Indonesia announces $60,000 reward for SEA Games gold medalists

The proposal, nearly double the previously announced amount, was made to Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir during Prabowo's meeting with the Indonesian sports delegation in Jakarta on Dec. 5.

Prabowo, 74, said the higher reward aims to motivate athletes to strive for excellence while supporting their long-term careers.

"Athletes do not compete for money, but a bonus like this can help them significantly," he noted, adding that the increase reflects respect for their contributions and demonstrates the strength of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Indonesia football players show off their gold medal from SEA Games 32 as they leave host country Cambodia on May 18, 2023. Photo by PSSI

Indonesia will send 1,021 athletes to the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, primarily competing in athletics, cycling, and fencing. The country is targeting at least 80 gold medals.

Vietnam continues to apply reward levels set by Government Decree 152. Gold, silver, and bronze medalists receive VND45 million, VND25 million, and VND20 million, respectively (around $1,700, $950, and $760). Athletes who break a national record earn an additional VND20 million.

Sports federations in Vietnam also seek sponsorships to provide extra bonuses based on performance. For instance, the athletics federation offers VND1 billion if the team meets its target of 12 gold medals, while the mixed martial arts federation awards at least VND100 million for each gold.

Local governments provide further incentives. In Hanoi, gold medalists receive VND15 million per month for two years, with silver and bronze medalists earning VND8.5 million and VND7 million. Ho Chi Minh City pays between VND7 million and VND12.5 million per month for two years.

Several other Southeast Asian countries have yet to announce their bonuses. The Philippines has confirmed support of 24,000 pesos ($407) for each coach and athlete.

At the 2023 SEA Games, the Philippines awarded 300,000 pesos per gold medal, Cambodia $10,000, Singapore S$10,000 ($7,700), and Malaysia 20,000 ringgit ($4,860).

Thailand typically announces only the total payout for its entire delegation. In the previous edition, the government paid 207.03 million baht ($6.5 million) for 108 gold, 96 silver, and 108 bronze medals.

The 33rd SEA Games will open on Dec. 9 and run until Dec. 20 in Bangkok and the nearby coastal province of Chonburi, featuring thousands of athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries competing in events ranging from football and fencing to skateboarding, sailing, and combat sports.

The field includes world-class stars such as Olympic weightlifting champions Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines and Rizki Juniansyah of Indonesia, as well as Thailand’s badminton world silver medalist Kunlavut Vitidsarn.