extracted from ST forum.
Why cap prize money for SEA Games gold medallists?
I am puzzled by the incentives given to gold medallists at the
recent SEA Games. Why put a cap on the prize money for individual
golds? Take swimmer Joscelin Yeo as an example. After winning six
gold medals - five individual and one team event - she can claim
the prize money for only three individual medals, with the cash
award for the second and third medals being less than that of the
first.
This is really a negative incentive for any sportsman to give his
best after winning a third individual gold. These athletes should
be rewarded handsomely, considering the time and hard work they
have put in. How many more medals can they get once age catches up
with them? It is no wonder that parents are not encouraging their
children to become professional sportsmen.
Spare a thought for the athletes. The money they get from winning
could be their retirement funds after their sporting career is
over. Can the authorities be more generous?
Brian Koh Chin Mong
