“I have also instructed the National Sports Council (NSC) to include a training allowance for athletes who are selected for the full-time training programme,” he said in a speech to athletes and coaches at the NSC in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Faizal said for SEA Games silver medallists, the allowance would be increased from RM800 to RM1,500 a month, while bronze medallists would receive RM1,000 a month.

“As for athletes who do not meet the selection criteria for the full-time training programme, I have asked the NSC to continue to provide financial assistance each time they train,” he said.

NSC director-general Shapawi Ismail said the increase would involve 45 athletes and 12 para-athletes, bringing the total cost of the training allowances to RM9,266,400.

However, he said this was not an issue but what matters is that the performance of the athletes should be improved for the 2021 SEA Games, which will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 12-25.

The biennial event was originally scheduled to take place Nov 21-Dec 2 last year but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the NSC announced the restructuring of allowances for athletes, saying it was due to the country’s economy being affected by the pandemic and the floods which hit many states last month.

Shapawi had previously said the council would have to restructure its expenditure with the allocation it received.

Meanwhile, national gymnast Farah Ann Hadi said the increase in allowance for silver and bronze medallists would inspire athletes to continue their efforts and motivate them to do their best for the country.

“I am glad to hear this. It will encourage us to train harder, especially since there are several sporting events taking place this year, apart from the SEA Games,” she said.