Melaka: Malaysia’s World No. 8 men’s doubles player, Aaron Chia, who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games partnering Soh Wooi Yik, received a cash bonus of RM50,000 (USD $11,798) from the Melaka State Government on Wednesday.
The youth development and sports committee chairman Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen of the state of Melaka hoped the incentive would motivate all Malaka-born athletes to achieve excellence on the international stage.
“The state government and the State Sports Council are very proud of Aaron’s achievement. In addition to the RM50,000, the state government has also decided to give Aaron another RM3,000 (USD $707) as a reward for his achievement in the Olympics,” said Naizamohideen.
“The state government would like to thank and congratulate Aaron and other athletes who represented Malaysia in badminton at the Tokyo Olympics,” added Naizamohideen.
Chia and Soh won the bronze medal after defeating the World No. 2 pair – Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 in the bronze medal playoff at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Chia also thanked the state government for rewarding him.
“I am very proud as a child of Melaka, playing in the Olympics and won a bronze medal for Malaysia,” said Chia.
Apart from Aaron, two other badminton players from Melaka who also competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including mixed doubles player Goh Liu Ying and women’s doubles player Lee Meng Yean, each received a cash reward of RM3,000 (USD $707).
Chia also told Malaysian media that he had to return to training after taking a 10-day break upon returning from Tokyo.
“I will return to training on August 24 and will discuss with the coaching staff to strengthen my performance,” said Chia as he will need to get ready to compete at the Thomas Cup Finals and the Sudirman Cup.
Chia who came from Batu Berendam, Melaka, admitted there will be pressure playing at the Thomas Cup Finals and Sudirman Cup.
“The pressure is always there, but I will use it as a motivation to continue the fight,” explained Chia.
The Sudirman Cup 2021 is scheduled to take place in Vantaa, Finland from September 26 to October 3, while the Thomas Cup, which had been postponed from last year, will be held in Aarhus, Denmark from October 9 to 17.
