Hard work pays as Aaron-Wooi Yik get reward for winning Asian title

PETALING JAYA: Hard work always pays off, and for newly crowned Asian champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, it also came with a reward.

Just a week after their historic victory in Ningbo, China, the men’s doubles pair had even more to smile about as they would be receiving RM20,000 through the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam).

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin confirmed that the duo would receive the reward under the current Shakam system, despite a new incentive structure being under development.

“There is an allocation for the winners of the Asian Championships, and they will receive the reward accordingly,” said Jefri.

“They will receive it under the existing Shakam scheme. As for the new structure, it is currently undergoing a two-month review process before being presented to the NSC board for final approval.”

Last year, after successfully defending their bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Aaron and Wooi Yik enjoyed the sweet rewards of RM100,000 each from Shakam.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) also rewarded them with RM125,000 each. To top it off, the pair were each presented with a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SUV as part of their reward package, making the achievement even sweeter.

In Ningbo last week, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik ended Malaysia’s 18-year title drought at the Asian Championships by defeating China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi.

Their triumph marked the first time a Malaysian men’s doubles pair had won the title since Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah claimed it in Johor Baru back in 2007.

NSC also shared in the joy, attributing part of the pair’s resurgence to the appointment of Indonesian badminton legend Herry Iman Pierngadi as the new men’s doubles coach.

“We believe that bringing in a coach from Indonesia has had an immediate impact on Aaron and Wooi Yik’s performance. This is the change that BAM requested from the Youth and Sports Ministry and the NSC, and we have provided our full support,” Jefri added.