‘They deserve recognition’: Netizens call for cash incentives for all Singapore SEA Games medallists

SINGAPORE: Netizens have called for all SEA Games medallists to receive cash incentives following Singapore’s strong showing at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, where the Republic finished fifth overall with a total of 202 medals — 52 gold, 61 silver and 89 bronze.

The issue of whether silver and bronze medallists should also be recognised gained traction after an Instagram post by user @machaspize93 on 19 December 2025 drew attention to the apparent lack of monetary rewards for non-gold medallists.

The post shared a table attributed to the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), comparing Major Achievement Programme (MAP) incentives from 2022 to 2024.

The MAP serves as an incentive scheme for medal winners at the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games.

According to the table, only SEA Games gold medallists appeared eligible for cash incentives, with payouts of up to S$10,000, while silver and bronze medallists were listed as receiving no monetary rewards.

“Silver and bronze medals have no reward. Are you kidding me? This is some b**lshit,” the user wrote, tagging SNOC and urging the organisation to provide fairer compensation for athletes who represented Singapore.

The Online Citizen (TOC) has reached out to SNOC to clarify whether the 2022–2024 MAP framework applies to the 2025 SEA Games, and whether any cash incentives are provided for silver and bronze medallists. An update will be provided if a response is received.

Netizens urge recognition for all medallists

Comments on platforms such as The Online Citizen and the 8Days Facebook page reflected mixed public sentiment, though many netizens argued that all medal winners — including silver and bronze — deserved recognition for their efforts.

One user said some cash should be allocated to silver and bronze medallists as encouragement and appreciation for their hard work in representing Singapore.

Another commented that all medallists should be rewarded to boost morale and inspire future athletes, adding that sporting success should not be valued only when it comes with gold medals and fame.

A separate comment said all athletes put in equal effort, and that rewarding only gold medallists was unfair, as every podium finisher deserved monetary recognition regardless of medal colour.

One netizen questioned the logic of celebrating podium finishes if silver and bronze medals were treated as meaningless, adding that athletes trained just as hard and deserved recognition rather than selective appreciation.

Another user wrote that regardless of whether the medal was gold, silver or bronze, the athlete was still representing Singapore on an international stage.

The comment added that while Singapore had world-class sports facilities, it was disappointing that second- and third-place finishers might not receive even a single cent.

Some comments were more critical. One netizen said the lack of incentives could explain why Singapore struggled to develop sporting talent, arguing that the policy made it “not worth it” to win silver or bronze.

Another called for a review of what they described as an inequitable system, saying sports played a vital role in national cohesion, identity and long-term economic potential.

Not all responses supported expanding cash incentives. One user cautioned against over-emphasising financial rewards, arguing that while athletes brought glory to the nation, they also benefited from proving themselves through competition.

The comment warned that using money as the main incentive could shift athletes’ focus from the satisfaction of participation and achievement towards financial gain.

Parliamentary context on athlete incentives

The issue of athlete rewards has previously been discussed in Parliament. During a sitting on 16 October 2024, a motion titled Olympic and Paralympic Achievements examined how Singapore honours its Olympians and Paralympians.

Then-Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said the Government largely leaves cash incentives for major Games medals to the private sector, allowing public funding to prioritise athlete development and support a broader base of sports.

While acknowledging that Singapore’s Olympic gold payout ranks among the highest globally, he said such incentives do not address wider aspects of sports development.

Associate Professor Jamus Lim of the Workers’ Party questioned why financial parity between Olympians and Paralympians had not been achieved, despite both schemes being funded through the Tote Board.

In response, Edwin Tong said athlete rewards were determined by non-government bodies such as SNOC and the Singapore National Paralympic Council, adding that Singapore’s payouts remained comparatively generous when compared with countries such as Canada.