Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has requested an increase in the bonus for athletes who win a gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games to 1 billion rupiah (US$60,000).
President Prabowo proposed the reward, which is nearly double the amount announced earlier, to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir2. This proposal was made during a meeting with the Indonesian Sports Delegation attending the 33rd SEA Games in Jakarta on Dec. 5. Prabowo, 74, stated that the bonus serves to encourage athletes to strive and also supports their future careers to improve their performance.
The President emphasized that while athletes do not compete just for money, winning a bonus like this will help a lot in their career5. He added that the increase in bonuses does not evaluate people through material things, but rather demonstrates an understanding and respect for the merits of these heroes6. He also stated that it is the way for Southeast Asia's largest economy to demonstrate its greatness.
Indonesia is participating in the 33rd SEA Games with 1,021 athletes, primarily in athletics, cycling, and fencing. The country's target for the games is to win at least 80 gold medals.
Apart from Indonesia, Vietnam still maintains the same reward levels according to Decree 152 of the Government. Accordingly, gold, silver, and bronze medalists receive VND45 million, VND25 million, and VND20 million, respectively (approximately $1,700, $950, and $760). Those who break a national record are awarded VND20 million.
Vietnam's sports federations also seek sponsorship to get additional bonuses, depending on performance targets. For example, the athletics federation awards VND1 billion if the team completes the target of winning 12 gold medals. The mixed martial arts federation awards a minimum of VND100 million for gold medals.
Some localities also have incentives for competitors from their areas. Hanoi awards VND15 million per month for two years to gold medalists. Silver and bronze medalists in Hanoi receive VND8.5 million and VND7 million a month, respectively. Ho Chi Minh City supports medalists with VND7 million to VND12.5 million VND per month for two years.
Other countries in the region have not announced their bonuses. The Philippines has just confirmed a support of 24,000 pesos ($406.52) for each coach and athlete.
At the 2023 SEA Games, the Philippines' bonus for a gold medal was 300,000 pesos, Cambodia offered $10,000, Singapore offered S$10,000 ($7,700), and Malaysia offered 20,000 ringgit ($4,860).
Thailand usually only announces the total bonus for the entire sports delegation. The total amount the Thai government had to pay in the previous edition was 207.03 million baht ($6.5 million) for 108 gold medals, 96 silver medals and 108 bronze medals.
The SEA Games open on Dec. 9 and run until Dec. 20 in Bangkok and the nearby coastal province of Chonburi, with thousands of athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries competing in events ranging from football and fencing to skateboarding, sailing and combat sports.
They include world-class performers such as Olympic weightlifting gold medallists Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines and Rizki Juniansyah of Indonesia, and Thailand's badminton silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn.