MILLION$!: That ’s what a Malaysian stands to collect .... if a gold medal is won

NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong.

OLYMPIC gold in Beijing could earn a national athlete between RM1 million and RM1.5 million.

Expected to be endorsed by the National Sports Council's board soon, the incentive will surely serve as tremendous motivation for those who have a genuine chance of winning in Beijing in August.

On paper, only the national shuttlers have a chance but with Malaysia without a medal at the Olympics since Atlanta '96, NSC is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"We have finalised the proposal (of a new incentive scheme) and will submit it to the NSC board for approval. All I can say is that at this point of time it is very lucrative," said NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong yesterday.

Former Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, in one of her final acts before the General Election, said NSC was looking at increasing the incentive and invited the corporate sector to help.
Zolkples said the proposed amount is much higher than the existing scheme.

"I am not saying what the figure is but it is a big amount but it is definitely more than the current amount (RM160,000).

"This is to motivate the players to work harder. Mind you, Singapore are offering more."

Singapore offers S$1 million (RM2.3 million) for an Olympic gold while South Korea US$200,000 (RM662,000)