Rewarding Athletes

Posted on November 18, 2008Filed Under Question of the Week

The Postman’s Question of the Week: Should Singapore’s world champions be rewarded financially in the same way as winners in major Games (like Olympics, Asian, Commonwealth, SEA Games), and why?

YES! A world champion should be similarly and equally financially rewarded like an winning Olympian or an Asian Champion. They put in the same effort, time and sacrifices in order to reach the pinnacle of their sport and in a small country like ours, they are not many such gems whom we can boast and be proud of.At this moment the existing tiers in the rewards system are clear : Olympics, Asian and SE Asian. If we are going to reward the champions who do not fall into such categories, then it is time for the NSAs to scrutinise and list down the world championship events which their athletes will be taking part and co-relate them with the existing structure. This would reduce the argument on the extent of the rewards.Another way is to classify the tournaments according to World or Regional championships.

Published in New paper on Friday 21 Nov 2008