Melaka gov't rewards Olympic bronze medalist Aaron Chia with RM50,000 contribution

MELAKA: National badminton men's doubles player, Aaron Chia's bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was rewarded with a RM50,000 contribution by the Melaka government today.

State Youth Development and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said the contribution is hoped to motivate of all Melaka-born athletes to achieve excellence on the international stage.

"This success is a source of pride for the state government and the State Sports Council. In addition to the RM50,000 the state government will also contribute another RM3,000 for making it to the Olympics.

"The Melaka government would like to congratulate and thank Aaron and the other national badminton players who competed in the Tokyo Olympics," he told reporters after the handing over ceremony by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

Also present was Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

Aaron paired up with Soh Wooi Yik to win the bronze after defeating experienced Indonesian pair, Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 17-21, 21-17, 21-14.

Meanwhile, in thanking the state government for the contribution, Aaron said as a Melaka-born, he was proud to have competed in the Olympics and for his podium finish.

Besides Aaron, two other national badminton players from Melaka, namely mixed doubles player Goh Liu Ying and women's doubles player Lee Meng Yean, each received RM3,000 from the state government for participating in the prestigious sporting event.

-- BERNAMA