Azizulhasni targets sixth Olympics at LA2028 as Malaysia's medallists share RM4.26 million in SHAKAM rewards
The government paid RM4.26 million to medallists and coaches from three 2026 Games. Azizulhasni got the top award of RM180,000 and says LA2028 is about his legacy.
Track cyclist Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang says his attempt to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is about ending his career the right way, not about making up for past disappointments. The 38-year-old received the highest individual award, RM180,000, when the government paid RM4.26 million in incentives to Malaysia's 2026 medallists and their coaches. The money was presented on Tuesday night (3 November).
Where the RM4.26 million goes
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said RM3.55 million went to medal-winning athletes under the Sports Victory Reward Scheme (SHAKAM). The other RM710,000 went to their coaches under the Coach Incentive Scheme (SGAR).
The payments cover three multi-sport Games held this year:
- Glasgow Commonwealth Games: RM1.09 million
- Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: RM1.87 million
- Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games: RM1.30 million
Utusan Malaysia reported that Taufiq called the payments a national gesture recognising the athletes' sacrifice, discipline and excellence, and not just a cash reward.
Azizulhasni won two golds and a bronze across the two major Games he competed in this year. Para long jumper Datuk Abdul Latif Romly received RM160,000 after winning T20 long jump gold at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Para Games.
A strong year at the Games
Malaysia went past its targets at all three events, according to RTM. At Glasgow, held from 23 July to 2 August, the team won eight gold, three silver and five bronze medals and finished 10th overall. The target had been five golds, and it was Malaysia's best Commonwealth Games result since New Delhi 2010.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Malaysia won nine gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals against a target of six golds. That equals the country's best Asian Games gold count, first set at Guangzhou 2010. At the Asian Para Games, held from 18 to 24 October, the national contingent reached its target of six golds.
Taufiq said the results should help Malaysia prepare for the 2027 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, which the country will host. Utusan Malaysia reported that Budget 2027 includes RM240 million for preparations for those Games.
Azizulhasni: LA2028 is about his legacy
Azizulhasni would be going to his sixth Olympics, and he says he is now focused on qualifying first. Bernama, as carried by the Sarawak Tribune, reported that he is taking things one step at a time and will not promise a gold medal.
He said he could not race properly at Paris 2024 or show his true form there. After deciding to retire, he woke up each day feeling he had unfinished business, and that was why he made a comeback.
Building a team for the final campaign
National head coach John Beasley has left, and Azizulhasni has run his own training in Melbourne since his heart surgery. He said an Olympic campaign cannot be done alone. "I still need a team to back me up," he said. He is meeting possible corporate sponsors and wants a professional campaign set up by December.
He thanked the Youth and Sports Ministry, the National Sports Council, the National Sports Institute and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation. He also told younger riders to treat incentives as extra motivation and to put pride in representing the country first.
Key takeaways
- The government paid RM4.26 million in total: RM3.55 million to athletes under SHAKAM and RM710,000 to coaches under SGAR.
- Asian Games medallists received RM1.87 million, Commonwealth Games medallists RM1.09 million and Asian Para Games medallists RM1.30 million.
- Azizulhasni received the top award of RM180,000 and Abdul Latif Romly RM160,000.
- Azizulhasni, 38, is aiming for a sixth Olympics at LA2028 and wants a sponsor-backed campaign in place by December.
FAQ
What is SHAKAM? SHAKAM is the Sports Victory Reward Scheme (Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan). It pays cash rewards to Malaysian athletes who win medals at major Games. Coaches are rewarded under a separate scheme, SGAR.
How many gold medals did Malaysia win at the 2026 Asian Games? Nine gold, seven silver and 16 bronze. The nine golds equal Malaysia's best Asian Games total, from Guangzhou 2010.
Why did Azizulhasni come out of retirement? He said he could not race properly at Paris 2024 and felt he had unfinished business. LA2028 would be his sixth Olympics.
Sources: RTM, Utusan Malaysia, Sarawak Tribune (Bernama)