he standing after winning and having such an incentives, cars and land?I can say that everyone in Malaysia nowthis, want to be an athletes for the incentives receive is higher than furthering their studies in Diploma, Degree, Master and PhD, yet their salary can't make them to be an instant millionares.

Ordinary people also fighting with their whole life to survive in this country with their education but can athletes survive to committ their sports and maintain their succeed after winning the Olympics?Malaysian, judge for yourself.