Increase In SHAKAM Incentives Timely Boost For Sepak Takraw Squad - PSM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The increase in incentives under the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (SHAKAM) for team events is expected to provide a fresh boost to the national sepak takraw squad ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia will host, according to the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM).

Its president, Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, said the decision came at the right time as the national squad was building momentum ahead of the biennial sporting event.

“In sepak takraw, every player on the court and on the bench trains and makes sacrifices equally. This move ensures that every one of them is fairly recognised,” he said in a statement today.

Last Wednesday, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari announced that SHAKAM incentives for team event gold medallists at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and Commonwealth Games would be increased by 166.67 per cent, from RM15,000 to RM40,000 per person.

The increase also covers silver medallists in team events, whose incentives will rise from RM8,000 to RM20,000 per person, while bronze medallists will receive RM10,000 each, up from RM4,000.

The increase marks the first revision of incentives for team events in 24 years, since the rates were set in 2002.

The national sepak takraw squad previously made headlines by ending a 36-year gold medal drought in the team regu event at the Asian Games, while also bringing home the men's regu silver medal at the 2026 edition in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, last September.

The 2027 SEA Games will be held across four clusters – Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Penang and Johor – from Sept 18 to 29 next year.

-- BERNAMA