Hannah Yeoh: SEA Games gold medalist Shereen will receive up to RM400,000 financial aid
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 ― Hannah Yeoh today said that Sea Games gold medalist Shereen Samson Vallabouy will receive up to RM400,000 in financial aid that has been allocated by the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Free Malaysia Today today reported the youth and sports minister as saying that Shereen will start receiving the funds starting from June 1 until July of the following year to support her ongoing training in the United States.
“The cash aid will help cover accommodation and coaching expenses as well as meal allowances, cryotherapy, and tournament fees, among other expenses,” the news portal quoted her as saying this morning at a press conference in Parliament.
According to the news portal, Josephine Mary, Shereen's mother and a former national track star herself, expressed that the aid provided by the ministry will be a ‘huge relief’ for the family.
“This will encourage other young athletes as well.
“As an athlete, if you work hard, your turn will come. Today is her (Shereen’s) day,” she was quoted saying.
Josephine added that Shereen's goals now include winning a medal at the Asian Games and making it to the finals in the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said that not all gold medalists from the SEA Games would receive financial assistance.
Yeoh said that the National Sports Council (NSC) has established key performance indicators for athletes, and the ministry is analysing the data to determine the most effective ways to support these athletes.
During the 2023 Sea Games held this month, Shereen achieved a significant milestone for Malaysia by winning the gold medal in the women's 400m event, ending a 24-year drought.
She completed the race in 53.53 seconds, securing the first-place position which was previously attained by N. Manimagalay at the 1999 Brunei Sea Games.
In April, Shereen also made headlines by breaking the 30-year-old national record for the women's 400m event.
She achieved this feat by clocking a time of 51.80 seconds, finishing first in the initial heat of the St Mac Relays held at Mt San Antonio College in Walnut, California.
