Its minister, Hannah Yeoh, said Shereen will begin receiving the funds from June 1 until July next year to enable her to continue her training in the US.
At a press conference at Parliament this morning, Yeoh said the cash aid will help cover accommodation and coaching expenses as well as meal allowances, cryotherapy, and tournament fees, among other expenses.
FMT had previously reported that Shereen was facing financial difficulties to continue her training.
Meanwhile, Yeoh also said the National Sports Council (NSC) was in discussions with 19-year-old sprinter Umar Osman to identify the kind of support the SEA Games gold medallist will need to continue progressing in his athletics career.
Umar sprung a shock at his SEA Games debut this month by winning the men’s 400m gold medal with a new national record of 46.34s in Phnom Penh. The previous record (46.41s) was set 22 years ago by Zaiful Zainal Abidin at the Asian Junior Championships.
Shereen, 25, won the women’s 400m gold medal after clocking a time of 52.53s ahead of Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Huyen (53.27s) and Nguyen Thi Hang (53.84s) in Phnom Penh.
Her victory ended a 24-year wait for gold in the event, which stretched back to the 1999 SEA Games in Brunei, when it was won by N Manimagalay.
Shereen’s mother, Josephine Mary, herself a former national track star, said the ministry’s aid was a “huge relief” for the family.
“This will encourage other young athletes as well,” said Josephine, who was present at the press conference.
“As an athlete, if you work hard, your turn will come. Today is her (Shereen’s) day.”
She said Shereen has now set her sights on winning a medal at the Asian Games and reaching the final at the Olympics.
Yeoh said not every athlete who won a gold medal at the SEA Games would receive aid.
She said the NSC had set key performance indicators (KPIs) for athletes, and the ministry was studying this data to find out how best to assist these athletes.
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